Mizoram Chief Minister Warns of Staff Shortages in Irrigation Department

Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma sounded the alarm on September 9. He warned that chronic staff shortages are crippling state departments. He singled out the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, or IWRD, as a prime example of administrative stagnation.

The department has not updated its organizational strength in 19 years. Meanwhile, its workload has ballooned. The agency now oversees irrigation, river basin planning, springshed development, and flood warning systems. It also handles hydrological data, multipurpose reservoirs, and groundwater development.

Lalduhoma demanded a fix. He stated, "The mismatch between the department's expanding responsibilities and its existing manpower needed to be addressed to ensure effective functioning."

IWRD Chief Engineer K Hamleta presented plans to boost staff numbers during the meeting. IWRD Minister PC Vanlalruata joined him. Representatives from the General Administration Department, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, and the Finance Department also attended to review the proposals.