Photo Courtesy: nenow
Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has called on the central government to raise the funding ceiling for Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) across the Northeast. He argued that increasing these limits is essential to accelerate critical infrastructure development and socio-economic progress in the region.
Speaking at a Shillong-based workshop organized by the Department of Economic Affairs and inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Lalduhoma noted that Mizoram is already a top performer in securing and utilizing these funds. He emphasized that these partnerships offer more than just capital, stating, "EAPs not only provide financial assistance but also bring valuable technical expertise, as specialists from partner institutions study local challenges and share their knowledge and experience to improve project implementation."
The Chief Minister highlighted several success stories, including the FOCUS agricultural project. This initiative has boosted incomes for 55,000 rural households by 43 percent while supporting environmental goals. In the healthcare sector, World Bank funding has helped 62 government facilities earn National Quality Assurance Standards certification, a major improvement from having no certified facilities previously.
Other ongoing infrastructure efforts include a super-specialty cancer center supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the revival of the 24 MW Tuirini Hydroelectric Project with backing from the New Development Bank. By expanding access to these international resources, Lalduhoma believes the Northeast can significantly improve its development trajectory.
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