Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 34-35

Jan 22-Feb 6 , 1999

“I will make Mizoram Switzerland of East”: Zoramthanga Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga is a man with vision. He dreams of making Mizoram the 'Switzerland of the East' in ten years time. He also promises to make Mizoram a 'model State' within next five years. His priority is to be self-sufficient in agriculture and power. Isn't he too ambitious? Zoramthanga does not think so. Rather he is confident about fulfilling his promises given to the people of Mizoram. In his own words, ''Mizoram has the potentials but its resources were not exploited fully by the previous Congress regime. But we are quite aware about the task in our hands. We know that the Mizo people gave us the mandate because they knew that we would not betray them. And I will certainly not let the Mizo people down.” To know more about his policies and programmes, his endeavour of ensuring development and prosperity, North East News Agency recently met the Mizoram Chief Minister during his first visit to the Capital after assuming Chief Ministership. In an hour-long interview, Zoramthanga revealed his list of priorities and his approach towards achieving it, talked about the implementation of the Mizo Accord and discussed few more things including the infiltration problem in the State. Here are the excerpts of the interview: North East News Agency: What are the reasons behind the electoral success of the MNF-MPC combine? Zoramthanga: Long before the elections were announced, it was certain that our combine would dethrone the Congress. Ten years of the Congress rule in Mizoram was full with corruption, nepotism and misrule. The people wanted to get rid of the misrule. So they did not hesitate to punish the party at the very first opportunity.As a matter of fact the Congress ministry in Mizoram had never enjoyed the people's mandate. When we were in power earlier, the Congress tried to dislodge us by instigating defections. Special plane were sent to bring the probable defectors to Delhi. But when the news leaked out, it imposed President's rule in the State and the State Assembly was dissolved. Then the party rigged the elections. For two days and two nights the ballot boxes were kept at a secluded place on the pretext of security. While no political party was allowed to keep vigil on the ballot boxes, the late Hiteswar Saikia and Santosh Mohan Dev were free to move in and out of the strong room. Even in 1995 the party managed to come to power only by encouraging defections. But this time as the Election Commission took all the necessary precautions for ensuring free and fair elections in the State, the Congress could not indulge in unfair activities during elections. NENA: Despite all the allegations of corruption and nepotism, it goes to the credit of the Congress Government that it could make Mizoram as the most peaceful State in the North-East region. What you have to say about this? Zoramthanga: The Congress in no way can take the credit for the prevailing peace in the State. The credit really goes to the people of Mizoram and the MNF. Rather the Congress many times by its acts and deeds was near to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the State. It was we, who told our cadres not to adopt any violent methods to protest against the Congress misrule. As the MNF is a regimented party, our appeals for peace were heeded by them. We were sure that misrule would not last long and the people of Mizoram would give a befitting reply to those who abused power. By the grace of God, we were right. NENA: But isn't the Congress which entered into a peace talk with the MNF and implemented the Mizo Accord in its true letter and spirit? Zoramthanga: Again it's a wrong impression. I am very sorry to say that while we stood by our commitments made during the peace talk, the Congress did not show any respect to the Mizo Accord after it was signed. The Mizo Accord is yet to be fully implemented. As we are maintaining peace hoping that one day a better government would come at the Centre and will sincerely try to meet the hopes and aspirations of the Mizo people, it gives the Congress a chance to spread all these canards. If Mizo Accord was fully implemented then where is the university as promised by the Centre in the accord? We are yet to get a separate high court. It was also promised in the accord. What about the border trade of the locally produced goods? What about the compensation for those who lost their near and dear ones during insurgency? All these were promised in the Mizo accord. That is why I am saying that for maintaining peace in the State, the credit should go to the people and to the Congress. Many a time our cadres came to us and expressed their anger over the non-implementation of the accord. We always advised them to be patient. NENA: What about the rehabilitation of the undergrounds? Zoramthanga: To some extent it has been done. But no one who lost their near and dear ones during the troubled period got compensation as promised by the Centre. What to talk about the others. My brother lost his life during that period, but till today I have not received any compensation. NENA: In such a situation what are your priorities and how do you plan to achieve these? Zoramthanga: Before going into the details about my priorities let me tell you some important aspects of Mizoram. With a very fertile land and adequate manpower, Mizoram has all the necessary ingredients of becoming one of the most developed States in the region. Unfortunately, the natural and human resources of the State were neglected earlier. The reasons are as I told you before. But I must mention that we inherited an empty coffer. It would be too generous to say that previous regime left us with empty coffer. Actually we received a 'minus empty coffer'. I mean that not only the coffer is empty but also we have to pay a huge amount to repay the debt. NENA: Would you reveal the amount of debt you inherited? Zoramthanga: It is Rs. 400 crore. If we could start with a clean slate, I can tell you exactly when and how will we be able to achieve our goals in terms of development. But now my first job is to get rid of the debt burden. I have also told this to the Central leaders. I made an appeal to them to allow me to start with a clean slate and in return I promised that I would not disturb them again in the next five years. NENA: What was the response of the Central leaders? Zoramthanga: All of them were very sympathetic. I told them that Mizoram was the only saving grace for the Central Government in the North-East. If peace is disturbed again in the State for want of funds that will definitely damage the image of the Centre. Moreover, we are not responsible for the debts. It was done by the previous regime. I told the Central leaders that if you can pay security related expenditure to the insurgency affected States, why can't you pay for the maintenance of peace. It's good that they understood the point. As a matter of fact, it was Union Home Minister L. K. Advani, who after hearing my arguments rang the Union Finance Minister and requested him to do the needful. I hope that the Centre should help us to get out from the financial mess created by the Congress in Mizoram. NENA: But some time back you made a statement that instead of depending on the doles of the Centre, Mizoram would try to mobilise its own resources? Zoramthanga: Yes, I made that statement. And still I stand by it. But the financial mess has forced me to come to Delhi and ask for the money. But why are you forgetting that along with asking for Central grants, I have also promised not to disturb the Central leaders again in the next five years. The financial situation in the State is so bad that we will not be able to pay the government servants their salaries for the month of January. NENA: You were talking about your priorities. Zoramthanga: Yes, I am coming to that. My first priority is to attain self-sufficiency in food. Power is another sector in which we have to be self-reliant. I will also put stress on social reforms as well as on administrative reforms. NENA: How are you planning to achieve self-sufficiency in food? Zoramthanga: At the outset, let me tell you perhaps I am the only Chief Minister in the country who have kept agriculture and horticulture portfolios. I told you this just to give you an impression that how serious I am about making Mizoram self-sufficient in food. I think agro-forestry is the key for development in the State. We have enough scope. We have fertile land and adequate manpower. If we can harness this potential fully, let me tell you that within five years Mizoram will become a 'model State' in India. And if I get 10 years time, I am confident of making Mizoram the 'Switzerland of the East'. This is not a public posture, but it's a promise. NENA: What about the power sector? Zoramthanga: In modern days it is impossible to survive without power. Mizoram is lacking in this sector. To get sufficient power, we have already started discussions with various agencies as well as with the Central Government for the construction of the Bairabi hydel power project. The hydel power project if implemented properly can provide us 100 to 150 mws of power, which will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the State. NENA: But the previous government was of the view that the project was not viable. Zoramthanga: The project was first mooted by us when we were in power. Thus the Congress always had reservations about the project. So, it is not unexpected that the party found the project non-viable. NENA: When will be the project implemented Zoramthanga: We have just started discussion with various authorities. The implementation will depend on how quickly we can finish the discussions and start the work. What I can tell at this moment that the implementation of the project will not be delayed once we get the green signal. NENA: You talked about bringing some changes in social sector too. Zoramthanga: Yes, that is very important. Drug addiction and alcoholism are on the rise in the State. We will have to persuade the people especially the youths not to fall prey to the menace. We are planning to build a de-addiction Centre in the State. Rehabilitation of durg addicts is also on our agenda. We should use them for building a 'new Mizoram', they should not be discarded as spent forces. NENA: Why do you intend bring to changes in administration? Zoramthanga: Primarily to ensure development in the State. If we want to mobilise our resources the State administration will have to change their mindset. It cannot always wait for the Central funds to come for paying the salaries of the government servants. It should be result-oriented. I have already given them a guideline through the Governor's speech. As the speech was drafted by me, I got the opportunity to bring to their notice the change in the State Government's attitude. Hopefully, they understood it and would work accordingly. NENA: You have touched almost all the important aspects. But one subject you have not touched so far is the question of maintaining communal harmony in the State. Zoramthanga: As far as the question of maintaining communal harmony is concerned, we are committed to it. It will be definitely be our endeavour to create an ideal atmosphere of communal harmony in the State. There is no danger for the genuine Indian citizen in Mizoram. But as you are aware that in the past few years lot of foreign nationals have entered Mizoram. They have to go. We will not compromise with the foreign nationals. Because it is not only a question of protecting the interest of Mizoram, but also a question of maintaining unity and integrity of the country. NENA: You are talking about those who entered Mizoram illegally. But what about the Reangs? Are your Government contemplating any step to ensure their safe return in Mizoram? Zoramthanga: No political party in Mizoram, be it the MNF, the MPC or the Congress had ever asked the Reangs to leave the State. They (Reangs) left at their own. So it is up to them to decide whether or not to return in Mizoram. Here I want to clear one thing. No Mizos have any hand behind the Reangs' desertion. A section with vested interests has created this wrong impression in the country. Moreover, as per my information, the Reangs left Mizoram to consolidate their position in Tripura. The Reang inhabited areas in that State have recently been infiltrated by the outsiders. So to keep their numerical supremacy intact, the Reangs in Tripura send an SOS to their counterparts in Mizoram. That is why the Reangs left Mizoram. NENA: Did the Reang issue figured in your discussions with the Central leaders? Zoramthanga: No, the issue was not discussed. NENA: Not even in your meeting with Union Home Minister L. K. Advani? Zoramthanga: I have not discussed the issue with any Central leader. NENA: Whether any Central leaders raised the issue? Zoramthanga: When I said that the issue was not discussed it means that the issue was not raised from any side. Moreover, why should the Central leaders raise the issue? They know everything. NENA: You appear to be very confident about ushering a new era of development in Mizoram. What are the reasons behind such confidence? Zoramthanga: First and foremost is the fact that peace has made a comeback in Mizoram. A peaceful atmosphere is a prerequisite for development. As peace is prevailing in the State, we should start developmental activities in the right earnest. And I am sure it will continue as long as did not succeed in our endeavour. I am confident because during the Congress' misrule we told our cadres not to take any steps which might put peace in trouble. They listened to it. And now when we are in power, it is more than certain that there won't be any move to vitiate the atmosphere. Secondly, we enjoy the blessings of the Mizo people. They believe that whatever steps we will take it will be for their betterment only. Last but not the least we have vowed not to indulge in corrupt activities. Can you name any other State where the State Government enjoys so much of good will? This is why I am confident. The support of the Mizo people will make us successful in our endeavour. NENA: Last time your government didn't last long. What are the precautions your party is taking this time? Zoramthanga : As I told you earlier, last time the Congress tried to engineer a split in the MNF. When they didn't succeed they imposed President's rule in the State. But this time nothing of this sort will happen as we have been able to reduced the Congress to pulp. Now they have only six members, while we have thirty four. Again as a people have reimposed their faith on us now I think that we should forget the past and should devote all our energies towards building a new Mizoram.

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