New Delhi, 16 September (H.S.): Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse chaired district-level review meetings in Saitual and Kolasib districts during her official visit to Mizoram on September 15 and 16. The meetings reviewed the implementation of Central Government schemes, sports infrastructure, youth participation, drug prevention, agriculture, connectivity, healthcare services and livelihood-related issues.

At the meeting on youth participation and sports held at Zorsaitual in Saitual, District Collector Srinivas Sadi, Superintendent of Police Vivek Kumar Maurya, senior district officials, and representatives of sports federations and community organisations participated.

Prevention of substance abuse among young people emerged as a key issue during the meeting. Raksha Khadse stressed the need to effectively advance the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and called for stronger coordination among youth groups, community organisations and law-enforcement agencies. She underlined the importance of peer-led awareness initiatives, constructive youth engagement and sustained efforts at the community level.

The meeting also reviewed Saitual’s agricultural and horticultural potential. Emphasis was placed on strengthening market access and supply-chain arrangements for locally produced organic products so that farmers can connect more effectively with wider markets.

Local sports federations highlighted grassroots requirements related to sports infrastructure and athlete development. Raksha Khadse said that along with sports facilities, athletes need regular coaching, structured training and sustained support. She also highlighted the role of the Khelo India scheme in expanding sporting opportunities at the grassroots level.

At the district review meeting in Kolasib, District Collector H. Dolianbuaii, Superintendent of Police Lalrinpuiya Varte, senior administrative officials and heads of various departments were present.

Road connectivity was identified as a key priority during the meeting. Discussions focused on improving local residents’ access to markets, essential services and economic opportunities.

The Minister also reviewed the functioning of the district’s Community Health Centre, five Primary Health Centres and nursing school. She stressed the need to ensure optimal utilisation of the existing healthcare infrastructure.

The role of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in the agricultural sector was also discussed in detail. Kolasib has more than 10,000 active farmers, while the Krishi Vigyan Kendra provides technical guidance to more than 5,000 farmers. The centre also conducts inter-state internship and guest faculty programmes.

The meeting also reviewed the status of the cooperative sector and Jan Aushadhi Kendra. The district has 102 active cooperative societies, most of which are associated with agriculture. Discussions focused on the potential of these cooperatives to strengthen local livelihoods and community-level economic activity.

Raksha Khadse also reviewed the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). During 2025-26, the approval process had been affected by issues related to access to the portal. The meeting discussed expediting assistance for 25 identified local enterprises, including furniture workshops, grocery stores and mineral water units.

During the review of the Public Distribution System and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Minister directed officials to address discrepancies in beneficiary data and maintain accurate records so that all eligible families can receive the benefits of the schemes.

Sports also featured prominently in the Kolasib review meeting. Football, hockey and wrestling were identified as the district’s major sporting disciplines. Players from Kolasib are participating in national-level football leagues. The district also has a hockey ground and has produced a national-level hockey player.

The meeting also discussed the need for a dedicated training centre to provide local athletes with structured coaching and continuous training.

Raksha Khadse reviewed sports infrastructure being developed under the VB-GRAM-G initiative, including football and volleyball grounds as well as the maintenance of existing facilities. She suggested that sports grounds be developed under the initiative in all 51 villages of the district so that young people can access sporting facilities closer to their communities.

Youth participation and drug prevention were also discussed in Kolasib. The Superintendent of Police briefed the meeting on awareness and prevention initiatives being undertaken in the district under the Nasha Mukt campaign.

Raksha Khadse emphasised the need to channel the energy of young people towards sports, education, community service and constructive social activities. She called for increased awareness activities in educational institutions and highlighted the role of peer networks in communicating positive messages to young people.

The District Youth Officer said that around 9,000 young people in Kolasib are registered on the MY Bharat platform. The Minister called for greater participation of MY Bharat volunteers in awareness activities and stronger coordination between volunteers and the police department.

Emphasis on Coordinated Efforts for Grassroots Development

During the review meetings in both districts, Raksha Khadse said that young people have an important role to play in the country’s development journey and that their energy and potential need to be connected with opportunities in sports, education, entrepreneurship, community participation and productive livelihoods.

She emphasised the need to strengthen grassroots sports systems in regions such as Mizoram, which possess significant sporting talent. This, she said, requires the provision of sports facilities, quality coaching, structured training and appropriate support for athletes.

She also said that effective implementation of government schemes depends on accurate data, better coordination among departments and sustained engagement with local communities.

The review meetings emphasised strengthening coordination among district administrations, police departments, youth institutions, sports organisations, agricultural institutions, cooperative societies and community organisations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar