The State Government on Thursday announced the long-awaited policy for defining local residents of Jharkhand, about 16 years after Jharkhand was carved of Bihar.
The Cabinet, in an important meeting, fixed six criteria for a person to get benefits of being local, setting 1985 deadline for becoming eligible for jobs and any other purposes.
The policy says that all those residing in the geographical boundary of Jharkhand and their names appearing in the last survey settlement done along with the landless who would be recognised by the Gram Sabha based on their language, culture and custom are locals.
The second category of local residents would of the persons who are residing in the State for the last 30 years for the purpose of business, employment or other reasons and have earned immovable properties along with the offspring of such persons. This apart, employees of the State Government or any institution or corporation recognised by it and their children have also been defined as locals.
Addressing reporters after over two-hour long meeting, senior Minister in the Raghubar Das Cabinet Saryu Roy termed the decision historic in nature before reading out the conditions for fitting into the definition of a local resident of the State.
“Employees of the Central Government posted in the State, along with their wives and children, would be treated as locals. Also, the persons appointed on Constitutional or legal positions have been defined as locals. And lastly, all such persons who are born in the State and have completed their matriculation or equivalent examination from recognised institutes situated in Jharkhand would be locals," said the Minister flanked by his colleagues Neelkant Singh Munda, Chandra Prakash Chaudhary, Amar Kumar Bauri and Randheer Singh.
Replying to a question on possible duplication in case a person is also the resident of any other State fulfilling the above conditions, Roy said that affidavit would have to be furnished stating that he would remain a resident of Jharkhand and not claim a similar benefit in any other State.
“Jharkhand took the historic decision of defining local policy which may be the delayed one but is sound. It has been done after widespread consultation involving political parties, social groups, best practices in other states and host of others and is based on the merit,” said Roy.
This apart, the Cabinet has also reserved class III and IV posts in the Scheduled Areas spread fully in 13 and partially in two districts for the locals. The vacancies would be reserved for 10 years and can be filled by residents of that district only.
Pakur, Dumka, Jamtara, latehar, Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, lohardaga, East Singhbhum, West Singhbum, Sahibganj and Saraikela are fully Scheduled districts while Palamu and Godda are covered partially.
Personnel Department Secretary Nidhi Khare said that the Cabinet note relating to local policy would come into force with immediate effect after the notification while the decision about the Scheduled Areas is needed to be sent to for the Presidential assent through the Governor.
The Cabinet took another important decision defining posts as district cadre on which only local residents of that particular district can be appointed. Vacancies of teacher, Jan Sevak, Panchayat Secretary, Constable, Chaukidar, Forest Guards, ANMs etc are some of such positions.
This apart, the Cabinet also approved the recommendation of the high level Assembly committee headed by Saryu Roy regarding JPSC and has included regional languages such as Santhali, Mundari, Ho, Kharia, Khuduk (Oraon), Kurmali, Khortha, Nagpuri, Panchpargania etc. Aspirants of the State Civil Services can write their papers in these languages.