Mizoram's Land Revolution: New Laws and Digital Reforms

Mizoram is set to introduce ground-breaking land laws and digital reforms, aiming to boost revenue and improve administrative efficiency. Spearheaded by Minister B Lalchhanzova, these updates include new bills, enhanced digitisation, and modernised citizen services to meet evolving needs and challenges.

The Mizoram government will introduce a comprehensive new land law aimed at overhauling the state's land administration system to meet the changing needs and administrative requirements, a minister said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference here, state Land Revenue and Settlement Minister B Lalchhanzova said that ''The Mizoram (Land Revenue) Bill, 2026'' is currently being drafted to replace the existing Mizoram (Land Revenue) Act, 2013, which no longer adequately addresses evolving administrative and legal challenges.

''Since the existing law requires extensive revisions in view of changing times and administrative needs, a new legislation - The Mizoram Land Revenue Act, 2026 - is currently being prepared and is expected to be completed within this year,'' the minister said.

Lalchhanzova also said that the state government is undertaking sweeping reforms in land administration, digitisation and revenue generation, with the state aiming to raise around Rs 100 crore annually from stamp duty and registration within the next five to six years.

He said that the Mizoram Survey and Settlement Operations Bill, 2026, is also being drafted and is positioned to pass in the upcoming monsoon session to accelerate large-scale area surveys.

Besides, the Apartment Ownership Act and Revenue Court Manual are currently being prepared, he said.

According to Lalchhanzova, the government amended the 2013 Act in August 2025, introducing several significant changes, which included replacing Settlement Officers with Assistant Commissioners, simplifying procedures for land sub-leases, empowering Deputy Commissioners in land-use diversion matters up to 5,000 square metres and introducing clearer mechanisms for dealing with illegal land occupation.

He said that the reforms are intended to create a more transparent, decentralised and citizen-friendly land administration system.

As part of administrative reforms, Aizawl revenue district has been divided into North and South divisions, while pilot decentralisation projects are being launched in Vairengte and Thenzawl sub-divisions with new offices, quarters and strengthened sub-registrar facilities, he said.

The minister also highlighted rapid progress in digitisation and citizen services through the e-Ram portal, launched by Chief Minister Lalduhoma in December 2024.

To improve public grievance redressal, the department has introduced a 24x7 WhatsApp Bot service and is preparing an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to assist citizens facing difficulties with online applications, he said.

In a major push toward modernisation, the government has also signed an agreement with Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited for the implementation of e-Stamping in Mizoram, he said.

The system is expected to make stamp duty payments safer, faster and more transparent while reducing the risk of forgery and loss of records.

According to the minister, revenue collection from stamp duty and registration has already seen sharp growth over the past four years, rising from Rs 7.91 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 20.20 crore in 2025-26.

''Many states generate substantial revenue through land transactions and registration. Mizoram started relatively late in this sector, but we are now taking strong measures to expand it,'' Lalchhanzova said, expressing confidence that annual collections could touch Rs 50 crore within two to three years and Rs 100 crore in the next five to six years.

The government is further carrying out large-scale land surveys and digitisation projects under schemes such as SVAMITVA, DILRMP and the NAKSHA urban mapping programme.

According to the minister, the broader objective of the reforms is not only to improve public services but also to strengthen Mizoram's revenue base through more efficient land registration, taxation and property management systems.