J'khand govt would take every step to maintain ST assembly seats: CM

Ranchi, Jun 5 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today said the state government would take every step to ensure the assembly seats belonging to Scheduled Castes(SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST) were not reduced as recommended by the delimitation commission.

Talking to mediapersons after an all party meeting called to discuss the issue, Mr Koda said a delegation comprising members from all political parties would meet the Union government on this issue and apprise them about their demands.

Mr Koda said the delegation would rush to Delhi after the meeting of Tribal Advisory Commiitte(TAC).

He said the state government was also of the view that the commission's recommendation of reducing assembly seats from 28 - 22 would be harmful for the tribals.

Referring to the public hearing to be conducted by the commission in Jharkhand, Mr Koda said people or any political party who were against the recommendation could register their protest during the public hearing but in a democratic way.

The chief minister said state government would also make effort to ensure public hearing in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Arjun Munda said state government should call TAC meeting to discuss the issue and send a proposal to Union government apprising the ongoing protest of various political parties.

Number of political parties, including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch, had launched agitation against the recommensdation of delimitation commission.

UNI