In a charged atmosphere, the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly witnessed a robust discussion on Thursday about the illegal alienation of tribal lands and the alleged diversion of Tribal Sub-Plan funds. As the budget session entered its seventh day, MLAs across the aisle united in their call for government intervention to protect vulnerable communities.
Leading the charge was Congress legislator Naman Viksal Kongari, who painted a grim picture of ongoing land encroachments. He warned that these activities are disproportionately affecting tribal populations, altering the state’s social and political landscape. ‘Ranchi was a protected scheduled area; today, it’s overrun with illegal buildings lacking approved plans,’ he lamented.
Responding to the concerns, Revenue Minister Deepak Birua outlined the safeguards under the Chotanagpur Kshatriya Act, emphasizing reversal actions for illicit transfers and investigations into fraudulent approvals. Yet, he conceded the absence of aggregated statistics, committing to compile and present them.
Minister Sudivya Sonu reinforced that legal mechanisms would prevail against wrongdoers. The debate extended to TSP funds, with Khijri MLA Rajesh Kachhap decrying their misuse. Minister Chamra Linda explained the population-based funding model from Delhi and admitted the need for state-specific guidelines. She assured proactive steps to establish them.
The Assembly Speaker wisely recommended benchmarking against other states’ policies. This pivotal debate highlights Jharkhand’s persistent struggle to balance development with tribal preservation. With elections looming, the government’s handling of these issues could sway voter sentiments in tribal belts. Lawmakers hope for swift implementation of assurances to restore faith in governance.