The Centre is yet to approve “The Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registers Bill, 2019,” which seeks to identify between foreigners and genuine residents of the state, chief minister Zoramthanga informed the Assembly on Friday.

Zoramthanga, who also holds general administration portfolio, said that the bill was passed by the state legislature in March last year and was sent to state Governor, who later referred it to the Centre for approval.

“As referred by the Governor the bill is pending with the Central government for approval,” he said.

He said the government will continue to make effort to ensure that the bill received the Centre’s clearance.

The Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registers Bill was passed by the state legislature on March 18, 2019 and was initially sent to the Governor for assent.

Kummanam Rajasekharan, who was the Mizoram governor at the time of passing the bill, referred it to the Centre.

Sources said the former Governor referred the bill to the Centre purportedly because it envisages detection of foreigners.

Zoramthanga, who introduced the bill, had said that the bill, after its enactment, would help the State Government in identifying foreigners and genuine residents of the State.

He had said illegal influx from neighbouring countries has been a serious concern for several decades and in many cases the benefits of development and welfare programmes were eaten away to large extent by such foreigners.

“It was on this backdrop that the government felt it necessary to develop comprehensive database in respect of all residents of the state in order to improve delivery system of development benefits and welfare schemes,” he had said.

The bill, after it enactment, would also provide effective maintenance of law and order and meaningful village and town administration, Zoramthanga had said.

Meanwhile, home minister Lalchamliana informed the Assembly that special task force committees have been formed at district level and sub-division level for detection, detention and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in three border districts – Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Mamit.

Mizoram shares 318 km unfenced international border with Bangladesh.

In a written reply, the home minister said the task force committees were formed in pursuance to the Union Home Ministry’s directive dated November23, 2009 to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants from the State.

He said the committees are yet to submit their reports.

He also informed the state legislature that the government has no intention of establishing foreigner tribunal as of now.