Jharkhand CM flags concern at tweaking of FRA before Home Minister Amit Shah

Hemant wants ‘Adivasi Regiment’ in Army

Ranchi, December 17: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren flagged concern at the tweaking of the Forest Rights Act 2006 in the Forest (Conservation) Rules 2022 and demanded constitution of an Adivasi regiment in the Indian Army.

“The manner in which the right of the Gram Sabha has been abolished in the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022, in the use of forest land, there has been a gross encroachment on the rights of about 20 crore tribals and people living in the forests for generations across the country,” said Soren.

“To protect tribals and forest dwellers rights, it should be amended in line with the Forest Rights Act, 2006 or it would lead to threatening the existence of tribals depended on forest. The earlier provision of approval by the State Government for diversion of forest land up to five hectares should be restored,” said Soren.

Hemant Soren said that the history of India is replete with the sacrifices of tribals, but their bravery did not get the recognition it deserves.

“Therefore, instructions should be given to the Ministry of Defense to constitute a Adivasi regiment in the army,” said Soren.

Soren also advocated that for the deputation of Central Para Military Forces (CMPF) in militancy-affected and poor state like Jharkhand, there should be no demand from the Central Government for payment of funds from the State Government.

Hemant Soren said that about 8 lakh 35 thousand families of Jharkhand are still deprived of pucca houses. Instructions should be given to the Ministry of Rural Development to approve the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for all these.

The CM reiterated that Jharkhand state’s dues of Rs 1.36 lakh crore crore on various coal companies CCL, BCCL and ECL should be paid soon.

He also demanded in the meeting that the GST compensation period should be extended for the next 5 years, otherwise Jharkhand is likely to suffer a loss of about Rs 5,000 crore every year.