The Mizoram Government is well prepared to set up a Tribal Research Institute (TRI) through central fund, according to officials of the Mizoram State Social Welfare Department.
A report in The Morung Express quoting Mizoram Social Welfare secretary, K Vanlalrawni stated that the Centre had agreed to sanction Rs 20 crore for the project, of which the State Government had already received Rs 440 lakh as a first installment.
The official further stated that construction of the institute will begin soon as the Centre has directed the State Government to exhaust the first installment by March this year.
The Centre further release the second installment after submission of utilization certificate and other necessary documents of the first installment, the report added quoting the official.
It is learnt that the State Government has identified a plot of land for the construction of the institute at Kelsih village about 15 km south of Aizawl. The land has been donated by the village council of Kelsih village.
Notably, the site was inspected recently by Social Welfare Minister K Beichhua along with officials of Social Welfare Department and local leaders of Kelsih village.
The core responsibility of tribal research institute will be to function as a powerhouse of knowledge and research for development and preservation of tribal cultural heritage.
The proposed tribal research institute would have a gallery, a library and an amphitheatre for promotion and preservation of tribal arts, culture and music, the report further stated.