Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga said the state is reeling under a financial crisis due to Covid19 coupled with multiple problems, including the outbreak of the African Swine Fever (ASF).
In his statement on Friday, Zoramthanga, who is also in charge of finance, said the outbreak of Covid19 has hit hard the state’s economy as it was in other parts of the world.
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He said a severe drop in the quantum of revenue collection at the Centre due to the outbreak of Covid19 has led to a significant reduction in state’s share of taxes, which inevitably let the state suffered a financial crunch.
“I want you to aware the financial crisis face by the state government. Though we have passed annual budgets amounting to crores of rupees, the outbreak of Covid19 has greatly reduced the quantum of revenue collection at the Central government, which in turn greatly affected our state’s share of taxes,” the Mizoram CM said.
Zoramthanga said the state’s share of taxes was dropped by Rs. 1,500 crore during the fiscal 2020-2021.
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The state’s financial crunch was aggravated by repayment of state’s liabilities amounting to Rs 150 crore and meeting the state matching share to the World Bank, he said.
He regretted that new development projects could not be executed from the state’s own source.
However, development projects funded by the Centre are being carried out smoothly as such funds could not be diverted to other purposes, he said.
The Mizoram CM also said the state has experienced multiples crises amid Covid19 spread.
He said the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a massive wildfire in different parts of the state, and influx of people from Myanmar due to military coup have also inconvenienced the state.
Zoramthanga thanked the people in their collective efforts against Covid19.
He lauded the medics, churches, NGOs, volunteers of village and local task forces and private doctors, nurses and medical experts, who volunteered to fight Covid19, for extending invaluable helps to the state government in its efforts to curtail the pandemic.
Zoramthanga also urged the people to seek divine intervention through prayers in order to overcome the present crisis.