QUARTER-CENTURY DELAY: 1932 KHATIAN DOMICILE POLICY STILL A DISTANT DREAM FOR JHARKHAND YOUTH

GIRIDIH: Even 25 years after Jharkhand’s formation, the non-implementation of a local domicile and employment policy based on the 1932 Khatian remains a burning grievance for its residents.

Social activist Rajesh Kumar from Birni block has termed this delay “extremely unfortunate” for the state’s native population. He has demanded that the state government immediately form a specialized subject committee and convene an all-party meeting to enforce the policy.

“The fundamental spirit of the Jharkhand movement was to protect the interests of Adivasis, Moolvasis, and local people,” Kumar stated.

He emphasized that the 1932 Khatian stands as the most authentic historical document to identify the state’s original inhabitants. Securing local status through this record is vital to give local youth priority in government jobs, protect land rights, and curb external interference.
The ongoing delays have pushed thousands of local youth past the age limits required for government employment. If immediate legislative action is not taken, an entire generation faces permanent exclusion from state opportunities.

Legal Bottlenecks and Historical Hurdles

The 1932 Khatian represents the final land survey report conducted during the British era, detailing local names, land boundaries, and community rights. While a 1932 cut-off year was championed by Jharkhand movement leaders like Shibu Soren, successive governments have struggled to implement it since the state’s creation in 2000.

In 2022, the Hemant Soren government passed the Jharkhand Definition of Local Persons and Related Benefits Bill, which included provisions for landless residents via Gram Sabhas. However, the legislation has repeatedly stalled due to legal scrutiny by the High Court and friction at the Governor’s level.

Current Challenges on the Ground

The absence of a clear, functional policy continues to trigger disputes over domicile certificates for education, jobs, and welfare schemes. The crisis is compounded by administrative gaps, as land record digitization remains incomplete across multiple districts, leaving many vital historical documents missing or damaged.

To break the deadlock, Kumar proposed a multi-step roadmap for the state government:

* Form a Subject Committee: Include all-party representatives, legal experts, social activists, and Khatian scholars to build a consensus-based roadmap.

* Launch Digital Campaigns: Execute a time-bound Khatian digitization drive across all districts.

* Empower Gram Sabhas: Authorize local village councils to formally identify and include landless locals.

* Secure Employment Rights: Mandate strict priority for 1932 Khatian holders in Class III and Class IV government jobs.

* Combat Fraud: Set up strict vigilance mechanisms to eliminate fake document rackets.

Kumar issued a rallying cry to tribal organizations, youth groups, women’s forums, and farmers’ unions to unite for the cause. “This is not just a fight for jobs,” Kumar stated. “It is a battle for our land, our culture, our language, and local control over Jharkhand’s resources.”