Opposition finds fault with Jharkhand domicile policy

The opposition parties in Jharkhand and a partner of the ruling BJP are finding fault with the domicile policy announced by the state government on Thursday.

"It's not in the interests of the people. Our party has always regarded land record holders as Moolvasi of the state. We are consulting legal experts. If needed, we will move court," Stephen Marandi of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) told reporters here.

According to the much awaited policy, any person living in the state for the last 30 years will enjoy the benefits of being a permanent resident.

There are other ways of being a 'Jharkhandi' - such as a person born in the state who has passed his class 10 schooling in Jharkhand and a person or their ancestor having figured in the land records.

The ruling BJP said the policy will help youths of the state to get government jobs.

"The policy has been announced after 15 years of the formation of the state. It's a balanced policy and will enable the youths of the state to get government jobs," Pradeep Sinha, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson, told IANS.

Sinha said the objections raised by the opposition parties was pure "politics" and nothing more.

Former Chief Minister and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) president Baulal Marandi said the policy had been announced in "haste".

"This will not benefit people of the state. We always advocate for recruitment policy. The state government should reserve all seats of the government jobs for the people of the state," said Baulal Marandi.

The All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), BJP's alliance partner in the state, also found fault with the policy.

"How can we equalize two things - the previous land records and anyone who has passed class 10 will enjoy benefits of domicile," said Deo Sharan Bhagat, senior leader of AJSU.

Bhagat said the policy was "not perfect" and must undergo several amendments.