Jharkhand leftists to demonstrate in front of Parliament on March 14

Ranchi, Feb 6 (UNI) The Left parties in Jharkhand will launch a month-long 'explanatory campaign' from February 14 in the state to highlight their six-point programme, which would culminate in a demonstration and dharna near Parliament on March 14.

The six-point demands are mainly concerned with the tribals (Adivasi) rights and increasing the seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the state Assembly by way of an amendment for restoration of district-wise scheduled areas by a fresh Presidential order.

They also demanded extension of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) to East Singhbhum and Deoghar, strengthening of public distribution system and providing wheat at Rs 2 per Kg, rice at Rs 3 per Kg through Antyodaya scheme to the people in the entire scheduled areas in state.

The Left parties also demanded to specifically mention tendu leaf as minor forest produce in government rules, being framed under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act.

They also decided to raise with Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda the demand to amend Chotagnagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) to incorporate the provision of special courts to settle land disputes of Scheduled Tribes.

The decision was taken in a meeting attended by Left leaders from Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Forward Bloc, and RSP.

They noted that for the past two years the Centre has ignored the memoranda of demands submitted jointly by them, RJD, JMM, and the Congress to the Prime Minister on October 19 and the President November 2, party sources said.

UNI