The State Government is not going to have a smooth sailing even if it drops the two major contentious provisions made in the CNT and SPT Act Amendment Bills.
The main Opposition party in the form of Jharkhand Multi Morcha (JMM) is firm to oppose any effort coming from the ruling dispensation concerning the twin tenancy legislations.
The JMM, which has already withdrawn its members from the apex tribal body in the State—Tribal Advisory Council—has reiterated that any move to amend the Acts was unconstitutional.
“We have quit the TAC on this very ground that the legislative Assembly does not have powers to alter with the CNT and SPT Acts. It was never done before in the history, then why this Government is constantly pressing for thatIJ The Government is again and again violating set rules,” said JMM legislator Deepak Birua who along with party colleague Joba Manjhi had submitted his resignation from the TAC opposing the tenancy amendment proposals last year.
The party along with other Opposition parties has been on the streets against the changes which are specifically to alter with nature of agricultural land belonging to tribals. Nevertheless, the Government went ahead passing the Bills from the Assembly that were ultimately halted at the doorsteps of the Raj Bhawan.
Now, when even the BJP legislators have started openly speaking against the provisions made, the Government has called a TAC meeting on July 3 which would be without JMM members and perhaps of its ally AJSU also. Vikash Kumar Munda was lone member of AJSU in the TAC who went on quitting the council on similar grounds.
The Government depending on the deliberations is hinting to drop the two contentious clauses from the original Bills but looking at the posturing the JMM is giving, getting passed the legislation even meant to land acquisition made for developmental projects and ending compensation provision is not going to be easy.
“It is not about the JMM opposing the Bills, per se. The Government is not listening to anybody. When the Governor sent the Bills back it should have been immediately forwarded to the Assembly secretariat from where these were originated. But how come it reached the Chief Secretary office that sat on it for a month! Till date the Bills have not reached the Assembly,” said JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya.
Other parties in the Opposition camp have also started to regroup afresh. An all party meeting in the leadership of the Congress and JMM, JVM attending this has been called on Saturday.
“The meeting has been called to decide how to go ahead when the Government is hinting to push the amendments. We are still telling them to learn a lesson and withdraw. This is the last chance for the Government,” said senior Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay.