Ranchi, Aug 29: Senior Jharkhand Congress leader Bandhu Tirkey on Saturday warned that tribal communities in the state would oppose any delimitation exercise based on the earlier 2007-08 report, while expressing apprehension that the Centre could initiate the process this year.
Tirkey was speaking at a meeting held to discuss preparations for the proposed ‘Adivasi Mahajutaan Rally’, scheduled to be held on Sunday. He said the rally would highlight issues that the Congress leader described as the “wrong policies” of the BJP-led Central government.
“We feel that the Centre will certainly go for delimitation this year,” Tirkey said, adding that tribal communities would not accept a process based on the 2007-08 report. He also demanded a proportionate increase in the number of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
The Delimitation Commission’s report was accepted by the Centre on February 14, 2008. However, the delimitation exercise in Jharkhand, along with Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, was deferred until 2026 through a subsequent parliamentary amendment.
Jharkhand currently has 81 Assembly constituencies, of which 28 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. Of the state’s 14 Lok Sabha seats, five are reserved for ST communities.
Tirkey also raised concerns over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, alleging that the amendments could affect Jharkhand’s ability to impose taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land.
He further alleged that the changes could facilitate increased coal extraction in the state.
Tirkey said the JMM-Congress government in Jharkhand would approach the Supreme Court against the amended mining law. He added that the state could consider an economic blockade if required.
The proposed rally is expected to bring together tribal groups and supporters to raise concerns over delimitation, mining policies and other issues concerning Jharkhand.
