AIZAWL: Citing the state's low population density and abundant territory, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma stressed the need to accelerate population growth in the state on Wednesday.
"Mizoram has enough land to accommodate more people," Lalduhoma remarked during the second day of Zofest 2024, which was hosted at Lalbuanga Hall in West Phaileng.
"We need to encourage population growth, particularly among the Zofate," he added. In keeping with its objective to address this demographic challenge, the Chief Minister disclosed that his government is looking at incentives for families with more than three children in order to promote larger families.
CM Lalduhoma also commended the increasing solidarity among Zo descendants worldwide and in Mizoram. He cited the current efforts to unite nine Zo community churches in the United States and the creation of the Mizoram Council of Churches. He reiterated the government's commitment to promoting unity among Zo groups by saying, "Several meetings have been held under my chairmanship to strengthen ties among Zo tribes in the Chin Hills and beyond."
The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizoram's largest student organisation, was praised by the chief minister for its persistent attempts to bring the Zo ethnic groupings together. The 20th edition of Zofest, with the theme "Hrui khat vuanin" (Marching together as one), attracts attendees from Mizoram, other states, and even US delegations.
Mizoram Legislative Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama also formally introduced the Zo Indigenous ID, a project of the Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO), yesterday at his office.
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