RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Nov.12: The ‘tribal’ and ‘moolvasi’ organisations are happy after the two bills, ‘The Jharkhand Reservation in Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Bill, 2022’ and ‘Jharkhand Bill, 2022 to extend the definition of local persons and the consequent socio-cultural and other benefits to such local persons’, passed by the Jharkhand assembly yesterday, but they are apprehensive taking its fate.
This was reflected after a section of tribal and moolvasi leaders were contacted for their comments a day after the bills were passed.
“It is good that the Hemant Soren government passed the bills increasing the percentage of reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs and making 1932 Khatiyan as a base for identification of locals but until it is cleared by the governor and the union government it cannot be said that work has got done. It would have been better if Hemant Soren, being the chief of the state, would have implemented it with immediate effect instead of waiting for the central government’s approval,” said general secretary of Adivasi Moolvasi Janadhikar Morcha, Anthan Lakra.
Though Ranchi convenor of the organisation Dharamdayal Sahu is hopeful about its fate saying ‘Fal Lag Gaya Hai Ab Pakne Ka Intzar Hai (the fruit has come, now it is waiting to ripen)’, Kendriya Sarna Sangharsh Samiti president Shiva Kacchap is apprehensive.
“The State government should ensure that the step of passing two bills in the special session should not be a deception or an attempt. It should take proper steps to get it implemented,” said Kacchap, agitating for the Sarna religion code at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, said.
Central president of Moolvasi Sadan Morcha Rajendra Prasad while welcoming the development taking place in the state assembly on Friday, suspected the competence of those who prepared the bill.
“Though I welcome both the bills passed on Friday as it will pave the path for class III and IV jobs for locals and ensure other facilities, there is doubt in my mind taking its final approval and getting implemented in the state. The Supreme Court allows reservation on the basis of population but I see that 28 percent reservation has been given to tribal people though their population is only 26.3 percent in Jharkhand. Apart from this, it has not mentioned what is the basis of increasing OBC and SC reservation. The ways bills have been drafted suggest that advisors of CM are not competent. I am suspicious that due to tribal reservation the whole bill may get stuck,” Prasad said.
A Jharkhand Andolankari Prabhakar echoed the same feeling.
“Baba Bharose Fauzdari,” Prabhakar commented on the development that took place in the assembly on Friday.
“The leader of the house was not sure whether he was doing right or wrong. If his intention had been to really implement the 1932 Khatiyan-based local policy, he would have not made it dependable on the union government. Once he said it is not possible and came out with a bill and got it passed without proper discussion. He wants to take credit for the work depending on the decision of others,” he said.
