Mizoram assembly to reconsider ombudsman bill after guv returns it

Aizawl: Mizoram assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a motion to reconsider The Mizoram Local Bodies Ombudsman Bill, 2025, after governor Gen. Vijay Kumar Singh returned the legislation with suggested changes.The bill had been passed by the state legislature on Aug 28, 2025.Moving the motion, urban development & poverty alleviation minister K Sapdanga said the governor had sought changes in two sections of the bill. Sapdanga said the governor suggested a broader consultative mechanism for appointing the Ombudsman. Under the bill passed by the assembly, the Mizoram Local Bodies Ombudsman was to be appointed by the governor on the advice of the CM.The governor, however, proposed an independent appointment process through a committee comprising the CM, the Speaker and the Leader of Opposition to ensure wider consultation and reduce executive dominance.Sapdanga said, "The first suggestion of the governor was to strengthen the institution and enhance public confidence, the following provision may be considered."The governor also raised objections to the removal provisions in the bill, saying they weakened safeguards compared with the 2011 Act. The 2025 bill allowed removal of the Ombudsman by a simple majority in the Assembly.Given the quasi-judicial nature of the office, the govt said removal should instead require an address of the assembly backed by a special majority — a majority of the total membership and not less than three-fifth of members present and voting.During the discussion, leader of the opposition, Lalchhandama Ralte, said the opposition had earlier objected to the provision allowing the government to directly appoint the Ombudsman."However, the treasury bench ensured the passage of the bill with their numbers," Ralte said.He also praised the governor’s intervention, saying it upheld democratic principles in the framing of an important law.