Aizawl (mizonews.net): Mizoram NGOs have cancel their programme to set afire copies of the Mizoram Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2012, after the government intervene in the last minute.

The NGOs on Saturday alleged that the bill is against the interest of the societies. UD&PA Minister, Zodintluanga held a meeting with the representatives of the joint NGOs and had a discussion on the issue with them, sources said.

Law Commission Chairman, R Lalrinawma was accompanied by Zodintluanga. After explaining the bill an agreement was made with the leaders of the NGOs, government officials said.

As per the agreement, the explanation of the term ‘Public Policy’ according to Supreme Court ruling that –“Public policy do not cover Government policy”- should be added in the “The Mizoram Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2012.”

The Mizoram Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2012  which was passed in the state Assembly on July 18.

The agitating organizations include Mizo Zirlai Pawl, Mizo Students’ Union, PRISM, NTUM, SOSA, MHZP, RVSM, Mizoram Labour Association and CPD.

The bill was put up in the Assembly by Taxation Minister Zodintluanga and seven other members – Chawngtinthanga, K.Liantlinga, C.Ramhluna, R.Lalrinawma, Lalsawta, Nirupam Chakma and Lalduhoma – who said they felt the need to correct in the bill, after which the members accepted the bill. However, Lalduhoma said the bill “is not up to the mark” and he proposed that the minister to look into it again and then put it up again in the current session.

In the amendment bill, there is a provision for cancellation of society registration. The government is authorised to appoint administrator if there occurs dispute in the society, and moreover, after cancellation of society registration, the government will have the power to appoint ‘liquidator’ who shall look after the society materials.

Since the minister requested the members to accept the errors in the bill as ‘patent error’, and appealed the House to pass the bill, after which the bill was weighs upon as acceptable or not under the supervision of the Speaker, and as there was no one who did not object, the bill was passed in the House unanimously.

The NGOs claimed that section-23 A sub Section 1 (F) of the amendment bill “is against the freedom enjoyed by the people” in a democracy.

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