Poverty, unemployment big problems of Mizoram, says CM

Admitting that poverty and unemployment were two big problems of the state, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today sought funds from the Finance Commission to take up poverty alleviation schemes on a wider scale.

In a meeting with the members of the visiting 14th Finance Commission, he said the Commission might consider transfer of much higher quantum of non-plan fund to the state so that the state government could take up poverty alleviation schemes on a wider scale.

The chief minister said stress should be given on providing employment opportunity to the youths of the state the finances of which were passing through a difficult time.

"To achieve prosperity side by side with sustained peace, we need to provide employment opportunity to the growing young generation through massive public investment," he said.

Higher quantum of non-plan fund was also needed to bridge the gap in non-plan account and in view of the possible impact of the seventh pay commission, he said.

Lal Thanhawla said the state was trying to achieve a reasonable degree of financial self-dependence and required the assistance and guidance of the Finance Commission.