AIZAWL: Lalduhoma, the President of Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), assumed office as the 14th Chief Minister of Mizoram.
In his first press briefing after taking the oath of office on December 9, Lalduhoma laid out the key priorities for his government, emphasising a commitment to empowering farmers, boosting agriculture, addressing the state’s financial challenges, and tackling corruption.
Even before officially assuming office, Lalduhoma had conveyed these concerns to the Central government following his party’s victory in the polls.
Talking to the press, he stated, “We would be honest in our work. We would be apolitical while running the government and taking decisions.”
Lalduhoma announced initiatives to promote transparency, including the placement of complaint and suggestion boxes in all government departments, strengthening the Lokayukta, and referring corruption cases from the previous government to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough probe.
Addressing the issue of limited freedom for government officials and employees during the previous regime, Lalduhoma pledged to provide them with a voice within the scope of their administrative duties.
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He acknowledged the challenging financial situation in Mizoram, citing a previous warning from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and promised to enforce strict austerity measures in governance.
Lalduhoma urged the public to refrain from inviting Ministers and MLAs as chief guests at various events to uphold the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.
To resolve inter-state border issues with Assam, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of boundary committees, alongside a focus on combating drug abuse, alcoholism, and contraband smuggling from Myanmar.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at Raj Bhavan, saw Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati administering the oath of office and secrecy to Lalduhoma and 11 other ministers, including seven cabinet ministers and four ministers of state. Notably, Lalrinpuii is the sole woman minister in the 12-member council of ministers.
Among the ministers, seven are first-time winners, reflecting a diverse and inclusive cabinet.
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The portfolios were distributed immediately after the ceremony, with Lalduhoma retaining key departments such as Finance, Law, and Judicial.
ZPM, registered as a political party in 2019, achieved a significant victory in the November 7 polls, securing 27 out of 40 seats in the assembly.
This marked a transformative shift, as the party had garnered eight seats in the 2018 elections when its candidates contested as independents.
The ZPM’s triumph led to the ousting of the Mizo National Front (MNF) government.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by outgoing Chief Minister Zoramthanga, former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress party, various political leaders, newly-elected MLAs, and other dignitaries, underscoring the significance of the event in Mizoram’s political landscape.
