New Delhi/Aizawl (mizonews.net): Mizoram government has submitted 54 projects to be  implemented by the North Eastern Council (NEC) during the 12th Five Year Plan.

However, Chief Minister Lalthanhawla, who attended the 61st North Eastern Council (NEC) Plenary Meet yesterday here in  New Delhi said he does not know whether the 54 projects would be included in the Plan  Sector of NEC.

Lalthanhawla also expressed his gratitude for being able to attend the 61st Plenery Meet to discuss the NEC 12th Five Year Plan and Annual Plan 2012 – 13.  He said that the NEC draft plan this year has been discussed only with different departments, but had not been discussed at the state level. “Therefore, the Council Secretariat does not know whether the 54 projects and other proposals submitted should be included in the Plan section,” Lalthanhawla said.

Rs.13027.38 crore has been proposed for NEC Draft 12th Five Year Plan which is 48% higher than the 11th Plan and this is quite suitable for the North Eastern states, he opined, expressing his hope that it may not be decreased later again just like the Planning Commission had reduced the proposed fund in the 11th Plan by half per cent later.

“Further, the fund proposed for 2012-13 annual plan- Rs.770 Crore is a bit less,” Lalthanhawla said.

The chief minister also charged that NEC officials and its constituents state officials  hardly met on the issue of allocation of fund in the last 38 years, as a result of which “the so-called ‘other agencies’ often gets more”.

Lalthanhawla also highlighted the need for storing of water using modern technology and  precautionary measures against natural disasters like earthquake, flood and others; and developing rural banks; creation of micro credit fund by SIDBI and NEDFI for North East states particularly, and further implementing the proposals of the Thorat Committee for this purpose.

Lalthanhawla was accompanied by Chief Secretary Van Hela Pachuau and his deputy  L.Tochhawng.

Keywords: Latest Mizoram News