Meeting of mizoram government and 16th finance commission held in aizawl

A meeting between the Mizoram Government, led by Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma, and members of the 16th Finance Commission was held this afternoon at the Secretariat Conference Hall, MINECO. The meeting was chaired by Pu Vanlaldina Fanai, Commissioner & Secretary, Finance, and attended by Ministers, the Chief Secretary, and various Secretaries and Directors from different departments of the Mizoram Government. Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma extended his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, and other commission members for their visit and discussions. He emphasized the significance of the meeting in shaping a favorable and progressive financial roadmap for Mizoram. He highlighted the unique geographical and economic conditions of the state, noting that over 84% of Mizoram’s land is covered by forests, making land availability a challenge. He stressed the importance of sustainable land use, conservation of forests, flora, and fauna, and the need for special financial considerations to address these challenges.

The Chief Minister pointed out that Mizoram, with its high tribal population, has a significant workforce engaged in traditional occupations. Despite the state’s high literacy rate, it faces hurdles due to its mountainous terrain, lack of industrial opportunities, and high costs of essential goods and transportation. He urged the Finance Commission to provide continued financial support to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable development. He further highlighted that nearly 83.56% of Mizoram’s revenue comes from Tax Devolution and Grants-in-Aid, with only about 16.77% generated internally. Given the state’s difficult terrain, frequent natural disasters, floods, landslides, and water scarcity, he stressed the need for special financial consideration from the Finance Commission. During the meeting, the Finance Department presented a detailed account of the state’s past financial statements and economic status. The 16th Finance Commission members also deliberated on several key proposals from the Mizoram Government, including support for skill development initiatives for youth, optimal utilization of bamboo resources, and the establishment of additional nursing schools and colleges. They assured that all requests would be carefully reviewed and that Mizoram’s financial needs would be given due consideration.

As part of their nationwide study on state finances, the 16th Finance Commission has already visited 18 states, with Mizoram being the 19th. The visiting delegation included Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya, along with members Pu Ajay Narayan Jha, Pi Annie George Matthew, and Dr. Manoj Panda, accompanied by other senior officials. The 16th Finance Commission, established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution on December 31, 2023, is mandated to recommend fiscal devolution principles between the Union and State Governments for the five-year period beginning April 1, 2026. The commission consists of a Chairman and four full-time members.