Chief Minister Hemant Soren has made it clear he will not back out on his stand on defining the long-pending domicile policy. “All sons of the soil whose name figures in land records are Jharkhandis,” Soren told reporters after holding an “introductory” meeting with various department Secretaries for three hours. “We will accept land records whether it was last prepared in 1932 or 1962,” he added.
The domicile issue has been a bone of contention between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and other parties. JMM had cited the BJP’s inaction on defining a policy as a reason for withdrawing support from the Arjun Munda Government. The RJD has also said the new Government should resolve the contentious issue sooner rather than later. The Chief Minister acknowledged that running a coalition is a challenge which can only be overcome by arriving at a consensus. “It is our priority to take everybody on board. We will not renege on promises made as the party never does,” said Soren.
Soren said the new Government will not roll back schemes yielding results, though it will review those not up to the mark. Interestingly, Soren washed his hands of the coal block scam, merely saying, “The Government will not interfere in investigation.” The Chief Minister instead promised fast work and action against procrastination, notwithstanding the rank. “Even senior officials will not be spared if we feel the Government is getting bad name because of them,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition does not seem to be in a hurry for Cabinet expansion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Prasad Singh said it would come only after the Governor’s speech on July 25. The session, during which the Supplementary Budget will be presented, will conclude on July 27. “I have discharged my duties as Parliamentary Affairs Minister during trust vote yesterday. It’s the prerogative of the Chief Minister now to take decisions on Cabinet expansion. He has all discretion to choose his colleagues and to decide on the date and time of their swearing-in,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, State Congress in-charge BK Hariprasad is understood to have sent a clear message to coalition members that no independent MlA would be allotted a Cabinet berth. As many as six independents and an MlA of the MCC are supporting the Government and they were also expecting at least one berth. The Congress’ stand may create trouble as Bandhu Tirkey has been consistent in his demand for a place in the Cabinet.