Aizawl: The Mizoram government has decided to hand over the Jordan Centre, one of the state’s largest de-addiction facilities located at Sethawn in Kolasib district, to the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, Social Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii informed the Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to questions from Opposition members during Question Hour, the Minister said an agreement had been signed with the Synod — the highest executive body of the Church, and that the formal transfer would take place once the Synod was ready to assume operations.
“The government is fully prepared for the handover and is awaiting the Synod’s response,” she said.
Lalrinpuii cited financial constraints and management gaps as key reasons for entrusting the facility to the Church, the largest denomination in the state with over six lakh members. She added that the Synod had already earmarked Rs 2 crore in its budget to facilitate the transition.
While the Law and Judicial Department has cleared the proposal, the file is currently under final review by the Finance Department.
The proposed handover forms part of a broader strategy by the government to strengthen Mizoram’s response to rising drug abuse. The state currently operates more than 50 de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.
The Minister also announced plans to establish a large-scale rehabilitation centre at Lunglen, near Aizawl. The proposed facility will be managed by preacher Fedrick and his team. It is envisioned as a centre of excellence with a focus on “aftercare” services and professional skill development, aimed at achieving national and global recognition.
Separately, Lalrinpuii updated the House on a welfare initiative of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government involving the transportation of mortal remains from urban hospitals to native villages. The scheme, a key electoral promise of the ZPM, has facilitated the transfer of 1,888 bodies so far at an expenditure of Rs 1.97 crore.
The programme seeks to ease the financial burden on bereaved families, a responsibility that was earlier often borne by individual legislators.
To streamline the process, the government last month launched an online platform to expedite logistics and ensure easier access for grieving families, the Minister said.