Aizawl, April 6: MNF MLA Robert Romawia Royte (RRR) launched a sharp verbal attack on the Mizoram government. He alleged a massive lapse of Rs 43,952 lakh under SASCI Part-I for 2025–26.
Speaking at a press conference at the Aizawl Press Club on April 4, 2026, Royte blamed the ZPM-led government for what he called “complete financial mismanagement.” He also held Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who also handles the Finance portfolio, directly responsible for the lapse.
Royte explained the figures in detail. First, Rs 11,152 lakh lapsed despite the allocation of 41 projects under SASCI Part-I. According to him, the government failed to utilise the sanctioned funds even after approving the works.
Moreover, an additional Rs 32,800 lakh remained unclaimed. As a result, the entire amount lapsed at the end of the financial year. He said this reflected poor planning and weak execution by the state administration.
Royte also raised concerns over the sharp drop in fund allocation under SASCI Part-X for 2026–27. Mizoram has been allotted only Rs. 100 crore. In contrast, other northeastern states received significantly higher amounts.
For instance, Arunachal Pradesh received Rs 4,900 crore. Nagaland got Rs. 3,880 crore, while Tripura secured Rs 3,450 crore.
Therefore, Royte argued that Mizoram’s low allocation may stem from its failure to utilise previous funds. He said such lapses could damage the state’s credibility in securing future financial support.
Meanwhile, responding to media queries, Royte expressed strong confidence in the MNF’s electoral prospects. He said the party is well-positioned to win the upcoming Aizawl Municipal Corporation elections.
He further stated that the MNF aims to secure a third consecutive term in the civic body.
Here are the key points of the press statement:
- The statements I am making are factual and are supported by documentary evidence. I have personally verified them with both the Mizoram Government and the Central Government’s Finance Ministry.
- In 2024, SASCI Part-I funds amounting to Rs. 23,331 lakh lapsed. This was also confirmed by the Chief Minister in response to an Assembly question. Due to this lapse, planned infrastructure assets could not be created, and the government lost more than Rs. 4,400 lakh in GST and labor cess revenue.
- As of March 31, 2026, Rs. 11,152 lakh sanctioned under SASCI Part-I for Mizoram—already approved administratively by the Mizoram Finance Department and for which work orders had been issued to contractors—has seen 34% of the funds lapse. A total of 41 projects will be affected, and the government will lose over Rs. 2,100 lakh in GST and labor cess revenue.
- On September 17, 2025, following an amendment to SASCI Guidelines by the Department of Expenditure (DoE), Finance Ministry, Mizoram was granted an additional allocation of Rs. 32,800 lakh under SASCI Part-I. However, this amount could not be utilized during 2025–26 and has also lapsed due to non-release of funds. All other North Eastern states received their additional allocations.
- The officers and staff currently serving under the ZPM government are the same ones who handled SASCI during the MNF government. During the MNF tenure, no sanctioned SASCI funds lapsed. Therefore, the lapses are the responsibility of the present Chief Minister and Ministers, not the officials.
- In response to an RTI query, the DoE, Finance Ministry stated that there is no performance ranking system under SASCI. Therefore, the Chief Minister’s claim in the Assembly and elsewhere that Mizoram ranks 4th in India under SASCI is clearly false.
- In the newly issued SASCI Guidelines for 2026–27 (Part-X), the DoE has allocated funds for nine hill states. While Arunachal Pradesh received Rs. 4,900 crore and Nagaland Rs. 3,880 crore, Mizoram has been allocated only Rs. 100 crore, clearly reflecting the consequences of fund lapses.
- God does not favor arrogance or false statements. The Chief Minister, without understanding how other states function, frequently boasts about SASCI and makes misleading claims. In reality, due to SASCI-related issues, the Mizoram government is increasingly being looked down upon.
- AMC has completed 15 years (3 terms). The first term was quite weak, but in the second and third terms under MNF leadership, significant progress was made. It has become one of the leading Urban Local Bodies in the Northeast. I appeal to the people of Aizawl to vote for MNF candidates so that a stable and effective government can be re-established in AMC.
- All the points I have stated are correct, and supporting documents are attached. Hard copies as well as scanned versions are available.
