Jharkhand assembly disrupted over amendments to land acts

The Jharkhand assembly was disrupted on Friday over the BJP government's move to amend the state land acts formulated to protect rights of the tribal and indigenous people.

When the house began sitting at 11 a.m., opposition members moved an adjournment motion over the state government's proposed move to amend the two land acts.

Assembly Speaker Dinesh Oraon rejected the motion and urged legislators to start the question hour. The opposition members moved to the well of the house, shouting slogans against the government's move to amend the land acts.

The members from the ruling benches too walked into the well of house, carrying posters and pamphlets in favour of the changes in the Chhotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Acts.

Oraon failed to pacify the opposition members and adjourned the house at 11.14 a.m. till noon. When the house re-assembled, the opposition members again came to the well, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the house till Monday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party government led by Raghubar Das has in cabinet meetings mooted the amendments to the CNT and SPT Acts and is likely to move the bill which would allow agricultural land to be used for non-agricultural purposes.

Talking to reporters, Leader of Opposition Hemant Soren said, "Raghubar Das has made it his personal agenda. It has nothing to do with the welfare of the people of the state. Raghubar Das is trying to impose his ego but Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will not allow such a bill to be passed from the assembly."

--IANS

ns/vgu/vt