<span style="color: #222222;">In Mizoram, villages councils functioning in the rural areas of the state are playing a pivotal role for the welfare of the people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adhering to the directives from the state and district administration, these village council are the main machinery that are monitoring that people keep social distancing and helping people in this difficult time. Village councils have also taken initiatives to bring the Govt sponsored benefits to people promptly.<br />'' <br />'' AIR correspondent reports, Lawngtlai village councils are strictly maintaining the lockdown guidelines, with its Village Level Task Force volunteers working round the clock. Secretary of Lawngtlai village council, Mr Lalthangzuala said that village council task force closely monitors the movement of the public. People – comprising commons, shopkeepers, and vehicle drivers who do not wear face mask when going out – are charged with a fine of 100 rupees.<br />'' <br />'' By the supervision of village councils, so far 10 thousand 6 hundred 33 families of Lawngtlai have received free food grains under Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana.<br />'' <br />''Also, with the village council's active role, most families of the villages have got the benefits from MGNREGA, free gas cylinders and a good number of farmer families got PM-Kisan Samman of 2000 rupees. The village council is also continuing to collect seeds of paddy, maize and various vegetables from Horticulture Dept and distribute free to the farmers. </span><br />