Photo Courtesy: nenews
Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma kicked off the third phase of the Bana Kaih, or Handholding 3.0, scheme on Friday. The launch took place at the Irrigation and Water Resources Conference Hall in Aizawl. This new phase expands state efforts to build jobs and secure local livelihoods. The government is backing these goals through agricultural produce buys, interest-free loans with 100 percent interest subvention, and official bank guarantees.
Infrastructure projects form the backbone of this push. Key additions include a turmeric processing industry at Luangmual and a ginger processing unit at Sairang. The state is also pushing the CM Innovation Challenge and the Mizoram Handholding Venture Capital Fund. Officials are buying solar dryers and slicing machines to support farmers. New construction includes drying sheds and hay-making facilities at the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Farm in Thenzawl. The scheme also supports wheat and maize contract farming.
Lalduhoma touted the initiative as a driver for what he calls a process of “moral reformation” within the state. He noted that banks have reported strong progress on loan repayments. Looking ahead, the government plans to introduce a Foreign Placement Loan to assist young workers moving outside the state. A new rehabilitation program will help Progress Partners whose projects failed due to factors beyond their control.
Organic farming remains a top priority. The state aims to cut back on imported chemical fertilizers in favor of local organic alternatives. The Chief Minister demanded better project oversight, citing past failures linked to weak follow-up. He urged beneficiaries to work closely with banks and state departments. Lalduhoma labeled the work as part of the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, calling on a collective Team Mizoram to build the economy.
Updated at 19th September 2026 at 2:00am
State officials broke down the numbers behind the first two phases: 7,275 beneficiaries tapped into the Chief Minister's Special Package. The government funneled Rs 33.51 crore into assistance for 5,368 families. Under the loan program, partner banks cleared Rs 46.37 crore for 509 of the 823 picked participants, though 314 applications remain in limbo.
For the 2026-27 financial year, the state earmarked Rs 350 crore for the scheme, with Rs 150 crore specifically set aside for buying five main crops, including broomsticks. To keep the loans flowing, the state already paid out Rs 1.26 crore in guarantee fees and interest, marking Mizoram as the only state footing the bill for 100 percent interest subvention.
The ginger program remains a primary financial engine. As of September 8, the state paid Rs 50.68 crore to 11,655 farming families. This follows a massive 2025 payout where 22,155 farmers collected Rs 140.84 crore. The government also clarified that beneficiaries can access loans up to Rs 50 lakh through three partner banks, while those shut out of traditional credit can pursue grants-in-aid through the Chief Minister's Special Category Scheme.
Updated at 19th September 2026 at 1:49pm
Official data from the first two phases show 7,275 beneficiaries tapped the Chief Minister's Special Package. The government pushed out 33.51 crore to support 5,368 families. While partner banks cleared 46.37 crore for 509 of the 823 selected participants, 314 applications are still stuck in the pipeline.
The state set aside a 350 crore budget for the 2026-27 financial year. Of that, 150 crore is locked in specifically for buying five main crops, including ginger, turmeric, and broomsticks. To date, the government has burned through 1.26 crore on guarantee fees and interest, with 1.12 crore of that covering loan interest. Officials claim Mizoram is the only state in the country footing the entire bill for interest subvention.
The ginger program remains a primary financial engine. As of September 8, the state paid 50.68 crore to 11,655 farming families. This follows a 2025 payout where 22,155 farmers collected 140.84 crore. For those unable to land traditional credit, the Chief Minister's Special Category Scheme offers grants-in-aid to support viable livelihood projects, while the broader loan program allows for credit lines reaching 50 lakh via three partner banks.
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