The Mizoram Youth Commission Act, 2025
The Mizoram Youth Commission Act, 2025
1. Short title, extent and commencement
- (1) This Act may be called The Mizoram Youth Commission Act, 2025.
- (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Mizoram.
- (3) It shall come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires .- a) “Act” means the Mizoram Youth Commission Act, 2025 ; b) “Commission” means the Mizoram Youth Commission constituted under Section 3; c) “Government” means the Government of Mizoram; d) “Governor” means the Governor of Mizoram; e) “member” means a member of the Mizoram Youth Commission; f) “notification” means notification in the Official Gazette of Mizoram; g) “Official Gazette” means the Official Gazette of Mizoram; h) “prescribed’ means prescribed by rules made under this Act; i) “regulation” means the regulations made by the Commission under the provision of this Act; j) “rules” means rules made by the State Government under this Act; k) “youth” means a person who has attained the age of 13 years but has not exceeded the age of 35 years.
3. Constitution of the Commission
- (1) The Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification, a State Youth Commission to be called ‘The Mizoram Youth Commission’ with its headquarters in Aizawl and such Centres as may be established in the Districts.
- (2) The Commission shall be an autonomous body having powers to the extent as empowered by the provisions of this Act having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall have and exercise power subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder, and with prior approval of the Government, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable and to enter into contract and undertake and execute all such other things necessary for the purpose of carrying out its duties and functions with the approval of the Government and shall sue and be sued in the name of the Secretary, Mizoram Youth Commission.
- (3) It shall have power in the management of all its internal affairs, discipline and administration, framing of rules and regulations and all other related matters such as harnessing revenue potential, and the application thereof including engagement of such employees or workforce for the implementation of its projects and programmes.
4. Composition of the Commission
- (1) The Commission shall consist of -
- (a) A Chairperson to be appointed by the Governor;
- (b) Such number of members not exceeding seven as may be determined by the Government to be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a Committee consisting of -
- (i) Minister, Labour, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (LESDE) Department who shall be the Chairman of the committee;
- (ii) Chairperson, Mizoram Youth Commission;
- (iii) Secretary, Labour, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department.
- (2) The Government may depute its officer having sufficient experience and interest in the field of youth welfare as Member Secretary with such qualifications as may be prescribed: Provided that the Commission shall have the right to co-opt any expert as members having specialized attributes, in-depth knowledge and ground level experience in the field of youth welfare as it may consider necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act:
5. Provided further that such co-opted member(s) shall have no right to vote in the decisions of the Commission.
Terms and Conditions of service of the Commission
- (1) The Chairperson and other members of the Commission shall hold office for a term of 3 (three) years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier: Provided that the Government may, by notification, extend the term of office of all such members by a period not exceeding 2
- (two) years.
- (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the term of office of incumbent members shall be deemed to have been extended up to the date as the Government may, by notifications specify.
6. Powers and functions of the Chairperson
The Chairperson shall exercise the following powers and functions, namely :-
- (1) make decisions on matters pertaining to the policies, programmes, and activities of the Mizoram Youth Commission subject to the provisions of the Act and any rules or regulations made thereunder;
- (2) oversee the overall administration of the Commission, including the authority to assign duties and responsibilities to the members and officers of the Commission;
- (3) sanction expenditures and oversee the financial management of the Commission, ensuring that all financial transactions comply with Government regulations and the Commission’s financial policies;
- (4) initiate and formulate strategies and programmes aimed at the development and welfare of the youth in Mizoram subject to approval by the Commission and in consultation with relevant stakeholders;
- (5) act as the primary liaison between the Commission and the Government of Mizoram, as well as other Governmental and non-Governmental agencies, to ensure effective coordination and implementation of youth-related initiatives;
- (6) take any action necessary to address the situation in cases of urgency or emergency, provided that such actions are reported to the Commission at the earliest opportunity;
- (7) constitute committees, sub-committees, and working groups for specific tasks or projects and oversee their functioning to ensure that they meet the objectives set by the Commission;
- (8) be responsible for ensuring that the Commission prepares and submits an annual report on its activities, achievements, and financial status to the Government of Mizoram, as well as for ensuring accountability and transparency in the Commission's operations;
- (9) monitor and evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Commission's programmes and initiatives, ensuring that they align with the strategic goals of the Commission and deliver measurable outcomes for the youth of Mizoram.
7. Powers and functions of the Member Secretary
The Member Secretary shall exercise the following powers and functions, namely :
- (1) the Member Secretary shall be the executive head of the Commission, overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring the implementation of decisions taken by the Chairperson and the Commission;
- (2) coordinate the activities and functions of the various sections within the Commission, ensuring smooth communication and effective execution of the Commission's programmes and initiatives;
- (3) be responsible for managing the financial affairs of the Commission, including managing accounts, and ensuring that expenditures are within the approved budgetary limits;
- (4) act as the primary liaison between the Commission and various government departments, ensuring compliance with government policies and facilitating the implementation of youth development programmes;
- (5) be responsible for the preparation and submission of reports, documents, and records required by the Commission, the Chairperson, or the Government of Mizoram;
- (6) supervise the staff of the Commission including assigning tasks, evaluating performance, and ensuring that the staff adhere to the rules and regulations of the Commission;
- (7) ensure that the programmes and decisions of the Commission are implemented effectively and within the prescribed timelines, providing regular updates to the Chairperson and the Commission on progress;
- (8) provide secretarial support to the Commission during meetings, including preparing agendas, organizing meetings, and ensuring that all necessary documents and information are available to the members;
- (9) be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the performance of the Commission's programmes and projects, providing feedback to the Chairperson and recommending adjustments as necessary to improve effectiveness;
- (10) ensure that all activities of the Commission comply with relevant laws, regulations, and government directives, and shall be responsible for maintaining high standards of governance within the Commission.
8. Resignation, removal of members of the Commission
- (1) The Chairperson or any other member of the Commission may, at any time, by writing under his hand, addressed to the Governor, resign his office.
- (2) The Governor may, by order, remove from office the Chairperson or any other members of the Commission, if he- i) is adjudged an insolvent; or ii) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Governor, involves moral turpitude; or iii) is, in the opinion of the Governor, unfit to continue in office by reasons of infirmity of mind or body; or iv) is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Commission without obtaining permission from the Commission, when it relates to a Member, or from the Governor, when it relates to the Chairperson: Provided that no person shall be removed under this section unless he has been given reasonable opportunity of being heard by the Governor.
- (3) In the event of any vacancy in the office of the Chairperson or any other member of the Commission by reason of death, removal or resignation, such vacancies shall be filled up by such appointment by the Governor, within a period of one month from the date of such vacancy and the Chairperson or any other member, as the case may be, so appointed shall hold office for the remaining term of his predecessor.
9. Functions of the Commission
- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the duty of the Commission to guide, assist, promote and develop the welfare of the youth of the State and serve as the repository of the Government in all such matters connected thereto.
- (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provision of sub-section (1), the Commission shall also discharge and perform all or any of the following duties and functions, namely:- i) to evaluate the progress of development of the youth in the State; ii) to inculcate and educate among the youth, the dignity of labour and hard work; iii) to co-ordinate, liaise one or more Departments with the other for securing better education and employment opportunities; iv) to develop and harness the potential of the youth in order to attain optimum level of skill and to become economically self reliant and productive; v) to undertake promotional and educational research so as to suggest to the Government better ways of ensuring employment opportunities and to minimise lack of excess to medical, management, vocational and technical education to archive marketable quality in such stream of higher studies; vi) to advice the Government in the planning process for the socio- economic development of the youth; vii) to explore the scope and potential of the youth in the field of music, fine arts, sports and academic pursuits so as to attain high degree of accomplishment; viii) to train, assist, encourage and guide the youth while seeking employment within India and abroad; ix) to advise the Government in any other matter as may be referred to it from time to time and recommend measures for improving the effectiveness of youth programmes and policies; x) to ensure alignment of youth policies with national and state objectives; xi) to promote skill development programmes to enhance employability and entrepreneurship among the youth; xii) to initiate programmes to promote physical and mental health among young people; xiii) to facilitate rehabilitation of youths from disadvantaged background with juvenile delinquency, suffering from substance abuse and the like; xiv) to organize forums, workshops and seminars to foster leadership skills and civic responsibility among young individuals; xv) to support traditional and contemporary arts to preserve and promote Mizoram's cultural heritage; xvi) to develop and implement programmes to encourage book reading and to establish and support libraries, reading clubs and literary events to foster a love for reading; xvii) to conduct research in youth-related issues to enable informed policy decisions and programme development; xviii)to establish and maintain partnerships with governmental and non- governmental and international organizations for the benefit of the youth; xix) to foster community involvement in youth development initiatives; xx) to fix honorarium of coaching faculties by regulation;
10. Powers of the Commission
- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall, while performing its functions under section 9, have all the powers of a Civil Court trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:- a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of the State and examine him under oath; b) requiring the discovery and inspection of any document; c) receiving evidence on affidavits; d) issuing summons for the examination of witnesses or documents; e) enquire into complaints received on matters relating to the violation of youth development and employment prospects and submit its recommendations to the Government for taking appropriate action.
- (2) Proffer advice and collaborate with Government Departments to make fund provisions for youth welfare and their sustainable development initiatives.
- (3) Explore all credible funding avenues for building up of infrastructure and youth employment generation, in addition to the grants received from the Government.
- (4) Enter into contract, with prior approval of the Government, with accredited and certified institutes, agencies, corporations etc to the attainment of fulfilling the mission of holistic development of youth.
- (5) May, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, utilize the services of- a) any officer of the Government, with prior approval of the Government; b) any officer of the State-owned Corporations and local bodies with the consent of such corporations or bodies and with the concurrence of the Government.
- (6) The Commission shall have the authority to seek, raise and utilize funds for the implementation and execution of its programmmes through special allocations, special assistance, and other mechanisms from all available sources.
- (7) Perform all such other functions, as may be necessary for the fulfilment of the Commission mandate as envisaged under section 9.
- (8) Manage its assets in such manner as may be prescribed by regulation.
11. Meeting of the Commission
- (1) The Member Secretary, at the behest of the Chairman may at any time call for a regular or special meeting of the Commission.
- (2) Such decisions of the Commission's meeting requiring Government approval in accordance with extant rules and regulations may be brought before the Government for its approval.
- (3) All orders and decisions of the Commission shall be authenticated by the Member Secretary or any other officer of the Commission duly authorized by the Chairperson.
- (4) The Chairperson and members shall be entitled to sitting allowance at such fixed rates as may be prescribed from time to time.
12. Quorum
One-third of the members shall form a quorum of the Commission's meeting.
13. Appointment of officers and Staff
- (1) The Government shall depute such number of officers, having exemplary record and work experience, for efficiently carrying out and executing the mandated functions of the Commission.
- (2) The Commission shall appoint its employees by creating such posts, with prior approval of the Government, to man the office of the Commission.
- (3) All such posts so created under sub-section
- (2) having corresponding posts in the Government shall be governed by extant regulations, schemes, guidelines, order, etc. issued by the Government for such posts.
- (4) The Commission may, as deemed necessary, engage employees/staff specifically for the execution and implementation of its programmes and projects and such engagements shall be co-terminus with the respective projects or programmes.
- (5) The Commission shall, with the approval of the Government, make regulations and guidelines regulating such employees/staff under sub-section (4), including appointment and engagement procedure, as the case may be, penalties and dismissal and other such pecuniary service matters in respect of such employees.
14. Grants by the Government
- (1) The Commission shall have its own fund in form of grant-in-aid received from the State Government through its Nodal Department i.e. Labour, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department and all receipts by the Commission shall be credited thereto and all payments by the Commission shall be met therefrom.
- (2) The Government shall make available to the Commission, by way of grant, from the Consolidated Fund of the State, such sum of money as it may think sufficient for carrying out the purpose of this Act.
15. Contributions, endowments etc to the Commission
Subject to the provisions of this Act and any other law for the time being in force, the Commission may receive funds from any organization or individual by way of donation, contribution or under any other name, for the purpose of setting up of endowments in order to fulfill the functions of the Commission.
16. Salaries and Allowances to be paid out of grants
- (1) Honorarium of the Chairperson, other than a sitting MLA, shall be paid at such fixed rate as may be decided by the Government from time to time.
- (2) Sitting allowance and any other entitlements of the Chairperson and Members shall be paid at such fixed rate as may be prescribed.
- (3) Administrative expenses including salaries, allowances and contributions towards pension, leave etc payable to the Officers and other employees referred to in sub- section
- (1) and
- (2) shall be paid out of the grants referred to in sub-section
- (1) of section 14..
17. Accounts and Audit
- (1) Record of financial transactions shall be maintained in the manner as may be prescribed.
- (2) The accounts of the Commission shall be subject to audit by appropriate auditing authority.
- (3) The Secretary of the Commission shall send a copy of the reports on account audited to the Government after receiving the inspection report.
18. Annual Report
Annual report indicating financial and physical achievement shall be submitted to the State Government every year in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed in the rules.
19. Power to make rules
- (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
- (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- a) sitting allowance of the Chairperson and members of the Commission for attending the meeting of the Commission. b) entitlements of Chairperson and members of the Commission. c) manner of maintenance of record of financial transactions d) manner and timeline for submission of annual reports.
- (3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram.
20. Power to make regulations
- (1) The Commission may, in consultation with the Government, make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act or rules made thereunder, to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- a) engagement of staff for the execution of its programmes and projects; b) the procedure for management of assets owned the Commission; c) the procedure governing the implementation of the various functions of the Commission as outlined in section 9 of the Act; d) honorarium of coaching faculties; e) matters connected with the activities of the staff under sub- sections
- (4) and
- (5) of section 13 including provisions for leave and disciplinary measures.
21. Chairperson, Members and Staff of the Commission to be public servant
The Chairperson, Members and employees of the Commission shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of sub-section
- (28) of section
- (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.
22. Power to remove difficulties
- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty: Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of 3 (three) years from the date of commencement of this Act.
- (2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram.
23. Repeal and Savings
- (1) On and from the commencement of this Act, the Mizoram Youth Commission Act, 2008, (Act No. 8 of 2008) shall stand repealed.
- (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, all actions taken or things done or purported to be done under the said Act shall be deemed to have been taken or done and purported to be done under corresponding provisions of this Act.
PDF: pending for this language.