Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghuvar Das today asserted that his government will not tamper with the century-old Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) and Santal Paragana Tenancy Act (SPT) in the state.
"The government will not tamper with the existing CNT and SPT acts", Das, who was in the steel city today, told newsmen here.
"We are planning to make provisions, so that the tribals can mortgage their land and avail bank loan for education and housing," he said adding the state government had discussion in this regard with the SBI Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharyya.
"We want poor tribals to keep pace with the mainstream of the society and lead life with dignity," the chief minister added.
To a query about the proposed setting up of land bank, Das said, "We have received report in this regard from all but five/six districts."
"We have directed those districts to submit their reports soon," he said expressing confidence that the land bank would likely be launched in the state from first week of July.
Implementation of land bank would boost investment and industrial growth in mineral-rich Jharkhand, he hoped.
"We will ensure that the image of mineral-abundant Jharkhand is not tarnished and develop it as number one state of the country," he said.
