Aizawl: The Mizoram Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Mizoram Regulation of Fireworks Bill, 2026, paving the way for a dedicated legal framework to regulate the use of fireworks and firecrackers across the state.
Home Minister K. Sapdanga, who introduced the Bill, said the legislation aims to protect public health and the environment while establishing a uniform mechanism for enforcing restrictions or prohibitions on fireworks.
The proposed law places greater emphasis on financial penalties, with the government seeking to ensure that violations attract immediate and effective punishment. While the Bill provides for both fines and imprisonment, Sapdanga said the government’s preference was to impose substantial fines rather than resort to imprisonment.
According to the Home Minister, fireworks and firecrackers can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. He noted that the Mizoram government has been restricting their use during major festivals, particularly Christmas and New Year, since 2008.
Sapdanga said civil society organisations had also been calling for a comprehensive law to regulate fireworks in the state.
He pointed out that, in the absence of dedicated legislation, District Magistrates had previously issued prohibition orders under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). However, he said the existing system had faced challenges in enforcement and in taking penal action against violators.
To address the gaps, the state government constituted a Working Committee on Prohibition of Firecrackers headed by the Home Secretary. The committee held several rounds of discussions before preparing the draft legislation.
The draft Bill was subsequently examined by the government, approved by the Council of Ministers and introduced in the Assembly, Sapdanga said.
He said the legislation seeks to protect public health, improve air quality, establish consistent enforcement of restrictions, and ensure compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal.
The Bill also sets out procedures for dealing with violations and prescribes penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the nature of the offence.
After a detailed discussion, the Assembly passed the Bill unanimously with several modifications and improvements.