The Congress party promised on Saturday to enact a new bill that would safeguard the rights and land of the Mizoram indigenous people in the lead-up to the state assembly elections. The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) party was accused by Congress General Secretary in Charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh of not tabling the Bill that is in the concurrent list, and he also claimed that the Modi-led central government “bulldozed” amendments to the Forest Conservation Act during the monsoon session.
“The Modi government bulldozed amendments to the Forest Conservation Act during the monsoon session of the Parliament that evoked tremendous opposition and outrage across the country, even more so in the Northeast,” Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
He further said, “The Indian National Congress promises that the first session of the new Legislative Assembly of Mizoram led by the Congress party will pass a new Bill that guarantees to protect the land, the forests and the rights of the tribal people of the state. As forests are part of the concurrent list, this Bill will be sent to the President of India for assent under the provision of Article 254(2).”
This is what the MNF government should have done immediately after the Monsoon session of Parliament but didn’t do because it dances to the tune of the BJP, Jairam Ramesh alleged.
MNF is an ally of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Recently, Mizoram chief minister and president of the governing Mizo National Front (MNF) Zoramthanga reportedly said his party will not work together with BJP in the coming election to the 40-member state legislature.
The Congress MP also claimed that the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) is a party without an ideology adding that they will compromise with the BJP in no time.
“This is what the ZPM will never do as they are a party without an ideology, without a programme or an organisation for the people of Mizoram, and will compromise with the BJP in no time,” he added.
The Congress earlier released its manifesto for poll-bound Mizoram, promising LPG cylinders at Rs 750, an old pension of Rs 2,000 per month, health insurance coverage up to 15 lakh, and other welfare measures if voted to power in the Northeastern state.
