INDIAN STATE : MIZORAM

Mines and minerals

Potential of Mizoram minerals:

The present main mineral exploration in Mizoram is hard rock of tertiary formation, which is mainly utilized as building materials and road construction work. However, several reports (both from Geological Survey of India and State Geology & Mining Wing of Industries Department) revealed that the availability of minor mineral in difference places are as follows:

• Shell Limestone: Tuirial Bank, near Sesawng, 7 Km North East of Muthi, Near Kawrtethawveng, area between Lallen and West Phaileng, near Kawnpui village, near Chawngte village, near Blue Mountain, Nisapui, Lungmuatram and Demdum area.
• Colored hard sandstone/siltstone: Near N. Vanlaiphai, between Tuipang and Siatla, and other South West area of Saiha and adjoining areas.
• Clay Mineral: Bank of Tut river, Bank of Tuirial, Bank of Tuirini, Chawngte lui, Phura valley, Morai and Lokicherra.
• Coal Seam: North West of Kola sib, Phuaibuang, Lamzawl.
• Oil and Natural Gas: 31 structures of anticlinals within the state.
  

Mineral water plant:

Bottled mineral water is increasingly gaining ground as a source of safe drinking water in our country. Due to lack of availability of safe drinking water from municipal sources, most of the hotels, restaurants, rest houses depend on bottled mineral water. Most tourists, whether local of foreigners, do prefer bottled mineral water as safe drink.

To take care of the local demand as well as to take advantage of the phenomenal growth of demand of mineral water in India, the Government of Mizoram has been installing a mineral water plant near Aizawl by the side of Tuirial bridge on NH-54. The site is about 25 km from Aizawl on an all weather motorable road. The plant has the capacity to process and bottle 15,000 litres of water per day to cater to the internal demand of Mizoram.Main raw material i.e. water, will be tapped from Lunghret Lui about 1300 m upstream of the plant site. Water samples from both Lunghret Lui and Sakei Lui were tested. Water from both the sources was found suitable for mineral water plant, but Lunghret Lui, being nearest to site is being considered, to install intake-pumping station. Also, flow rate of Lunghret Lui has been checked during various seasons. The rate varies between 46 to 700 m3/h. Hence; Lunghret Lui is considered to be a reliable source for input water for the plant operating at 3 m3/h, conforming to 15000 liters of bottled water per day.

Export of stone metal to Bangladesh:

Mizoram possesses a large deposit of hard rock that can be utilized for building and road construction activities. Its demand in our neighbouring country, Bangladesh, is known to be high.

Handloom and Handicraft

The Handicrafts industry in Mizoram is built on cane and bamboo and textile craft. Cane and bamboo are remarkable natural materials found abundantly in the state. Its popularity is due to special features such as pliability and linear strength which have been used to advantage by craftsmen in many creative ways. The original garment of the Mizos is known as puan. The Mizos have certain unique patterns and motifs that have come down through the ages.

Some popular products of Mizoram are:

• Shawls
  
• Bags
  
• Ties
  
• Stoles
  
• Placemats

Information technology (IT) & IT enabled services

Being the second highest literacy rate in the country, it is believed that Mizoram can also become the most IT literate state in the country. Keeping these objectives in mind, the Government of Mizoram has 'IT Policy of Mizoram 2001'. This IT Policy covered the vital sectors of Industry, Education, Government, Health, Tourism, Agriculture and IT for Masses. Apart from these, the Policy has also provided a number of incentives and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the state of Mizoram. To monitor the progress of the implementation of IT policy, the Government has also constituted 'Mizoram IT Task Force' under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and the Secretary (IT) as Member Secretary.

Advantage of Mizoram

• State government initiatives and willingness to provide all necessary supports for the development of IT in Mizoram.
• Literacy rate of Mizoram is the second highest in the country which coupled with the climate are major encouragers for IT sector development.
• Large available pool of English speaking people, with increasing interest in pursuing computer related field.
• Pollution free, ideal climatic condition.
• Innovative people and creative mind.
• Adaptability and flexibility of the local youth.

Initiatives taken up for the development of IT

Project Undertaken:

• Training Programme for
  
  • DOEACC 'O' and 'A' at Lunglei and Aizawl
    
  • DOEACC 'CCC' Level Course
    
  • Repairs & Maintenance of Electronics at Lunglei
    
  • PC Hardware Maintenance Course at Aizawl
    
  • Consumer Electronics Training Centre for rural educated unemployed youths for their sustainable self-employment
• Common Facilities Centre for Electronics & IT Entrepreneurs
• Application of computerized Braille computer system at Mizoram, Blind Schools - Integrated School, Kolasib and Samaritan Blind School, Durtlang.
• Multimedia content creation centre for sustainable self-employment generation.
• Establishment of centre for Electronics Design & Technology Centre of India (CEDTI) with the Ministry of IT, Government of India
• School Children Computer Education Centre at every District under 11th Finance Commission.
  

On-Going Project:

• Setting up of Community Information Centres (CICs) Project in 22 RD Blocks & 5 District Headquarters.
• IT Entrepreneurs Development Programme for Educated Unemployed Youths of Mizoram
• Mizoram Education Networks for providing Internet connectivity to all educational Institution.
• IT based education and communication for People affected with 'Cerebral Palsy '
• IT training centre at secretariat complex for IT literacy programme for government employees.
  
• Government of Mizoram Internet backbone connectivity for providing Internet connectivity in all government offices.
  
• Mizoram secretariat networks with the state-of-the-art technology ATM switch and fibre optics backbone.
  Projects taken up in due course:
  
• Telemedicine Programme at every District for remote diagnosis
  
• State Wide Area Networks for on-line communication with various Department and Citizen Interfaces
• Software Technology Park (STP).
  
• GAD Networks for Internetworking of all the Mizoram Houses located at Delhi, Kolkata, Gwahati, Shillong, and Silchar. This network will also be used for Inner-line permit.
• North-Eastern Institute of Information Technology (NEIIT)
• IT Literacy Programme for all government employees.
• Chief Minister on-line
  

Potential projects for the development of IT in Mizoram:

I. Hi-tech complex

The Government of Mizoram is endeavour to set-up hi-tech infrastructure exclusively to house units for software development and IT enabling services. Hi-Tech Complex should be architecturally designed and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities to meet the needs of the Hi-Tech companies in Electronics, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Finance and related Industries. The main objective is to offer a one-stop shopping solution to Hi-Tech companies for their business activities and social needs such as Recreational Facilities, Banks, Post Office, Cafeteria, etc.

II. North Eastern Institute of Information Technology (NEIIT)

The Government of Mizoram endeavor to create and develop a centre for excellence in IT Education known as 'North Eastern Institute of Information Technology (NEIIT)'. The NEIIT is to be deemed University and could be established in a joint hand with Central Government and reputed Private/Multinational Companies. NEIIT should offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in IT. NEIIT should also institute research programmes leading to Ph.D. The Institute should work closely with industry leaders through their Corporate Schools and to help them in undertaking training programmes needed in the industrial and financial sectors.

III. Software Technology Park (STP)

The Government of Mizoram is endeavour to establish 'Software Technology Park' in the premises of hi-tech complex with the objective of promoting export of computer software from Mizoram .It mainly aims at the development and export of Software and Software Services through Technology assessments, market analysis, marketing segmentation, marketing support etc.

This STP also aims to establish and manage the infrastructural resources such as Data communication facilities, built-up space, common amenities etc.and to provide services to the users who undertake software development for export and IT Enabled services purposes.
Also it aims to train professionals and to encourage design and development in the field of software technology and software engineering. This STP may be establish with a joint effort of the Government of Mizoram and Department of IT, Government of India, New Delhi.

IV. IT Enabled Services (ITES)

IT enabled services is the most suitable area for Mizoram. Therefore, IT enabled services will be one of the main thrust area for socio-economic development of Mizoram State. Therefore, the government of Mizoram endeavour to established Call Centre, Medical Transcription, Website Services, and Back-office operations.

Special incentives offered for IT enabled services

• Eligibility
  
  • The units should provide employment for minimum 50 persons.
    
  • Employment should be provided for a minimum period of 3 years.
    
  • The unit shall provide a minimum wage of at least Rs. 5000 per month per employee.
• Power subsidy shall be available for a period of 5 years, from the date of going into commercial production. The amount of subsidy shall be 60%, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10.00 lakhs per year.
• The subsidy on captive generating set including non-conventional energy generation set shall be 60% of the cost of the generating set, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15.00 lakhs per industrial unit.
• State Capital Investment subsidy of 40% on the capital investment on land, building, plant & machinery etc., subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15.00 lakhs shall be provided to an IT unit under the policy.
• 60% subsidy on shed rent payable to STPI shall be available for a period of three years from the date of going into commercial operation, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 5 lakhs per annum.
• 40% subsidy on Hot line / Lease line connectivity paid to STPI or BSNL or VSNL subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10.00 lakhs per annum shall be available to the units for a period of three years from the date of commercial operation.