Lunglei HPC Vice Chairman Pu V. Malsawmtluanga Discusses Key Issues for Mizoram with Senior Officials in Delhi

August : Pu V. Malsawmtluanga, MLA and Vice Chairman of the Lunglei High Powered Committee (HPC), met with several senior officials in Delhi from August 2 to 7, 2024, to discuss various important matters concerning Mizoram. The officials included Pu Armstrong Pame, IAS, Director, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Pi Lal Ramdinpuii Renthlei, IES, Joint Director, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Pu T. Roumuan Paite, IRS, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NSTFDC (National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation) & Managing Director, TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited); Pu B. Vanlalvawna, IFS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; and Pu Puneet Rastogi, IPS, Additional Director General, Border Security Force.

During his meeting with Pu Armstrong Pame, Pu V. Malsawmtluanga discussed various developmental initiatives for Mizoram. Pu Armstrong Pame informed that a private company could construct movie theatres/cinema halls in five selected districts of Mizoram, and ₹30 crore would be allocated to the District Administration for site development, water, and power supply for these projects.

In his meeting with Pi Lal Ramdinpuii Renthlei, Pu V. Malsawmtluanga discussed various development projects for Mizoram. He emphasized the need to ensure maximum financial assistance for Mizoram. Pi Lal Ramdinpuii Renthlei was also invited to serve as an advisor to the Lunglei HPC, and she assured her full support, indicating that she would seriously consider the Vice Chairman’s request.

At the TRIFED Managing Director’s Office in Okhla, New Delhi, Pu V. Malsawmtluanga met with Pu T. Romuan Paite, MD, and Lt. Col. Sanyam Kashyap, General Manager, and held fruitful discussions. TRIFED highlighted the ongoing and planned initiatives in Mizoram and mentioned that, in collaboration with the National Cooperative Development Corporation and Mizoram Rural Bank, they would offer loans to individuals, societies, and self-help groups. The loans, expected to reach around ₹500 million, will be provided under favorable terms. Furthermore, under the Promoting Tribal Products Scheme, TRIFED plans to market handicrafts made by Mizo artisans through the Tribes India Store, and if the Mizoram government identifies a location, they are willing to open a store in Aizawl. They also requested that District Administrations assist with the empanelment process to facilitate this initiative.

During his meeting with Pu B. Vanlalvawna at his office in South Block, New Delhi, Pu V. Malsawmtluanga expressed his appreciation for Pu B. Vanlalvawna’s distinguished service as a well-regarded Mizo officer. Pu B. Vanlalvawna, in turn, assured that the Ministry/Embassy is always ready to support Mizo/Indian citizens facing challenges abroad and will continue to assist them in any way possible.

Finally, in his meeting with Pu Puneet Rastogi, IPS, Additional Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), Pu V. Malsawmtluanga discussed the operational activities of the BSF in Mizoram, particularly in Lunglei District. He urged the BSF to work more closely with the local community and to intensify Civic Action Programmes to benefit the people. Pu Malsawmtluanga also requested that, although it may not yet be possible to establish a dedicated Mizo battalion within the BSF, the four existing BSF battalions in Mizoram should continue to include a significant number of Mizo personnel. He also stressed the importance of assigning Mizo personnel to posts within Mizoram to reduce difficulties arising from language barriers and other challenges.