Mizoram: 60,000 beneficiaries identified under SEDP programme

Aizawl: At least 60,000 beneficiaries have been selected to receive assistance under the state’s flagship programme-Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) for the first phase, Mizoram Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia said on Monday.

“We have selected beneficiaries and we are planning to provide assistance of Rs 50,000 each to 60,000 families under the SEDP for their economic startup,” Tawnluia said while addressing a political session at the party office here.

He said that 1,500 families have been selected from each assembly constituency to receive the assistance. Mizoram has 40 assembly constituencies. 

The minister said that the SEDP has been devised to nurture the people and bring economic development in the state. 

He claimed that the SEDP programme has been partly implemented in the form of constructing roads and hiring teachers, among others, since the Mizo National Front (MNF) came to power in the state in 2018. “Focus is now on the uplift of the general public and the programme will be implemented will be family oriented,” he said. 

The SEDP is the flagship programme of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), which aims at bringing sustainable development by accelerating progress in key sectors through exploration and judicious use of resources and maintaining equality and equity among the citizens.

Under this policy, the government is planning to provide monetary assistance to the tune of not less than Rs. 3 lakh to beneficiaries to start projects (trades) of their choice for sustainable development and the economic uplift of households.

Tawnluia, who is also senior vice president of the MNF, exuded hope that the party will win a landslide victory in the upcoming Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) polls, scheduled to be held on May 5. 

He said that the party is strong enough to sweep the council polls and also claimed that the party does not have any internal squabbles under the leadership of party president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga. 

At least 85 candidates are in fray for the 25-member MADC polls. The ruling MNF has fielded 25 candidates, while the BJP is contesting 24 seats, Congress (23) and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) is contesting for the first time in 8 constituencies. Five independent candidates are also in the fray. Counting of votes will be on May 9.

In the last council polls held in May 2017, the Congress had won by a majority of 17 seats, while the MNF and Mara Democratic Front (MDF) combine won 7 and one Independent candidate had been declared elected. 

In October 2017, the MDF merged with BJP. The council came under the BJP since June 2019, when all Congress members defected to the saffron party.

The BJP now has 17 members in the 25- member council, MNF (6) and the Congress (2).

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