THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 13: The Jharkhand Legislative Assembly witnessed heated scenes during the Budget Session on Friday as legislators raised multiple issues, including an alleged LPG cylinder shortage, problems in the land mutation system, and the demand for an Advocates’ Protection Act. The proceedings saw sharp exchanges between ruling party members and the Opposition, with the Speaker intervening to restore order in the House.
Uproar in House Over LPG Shortage and Rising Prices
The Assembly witnessed a major uproar soon after the session began, with legislators from the ruling party raising slogans against the Central Government over the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders and rising gas prices.
Waving newspapers in the House, Congress legislator Pradeep Yadav claimed that people across Jharkhand are standing in long queues to obtain LPG cylinders. He alleged that the shortage is also affecting the Mid-Day Meal scheme in several schools.
However, Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi rejected the allegations, stating that there is no actual LPG shortage in the state. He described the issue as systemic and accused the government of causing unnecessary disruption in the House to hide its own failures.
MLA Saryu Roy also said the issue is largely administrative and that creating a ruckus in the House over it was unnecessary.
Amid continuous shouting and commotion, the Assembly Speaker intervened and directed that the discussion on the issue be set aside so that the House proceedings could continue. The Speaker then moved to the next item on the agenda.
Debate on Land Mutation and Revenue Administration
The House also witnessed an extensive discussion on issues related to land mutation and the functioning of the land revenue administration system.
Raising the matter, MLA Rajesh Kachhap pointed out that many people who purchased land before December 2000 have still not been able to complete the mutation process. He asked the government what steps are being taken to resolve such cases.
In response to the question, Minister Deepak Birua said that, after land registration, details are automatically transmitted from the Registry Office to the Circle Office, allowing the mutation process to be completed through an automated system.
He added that individuals who have not completed the mutation process must apply to the Land Reforms Deputy Commissioner (LRDC), after which their cases will be examined and disposed of following an inquiry.
However, MLA Rajesh Kachhap said that officials in Circle Offices often fail to address public grievances. According to him, even after MLAs intervene by phone, many cases remain unresolved.
Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi also raised concerns about the land revenue system, alleging that people are often asked to pay bribes to obtain land revenue receipts. He cited an example from his constituency where a person was allegedly asked to pay ₹50,000 to complete the mutation process.
Meanwhile, MLA Naveen Jaiswal suggested that the government should organise special camps at the Panchayat level to digitise land records that have not yet been brought online. He noted that land revenue receipts were issued manually until 2015–16.
During the discussion, MLA Amit Yadav also highlighted that an order for physical possession (Dakhal-Dihani) in the name of Soma Munda, issued on March 17, 2011, has still not been implemented.
Minister Deepak Birua assured the House that the matter would be re-examined and resolved. However, the MLA insisted that immediate action be taken, as the order had already been issued.
Demand for Advocates’ Protection Act Raised in Assembly
The issue of implementing the Advocates’ Protection Act was also raised during the Assembly session.
MLA Pradeep Prasad asked the government what steps are being taken to introduce the law to ensure the safety of lawyers in the state.
Responding to the query, Minister Deepak Birua said the matter is linked to the Bar Council of India and is currently under consideration at multiple levels. He added that the government has not yet made a final decision, but is working towards the welfare and safety of advocates.
MLA C.P. Singh also asked whether the government intends to enact the Advocates’ Protection Act and by when it may be implemented.
The minister reiterated that the government takes action whenever any untoward incident occurs and is committed to ensuring the security of legal practitioners.
