Aizawl: Mizoram govt has constituted a drafting committee for the Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registers Bill, 2026, on Feb 25, CM Lalduhoma informed the assembly. The move comes after the earlier Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registers Bill, 2019 — passed by the state assembly on March 18, 2019 — was rejected by the central govt.In a written reply, Lalduhoma, who also holds charge of the general administration department (GAD), said the 2019 Bill was withheld by the then governor and not given assent. The then governor with additional charge, Jagdish Mukhi (also serving as Assam governor), referred the Bill to the President of India on Sept 12, 2019, under Article 200 of the Constitution.Mukhi had opined that the legislation was beyond the purview of the state legislature, as it could be used to detect foreigners illegally residing in the state — a matter considered outside state powers. Legal experts also echoed this view.The state govt pursued the matter with the MHA, sending four demi-official (DO) letters to the Union home minister requesting assent.However, the MHA maintained that certain provisions of the 2019 Bill exceeded the powers of a state legislature and advised the Mizoram govt to review it. The central govt subsequently withdrew the bill.The drafting committee for the 2026 Bill has now been tasked with reviewing and revising provisions to ensure the legislation is acceptable to the Centre.
