MIZORAM: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, addressing the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Lammual (former Assam Rifles Ground), said that Independence Day is often used by Chief Ministers to highlight initiatives from their tenure, but this year he intended to focus on new measures introduced under his “New System” policy reforms which, he noted, had never been implemented before. “The message I am about to deliver is entirely my own words,” he stated.
The CM unveiled an extensive set of reforms aimed at curbing corruption, increasing transparency, and strengthening the state’s financial health.
Among the anti-corruption measures, Lalduhoma announced the granting of general consent to the CBI, expansion of the Right to Public Services Act from 51 to 140 services, cataloguing of all departmental assets, launch of an upgraded Mipui Aw grievance portal, mandatory biometric attendance, and revival of the State Vigilance Committee after nine years. An Integrity Pact is now compulsory for all government contracts.
Technology-driven governance initiatives include the rollout of e-Office across 43 departments, e-Ram for land records, digitised ration cards, e-POS in all fair price shops, and services such as online OPD registration, ILP renewal alerts, a Mizo Diaspora Hub, AI-powered assistance, a citizen incident-reporting app, and Google Pay electricity bill payments. Future plans include online cab booking and fully digital birth and death registration.
A CSR Cell has been set up to attract corporate funding, while standard operating procedures have been mandated for all projects. Departmental convergence has been institutionalised and industrial and investment policies will be merged to encourage business growth. Under the Mizoram Start-up Mission, venture capital is being provided to local entrepreneurs.
On the financial front, Lalduhoma reported the clearance of a Rs 65.05 crore overdraft in 2023, a reduction of liabilities by over Rs 679 crore in FY 2023-24, and a further Rs 1,003 crore cut targeted this year. Additional measures include gender budgeting, direct procurement from factories, timely salary payments, clearing healthcare and power bill arrears, and generating Rs 61 crore profits through power trading. The old-age pension has been raised from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000. (ANI)
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