Meet the All-Rounder
The scenic hill state has built on its natural advantages and improved life for its people. As a result, Mizoram has also won the most-improved award for economy, healthcare and tourism
After taking charge of the state last year, Chief Minister Zoramthanga launched the SocioEconomic Development Policy (SEDP), a flagship programme that, he says, “is meant to accelerate progress in key sectors, achieve self-sufficiency in foodgrains, transform Mizoram into a welfare state, improve its social life and bring happiness and peace among people.” He added that the SEDP will also focus on increasing the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Mizoram.
The state economy has already been growing at a healthy rate—its per capita income for 2017-2018 was projected at Rs 1,51,682, as against the previous year’s estimate of Rs 1,33,951. According to the Economic Survey 2018-19, Mizoram registered a growth of 14.8 per cent in its GSDP. The primary sector, comprising agriculture and allied activities, contributed 29.9 per cent to the gross state value added (GSVA) while the industry sector contributed 25.1 per cent to the GSVA. The state’s service sector continued to have the highest contribution to the GSVA at 45 per cent.
To ensure that the administrative services reach people’s doorsteps, three new districts have been created. The government is also planning to commission several hydroelectric projects to make the state self-sufficient in energy and to start exporting electricity.
Green & Healthy
In the recently-released health index by NITI Aayog, Mizoram emerged on top among the small states. Among the Northeastern states, it spends the most on healthcare—4.2 per cent of its
GSDP. The government has also begun a healthcare scheme which provides insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh to each household. The infant mortality rate (IMR) in the state has gone down from 37 (2010) to 15 (2019) and the state’s target is to bring it down further to below 10 and the maternal mortality rate to below 50 in the next three years.
Mizoram is also a frontrunner in NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index which measures a state’s progress under 13 indicators, including no poverty, zero hunger, good health, clean water and sanitation, among others.
The scenic hill state—86 per cent of its total geographical area comes under forest cover—has been declared the 13th open defecation free state in India and the Aizawl Municipal Corporation has passed strong solid waste management laws to make the city ‘plastic-free’.
The state’s tourism department has also launched ‘tourist police’ in partnership with Mizoram police to boost tourism and to provide better security for tourists. Not just that, the state is all set to host the paragliding accuracy world cup next year. ■