Saryu meets Land Reforms and Revenue Secretary regarding Tata lease renewal
Jharkhand government should take concrete decision on Tata lease renewal before December 31
Mail News Service
Ranchi/Jamshedpur, April 28: On Monday, Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy held an extensive discussion with Chandrashekhar, Secretary of the Land Reforms and Revenue Department, Government of Jharkhand, regarding the forthcoming renewal of the Tata lease agreement. Roy emphasized the need for a concrete decision before the current lease expired on December 31, 2025. Secretary Chandrashekhar informed that a committee had already been constituted to assess the situation and advise the government.
The historical context of the Tata lease was revisited during the meeting. The Bihar government had signed the first lease agreement with TISCO (now Tata Steel) in August 1985, effective retrospectively from 1956 for 30 years, which ended in 1995. Although the renewal process began in 1995, delays occurred due to concerns raised about lease violations and outstanding dues. Eventually, the lease was renewed in August 2005, again with retrospective effect from January 1, 1996, for another 30 years, now set to end in 2025.
Saryu Roy pointed out several critical errors in the lease agreement. He highlighted the absence of a provision for public grievance redressal regarding the availability of public amenities, and also termed some clauses as unconstitutional, being inconsistent with the Bihar Land Reforms Act. Specifically, he argued that after the Assembly amended the Act—especially Sections 7D and 7E—granting Tata Steel the right to sublease vacant land through an internal committee was not legally tenable.
Roy further informed the Secretary about Tata Steel’s failure to uphold commitments to provide essential public facilities at its own expense, as stipulated in the agreement. He cited recent examples including a ₹40 lakh bill issued for providing an electricity connection to the DM Library in Sakchi, and Rs 21,000 charges demanded from slum residents for drinking water connections. Despite agreeing to provide services such as education, healthcare, and sanitation, these facilities remained insufficiently provided across Jamshedpur.
Stressing the importance of a transparent and public-oriented approach in the next lease agreement, Roy suggested establishing a complaint redressal mechanism accessible to the general public. He also recommended forming a high-level committee to comprehensively review violations of the lease agreements from 1985 to 2005 and from 2005 to date. This committee, he said, should seek inputs from beneficiaries, consumers, and serving Deputy Commissioners of East Singhbhum, and ensure that any new lease aligned with the legal framework under the Bihar Land Reforms Act.
The MLA underlined the urgency of completing the lease renewal process on time, firmly rooted in public interest and legal compliance.
