Aizawl: Mizoram has achieved significant progress in various sectors in the last one year despite several hurdles triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mizo chief minister Zoramthanga said in his Independence Day speech.

The event was held at lammual or Assam Rifles ground in Aizawl.

Addressing the people on the occasion of 76th Independence Day in Aizawl, the chief minister said that government continues to take concrete steps to strengthen internal security. He said that there has been no major law and order problem thanks to ‘proactive measures’ taken up by the state police during the past year.

Out of the 1,633 criminal cases registered, 676 have been successfully investigated, 12 arms smuggling cases have been registered and 20 illegal dealers arrested, he said. The law enforcement agencies have arrested 2,425 people for violation of the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019 since its implementation in May 2019 and as many as 517 drug traffickers were arrested and prosecuted during the last year, he said.

Zoramthanga urged the people to work in unison to make Mizoram a land of peace and prosperity.

He added, “Let us, therefore, join hands to face the challenges of tomorrow through a common commitment towards peace, prosperity and social justice. Our present times demand that we remain strong and confident, in order to be able to pursue our dreams of realising newer heights in the future.”

According to the chief minister, the state PWD has completed several works of formation cutting, blacktopping and construction of cement concrete pavements across the state. Under the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission, household tap connections have gone to to 85,231 families in 177 rural villages and 1,13,800 households in urban areas.

He said that a total of 2,08,829 households have been issued Job Cards and all of them were provided employment during fiscal 2021-2022.

He said that the rural development department is aiming at providing 100 days of employment to active job card holders by the end of the current fiscal. Zoramthanga said that the state has been making constant efforts for the development of tourism.

The state government has received a sanction of Rs 800 lakh from the Centre for the development of village-based eco-tourism in Khamrang near Aizawl, he said. The upcoming International Tourism Mart to be held in Mizoram in early November is expected to give a major boost to tourism promotion in the state, he said.

Recently, the Union Ministry of Tourism has approved a proposal for tourism infrastructure development for Mizoram under the ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive Scheme’ (PRASHAD) at various locations in the state, the chief minister added.

Independence Day was celebrated across Mizoram on Monday with Independence Day functions held in all the district capitals and important towns of the state.

  development, India, Mizoram, Northeast