Kamalanagar, April 9, 2025: The Chakma Autonomous District Council has sought the Central Government’s intervention to address critical infrastructural and financial challenges hindering its development during the visit of the Hon’ble Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, to the Council today.
The Minister, upon his arrival at Kamalanagar, was received at the Kamalanagar Helipad by the Chief Executive Member of CADC, Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma; the local MLA, Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma; and the Deputy Commissioner of Lawngtlai, Shri Cheemala Siva Gopal Reddy, IAS.
He held discussions with the leaders and officials of the Council to assess developmental issues firsthand. Subsequently, he also interacted with representatives of local NGOs as well. During the meeting, the Council submitted a memorandum seeking urgent financial and infrastructural support to accelerate its development and enhance governance.
The CADC urged the Centre to expedite financial assistance for 47 development projects including road infrastructure, education, governance, skill development, and cultural preservation. It expressed concern over the inordinate delays in approvals, which have hampered the implementation of these crucial projects.
A critical issue raised was the rehabilitation of families displaced due to the Indo-Bangladesh border fencing, for which the CADC has sought ₹118.75 crores from the Centre. A proposal for this was submitted through the Government of Mizoram and is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The CADC also highlighted acute financial constraints, particularly due to inadequate allocation of funds under salary head since the financial year 2021-2022. It reported a financial deficit of ₹5,470.05 lakhs in the last fiscal year (2024-2025), which had to be adjusted from the 2025-2026 budget. The Council further pointed out that CADC receives lower fund allocations compared to other ADCs, citing the State Finance Commission’s Report (Table 9.20), which details the 4th level of horizontal devolutions across the Autonomous District Councils of Mizoram.
It urged the Central Government for a one-time special package of ₹70 crores to overcome the current salary deficit. It cited disparities in fund allocation, the failure to carry forward revised estimates, and rising costs due to DA hikes as key factors exacerbating its fiscal instability.
The memorandum also outlined challenges such as poor road connectivity, low literacy rates (46.4% against the State’s literacy rate of 91.58%), lack of higher educational institutions, and inadequate healthcare facilities in the CADC. It reiterated that CADC remains the most backward ADC in the country.
With a BJP-led government in the CADC, the Council expressed optimism about aligning regional development with the national agenda of inclusive growth.
“The Chakma people have long aspired to equitable development. We urge the Central Government to support our efforts in transforming this neglected region,” stated the Chief Executive Member, Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma.
