In a major step towards securing the interests of tribal residents of Jharkhand, the State Cabinet on Thursday gave its nod for making regulation on the lines of a similar law in Odisha to stop purchase of tribal land by non-Scheduled Caste (ST) men in the name of ST women after marriage. Even if the non-ST man buys such land in the name of his ST wife, the land will be restored to its original owner.

Talking about the decision, Revenue and Land Reforms department Secretary KK Soan said that the new regulation will be in effect after being notified by the Government following the nod from the Governor and assent of the State Assembly. “In scheduled areas the land protected by tribal land laws cannot be purchased by ST women if they are married to non-ST men. Even if such purchase takes place it will get restored,” he said.

Commenting on the decision Tribal Advisory Council member Ratan Tirkey said that it is a landmark move by the government it the law is implemented in letter and spirit. “Though we had already discussed and approved such proposal on the issue in the TAC, it is a welcome move.

There are lakhs of such cases in the State and even people being children of non tribal father and tribal mother are taking benefits of being non tribal. This must stop,” he said.

“In Jharkhand there are 4,000 acres of land captured by non-tribal people.

There are people who have two families; one in Jharkhand and another in some other State,” he added.

In another important decision the Cabinet gave nod to the proposal for 50 per cent rebate in providing land to set up health and educational institutions. The rebate will be 75 per cent in 110 blocks of the State identified by government as backwards ones.

Notably, the Cabinet also gave nod to waive Rs 1 being taken as token amount from Tana Bhagats for registration of their land. The Tana Bhagats had been demanding the same and CM Raghubar Das had already instructed the officials for the purpose.

In another important decision the Cabinet approved relaxing of Finance clause 235 under rule 245 for selection of National E Markets Limited (NEML) on the basis of nomination for arrangement of retail liquor shops under e-lottery stem. Cabinet Secretary SKG Rahate said that there is proposal to revert to the old system of liquor sale in the State after significant loss was incurred by the exchequer in terms of liquor sale in the State.

“The nomination of NEML is also a step forward to ensure a transparent system in the State for allotment of retail liquor shops in future,” he said.

The State Cabinet also sanctioned nomination of IIT, Mumbai for vetting of Convention Centre, Urban Civic Centre and Rabindra Bhawan’s structural design and payment if Rs 17.7 lakh, while it also gave nod to setting up of Super Specialty Block at PMCH, Dhanbad at the cost of Rs 165.71 crore.

Altogether 30 decisions were taken in the Cabinet meeting that took place here on Thursday.