Aizawl: BJP leaders representing Mizoram’s three autonomous district councils (ADCs) — Lai, Mara and Chakma — have urged the Centre to expedite the passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019, which has been pending in Parliament for several years.A delegation recently met Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai at his residence in New Delhi and requested that the long-pending Bill be passed at the earliest, the BJP’s Mizoram unit said in a statement on Saturday.The Bill seeks to strengthen the financial and administrative powers of autonomous district councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. It proposes changes to the composition and functioning of the councils and seeks to provide them with greater financial autonomy, including provisions related to taxation and grants.For Mizoram’s three Sixth Schedule ADCs, its passage is significant as it could strengthen their institutional and financial powers and improve their ability to administer local affairs.Rai told the delegation that the concerns raised by state BJP leaders regarding the Bill were being given due importance. He said Union home minister Amit Shah appointed him as chairperson to oversee the process concerning the Bill and that he was actively pursuing the matter.The minister also said a meeting on the Bill would be convened soon and assured the delegation that efforts would be made to take it forward at the earliest.The delegation also sought the immediate release of funds requested by the Mizoram govt for relief work and debris clearance following landslides in Lawngtlai bazaar and Lawngtlai-IV on May 30, 2025. The landslides damaged houses and agricultural land.BJP Lawngtlai (LAD) district president Lalhruaitluangi Vandir raised the issue with Rai, who assured the delegation that he would follow up on the matter and take steps to facilitate the early release of funds.The delegation comprised MLA and BJP state core group member K Hrahmo; Mara Autonomous District Council chief executive member and BJP Siaha district president M Laikaw; and BJP Lawngtlai district president Lalhruaitluangi Vandir.BJP northeast coordinator and MP Sambit Patra accompanied the BJP leaders during the meeting. The delegation also held discussions with senior BJP national leaders during their visit to New Delhi.
