BJP demands pro-tribal Jharkhand Tenancy Act

Former Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Raghuvar Das on Monday demanded framing of a Tenancy Act for the 2000-carved state to protect the rights of its tribals, and criticised the Opposition's stand over the fine iron-ore issue leading to adjournment of the Assembly in the recent monsoon session.

He asked the state government to act quickly on the recommendations of the Deputy Commissioner to look into the land scam to the tune of Rs 1000 crores in Deoghar district. “The government should not waste time and order for a vigilance probe into the scam,” said Das, a former state president of the ruling BJP.

Referring to the decades-old Chhotanagarpur and Santhal Paragana Tenancy Act (CNT and SPT), he said the government should review it and frame a new Jharkhand Tenancy Act. The CNT, he noted, permitted a tribal landowner to sell land to another tribal living in the same district or block with the permission of the Deputy Commissioner, but the SPT had no such provisions.

The senior BJP leader said politicians, bureaucrats were also involved in the scam and the government should look into it. Das accused the tribal leaders and bureaucrats for violating the act and purchasing tribal lands in low prices.

Claiming that he had raised the issue in the Assembly in the past, Das said CNT and SPT acts formed by Britishers in early 1900s was based on divide and rule policy for personal interests and had many discrepancies. Besides, the acts have lost its relevance now as it has miserably failed to protect tribal interest, he added.

At a press conference here, Das said the Opposition parties’ stand on the fire iron ore was improper, particularly when the chief minister had assured to review it following their demand. The government was prepared to discuss the issue in the House, but the opposition continued to stick to its demand for the withdrawal of government decision allowing export of iron-ore fines, he said.

About the performance of the Arjun Munda-led coalition government, Das said it was carrying out development work despite differences on issues, which were “natural”.

To a query about the prevailing controversy between Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the Governor over appointment of Lokayukta in the state, Das said the appointment of the Lokayukta in Gujarat was in violation of constitutional norms.

“The governor should have discussed the issue with the chief minister and the Opposition leader in the House, but the appointment was made without following the constitutional guidelines,” he said.

The appointment of a Lokayukta was a welcome step, but it should “certainly be within the constitutional framework”, he added.