Jharkhand assembly proceedings disrupted, this time over ordinance

Ranchi, July 26 (IANS) The Jharkhand assembly proceedings were disrupted on Tuesday as the opposition questioned the Raghubar Das government's move to send an ordinance to the President of India to make changes in two land Acts.

Leader of Opposition and JMM leader Hemant Soren asked how could the ordinance be issued when the assembly session had already been notified.

"The Chief Minister should have come out with an announcement to withdraw the ordinance and bring it in the assembly for discussion," he said.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA Stephen Marandi moved an adjournment motion over the ordinance that seeks to make changes in the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) and Santhala Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act. The motion was, however, rejected by Speaker Dinesh Oraon.

Soren said the issue was serious and claimed that the ordinance was sent to the President by keeping Governor Draupadi Murmu in the dark.

"The ordinance was sent to the President when the Cabinet had decided to convene the assembly session," the opposition leader said.

Echoing his views, JMM leader Stephen Marandi said: "The two land Acts were formulated to protect the land rights of the state's people as well as the tribals. Even the British admitted to its relevance. Both Acts were formed after much fight against brokers and moneylenders."

The opposition members then trooped to the well of the house, which was adjourned till 12.30 p.m.

The opposition claimed that the BJP government in Jharkhand was making changes in the law to acquire land for industries.

When the house reassembled at 12.30 p.m., the opposition again raised the issue.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Radha Krishna Kishore said: "The ordinance will be brought before the assembly once the President's consent is obtained. The opposition should air its objection when the bill regarding the changes is introduced in the assembly."

He claimed that changes in the Acts will help the tribals get education and house loans against their land, adding that land will be acquired for roads, hospitals and other public works only with their consent.

The opposition members again trooped to the well, shouting slogans of 'stop working as land broker'. The Speaker then adjourned the house till 2 p.m.

The assembly session that began on July 22 is witnessing a tussle between the ruling and opposition parties over different issues.

On Monday, the Jharkhand assembly proceedings were disrupted over the opposition demands for a probe into an audio recording and the sacking of a senior police officer who allegedly figured in it.