The State BJP unit has termed the constitution of Tribal Advisory Council as unconstitutional and incomplete highlighting the alleged ‘loopholes’ in TAC. BJP legislative party leader and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi addressing media persons at State BJP office said that BJP has decided not to participate in TAC meeting.
Marandi stated that the State Government has constituted TAC in violation of the fifth schedule of the Constitution. He said that the basic spirit of TAC is to advise the State Government in framing rules for the overall development of tribal communities. As per the Constitution provisions, the post of TAC chairman is reserved for members of tribal community, but the State government flouting rules and provisions has reserved the post of TAC chairman for Chief Minister, who is also an ex-officio member of TAC. He said that the changed rules are contrary to the Constitutional provisions.
Marandi, the Dhanwar MLA said that as per the provisions the TAC should also consist of a women member and those from primitive tribe community, but in the TAC constituted by the State Government there is no such provisions.
Marandi said that TAC has been formed by violating the powers of the Governor. On these discrepancies, the party met the Governor on June 6 and submitted a memorandum, but the government is bent on doing arbitrariness.
He said that as the present TAC is against the spirit of the Constitution, the BJP has decided not to attend the TAC meeting unless all the loopholes in the council are rectified.
Meanwhile, prior to Marandi’s press meet, a meeting was called by State BJP leadership headed by State BJP president Deepak Prakash. Key decisions were taken in the meeting on the Constitutional aspects of the TAC and the party's strategy against formation of TAC. The meeting was attended by BJP organisational secretary, Dharampal Singh, TAC member and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, TAC member and former minister Neelkanth Singh Munda, TAC member and MLA Koche Munda among others.
Last week, the Soren Government announced the formation of the Jharkhand Tribes Advisory Committee. As per the notification issued by the ST/SC, minorities and backward section welfare department Chief Minister will be ex-officio chairman of TAC. Minister of SC/SC, minorities and backward section welfare department who is presently held by Champai Soren will be deputy chairman of TAC. Others who are in the TAC are Stephen Marandi, Babulal Marandi, Neelkanth Singh Munda, Bandhu Tirkey, Sita Soren, Deepak Birwa, Chamra Linda, Koche Munda, Bhushan Tirkey, Sukhram Oroan, Dasrath Gargai, Vikas Kumar Munda, Naman Vixel Kongadi, Rajesh Kachaap and Sonaram Sinku.