Aizawl, March 9 (PTI): The Mizoram cabinet has approved the proposed liquor prohibition bill in the state and a bill which seeks to ensure only "bona fide Indian citizens" living in the state receive the benefits of government schemes, an official said Saturday.
The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Friday approved the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition Bill, 2019.
The bill would be introduced in the state Assembly during the Budget session starting from March 20, the official said.
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) had promised during the state Assembly election in November last year that if voted to power it would ensure total prohibition in the northeast state.
There was total prohibition in Mizoram from 1997 till January 2015 with the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act in force in the state.
The previous Congress government of Lal Thanhawla allowed opening of wine shops in the state from March 2015.
The Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registration Bill, 2019 entails that a record of families, eligible for government schemes, will have to be maintained by the state.
"If enacted, the legislation will safeguard the interests of the Indian citizens by identifying illegal immigrants," he said, adding that the the bill will be introduced in the Assembly during the interim Budget session, which is set to commence on Tuesday.
The cabinet also noted on Friday that land settlement certificates were being issued to private parties, who are occupying plots in Aizawl that were originally alloted to the Assam Rifles, the official said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently directed the Assam Rifles to shift its battalion headquarters from the heart of Aizawl to Zokhawsang, 15km away.
"The cabinet members, during Friday's meeting, decided that the land settlement certificates issued to private parties will be cancelled as per law. The state government will utilize the land vacated by the Assam Rifles after May 31," the official added
