Tribal and other dwellers of mineral rich areas of Jharkhand would feel cheated with the advertisement run by the UPA Government airing assurances about two to four fold monetary compensation against the land acquired! All the gung-ho the 'land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2013' has gathered is falling well short from providing any additional benefit to the land losers in the major parts of the State.
The deprivation comes with the exemption given in the Bill, passed by both the Houses of Parliament, to coal and other mineral bearing belts. As per the provisions the land givers in mineral-borne areas would be given compensation under the provisions of the 'land Acquisition (Mines) Act, 1885' and the 'Coal Bearing Areas Acquisition & Development Act, 1957'. The clause is sure to take away the enhanced compensation promised in the Act in-making.
The fear is bothering the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and few others. The party claiming to represent mainly tribals and has strongholds in mineral rich areas of the State thumbs down the provisions despite political compulsions. "Most of the land acquired in Jharkhand has been through these two Acts. The State would be in the most disadvantageous position through the Act made during the British Rule. The right to fair compensation and
transparency is hardly going to benefit large section of people here," JMM Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Kumar told
The Pioneer.
Though the JMM supported the Bill and voted in the favour of the Congress-led Government with which it is also running a coalition Government in Jharkhand, but with some riders to repeal the provisions. While debating the Bill in the Upper House the JMM MP had said that Jharkhand contributes 32 per cent of coal and 28 per cent of iron ore the country's production and there would be no change in the lives of the people as far as the compensation is concerned.
The MP also came down heavily citing the consequences of mining on residents that has led to large scale displacement and fatal pollution and demanded proper amendments in the two Acts before going ahead.
When asked about his party's silence over the issue back home Kumar said they were unable to understand the gravity. "Perhaps worry over coalition is greater. I have updated the CM (Hemant Soren) about its legal aspects. The party would come up with amended position as they understand the implications," he said.
Nevertheless, the Chief Minister on Sunday came up with a brave face and promised to bring a separate Bill as the one of the Union Government did not address the issues concerning the tribals of the mining areas.
“We have studied the Central Bill on land acquisition and found that it does not provide for adequate compensation for the people living in mining areas. They would be getting the same compensation as it was some 50 years ago. We request the Central Government to amend such provisions. Otherwise the tribal and original residents of mining areas in the State would be the most affected. We would bring a separate land bill so that such people don’t get deprived of their rights,” said the Chief Minister.
This apart, the Opposition parties also denounced the Bill terming it populist and for missing nuances of the State. “It is a political gimmick. Besides Jharkhand, people of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and MP would be hard hit. It is also silent on CNT and SPT Acts applicable in the State. Only builders and land mafias are going to gain by this,” said BJP's Nishikant Dubey. JVM's Ajoy Kumar also criticised it for offering money for the sake of land.
The Congress, however, termed the voices as just apprehensions. “There is no need to be apprehensive. Jharkhand falls in scheduled areas and is protected by CNT and SPT provisions that would save the land owners,” said PCC
president Sukhdeo Bhagat. He, however, remained silent over how the Bill can bring more to the land owners from now.
(With inputs from Parvinder Bhatia in Jamshedpur)