Chhattisgarh Govt. Blinks, Withdraws Land Law Amendment

Less than a month after passing the controversial Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill 2017, the state’s BJP government has withdrawn the amendment on Thursday. The amendment was strongly opposed by tribal communities across the state.

As per the proposed amendment to section 165 of the state land revenue code, the government could purchase land directly from tribals in scheduled areas bypassing the acquisition procedure of getting a consensus from gram sabhas and conducting a social impact assessment.

Ever since the bill was passed by the Assembly in the last winter session, the state has witnessed a number of protests from tribal organisations. Tribals constitute about 32 percent of the state’s total population.

The state cabinet held a meeting on Thursday and announced the revocation of the proposed amendment bill. The decision came after a series of protests from tribal organisations including Sarva Adivasi Samaj, an umbrella organisation of tribal communities in the state. It has been reported that the tribal leaders within BJP have also demanded a roll back oF the controversial bill.

Earlier on Wednesday, a delegation of Congress leaders met Governor Balramji Das Tandon and urged him not to put a signature on the amendment making into a law.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has also received a complaint against the bill after it was passed and was considering issuing a notice to the state government.

Bharatiya Janata Party led by chief minister Raman Singh has been ruling the state for the last 14 years, since 2003. However, nearly 40 percent people in the state are estimated to be living below the poverty line which is highest in the country.

With assembly elections due at the end of this year, the ruling party has been receiving a number of setbacks. In the last winter session, the BJP had to survive a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition Congress.