‘NEW DOMICILE POLICY IN JHARKHAND’-

Why is it in news?
On April 7, the Raghubar Das Cabinet in Jharkhand decided on the definition of a local (Sthaniya) resident of the state.

Q A
Why is it in news?
  • On April 7, the Raghubar Das Cabinet in Jharkhand decided on the definition of a local (Sthaniya) resident of the state.
  • A formal notification is awaited within the next few days.
What did the Cabinet decide?
  • It came out with a list of criteria to define who could be called a ‘sthaniya niwasi’ or local resident of Jharkhand, as a step towards finalising a detailed domicile policy for the state. The six criteria were:
    1. Those who have their or their ancestors’ names in land records as per the last survey. Although the official statement does not say so, the last survey is understood to be one that the British conducted back in 1932.
    2. The gram pradhan (village head) can identify the landless as a local resident on the basis of his language, cultural practices and traditions.
    3. Those living in Jharkhand for the past 30 years for reasons of business, jobs, etc., and have acquired immovable properties, and their children, would be considered locals.
    4. Employees of the Jharkhand government, or Government-aided institutions, organisations etc. (and their spouses and children) would be considered locals. Same for central government employees living in Jharkhand, and their spouses and children.
    5. Those holding constitutional posts, their spouses and children.
    6. Those who were born in Jharkhand, and have completed their education till matriculation.
What are the opposition parties arguing?
  • Mainly that the government cannot put at par people living in the state for “the past 300 years” with those who have been in Jharkhand for just 10-14 years (having been born and completed matriculation in Jharkhand); There are no safeguards for moolvasis in jobs at the local level because they have been reserved for “locals” who may not necessarily be moolvasis.
  • Ultimately, the domicile policy is a tool to allow all outsiders to hog jobs and other financial gains in the state.
And what is the government’s defence?
  • That it has tried to cater to all sections in an “all-inclusive” manner and that denying the rights of those who have settled here for the last many decades was not fair.
  • The interests of the indigenous people have been protected, it claims — for example, at least seven tribal languages, Ho, Khortha, Panchpargania, Santhali, Nagpuri, Kudukh and Mundari, have been allowed in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Staff Selection Commission.
  • It has also reserved 100 per cent seats for locals, which will include moolvasis, in Group C and D jobs.

WORD FROM TEAM GS-SCORE –

Relevant for

Polity of GS:2; social issues (Tribals; Regionalism)
For further detail Refer article titled “Who’s a Jharkhandi: New domicile policy and old questions of identity” from dated April 13, 2016.

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