Chief Minister Raghubar Das and leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Hemant Soren on Tuesday were locked in a war of words over the proposed changes in the CNT-SPT Acts at a function held to celebrate the Foundation Day of the State Assembly, thus setting the tone of the fiery battle on the floor of the House on Wednesday when the Government tables the bill for the tenancy reforms.
launching a scathing attack, Soren said that a law should not be changed out of arrogance of being in majority as it was important to get suggestions from the people also along with the legislature and the bureaucracy.
“If people are not taken into confidence over the issues of public interest, then it is for sure that we will put ourselves in trough along with the State,” said Soren. “The Government must take care that the feelings of the people do not get hurt,” he added.
“If things get resolved though scuffle in this state, importance of the Assembly will be lost,” he said. “A balance between Government and Opposition and Assembly must be maintained so that the people do not get crushed,” added Soren.
The Chief Minister responded to Soren, saying there was no hidden agenda of the Government and no businessman in this world is born who could pay money for Jharkhand.
“Whatever we do, will be in the interest of the people. The opposition can discuss over CNT and SPT Acts as long as they want to do it in the House so that it becomes crystal clear,” he said. “It is, however, unfortunate that the House was being disrupted again and again on the issue,” said Das.
The CM said that elected representatives must talk only about people’s interest.
Stressing on hearing the opinion of the opposite party on any of the issues, Das said that there must be opposition over the issues but the House should not get disrupted as it is the duty of all of us to respect the mandate given by the people.
“If the amendment does not prove to be fruitful, it could be further amended. “My Government is a voice of poor, tribal, suppressed, and destitute and we are determined to uplift them,” Das said.
The CM also took a pledge that he will not do anything else other than development and will never make compromises with the public interest.
The united Opposition, however, made it clear that it was braced to thwart the government’s move to amend the tenancy laws.
Sources from Opposition camp said that the day would be unforeseen in the history of the State. “The Chief Minister out of his sheer arrogance is not listening to anyone and we are forced to go to any level to stop this Government from bringing the anti-people amendments,” said a senior legislator.
The JMM also defended its assent given in the past to amend the CNT Act.
“The amendments made in the CNT Act in 1996 were brought on the recommendation of the Dhebar Commission which strengthened the land safety provisions even further. Also, it was proposed by the commission, notified by the President,” said JMM legislator Deepak Birua, who has quit his TAC post
protesting over the Government move.
The party also questioned whether on any occasion nature of the land with raiyats had been allowed to change or not and defended the decision of its Government led by Hemant Soren in 2014. “The step was taken after consent with the TAC and had given rights to the aboriginals to sell and purchase their lands to any aboriginals across the State. Presently, the BJP is acting on the personal agenda of the Chief Minister to appease its corporate friends,” said party general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya.
JVM supremo Babulal Marandi, reiterating his party’s stated position termed the Bill anti-tribal that would pave way to snatch away their precious land. The party has also planned protests and gherao of the House on Wednesday.
The BJP-led Government, on the other hand, is looking confident of not only moving the amendment proposals but get the Bills passed as well. “We are ready with it and will make sure that the Bills are passed after proper debate and discussion. We have even proposed extending the time allotted for that,” said party’s chief whip Radha Krishna Kishore.
He, moreover, maintained that the party would not issue any whip to its members to vote in the favour of the Bills. “The matter has been discussed during the legislative body meeting held the Chief Minister’s office and earlier in the TAC. There is no confusion whatsoever in the minds of our members. The party and Government would stick to the parliamentary ethics,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Assembly management has taken necessary steps to deal with any untoward situation inside and outside the House. “All the marshals have been told to report for duty on Wednesday. We would ensure a peaceful situation in the campus and also inside the House,” said an official after a meeting called in this regard by the Assembly Secretary.