Amid rumours that a Government Ordinance suggesting amendments to the CNT and SPT Acts was returned by the President without his approval, the State Government came strongly in support of its move saying that the laws were being made for the benefits of the tribal population here and the Ordinance is still under consideration of the President of India.
Senior Government officials again tried to clear confusion among people over the proposed amendments related to CNT and SPT Acts making it clear that ownership of the land will never get changed. Referring to the speculations rife in media and political circles that the concerned Ordinance has been returned to the CMO without any approval from the President of India, they also cleared that it was still under consideration as remarks from some departments were still awaited
Personal Department Principal Secretary, Nidhi Khare, who also happens to be the Government Spokesperson said that the proposed amendments in Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908 and Santhal Pargana Act 1949 were in the interest of the people of Jharkhand which is also the demand of time. To make Santhal people economically and socially stronger, Government has to implement these amendments. Talking to the media persons at Suchna Bhawan in Ranchi on Wednesday, Khare said that the State Government, through such amendments actually wants to strengthen their economic condition by providing new avenues of employment to the tribal people.
“The Ordinance was sent to the centre on June 28 while it was further forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking its remarks on the issue where it is still lying pending,” said Khare.
She said that the proposals of amendment put by the State Government was completely in public interest but some people have been spreading confusion in this regard, which was being cleared by her. “People should not have any doubt in their minds in this regard,” she said.
The Principal Secretary said that the provisions Section 21 and Section 13 of CNT Act suggested that Rayyats (land Owners) could do any kind of agriculture related activity over their land, but no any activity other than agriculture could be done on their land despite the fact that they were the owners of their land.
“In the proposed amendment, there is a provision that the Rayyats can do any non-agricultural activity on their land. They will be free to open a marriage hall, dhaba, hotel, shop and make themselves happy by strengthening their source of income,” she said. Through this amendment, rayyats will never have to face problems in future and will also become stronger in terms of their rights and ownership, added Khare.
Khare added that in case someone was already involved in any such activity that could be regularised automatically and hence the rayyats will never get indulged in any kind of legal dispute in future and they will also have the patronage of the law.
“Moreover, the rayyats will also get a better deal of their land in case the land is lawfully adopted by the State Government,” she said.
Similarly, under section 49 of CNT Act, a rayyat can transfer his land to any other persons after obtaining permission from the concerned Deputy Commissioner.
“An Amendment is also proposed in this Act as land is required for other public utility purposes like railway, road, school, college, university etc,” said Khare. As per the proposed amendment, any rayyat can transfer his land to some other party for public utility purposes, she said.
“The most important characteristic of this proposal is that the purpose of the land transfer must be fulfilled within 5 years, otherwise the land will be returned to the original rayyats without taking the compensation amount from them,” said Khare.
She said that there is also a proposal to amend section 71 of CNT Act under which the land could be transferred to a non tribal by SAR Court after paying suitable compensation to original rayyat against the land. As per the current amendment, the provision of regularisation of land by compensation has been removed and the government will ensure that the land has to be returned to the rayyat within six months.