Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday attacked Jharkhand Government for amending the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Acts. He said that the Acts are related to tribal sentiments and steps taken will have adverse effect on the State.
Addressing a public meeting Agrico Ground, Nitish Kumar said that the government is trying to erase the identity of the tribal people by amending the CNT & SPT Acts.
Nitish said that he had supported bifurcation of Bihar for the greater benefit of tribals but now he feels that the very purpose of the formation of new State has not been fulfilled. He said that CNT and SPT is the very soul of the tribals as they rely on Jal ( Water), Jungle ( forest) and Zameen ( land). He stated the it’s a conspiracy to erase the very existence of tribals. “ Moreover, it is really surprising that even after 15 years of existence Jharkhand has failed to pave way for development. Its neighbour Bihar has achieved milestones in every field and marched ahead in the path of progress,” noted Kumar.
Addressing the meeting organised in Jharkhand Vikash Morcha, the Bihar CM stated: “I am of the opinion that these acts are symbols of tribal life and any move to change it might trigger social unrest. I had cautioned the Government several times but it failed to pay heed”.
He also reiterated his demand to ban liquor in Jharkhand too. Kumar noted that Bihar has become an example of successfully implementing total prohibition in the country. The women folk are equally happy with the Government’s decision.
“I had requested CM to take steps to ban liquor. But the Government lacks will power to take steps in this regard. On the development front Bihar and Jharkhand need to work together. The liquor ban has yielded positive results in Bihar, Jharkhand too can gain from this step,” claimed Kumar. He also added that the entire nation has realised the importance of liquor ban. He said that if voted to power in Jharkhand he will ensure that liquor is banned.
JVM chief Babulal Marandi, party’s central secretary Abhay Singh also addressed the gathering.