100 Day Program of Jharkhand Government, Some Agenda for Consideration
1. We will review and discard the Land Bank Policy brought out by the BJP. In 2016, the BJP government, led by Raghubar Das, had introduced amendments in the state assembly to the CNT and another crucial land act in the state, the Santhal Paragana Tenancy Act. There were widespread protests against this move, which led to the incarceration of several protestors. The governor eventually declined to give her assent to the amendment bills. The JMM led alliance had in the past disapproved of this Land Bank Policy. We announce that we unceremoniously discard even the attempt to initiate this policy. Instead,
1) We will make the people aware of the principles and importance of continuing with the land and forest right being invested in the people;
2) With due preparation we will initiate land survey to ensure land right of people taking into account the customary laws of the Tribal communities.
2.We will ensure the implementation of Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act (CNTA), 1908. We reiterate the two major provisions in this act. 1) CNTA restricts transfer of Tribal land to non-Tribal; 2) It lays emphasis on community rights. Our government is aware of the fact that in the recent past, there have been many sinister attempts to dilute or do away with the CNTA. Taking into account, we will devise ways and means to implement this act in true spirit. Hence, 1) We will make the people aware of the principles and importance of CNTA;
2) We will appoint a state level committee to look into the implementation of CNTA
3. We will ensure the implementation of Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (SPTA), 1949. We reiterate the provisions in this act. 1) No transfer of raiyat shall be valid unless the right to transfer has been recorded in the record of rights. 2) At any point of time the DC can evict the transfer from such land if it is found to be fraudulent. The SPTA like the CNTA protects the rights of the Tribal and forest dwelling population. We understand that any attempt to dilute and eventually do away with the SPTA would lead to the death of our people. Hence, we will devise ways and means to implement this act.
4. We uphold Special Provisions for Kolhan Region. Traditional tribal panchayat heads (Mankis) and village heads (Mundas) in Kolhan division of Jharkhand were supposed to get judicial powers back under the British-era Wilkinson Rule of 1837, which no legislation in Parliament has scrapped or amended to date. Our government had already initiated this process. Our government in a time bound manner will implement this. We will set up a committee in which the some Gram Sabha members and some local people also will be involved.
5. We will introduce Jharkhand Special Land Survey and Settlement. Our government is aware of the Khatiyan surveys held in 1932 and in 1976. In both instances, some wrong names made it to the list. Some names have been missed out. Since, Tribal people are known for community ownership, we will prepare our people well to get all the necessary documents and then in a phased out manner initiate Jharkhand Special Land Survey and Settlement. We will ensure our people’s rights of ownership and possession over the land. Hence
1)Our government would introduce a bill in the assembly ‘Jharkhand Special Land Survey and Settlement Bill, 2025’. We will enact an act to this effect;
2) We will set up a high powered committee to implement this act in a time bound manner;
3)We will train the officials to carry out this work
4)We will train volunteers to help out in reaching to the remotest villages of Jharkhand to ensure that the survey is done properly and peacefully.
6. We will implement PESA in a phased out manner. PESA is a powerful law that empowers villages of the Scheduled Areas to address the issues that emerge in their daily lives. PESA makes constitution work in the form of giving power to people to govern themselves. Keeping this in mind, out government will implement the provisions of PESA. Hence, 1) Under this constitutional provision, we will encourage the people to continue their customary right in the form of Pathalgari to demarcate boundaries, to pay homage to the ancestors, to inscribe constitutional provisions;
2) We will appoint a state level committee to look into the implementation of PESA.
7. We will implement the Forest Rights Act in a phased out manner. We are aware of the fact that Jal, Jungle and Zamin the basis of socio-economic, religious life of the Adivasis. Keeping this in mind, our government will vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. We will constitute a comprehensive committee to look into this matter and suggest ways and means to implement this act.
8. Owner of the Land is also the Owner of the Sub-Soil Mineral. We are aware that a three-member bench of the Supreme Court in 2000 declared that ‘the ownership of sub-soil/mineral wealth should normally follow the ownership of the land. Keeping this in mind, we will come out with an act to enforce this strictly to ensure that no Adivasi or any legitimate owner of land is not displaced.
In a special way, 1) We will ensure that minor forest product is the right of the people to gather and utilize; 2) Our government will ensure fair market price for forest produce and establish market linkages; 3) Our government will ensure the legitimate registration of people involved in collecting forest produces like mahua, chironji, lac, honey and other items; 4) We will ensure the right of people for the resources above and below the ground.
9. Speedy Trial and Release of Under trial Prisoners in Jharkhand. Our government is aware of the fact that thousands of Adivasi, Dalit, minority and most backward caste youth are languishing in jails of Jharkhand in the name of being under trials. We will initiate legal procedure under Free Legal Aid Program to speed up their trial and eventual release of the under trials. Hence, 1) Our government will work closely with the judiciary at the Supreme Court and High Court to speed up this process; 2) Provide assistance to the families under the Social Welfare Department. 3) Our government would provide soft loan to those who are released from the jail to engage in economic activities to take care of their families.
10. Jharkhand (Prevention of Violence and Mob Lynching) Bill, 2021 to be made an act. Our government was one of the first governments to initiate anti-lynching bill in 2021. This bill is under consideration with the President of India. We will pursue this at the earliest and make this bill an act and implement it. Meanwhile, we will give clear directives to the officials to deal legally and strictly on those who take law in their own hands.
11. Pursuance of Sarna Dharm Code by the Jharkhand Government. Our government passed a unanimous assembly resolution on ‘Sarna Code’ for the inclusion of Sarna as separate religion in 2021 census, and sent to central government for approval. We will pursue this to ensure that the Adivasis are enumerated as followers of Sarna Code.
12.Good Governance in Jharkhand. We uphold this fact that we will provide good governance in Jharkhand so that the processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of people of Jharkhand while making the best use of resources at our disposal. We will set up a comprehensive committee to suggest ways and means to ensure good governance at levels so that the overall development of the people of Jharkhand will be ensured. 1) One of the ways to do this is to empower the Gram Sabhas and Panchayati Raj Institutions as applicable, so that governance is at the door steps of the citizens. 2) We will provide a transparent and accountable government which would ensure a Sona (Golden) Jharkhand.
13. Integral Development of Jharkhand. We are committed to the integral development of Jharkhand. Jharkhand state is rich but its people are poor. Especially the Adivasis, the Dalits, the minorities and most backward castes are deprived of holistic development. Taking this fact into consideration, our government will set up a comprehensive committee to suggest ways and means to ensure development of all, especially the most marginalized and poor. Hence, 1) Our government would follow a policy of people centered approach and not mineral centered approach; 2) Our policies and programs would be based on sustainable development that is long term oriented and not ad hoc in nature; 3) Our government’s approach to development would be inclusive, that is, all the people of Jharkhand would be part of it. But within this broader perspective, our priority would be on the development of the Adivasis, Dalits, Minorities and Most Backward Castes.
14. Priority to Sustainable Agriculture. Despite being an agrarian state, Jharkhand fares very poorly in terms of irrigation of its agricultural land. The state’s undulating hilly terrain and soil structure does not support canal based irrigation system; as much as 92% of the cultivated area in the state is unirrigated. The government is aware that lack of irrigation facilities has restricted the agriculture sector growth of the state, in addition small farm holdings and economic limitations result in low agricultural productivity. Also the favourable agro-climatic conditions also facilitate the year-round production of various types of off-season vegetables and fruits. The soil as well as the climatic conditions of the state is favourable for the growth of mushroom, tea, ornamental plants and spices and other crops like dalhan, tilhan and thick crops: ragi, gundli, madua etc.
- For this, check dam and ring wells to harvest rain water would be initiated.
- These would be initiated, planned, programmed, implemented and managed by Gram Sabhas of the State.
- Rural youth would be involved in this so that they get employment and the economy of the state becomes sustainable.
- Our government under the Public Private Partnership will explore the possibilities of operations in wastelands through Gram Sabhas with specific terms and conditions to generate employment opportunities and economic growth.
15. Quality and Access to Health Care. Our government is aware of the fact that the state is ranked low due to high infant mortality, low immunization of children and expectant mothers, high mortality due to infectious and contagious diseases, high maternal mortality and low institutional delivery. These added with poor accessibility to health care facilities and high cost of treatment by households have made all the achievements in the health sector insignificant. But our Government is committed to improve the availability of and access to quality health care by people, especially for those residing in the rural area, though progress has been recorded but still there is scope for significant improvement to be seen in the public health indicators in the state. Hence,
1)In addition to the PMJAY, the State will also introduce its own Health Care Card to provide health care to rural masses.
2)Senior citizens aged above 70 would in addition to family Ayushman Health Card will be provided 5 lack assistance for treatment in government designated hospital per year.
16. Quality and Affordable Education in Jharkhand. The state under our government has a vision for integral education which is synchronized with the Sustainable Development Goals related to Education. As per this vision, every person, both men and women, are enabled to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development in partnership with Department of Women and Child Development and Labour Employment & Training.
We are aware of the challenges. Hence, we will put in place strategies like:
1)Human resources for the schools and teacher education institutes; Quality education at all levels; Issue based strategies for girls, tribal and other children;
2)Total quality monitoring at all levels.
3) We will make rural youth as Eduleaders of the rural schools so that quality education is provided to our children.
17. Employment and Self-Employment Generation. Our government is seized of the urgency to make our youth not only job seekers but job providers. In terms of statics, our state has a 60% population in the working-age group (15-59 age) and a large part of it is below 30 years of age, which makes it one of the youngest states of India (COI 2011). With a larger younger population in the state, it has great potential for socio-economic development. However, the state has an unemployment rate of 8.1%. Seized by the need to explore ways to utilise the opportunities the state offers for employment, our government will in a planned manner initiate programs for skill development, employment exploration, self-employment, etc.
1)Our government will set up a comprehensive committee to suggest ways and means to ensure employment generation and self-employment so as to build the capacity of the youth for building up the state.
2) Jharkhand State livelihood Promotion society (JSLPS) works as a nodal agency for effective implementation of livelihood promotion in the state. JSLPS is also the nodal agency for implementation of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) Project in state of Jharkhand. We will revamp the JSLPS to work out ways and means to make our youth not just job seekers but job providers.
18. Infrastructure Development of Jharkhand. Our government is proud to state that in the last 5 years there has been substantial infrastructural development. The length of national highways in the state grew by 27 per cent between 2018 and 2020, from 2,649 km to 3,367 km; and that of state roads by about 9 per cent, from 11,709 km to 12,736 km. In additional thrust to infrastructure, electrification of railway tracks has been sanctioned across the state. But realising the eco-system of our state, we are not just focusing on industrial development or urban development or road infrastructure. But our thrust in terms of infrastructure development is rural. As we proceed we will focus on industrial development or urban development or road infrastructure, railways etc.
1)But these are done not to grab our people’s land and to displace them from their resources. But to provide access to them for their development.
2)Our government would follow transparency and accountability in this.
3) Our government is open to explore more possibilities of tourism in the state. Hence, we will formulate Jharkhand State Tourism Policy, 2025 that empowers local communities to manage tourism initiatives, with the provision of soft loans to develop and maintain tourism facilities.
19. Special Jharkhand State Policies. Youth and Women are priority. Especially those from the rural background and among them the Adivasis, the Dalits, Most Backward Castes and minorities. Keeping this in mind, our government will evolve Youth Policy, Women Empowerment Policy, Rural Development Policy, Employment Policy, Migrant Policy, Sports Policy, etc. to address the overall growth and development of these segments of the population and the state.
Our government set up a Special COVID-19 Assistance Control Room at Secretariat in partnership with non-governmental organizations. Due to this, thousands of migrants received timely support.
Our government also initiated Safe and Responsible Migration Initiative and launched it in December 2021. A portal has been developed on this in Hindi and English. Due to this, the migrants are registering themselves before they migrate to earn a living.
Even after COVID-19 is over, the Control Room is operative to provide assistance to migrants who have migrated outside the state of Jharkhand. We provide assistance in terms of transporting the bodies of the migrant labourers who die outside the state to their homes so that they get a decent last rights ceremony. Jharkhand is one of the few states to do this.
1)We will continue to provide assistance through the Safe and Responsible Migration Initiative of Government of Jharkhand.
2)We will provide assistance to distressed migrants and their families.
3)We will make Memorandum of Understanding between the District Labour Officials of Jharkhand and the District Labour Officials of destination states so as to ensure safe and responsible migration.
4) We will progressively work out ways and means to provide employment to our people, wages at par, safety measures so that our people remain with their families and enjoy a better family and economic life.
5) In exceptional cases, if our people have to migrate as domestic workers, our government will introduce regulatory bill for placement agencies involved in recruiting domestic workers.
6) Our government is committed to address the issue of trafficking, a major concern in the state, on a broader platform with stronger measures.
7) Under the Sports Policy, Tribal sports persons would be encouraged and given a better platform through setting up sports complexes at the district level, scholarships, providing equipments for need based development of sports in the state.
20. Ensuring the Rightful Place and Role of the Adivasis, Dalits, Most Backward Castes and minorities. These are the people whom the Constitution calls ‘weaker section’. In the given socio-economic, political and educational system, it is the rights and dignities of this segment of the population which gets lost. They are the ones who are the backbone of the state. It is their hard work which keeps the state forge ahead. While those from the upper echelon are resourceful, powerful and voiceful, the weaker section continues to suffer. Their issues like Rojgar, Kamai, Mahangai, Padhai, Davai often gets relegated. Hence, it is our resolve to bring out policies and programs that would address these issues. To succeed in the implementation of these policies and programs, our government would invest resources – human, infrastructure, finance – so as to achieve these in a time bound manner.
Dr. Prakash Louis, Director, Xavier Institute of Social Research, Digha-Ashiana Road, Patna, Bihar
