Queen's Baton relay in Mizoram

Aizawl: Director Sports and Youth Services, Mr. Zoliana Royte today disclosed detailed programme of Queen’s baton relay in Aizawl at a press conference held this afternoon. He stated that according to the programme scheduled, Queen’s Baton for the XIXth Commonwealth Games will land at Lengpui Airport at 1 pm on 29th July by flight number IC 213.

The baton will be received by himself and be handed over to Chief Secretary Pu Vanhela Pachuau who is the Chairman of QBR Reception Committee. The baton will be taken to Bawngkawn junction from where relay will be conducted upto Vanapa Hall where a reception function will be held with the Chief Minister as the Chief Guest. Prominent sports personalities, present and past, will participate in the relay. The baton will hault for a night and proceed for Kolkatta the next day.

In commemorating the 71 Commonwealth Games Federation, a tree planting ceremony will be held on 20th July at the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium at Mualpui in which 71 saplings will be planted by Council of Ministers, MLAs and top ranking officials of the state government.

Parliamentary panel members visit Mizoram

Aizawl : The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals & Fertilizers members interacted with Mizoram Government officials at State Guest House Conference Hall on 17th July 2010 at 9:00 A.M., Several issues pertaining to Fertilizers in Mizoram are discussed in the meeting.

The Meeting was chaired by Shri Gopinath Munde, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals & Fertilizers, and the State representatives were led by Pi L.Tochhawng, IAS, Principal Secretary, Government of Mizoram.

Pi L.Tochhawng, Principal Secretary, Government of Mizoram presented problems faced by Mizoram in acquiring its allocated Fertilizers from the Centre and suggestions to overcome these problems. The Chairman responded by saying that the Committee will look into it and try its best to work them out. The Chairman also said that the team had learnt from their interactions, with the Farmers and officials at Sihphir the previous day, that insufficiency in fertilizers affected agriculture product of the State and would see to it that Mizoram farmers get adequate fertilizers. He also expressed his satisfaction by thanking the State Government and the people for their hospitality.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil & Water Conservation and Fisheries Departments.

Led by Shri Gopinath Munde, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals & Fertilizers, the team of 10 MPs and 4 Central officials arrived at Aizawl on Friday to study availability of fertilizers in Mizoram and related issues. They left on saturday afternoon for Guwahati.

Centre sanctions Rs. Ten crore for rural roads in Mizoram

Aizawl: The Ministry of Rural Development has released grant in aid worth Rs. 10,00,00,000/-(Rs. Ten crore) only as part payment of 2nd installment of Phase V for construction of rural roads in Mizoram under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

The sum is from the special window created in NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development) under RIDF as grants in aid to the Mizoram Rural Road Development Agency (MRRDA). MRRDA is the agency executing the works taken up under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in the rural areas of the country. PMGSY envisages connectivity to all habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in the rural areas and about 250 persons and above in respect of the hilly states, tribal areas and desert areas through good and all weather roads.

Mizoram to built Tourist Lodge near Serlui B Hydel Project

Serlui: Pu S. Hiato, Tourism Minister said that proposal to construct a Tourist Lodge near Serlui B Hydel Project is being sent to the Central Ministry for approval.

The Minister was on a two-day visit (2nd & 3rd July, 2010) to Tourists Lodges being constructed by Tourism Department at various locations in Kolasib District and also at Lengpui village. The Minister thoroughly inspected the Highway Restaurant and the two new Tourist Cottages being constructed at Thingdawl, Kolasib Tourist Lodge which is also still under construction, the Bairabi Tourist lodge accomodating 14 beds along with dormitory and another six-bedded Lodge being constructed nearby. The Minister told the contractors to speed up their work with quality and warned that the Government would not hesitate to terminate their contract if the works are not up to the mark.

The Minister also visited the Vairengte Tourist Lodge which is has been renovated since 2008 with an estimated cost of Rs. 45 lakhs, and warned the contractor for slow work progress and told him to complete the construction by August 15, 2010. Vairengte Tourist Lodge was first inaugurated in 1991, and it has now been renovated to give it a facelift to attract tourists from outside the state. Tourist Lodges at Vairengte, Kolasib and Bairabi will all be air-conditioned.

The Minister also inspected the two tourist lodges being constructed near Lengpui Airport, these two Lodges are expected to accommodate 32 beds and constructions works are in full swing and are expected to be completed in a short time.

The Minister also inspected other projects being undertaken by his departments ( PHE and Industries Departments) in the District. He visited a pump house near Tuichhuahen river which feeds the Kolasib Town as the main source of water supply and discussed with the Department officials the water problems faced by Kolasib as a result of breakdown of diesel engine which is being used by the water pumping machine. The Minister instructed Department officials to acquire new machine as early as possible. The Minister also instructed the officials to replace the obsolete pumping machine at Vairengte with a new one.

The Minister also visited water pump house at Kawnpui village.

In response to grievances and concerns expressed to him by the people of Bairabi regarding water problems, harnessing of Chengkawl river water, replacement of obsolete PHE water pipes, large water tanky at Bairabi Railway Station and water supply to IR Batallion at Zophai, the Minister assured them that the Department will take steps in the best interest of the people of Bairabi.

In Bairabi, the Minister visited Sena Clipping Cluster, started by Pu K.Lalhmingthanga, Republic Veng Aizawl with the help of the State Government. The Minister also visited the Modern Brick Industry, established in 2007 by Pu Lalfamkima, Aizawl with loan finance from NEDFi with a sum of Rs. 39 lakhs,
all the employees of the industry are Mizos and the industry can produce 3,60,000 bricks in 48 hours, Pu Lalfamkima told the Minister that even at this rate of production, the industry still can not meet the brick demands of Mizoram.

The Minister also visited CeeKee Bamboo and Wood Product at Thingdawl, this firm has been established by Pu Lalthanpuia, Aizawl through the Bamboo Development Agency, with the cost of Rs.12 lakhs. Bamboo and Wooden furnitures of high and fine qualities are produced here.

The Minister was accompanied by Pu H. Zothangliana, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism etc., Pu Vabeiha Hlychho, Director Tourism, Pu Jim K. Chozah, Director I&PR, Er. Vanlallianzuala, CE PHE, Pu Lalruata Sailo, SE PWD, Industries Department Officers and several other officials from concerned Departments.

AK-47 rifles and ammunition seized in Mizoram's Thuampui

Aizawl, June 24 : Two AK-47 assault rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition were seized from two persons who were arrested by the Mizoram police at Thuampui in Aizwal.

The arms and ammunition were seized from S Vanlala of south Mizoram's New Saiha village and Dingliana of Lunglei last night, Aizawl District SP Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said.

The seized ammunition were 299 rounds for self-loading rifles (SLR) and 419 rounds for AK-47 rifles. He said that the weapons were reportedly procured from Myanmar, which shares a 404 km porous international border with Mizoram.

Mizoram Home minister lays foundation stone for School

Keifang: Home Minister Pu R. Lalzirliana yesterday laid the foundation stone for the construction of additional classrooms under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shikska Abhiyaan (RMSA) at the Government Comprehensive High School at Keifang.

Laying the foundation stone, Pu Lalzirliana said that for the progress and advancement of education, well-equipped classrooms and dedicated teachers are both a necessity, each complementing the other. He also expressed hope that the new infrastructure would be of good quality, well built to last through the years and called upon the teachers to be vigilant during the construction period to ensure that quality construction.

Under the RMSA, a sum of Rs.36.85 lakhs has been earmarked for construction of 5 additional classrooms which includes a Science Laboratory and a Computer Laboratory.

The school established in 1990, encompasses Class V to Class X and now has 172 students and 13 teachers.

Green Mizoram Day Ceremonial Tree Planting Held

Aizawl: The Ceremonial Tree Planting Programme to observe 'Green Mizoram Day' was held at Assam Rifles Ground, Aizawl at 10 AM this morning.

Gracing the programme as Chief Guest, State Level Committee on Green Mizoram Chairman, Mr Lal Thanhawla, Chief Minister, said that mass planting of trees had been organised to demonstrate the government's determination in protecting the flora and fauna of Mizoram and to end further destruction of our environment. He highlighted that under the inititiation and supervision of the government, 16,50,855 saplings had been planted in the state during the last eleven years. He pointed out that the dense forest cover in Mizoram was currently less than 1% of the total land area, and unless strong efforts towards afforestation were taken up immediately, the state could end up in a desert-like situation. The Chief Minister also released a book titled 'Bamboos of Mizoram' published by the Environment & Forests Department, which contained a detailed study of the bamboos of Mizoram. He stated that Mizoram had the best bamboos in the country, and experts were currently engaged in trying to improve the state economy through profitable use of bamboos. The Chief Minister also said that expansion of Mualkhang Gas Bottling Plant, construction of bigger godown at proposed Sairang railway station, construction of Petrol Retail Outlet at Khawzawl and Thenzawl as well as other important issues had been discussed in his meeting with Indian Oil Company (IOC) officials held earlier in the morning.

Presiding over the programme, the State Level Committee Vice Chairman Pu H. Rohluna, Environment and Forests Minister, thanked the Sub-Committee on Green Mizoram for organising the programme and said that mass tree planting programme was being held in all the Districts of Mizoram today. He also stated that while the total green cover in Mizoram was 91.27% (19240 sq.km.), the actual forest area stood only at 0.64 % (134 sq.km.). The most precious legacy we could leave behind for our children was clean environment, and that planting trees was an honourable service to others, he said. He also urged the people of Mizoram to dedicate themselves anew towards conservation of environment, nature and wildlife.

PCCF & Member Secretary Dr S.S.Garbyal also pointed out that life depended on trees, and poor preservation of environment had resulted in drastic changes in climate and weather, as well as gradual drying up of rain water and rivers. In order to counter this problem, 5000 saplings would be planted around the A.R.Ground and every government department would engage in tree planting along the Melthum-Falkawn highway.

Sub-Committee on Green Mizoram Chairman Mr Lal Thanzara, Parliamentary Secretary, who proposed a vote of thanks, commended all the NGOs, Village Councils, Assam Rifles personnel and NSS Units for their steadfast cooperation and continued support towards the initiatives taken up by the government.

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