Aizawl, May 1: The Full Commission of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), currently on a four-day visit to Mizoram, conducted a review meeting on Wednesday at the Secretariat Conference Hall, MINECO, in Aizawl. The focus of the meeting was on evaluating the welfare and developmental schemes for Scheduled Tribes in the state.

NCST Chairperson Antar Singh Arya, along with Commission Members Nirupam Chakma, Asha Lakra, and Jatothu Hussain, attended the meeting. Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena and other senior government officials were also present, providing an overview of the status of tribal welfare and development initiatives in the state.

Chairperson Arya emphasized the need to promote the use of Hindi in Mizoram and urged the state government to take steps to popularize the language. He also suggested introducing alternative farming systems to replace traditional jhum cultivation, proposing a pilot project that would minimize environmental impacts.

Commission Member Nirupam Chakma shared insights on the status of tribal communities, especially in the southern and border areas of Mizoram, while Member Asha Lakra raised concerns regarding health, education, and the welfare of women in tribal areas.

Chief Secretary Meena informed the Commission that 94.45 percent of Mizoram’s population belongs to the Scheduled Tribe category, and all state government schemes are designed to focus on their welfare and development. Director General of Police Anil Shukla reported that no cases of atrocities against Scheduled Tribes had been filed in the past three years.

Senior government officials also presented updates on the implementation of various central and state schemes aimed at enhancing the well-being of tribal communities.

Following the review meeting, the NCST delegation held a press conference and participated in a tree-planting ceremony at the Secretariat Complex.