Newmai News Network Aizawl | July 3 The Mizoram government will soon launch the second phase of New Economic Development Policy (NEDP) – New Land Use Policy (NLUP) convergence scheme (2017-18), which will benefit over 16,000 beneficiaries, an official statement said on Tuesday. A meeting to this effect was convened on Tuesday under the leadership of NLUP Implementing Board (NIB) vice chairman, PL Thanga at NIB conference hall in Aizawl. The meeting was attended by representatives of various line departments, the official statement added. Altogether 16,400 beneficiaries from 40 clusters have been selected under the scheme, which will be implemented as per the guidelines of NEDP-NLUP convergence scheme. The official statement said that beneficiaries will be assisted with Rs 1 lakh each, which will be given in two installments according to their trades and Rs 50,000 or 50 per cent will be given as first installment. As for auto rickshaw commercial purpose, beneficiaries are asked to inform to the Director, Transport department about the amount of money which they are willing to contribute for purchase of auto rickshaw besides Rs 1 lakh assistance from the government as one auto rickshaw will cost more than Rs 1 lakh. Rs 82 crore has been allocated for the first installment and beneficiaries will be paid through their bank accounts. Any beneficiaries who fail to implement the scheme as per work order and sanction order shall cease to receive 2nd installment, the statement also said. NLUP is the Congress led state government’s flagship programme to develop and give all farmers in the state suitable, permanent and stable trades. The policy also aims at giving all village farmers self sufficiency in rice and vegetables. Among others, the main objectives of NLUP include putting an end to wasteful traditional shifting cultivation and development of suitable land for Wet Rice Cultivation to attain sufficiency in rice and vegetables. The idea was conceived in 1984 and was implemented in a small scale during 1985 - 1992. The policy was again implemented in 2011 after the Congress came to power once more in 2008. The NEDP, which is a comprehensive growth strategy for Mizoram was launched in 2016 to supplement NLUP. The policy aims at bringing about a sea change in the way priorities are placed in matters of economic development and governance so as to ensure that the state fully capitalizes on the new opportunities placed before it. Its chief aim is to boost the state’s agriculture-based economy, develop rural infrastructure and to raise livelihood of the people. Meanwhile, the anti-corruption campaign group turned political party, People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) slammed the state government for allegedly implementing NLUP programme based on party affiliation. PRISM president Vanlalruata alleged that the Congress government has included four Congress members, who had failed to win seat in 2013 assembly elections among the 32 ruling Congress MLAs to identify and select beneficiaries from their respective constituencies. He said that the inclusion of four 'unelected' members allegedly with a prime motive to woo voters was against the law and violation of NLUP guideline. Alleging that almost all the beneficiaries were Congress members, Vanlalruata said the NLUP should be implemented without any party affiliation as it is a state’s flagship programme.
