Mizoram’s SASCI funding gap has become a political issue after the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) cited an RTI reply showing no funds released to the state under the Centre’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme as of September 30, 2026. The RTI response, dated October 1, came from the Department of Expenditure under the Union Finance Ministry.
The MNF said the other seven northeastern states had received funds under the scheme during the current financial year. It questioned why Mizoram had not received a release by the end of September. The opposition also linked the issue to earlier lapses in using sanctioned SASCI funds.
Arunachal Pradesh: SIFF Youth Wing Announces Boycott of Talks on Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
Mizoram SASCI Funding Gap Emerges From RTI Data
The RTI information cited by the MNF indicates that Mizoram had received zero funds under SASCI for 2026-27 as of September 30. The figure contrasts with releases reported for the other northeastern states during the same period.
According to the reported RTI data, Arunachal Pradesh received the largest amount among the eight northeastern states at ₹3,965.82 crore. Nagaland followed with ₹3,324.68 crore, while Tripura received ₹2,613.17 crore.
Assam received ₹2,504.16 crore, followed by Manipur at ₹2,129.24 crore. Meghalaya received ₹1,947.14 crore, while Sikkim received ₹921.97 crore. Mizoram, meanwhile, was listed with no funds received as of the September 30 cut-off.
The figures concern funds received under the scheme at that point in the financial year. Therefore, the RTI data does not by itself establish that Mizoram will receive no SASCI assistance for the entire 2026-27 financial year. The distinction matters because releases can occur later in the fiscal cycle.
SASCI Scheme and Mizoram’s Capital Investment
SASCI provides long-term financial assistance to states for capital investment and infrastructure-related spending. The scheme has included 50-year interest-free loans intended to support the creation of public assets and strengthen capital expenditure.
The Centre introduced the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme to encourage states to increase capital spending. Consequently, access to such funds can support projects that require substantial public investment.
Mizoram’s own 2025-26 budget documents referred to the state’s plan to continue using the 50-year interest-free SASCI loan facility. The budget estimated around ₹750 crore under SASCI for that financial year, alongside an additional ₹11.15 crore expected through an externally aided project loan component.
The Centre has previously approved SASCI-related allocations for Mizoram. For example, a June 2023 Press Information Bureau release listed ₹399 crore for Mizoram under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24.
Thus, the current dispute concerns the absence of a reported 2026-27 release by the September 30 cut-off, rather than the state never having received assistance under the scheme.
MNF Raises Questions Over Earlier Fund Lapses
The MNF has also connected the latest Mizoram SASCI funding gap to its allegations about the utilisation of funds sanctioned in previous years. The opposition said ₹233.31 crore sanctioned to Mizoram under SASCI in 2023-24 had lapsed. It further alleged that ₹111.52 crore sanctioned during 2025-26 had also lapsed.
An earlier report from April 2026 carried similar allegations from MNF legislator Robert Romawia Royte. He claimed that ₹439.52 crore under SASCI Part-I for 2025-26 had lapsed. That figure included ₹111.52 crore that he said could not be utilised and an additional ₹328 crore allocation that he said also lapsed.
Royte had also alleged that 41 projects had received administrative approval and work orders, but ₹111.52 crore remained unused. He argued that the lapse could affect infrastructure development and reduce associated revenue from GST and labour cess. These were allegations made by the MNF and were not presented as established findings by a court or independent audit in the report.
The opposition has therefore framed the latest RTI figures as part of a broader concern over the state government’s handling of capital investment funds. However, the RTI response showing zero funds received does not itself determine why the funds had not been released.
Political Dispute Over Funding and Government Response
The MNF has demanded an explanation from Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who also holds the Finance portfolio, over Mizoram’s position under SASCI. The opposition party attributed the situation to what it described as poor financial management by the Zoram People’s Movement government.
The MNF also said it would monitor the release and utilisation of SASCI funds. It warned that it could take up the issue with the Centre if it found that utilisation certificates had been issued without corresponding use of funds.
Such claims remain political allegations unless independently established through official records, audits or other authoritative findings. Therefore, the government’s explanation and any further communication from the Union Finance Ministry could provide additional context on the reasons behind the reported delay.
Mizoram’s position also needs to be considered against the wider capital investment programme. The Union government has continued to encourage states to submit proposals and utilise capital expenditure allocations within the relevant financial year. Reports earlier in 2026 indicated that the Centre was urging states to expedite pending proposals and maximise the use of SASCI resources before the financial year ended.
The immediate issue, therefore, is not simply the size of an allocation. It also involves the timing of proposals, approvals, releases and utilisation. Those factors will determine whether Mizoram can access the scheme during the remaining part of 2026-27.
Conclusion
The Mizoram SASCI funding gap highlighted by the MNF is based on an RTI response showing that the state had received no SASCI funds as of September 30, 2026. The same information showed that the other seven northeastern states had received funds by that date.
The MNF has linked the situation to alleged earlier lapses in fund utilisation and has sought an explanation from the state government. However, the available information does not establish that Mizoram will receive no SASCI assistance for the full financial year. Further releases, government explanations and official records will clarify the position.
FAQs
What is the Mizoram SASCI funding gap?
The Mizoram SASCI funding gap refers to the absence of funds received by Mizoram under the SASCI scheme for 2026-27 as of September 30, according to an RTI response cited by the MNF.
How much SASCI funding did Mizoram receive in 2026-27?
The RTI information cited by the MNF showed that Mizoram had received zero funds under SASCI for 2026-27 as of September 30, 2026. The figure represents the position at that cut-off date, not necessarily the final amount for the entire financial year.
Which northeastern state received the highest SASCI amount?
Among the northeastern states listed in the RTI data, Arunachal Pradesh received the highest amount at ₹3,965.82 crore as of September 30, 2026. Nagaland followed with ₹3,324.68 crore.
What has the MNF alleged about previous SASCI funds?
The MNF has alleged that funds sanctioned to Mizoram in earlier financial years lapsed because they were not properly utilised. The party cited ₹233.31 crore from 2023-24 and ₹111.52 crore from 2025-26 in its latest criticism.
Does zero funding by September mean Mizoram will receive nothing for 2026-27?
No. The RTI figure only establishes that no funds had been received as of September 30, 2026. It does not establish that the state will receive no SASCI funds later in the financial year. Further releases or official clarification would be needed to determine the final position.
