Ranchi, June 27: The BJP and the JD(U) members of the Assembly today mounted pressure on the state government to amend the Chhotanagpur and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Acts to facilitate sale and purchase of tribal land at market rates, at least in urban areas.

But, the Opposition parties strongly protested any such move saying it would encourage grabbing of tribal land by vested interests. Instead, the Opposition demanded restoration of illegally alienated tribal land and strengthening of the provisions of the Acts.

Participating in a debate on the cut motion moved on the budget proposals of revenue and land reforms, registration, commercial taxes, excise and prohibition departments in the post-lunch session, Simaria BJP legislator Upendra Kumar Das said amendments should be made in the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act to ensure the tribal people got prevalent market rates in selling their pieces of land.

Demanding the ban on sale and purchase of tribal land to non-tribals be lifted at least in urban areas, where they do not indulge in agriculture, Das said tribal people are no longer illiterate and are aware of the prevalent market rates and could not be easily cheated.

He said he did not advocate freeing the land for sale and purchase blindly, but argued that at present it should be ensured that tribal people are not forced to sell their pieces of land at much lower prices because of the provisions of the Acts.

Mahgama BJP legislator Ashok Kumar wondered why even non-tribals are not allowed to sell or purchase land in Godda under the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act when there was no such ban in other parts of Santhal Pargana like Pakur and Deoghar. He said the Act had already been amended on two occasions in the past and further amendments are required in both the Acts.

Hazaribagh BJP legislator Lok Nath Mahto supported his party colleagues? views saying tribal people were being forced to sell their lands for peanuts and a solution was needed to end their miseries.

The Opposition, however, sharply reacted to the demands. Dumka Independent legislator Stephen Marandi vehemently opposed any move to amend the Act without prior study of the advantages and disadvantages of the existing Acts.

Reiterating the demand of Dhanvar BJP legislator Ravindra Kumar Rai, Marandi said the House committee formed to study the tenancy Acts should be revived to complete its responsibility.

Marandi said the Acts were framed after many land revolutions and it is a sensitive issue. Terming the move as a capitalist approach, he alleged those who were finding it difficult to build houses for themselves were advocating the amendment.

Mandar UGDP legislator Bandhu Tirkey said the provisions of the Acts are being violated, which should to be monitored.

Jugsalai JMM legislator Dulal Bhuiyan demanded tribal land be acquired only when private companies enter into a partnership agreement with the land owners.

While Tirkey demanded a special court to hear and expedite tribal land dispute cases, Stephen Marandi demanded government should also ensure possession of land distributed to landless people.