Demands of a land policy for plots owned by general featured prominently in the House on Friday as Opposition MlAs expressed a need for such a rule in Jharkhand and also sought the State Government’s vision on framing a policy for such plots scattered across the State.
The Question Hour was livened up by a debate on the viability and necessity of a policy that governs use of land that incidentally falls out of the scope of various tenancy acts.
“Is it true that States like Bengal, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have their own land policy whereas Jharkhand has no land policyIJ Does the Government want to make land policy for plots of general caste and by whenIJ” asked Silli MlA, Amit Mahto during the Question Hour.
However, the State Government did not acknowledge the requirement of any policy separate from the existing tenancy acts —Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act—as Minister, Revenue and land Reforms, Amar Kumar Bauri described the two acts as enough to address land related issues.
The Opposition MlAs expressed that Jharkhand can frame land policy based on similar rules in other states but the Minister expressed reservations while emphasising that solution to land disputes cannot be found in enactments made elsewhere. Earlier, the Silli MlA had brought attention to jump in cases of land disputes and sought remedy through a land policy.
“CNT and SPT Acts are linked with the emotions of the people of Jharkhand. Whatever problems we are facing we have to seek solutions within the ambit of those Acts. Solutions cannot be brought from outside,” added Bauri.
Meanwhile, without going into the time frame, the State Government agreed to set up a task force to return Adivasi land transferred in lieu of compensation awarded by Schedule Area courts since 1999. Such land transfers were unanimously voiced as illegal and Bauri informed the House about actions taken by the State Government against officials held responsible for issuing compensation orders against disputed land.
The request for setting up a task force came from Mahespur MlA, Stephen Marandi as the MlA pointed out the ineffectiveness of measures taken to begin return of Adivasi land settled through SAR court.
“land transfers after 1999 were illegal so the State Government would do whatever is mandated under the law,” Bauri said.
Although, the Minister apprised the House about actions taken against officials accountable in land transfer, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MlA Chamra linda insisted on action against deputy commissioners as well.