Reported by Henry L Khojol
Aizawl: The Mizoram government is preparing a comprehensive overhaul of its land administration framework through a new legislation aimed at replacing the existing system and improving governance, officials said on Tuesday.
State Land Revenue and Settlement Minister B. Lalchhanzova said at a press conference that the proposed “Mizoram (Land Revenue) Bill, 2026” is currently under drafting and will replace the Mizoram (Land Revenue) Act, 2013, which he said no longer meets current administrative and legal requirements.
He added that the government is simultaneously pursuing wider reforms in land management, digitisation and revenue enhancement, with an ambitious target of generating around Rs 100 crore annually from stamp duty and registration over the next five to six years.
According to the Minister, the Mizoram Survey and Settlement Operations Bill, 2026 is also being prepared and is expected to be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session to facilitate large-scale land surveys. Other proposed legal frameworks, including an Apartment Ownership Act and a Revenue Court Manual, are also in the pipeline.
Lalchhanzova noted that the 2013 Act was amended in August 2025, introducing changes such as replacing Settlement Officers with Assistant Commissioners, simplifying sub-lease procedures, empowering Deputy Commissioners in land-use diversion up to 5,000 square metres and tightening mechanisms to address illegal land occupation.
He said the reforms aim to build a more transparent, decentralised and citizen-friendly land administration system. As part of this process, Aizawl revenue district has been split into North and South divisions, while pilot decentralisation projects are underway in Vairengte and Thenzawl with upgraded administrative infrastructure.
The Minister also highlighted progress in digital governance through the e-Ram portal, launched in December 2024, along with new citizen support tools such as a 24×7 WhatsApp chatbot and a planned IVR system for grievance redressal.
In addition, Mizoram has signed an agreement with the Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited to implement e-Stamping, which is expected to make stamp duty payments more secure, efficient and transparent while reducing fraud risks.
Revenue from stamp duty and registration has already shown significant growth, rising from Rs7.91 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 20.20 crore in 2025-26. The Minister expressed confidence that collections could reach Rs 50 crore within two to three years and Rs 100 crore within five to six years.
The government is also advancing large-scale land surveys and digitisation initiatives under programmes such as SVAMITVA, DILRMP and NAKSHA, with the broader goal of strengthening revenue systems and improving public service delivery.