Sudesh Mahto seeks ST status for Kudmi from Amit Shah

Ranchi: AJSU Party president and former Jharkhand deputy chief minister Sudesh Kumar Mahto met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday and sought Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Kudmi community in Jharkhand, according to an AJSU statement.

Mahto also raised several issues concerning Jharkhand during the meeting and submitted a memorandum seeking action from the Centre.

Among the issues raised was what the AJSU described as alleged irregularities, paper leaks and financial irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

According to the party, Mahto sought CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations into the alleged irregularities.

The memorandum claimed that 39 examinations in Jharkhand had been brought under investigation and that the state government had postponed six examinations. The claims were made by the AJSU and have not been independently verified.

Mahto renews demand for ST status for Kudmi community

Mahto also urged the Union government to consider the long-standing demand for granting ST status to the Kudmi community in Jharkhand.

According to the AJSU statement, he argued that ST status would support the community’s social, cultural, political and economic development.

The demand for ST status for the Kudmi community has been a longstanding issue in Jharkhand politics.

Seeks Eighth Schedule status for local languages

Mahto also sought inclusion of Jharkhand’s local languages, particularly Kudmali, Kurukh and Mundari, in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

He said languages were an important part of the identity and cultural heritage of communities and argued that constitutional recognition would help their preservation and development.

Seeks Mineral Bearing Land Cess

The AJSU chief also raised the issue of mineral-bearing land and sought a Mineral Bearing Land Cess in Jharkhand for families affected by mining.

According to the party, Mahto proposed that the proceeds should be used exclusively for improving the lives of families in mining-affected areas and that the Centre should monitor the utilisation of the funds and determine the works to be undertaken.

Demands CBI probe into alleged DMF irregularities

Mahto also sought a CBI investigation into what the AJSU described as alleged irregularities and a scam in the use of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.

He said DMF funds were intended to benefit mining-affected areas and their residents and argued that any irregularities in their utilisation should be investigated independently.

Mahto urged the Union Home Minister to consider the issues raised in the memorandum and take necessary action, according to the AJSU statement.