Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: The opposition Congress party in Mizoram has leveled strong criticism against the ruling Zoram People's Movement, arguing that the administration has failed to meet its campaign pledges of transparent governance and systemic reform. Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, the State Congress vice-president and former Chief Secretary, spoke at an Aizawl political session on Friday to address the government's perceived shortcomings.
Chuaungo alleged that the current administration persists in using the same controversial practices it previously condemned under the former Mizo National Front government. He pointed to the frequent use of restricted tenders and the practice of pre-selecting contract recipients as evidence that little has changed. "The ZPM, however, failed to deliver on those commitments and instead continued with the practices of the previous MNF government that it had then criticised," he stated.
The criticism extended to the government's approach to oversight, with the Congress leader claiming that officials are actively weakening anti-corruption mechanisms, specifically citing amendments to the Mizoram Lokayukta Act. He also expressed concern over the concentration of power within the Chief Minister's Office regarding the approval of major state contracts.
Addressing the state's financial health, the Congress highlighted a continued reliance on central funding. While the 2026-27 budget is estimated at 17,496.91 crore rupees, internal revenue remains low. Chuaungo noted that less than 16 percent of the budget originates from the state's own tax and internal resources, urging the government to act as responsible custodians of taxpayer funds.
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