Mizoram seeks peace dividend benefit from Centre

The Mizoram government has asked the Centre to provide peace dividend benefits to meet the state’s financial need in tackling potential insurgent threat from outside, an official said. During a pre-budget meeting of finance ministers of states and Union Territories chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi on Saturday, Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma said that Mizoram did not receive Security Related Expenditure (SRE) from the Centre but it  has to protect itself from threat of insurgent groups from outside the states, the official said. The chief minister asked the Centre to provide peace dividend benefits to the state, he said.

Lalduhoma informed the meeting that Mizoram is lagging behind others and has seen development lately due to 20 years long insurgency in the state during 1966-1986. He said that the state needs huge financial support to go on par with other states  in terms of development. He said that the state lacks industry in order to generate income from its source and it is also overburdened with refugees due to the crisis in its neighbouring countries and states. Citing that the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government headed by him is firm on its poll promise of “Change,”  Lalduhoma urged the Centre to earmark more funds for Mizoram in the 2024-25 Union budget.

He said that the 15th Finance Commission has earmarked Rs. 546 crore for Mizoram, which is yet to be received in full and the state also did not receive its due share of Rs. 2370.80 crore  of Central Share of Taxes for the fiscal 2019-20 and 2020-21, he said. He said that the state’s liability passed on to the present government due to failure to receive funds (share of taxes and other funds) from the Centre and urged the Centre to find a way to mitigate the state of its liability. He also urged a special package for a remote state like Mizoram and also asked to review allocation for Externally Aided Projects and streamline provision of Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) funds.