Mizoram deputy chief minister Tawnluia on Thursday said the state government’s Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) scheme will continue if the Mizo National Front (MNF) returns to power in the November 7 Assembly polls.

Under the SEDP, the MNF government provides financial assistance of up to Rs 3 lakh to beneficiaries to start projects (trades) of their choice for sustainable development, he said.

Speaking to reporters at the party office here, Tawnluia, who is also senior MNF vice-president, said SEDP assistance is not vote-bank politics but primarily a development-oriented programme.

According to Tawnluia, the state government has disbursed Rs 450 crore as assistance to thousands of beneficiaries under the SEDP during the last five years.

In the first phase, about 60,000 families were provided assistance of Rs 50,000 each and another 60,000 beneficiaries were assisted with Rs 25,000 each in the second phase, he said.

The process for disbursement of SEDP assistance for the third phase has been put on hold due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct following the announcement of the polls, Tawnluia added.