Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday said farmer welfare and systemic governance reforms remain among the biggest strengths of the present Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government.
The Chief Minister also announced key infrastructure projects for Hrangturzo constituency in Serchhip district during a party conference.
“One of the key strengths of our government is its commitment to supporting and uplifting farmers. Our government has introduced extensive reforms to the administrative system. Those who claim they cannot see any change in governance simply do not wish to acknowledge them,” Lalduhoma said while addressing the ZPM East Block conference in East Lungdar village.
He said the government’s commitment to providing assured prices for agricultural produce has been fulfilled, with procurement currently covering five crops, ginger, broom grass, chilli, turmeric and broom bamboo, and plans are underway to expand the list.
Lalduhoma said that, unlike previous governments that distributed funds freely, the present administration is committed to prudent financial management and does not permit unnecessary expenditure.
He described the procurement of farmers’ produce as one of the government’s most meaningful investments.
The Chief Minister said the government is also working towards promoting cluster-based farming, enabling farmers cultivating similar crops to grow them in designated areas to improve efficiency, production and marketing.
On infrastructure, Lalduhoma said the state government is awaiting approval under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for the proposed Rs 250-crore Artahkawn–Zawlsei road project, a 65-km stretch that has been identified as one of the government’s priority roads in Hrangturzo constituency.
Hrangturzo MLA and Chief Minister’s Adviser (Political) Lalmuanpuia Punte, who spoke on the occasion, also announced that East Lungdar will receive the first artificial turf football ground in the Tuichangral area.
He also said that improvement work on the Artahkawn–Biate road, estimated to cost around Rs 15 crore, is expected to begin during the coming dry season.
Punte said the ZPM government’s administrative reforms have brought noticeable changes in governance, claiming that several public sector undertakings (PSUs), once considered financial burdens on the state, have begun functioning more efficiently and generating positive results.