Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday launched the third phase of the government’s flagship Bana Kaih (Handholding 3.0) scheme, announcing plans to introduce a new component of foreign placement loans to help young people seeking employment abroad under the scheme.
Launching the scheme here, Lalduhoma said several long-standing government commitments, including procurement of agricultural produce at support prices, interest-free loans through 100 per cent interest subvention and government bank guarantees, were being progressively fulfilled through the Bana Kaih scheme.
He said that the third phase would also include a proposed rehabilitation scheme for Progress Partners (beneficiaries) whose projects had failed due to circumstances beyond their control.
Calling for closer monitoring, the Chief Minister said that inadequate follow-up had been a major reason for the failure of several projects in the state and urged beneficiaries to cooperate with implementing departments and partner banks.
The scheme has so far covered 7,275 beneficiaries under the CM Special Package in its first two phases, with Rs. 33.51 crore spent on assistance to 5,368 families, according to officials.
Under the loan component, banks have sanctioned Rs. 46.37 crore to 509 of 823 selected prospective Progress Partners, while applications of 314 selected beneficiaries are yet to be sanctioned.
Lalduhoma said that the Bana Kaih programme covered almost all major development schemes of the government.
Besides the commonly known components such as procurement of agricultural produce, the loan component and CM Special Package, several projects for infrastructure development are also being implemented, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the government is aware of the difficulties faced by many young people seeking employment outside the state, particularly due to the lack of access to bank loans.
He said that the government is considering introducing a foreign placement loan through the Bana Kaih scheme, which is expected to facilitate employment opportunities for a number of young people.
Lalduhoma also called for greater promotion of organic and permanent farming to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers brought from outside the state.
According to officials, the government has so far spent Rs. 1.26 crore on guarantee fees and interest under the loan component, including Rs. 1.12 crore towards loan interest.
Mizoram is stated to be the only state in the country providing 100 per cent interest subvention under the arrangement, they said.
Under the ginger support-price programme, Rs. 50.68 crore had been paid to 11,655 farming families as of September 8 this year, while Rs. 140.84 crore was paid to 22,155 farmers during 2025.
The Bana Kaih scheme is an innovative approach to addressing the issue of institutional credit availability, particularly microcredit, for both agriculture and small industrial endeavours.
One of the key components of the scheme is handholding for Progress Partners, under which the government provides financial support and offers loans of up to Rs. 50 lakh to beneficiaries through three partner banks.
The scheme also includes the Chief Minister’s Special Category Scheme, which provides grant-in-aid to beneficiaries who are not in a position to avail themselves of loans but have significant livelihood projects.
The government has allocated Rs. 350 crore for the implementation of the Bana Kaih scheme during the 2026-27 financial year, with Rs. 150 crore specifically earmarked for the procurement of five key crops, including ginger, turmeric and broomsticks, to augment the livelihoods of local farmers and promote inclusive development.