The State Government on Tuesday brought in major amendments in the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (CNT and SPT Acts).
The amendments in a sense redefined the uses of tribal land to their benefits and sale and purchase made. Informing about the decision taken by the Cabinet, land Revenue Secretary KK Soan said that three changes have been made in the CNT Act while one in the SPT Act.
“The Cabinet while acting on the suggestion given by the TAC (Tribal Advisory Committee) in its January meeting approved to amend a sub-section of the Section- 71 of the CNT Act which talks about compensation against tribal land. Now the provision of compensation has been revoked. The provision had been added later to the original Act and was being unnecessarily used for tribal land transfers,” said Soan. The provision is labeled as the most misused section against the tribals in different parts of the State.
However, the Secretary clarified that provision of restoration of tribal land, kept originally in the Act, through SAR Court or DC court would remain intact so that pending cases can be taken to the logical ends. But, at the same time, the DC Court instead of earlier maximum two years time given to dispose such cases has to settle it now within six months.
Another amendment has been made in the Section-49 of the Act that would allow tribal lands to be taken for infrastructure projects such as rail, road, transmission lines, communication lines or irrigation besides, just mining and industry.
“The land can be acquired for important projects related to infrastructure with the permission of DC. At the same time, the Government has laid down stringent provisions. The project for which the land has been acquired should start within five years’ time and failing to that would lead to return of the land to its original owner who would not even be liable to pay back the compensation given to him against the land.
Yet another change made in the SPT Act allows tribal landholders to go for a change in the land use pattern of their land without interfering with the ownership status. “The provision has been made so that the person can change the land use pattern to use the land for better commercial or residential purposes of his choice. At present it is not possible and even a building plan could not be passed on a designated farm land,” added Soan.
Following the decision of the Cabinet all the amendments would be placed before the Assembly for discussion and passage before going to the Governor and in certain cases involving the scheduled areas for the Presidential assent.
In another important decision, the Cabinet decided to place an apex body at the State level for the four different industrial area development authorities in existence in Jharkhand.
“AIADA, RIADA, BIADA and SPIADA would be governed by Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority in the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. Five Directors — three of them independent and one each from Finance and Industry Department — would remain in the Board of Directors. A senior IAS officer would be vice-chairman and MD while CEOs would be appointed at local level to run each authority,” said Cabinet Secretary SS Meena.
Besides, the Cabinet also allowed Government expenditure to renovate private ponds that have been used for public purposes. The pond has to be within one acre to five acres in area. However, not more than 50 per cent of the total ponds taken up for renovation in a district, block or panchayat would be of private nature.