Ranchi, Jan. 29: The dispute between Jharkhand and Bengal over ownership rights of portions of 49 mauzas in Sahebganj district is unlikely to be settled in the coming days.

Representatives of the Bengal government, during a meeting of the standing committee of eastern zonal council held today in Ranchi, is learnt to have refused to sign the final land survey report jointly held by both the states.The dispute is an old one.

"People living in these mauzas get facilities from Jharkhand as residents of the state. Their voter identity cards and other documents are issued from Jharkhand. But Bengal has been claiming rights over the territory. A joint survey was conducted by both states, which confirms claim of Jharkhand. Today, an agreement was supposed to be signed but representatives from Bengal refused," a source present at the meeting said.Naini Jayaseelan, secretary, Inter State Council, chaired the meeting, which was attended by officials of Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, Odisha, besides officials from the Centre.

Chief secretary Rajiv Gauba spoke on problems being faced by the state Met department in Ranchi in weather forecasting as no Doppler radar was installed in the city. The ministry of earth science was asked to look into the demand.

Jharkhand also raised the issue of Bihar delaying transfer of cadastral maps of areas in Jharkhand. Gauba said the process of computerising land records was being held up due to unavailability of the maps.

"Today's meeting, ninth in series, discussed various outstanding inter-state and state-central issues so that there is better coordination among states," Gauba told the media.

The issue of division of assets and liabilities of various government undertakings of undivided Bihar was discussed too, and continued for around three hours. Matter was discussed regarding transfer of ownership of Ranchi, Bokaro and Jamshedpur dairy projects and cattle feed plant to Jharkhand which is still under control of Bihar-State Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation Limited, Bihar. EoM