The Mizoram government on Tuesday released Rs 3.41 crore to 683 beneficiaries in Aizawl district under the third round of the second phase of the Chief Minister’s Special Package of the flagship Bana Kaih (Handholding) Scheme. Each beneficiary, identified as a Progress Partner, will receive Rs 50,000 through direct benefit transfer into their bank account. The beneficiaries were selected from 12 line departments covering sectors such as animal husbandry and veterinary services, commerce, horticulture, tourism, sports, fisheries and sericulture. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister PC Vanlalruata said the assistance aims to support farmers, labourers and small-scale entrepreneurs and urged beneficiaries to use the funds for their sanctioned purposes. He said projects would be monitored and assistance could be recovered if beneficiaries fail to meet their commitments. Aizawl Additional Deputy Commissioner Vanlalrova said the Chief Minister’s Special Package is a project-based assistance programme rather than a scheme for distributing free money, stressing the need for proper planning and systematic implementation. Beneficiaries received orientation training from their respective departments before the disbursement. The Bana Kaih scheme seeks to improve access to institutional credit for agriculture and small-scale industrial activities, with the government providing financial assistance and facilitating loans of up to Rs 50 lakh through three partner banks. The scheme also includes a special category for beneficiaries unable to access loans but undertaking significant livelihood projects. For 2026-27, the Mizoram government has allocated Rs 350 crore for the Bana Kaih scheme, including Rs 150 crore for procurement of key crops to support local farmers.
