Mizoram launches new land use policy

Aizawl, Jan 14 (PTI) Mizoram chief minister LalThanhawla today launched the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), theflagship programme of the Congress government in the state, bydistributing Rs 20,000 each to 400 beneficiaries of theprogramme in Aizawl district.

Launching the NLUP, Lal Thanhawla said the policy wasformulated to ensure sustainable development, eradication ofpoverty and shifting cultivation while protecting theenvironment.

The state government earmarked Rs 234 crore during thecurrent fiscal to cover 45,319 families all over the state.

The NLUP was also launched today in other six districtheadquarters and Chawngte in Lawngtlai district by ministersand the total number of beneficiaries selected for the firstphase were 4,000, who were disbursed Rs 20,000 each.

Out of 2,06,365 families in the state, 1,20,000families would be assisted under the NLUP over the period offive years by giving average assistance to the tune of Rs onelakh per family.

The centre has provided Rs 2,526.98 crore for theentire project covering five years, according to an officialstatement issued at the launching of the NLUP.

The schemes under eight line departments, identifiedfor implementation were Agriculture, horticulture,sericulture, fisheries, soil and water conservation, animalhusbandry and veterinary, forests and industries departments.

After ten years, the NLUP is expected to increase thestate''s per capita income of Rs 32,634 in 2008-09 to Rs51,846, the official statement said, adding that the overallgrowth of the state economy is expected to increase by 16 percent in the tenth year against the growth rate of about 6 percent during the past ten years.

"Poverty would be eradicated within ten years whilealso ensuring food security," the statement predicted.

The state government also expected that all jhumiafamilies would switch over to permanent and sustainablelivelihood activities with higher income.

"Compared to jhuming, judicious mix ofagro-horticultural activities, animal husbandry, fisheries,micro-enterprises is expected to increase income by seven toten times," the statement said.