Over Rs. 318 cr drugs, Rs. 35 cr areca nuts seized in Mizoram: Minister
Aizawl: Various drugs worth over Rs. 318 crore and smuggled Burmese areca nuts worth Rs. 35 crore have been seized in Mizoram over the past two years, highlighting the state’s relentless efforts to curb smuggling across the border, a minister said on Monday.
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government, headed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, which assumed power on 8 December 2023, completed two years in office on Monday.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, State Information and Public Relations Minister B. Lalchhanzova told reporters that 54 firearms and 28,005 rounds of live ammunition were seized during the same period.
He said that various drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine, worth Rs. 318.29 crore in the local market, and smuggled areca nuts worth Rs. 35.03 crore, were also seized by law enforcement agencies in the past two years.
Lalchhanzova added that the government procured 338,35.82 quintals of fresh ginger and provided Rs. 137.72 crore to farmers as support price under the state’s flagship programme, ‘Bana Kaih’ or Handholding Scheme. The government also purchased 48,602.29 quintals of dried broomsticks worth nearly Rs. 2 crore and 1,473 quintals of paddy (unhusked rice) worth Rs. 44.18 lakh from farmers, he said.
He said 702 beneficiaries were selected in the first phase to receive loans under the Handholding Scheme, and 2,258 others were granted financial assistance under the CM Special Packages of the flagship scheme.
In the past two years, 36,789 beneficiaries received housing assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) scheme, he added.
Lalchhanzova said that steps are being taken to establish a peace city in Thenzawl in Serchhip district, with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs sanctioning Rs. 10 crore for the project.
He added that 54,261 beneficiaries availed cashless treatment under the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme, and the government released medical reimbursements amounting to over Rs. 84 crore.
He noted that the state’s tourist footfall has steadily increased due to policy and system reforms and infrastructure development. Over 5.2 lakh tourists visited Mizoram during the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking a 138.5 per cent increase over the previous year.
Lalchhanzova further highlighted that Mizoram has been declared a fully literate state this year, marking a historic milestone in the state’s development.