The Jharkhand Cabinet on Monday gave its nod for Adivasi/Sarna religious code, which will be tabled in the State Assembly on Wednesday (November 11). The Adivasi/Sarna religious code after getting passed in the State Assembly will be sent to the Centre for final approval.
Principal Secretary toChief Minister Hemant Soren, Rajiv Arun Ekka said, “The State Government on the demands of former and present MLAs and people from different walks of society has decided to table Adivasi/Sarna religious code and in this connection the Cabinet gave ex post facto approval to Resolution 4242.”
Ekka said, “In 2011 Census there were six separate religious codes namely--one for Hindus, two for Muslim, three for Christians, four for Sikhs, five for Buddhist and six for Jains. There was no separate code/box for people who don’t come in any of these categories. The state government with today’s Cabinet decision demanded separate seventh code for Adivasi/Sarna communities. The demand will be sent to the Centre for final approval.”
Tribals across the country for decades have been fighting for religious identity in the form of a separate code in the census as they are nature worshipers. In the separate code for tribals, people have to put an entry whether they are Sarna/Khasi/Jaintiya among others.
In Jharkhand too there is difference among various tribal groups, who want Adivasi religious code rather than Sarna religious code. Sarna specifically relates to a place of worship of the Oraon tribe and it is no longer logical to identify all adivasis as Oroans.
There are others too like Mundas, and Ho, who have different religious practices and affiliations. For example, Mundas call their religious place as Seher while Santhals call it as Jaherthan. Therefore, the majority wants Adivasi code or tribal column and not Sarna code.
In another decision, the Cabinet gave its nod for increasing MBBS seats at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). Cabinet secretary (in-charge), Ajoy Kumar Singh said, “The Cabinet today gave its nod for increasing MBBS seats at RIMS. The MBBS seats at State health hub will be increased from 150 to 250 and in this connection a MoU will be signed between State Government and Union Government.”
As per Cabinet approval Rs 120 crore will be incurred in infrastructure head once MBBS seats are increased. Out of these 60 per cent will be bear by Centre while State government will bear 40 per cent of total infrastructure cost. The Centre will bear Rs 72 crore as infrastructure cost while the state will bear Rs 48 crore. The State government will bear the recurring expenditure once seats are increased at the health hub.
The Cabinet also gave its nod for admission of students at State B.Ed colleges on mark basis rather than competitive examinations due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination (JCECE) will carry out admission of students on the basis of marks followed by counseling.
The State Cabinet also gave its nod for paddy procurement in State, under which farmers will get 50 per cent of fund when paddy is lifted at JFSC, while rest 50 per cent will be sent to farmers account through process. In today’s cabinet meet 20 agendas were given approval.
