The ghost of domicile policy is likely to haunt Jharkhand once again after ruling party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) at its 41st foundation day celebration held in Dumka on February 02 passed a resolution urging Chief Minister Hemant Soren to implement domicile policy based on Khatiyan (land records) of 1932.
At the 41st foundation day function of JMM in Dumka, a resolution was passed in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, JMM chief Shibu Soren, party MPs and MLAs. The leaders urged the CM to implement domicile as per 1932 Khatiyan. With the introduction of such domicile policy, those having land records as per 1932 land records will be given preference in III and IV grade jobs.
Sources said that though JMM’s stand is clear on domicile issue, the contentious issue is likely to bring heart burns among other constituents of Grand Alliance especially Congress and RJD. The BJP sensing the issue has asked Congress and RJD to clear their stand on domicile issue.
BJP's state general secretary-cum-headquarters in-charge Deepak Prakash said that Congress and RJD, which are constituents of Grand Alliance and also part of Hemant Soren Cabinet should clear their stand on this issue. He said, “As Congress and RJD are yet to clear their stand on the issue it appears that government is confused.” Attacking Congress and RJD, the BJP leader alleged that all three parties have different manifestos with neither of them having coordination with each other. The BJP Government headed by former CM Raghubar Das in 2016 announced the new domicile policy. As per the provisions of the Domicile Policy, people living in Jharkhand since or before 1985 are considered local inhabitants and avail all the facilities offered in the policy.
Sources said that though Raghubar Das announced the domicile policy it created rift in BJP too as many tribal leaders were opposed to Government fixing 1985 cut-off date for defining the local issue.
At that time while some BJP leaders said that those who have been living in Jharkhand since its creation should be accommodated, tribals, Mahto leaders have demanded that land records must be made mandatory to ensure that outsiders do not get any job in the State.
As the issue is contentious, difference of opinions is likely to emerge in BJP too. State BJP vice president and Rajya Sabha member Sameer Oroan said, “The State BJP leaders will sit and discuss on the issue. Senior party leaders will chalk out future course of action what step to taken in the issue.”
Sources said that none of the parties want to be fast on the issue as in 2002 when then Chief Minister Babulal Marandi announced the domicile policy, the announcement triggered widespread turmoil with pro and anti domicile supporters clashing on streets. On July 24, 2002 at least five people were killed during violence. Eventually, Chief Minister Marnadi had to resign from his post in 2003 and the Government had to withdraw the proposal.