RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Sept. 8: An assembly committee will probe into the matter of illegal transfer of tribal land across the state.
Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren announced this during the question hour amidst the Opposition uproar on the fourth day of the assembly session replying to the question of JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom supported by another legislator of the same party Stephen Marandi.
The CM said that the assembly committee will be constituted soon before adding that there are several provisions in SPT and CNT Acts which prohibit transfer of tribal land but despite that several people have purchased tribal land and constructed houses.
Later during the question hour, the chief minister also expressed his commitment for census on caste basis and said for this he has sought time from the prime minister between September 12 to 20. The reply came to the questions of JMM legislator Sudivya Kumar Sonu.
Ajsu party legislator Sudesh Mahto taking notice of the reply, however, said chief minister Soren to first decide the matter in the state by organising an all party meeting informing the CM that the union government has already cleared its stand in this regard and asked the state to take a decision.
To a question raised by BJP legislators, Naveen Jaiswal and Neelkanth Singh Munda, taking the definition of locals, the CM said: “It will be cleared soon whether the basis of defining locals will be the survey of 1932 or 1936 or anything else.” When a BJP legislator made an uproar, the CM expressed his anguish saying this attitude has taken them to the opposition bench from the ruling side and they will soon be out of the House.
Asked about the opening of Deoghar and Basukinath temple by BJP legislator Narayan Das, the CM said: “Decision will be taken after a meeting of the disaster management department within a day or two after assessing the situation of the corona pandemic.” Das was on hunger strike on the issue. The CM asked Das not to give his life for the temple issue.
