Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha)JMM), the dominant tribal party in the state’s ruling coalition has joined the political bandwagon by passing a political resolution in favor of reserving 27% seats in government and private jobs and educational institutions for Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates.
The resolution was taken at the party’s 12th general convention here on Saturday. But the Congress, its key ally in the ruling coalition, took this step with a pinch of salt.
Speaking to TOI on Sunday, a senior Congress leader said, “For two years, our party has been demanding 27% reservation for OBC category. The delegation has met Chief Minister Hemant Soren from time to time and urged him to take steps in this direction. Though he has assured us every time, his government has not shown any intention to do so.”
Another senior Congress leader said, “What is the point of passing it when the resolution is already there in your election manifesto? Being the dominant ruling party, the JMM could have easily brought a law on it. Along with reservation, the resolution also talks of 28% reservation for STs and 12% for SCs. The writing on the wall is clear: JMM is not too serious about it.
When contacted on the issue on Sunday evening, the JMM leadership did not respond.
The tribal party’s political proposal on industries, mines and employment generation has also created concern among the industrialists of the state. In the resolution taken on Saturday, the party supported returning the unused land occupied by industries to the original landlords (ryots).
“Many industries acquire land keeping in view their long-term plans for expansion and other material. So, if a piece of land remains unused for some time, it does not mean that it will not be used,” Philip Mathew, president of Jharkhand Small Industries Association, told TOI.
“However, there are many people who acquire land in the name of setting up industries and then collect it to sell at high prices. Instead of a comprehensive directive, there should be mechanism to detect such hoarding,” Matthews said.
Expressing skepticism over the proposal, a city industrialist said, “On one hand the Chief Minister is urging top corporate houses to set up shops in the state and on the other hand the JMM’s political proposals creating an air of confusion and doubt about the industrial environment of the state.”
The resolution was taken at the party’s 12th general convention here on Saturday. But the Congress, its key ally in the ruling coalition, took this step with a pinch of salt.
Speaking to TOI on Sunday, a senior Congress leader said, “For two years, our party has been demanding 27% reservation for OBC category. The delegation has met Chief Minister Hemant Soren from time to time and urged him to take steps in this direction. Though he has assured us every time, his government has not shown any intention to do so.”
Another senior Congress leader said, “What is the point of passing it when the resolution is already there in your election manifesto? Being the dominant ruling party, the JMM could have easily brought a law on it. Along with reservation, the resolution also talks of 28% reservation for STs and 12% for SCs. The writing on the wall is clear: JMM is not too serious about it.
When contacted on the issue on Sunday evening, the JMM leadership did not respond.
The tribal party’s political proposal on industries, mines and employment generation has also created concern among the industrialists of the state. In the resolution taken on Saturday, the party supported returning the unused land occupied by industries to the original landlords (ryots).
“Many industries acquire land keeping in view their long-term plans for expansion and other material. So, if a piece of land remains unused for some time, it does not mean that it will not be used,” Philip Mathew, president of Jharkhand Small Industries Association, told TOI.
“However, there are many people who acquire land in the name of setting up industries and then collect it to sell at high prices. Instead of a comprehensive directive, there should be mechanism to detect such hoarding,” Matthews said.
Expressing skepticism over the proposal, a city industrialist said, “On one hand the Chief Minister is urging top corporate houses to set up shops in the state and on the other hand the JMM’s political proposals creating an air of confusion and doubt about the industrial environment of the state.”
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