Mizoram: MNF accuses ZPM government of "lavish spending"

Aizawl: The opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) has accused the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government headed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma of not honouring its promised austerity measures, which will lead to wasteful expenditures amounting to Rs 134.15 crore by the end of the current five-year term.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Wednesday, MNF general secretary V L Krosshnehzova criticised the ZPM government, which has been in power for seven months, for not adhering to its promise of austerity measures and instead opting for lavish spending on party workers.

He said that wasteful expenditures incurred by the ZPM included the appointment of ZPM vice-president Kenneth Chawngliana as the State Planning Board vice chairman in a Cabinet Minister rank and four MLAs who have been appointed as advisers to the Chief Minister with Minister of State (MOS) rank.

Quoting article 164 (1A) of the Constitution, Krosshnehzova said that not more than 15% of the MLAs can be appointed as ministers and Mizoram can't have more than 12 ministers in the 40-member assembly. 

"We have seven people who are given MoS ranks, and one cabinet rank. So, now we have a total of 20 people, who enjoy minister rank," he said.

The MNF leader also blamed the ZPM government for providing house furnishing funds to MLAs, even those not residing in their residences.

Each MLA receives ?2 lakh in the first year and ?50,000 in the subsequent years as house furnishing funds, he said. 

He alleged that the government has increased housing loans from ?20 lakh to ?30 lakh and car loans from ?4 lakh to ?14 lakh for MLAs at an interest rate of only 5.5 per cent per annum . 

The ZPM government also hiked MLA fund from ?1.5 crore to 2 crore.

Krosshnehzova further alleged that the ZPM government hiked salaries of corporators, councillors and chairmen of various state PSU  by 109 per cent to 400 per cent.

Additionally, the government also hiked the price of food grains provided through the public distribution system by 50 per cent and VAT for petrol and diesel by 2 per cent, he said.

He accused the ZPM government of showing undue favour to party workers. 

According to Krosshnehzova, the creation of various new posts,  hike in salaries and MLA funds will result in wasteful expenditure of over ?134.15 crore in five years and 26.83 crore in a year. 

He said that the ZPM government reneged its promise to implement austerity measures and instead indulge in lavish spending.