Mizoram: Minister Robert Royte to Bear Expenses of 11,000 Needy People of his Constituency for 8 Months

Aizawl:

Since many people have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to buy food, Mizoram Sports Minister Robert Romawia Royte and former minister C Vulluaia are covering the ration expenses of the poor people in their area.

Royte has announced that he will cover the ration expenses of over 11,000 poor people in his constituency for eight months using his own savings rather than government funds.

In 7 districts of Aizawl East - II, there are 11,087 beneficiaries of Central Government schemes like Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) or 'poorest of poor' and Priority Household (PHH) or Below Poverty Line. The ration card they hold enables them to obtain food grains in subsidised rates from the public distribution system under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The minister stated that he would cover the ration costs for all 11,087 AAY and PHH beneficiaries, regardless of political affiliation.

Royte stated that instead of using the MLA area development fund, he would cover the expenses for the eight-month period from May to December using his monthly salary saved for helping the needy.

The minister has already covered the 11,087 people's rationing expenses for the month of May.

Mizoram's worst-affected COVID-19 constituency is Aizawl East-II.

Royte stated that since being elected to the state assembly in 2018, he has been saving his monthly salary for the poor.

"The ration expenses would solely be met from monthly salary. I have been saving my MLA salary, which I kept it aside for helping the poor since the beginning. MLA funds are meant for other developments," the 55-year-old leader told PTI.

Royte stated that he would spend approximately Rs 15 lakh to purchase 4,89,120 kg of rice for eight months. If necessary, he would continue to work for the good cause.

Royte, who was elected from Aizawl East-II constituency in the 2018 assembly elections, also holds the Mizo National Front (MNF) government's portfolio for Information and Communication Technology and Tourism.

Apart from being a politician, Royte is also the owner of Aizawl Football Club, the first football club from Northeast to win I-League in 2016-2017

Royte, in addition to being a politician, is the owner of Aizawl Football Club, the first football club from the Northeast to win the I-League in 2016-2017.

Meanwhile, former law minister and prominent journalist C Vulluaia helped over 500 poor families in his Aizawl neighbourhood of Dawrpui Vengthar by covering their ration expenses for the month of May.

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