Mizoram asked to seek private partners in power, health

AIZAWL - The Planning Commission has asked Mizoram to seek private partnership in power, health and education sectors besides developmental projects to accelerate the economic growth of the state, an official said Saturday.

The advice came at a meeting between Planning Commission member B.K. Chaturvedi and senior Mizoram government officials led by Chief Secretary Pu Van Hela Pachuau, said the plan panel official present at the meet.

“Chaturvedi urged the officials to explore private partnerships in areas such as power, health and education. He also asked them to think of convergence in development projects wherever possible and be open to private investments in the state as they can accelerate the rate of economic development,” the official said.

Chaturvedi said that with the initiative of the agriculture department in setting up an palm oil factory, the agricultural sector in Mizoram needs to be supplemented with some industrial and food processing activities.

“The skill development should provide gainful employment to people to accelerate the pace of growth,” he told the state officials.

Chaturvedi also emphasised that ongoing New Land Use Policy (NLUP) should aim at developing economic regeneration of the people and not only consumption regeneration.

The NLUP is the Mizoram government’s flagship programme, and seeks to uplift the poorer sections of society by giving them a permanent source of income to do away with the ’slash and burn’ method of cultivation, locally called “jhum”, and move towards improved sustainable land-based means of livelihood.