Honoring Tribal Heroes: Jharkhand proposes renaming Lok Bhavans after tribal icons; BJP supports but warns against politicizing Birsa Munda

Ranchi: Finance minister Radha Krishana Kishore on Wednesday proposed in the state assembly the renaming of Lok Bhavans in Ranchi and Dumka after the state’s tribal revolutionaries.Kishore proposed to rename Lok Bhavan in Ranchi (formerly known as Raj Bhavan) as Birsa Bhavan. Likewise, the he also proposed that the Lok Bhavan in Dumka be renamed as Sidhu Kanho Bhavan. “Lok Bhavans located within Jharkhand are state govt assets and the latter has powers to change their names,” Kishore said.The minister’s proposal came exactly a week after Raj Bhavans across the country were renamed Lok Bhavans following a directive by the Union ministry of home affairs.

Ranchi Lok Bhavan was formally renamed on December 3.During the proceeding, the assembly also approved the Jharkhand Tourism Development and Registration (Amendment) Bill, which empowers the deputy commissioners to take care of category ‘A’ tourist sites under their jurisdictions.The state govt said that the bill would ensure comprehensive care and management of the tourist spots at the local level. It added that presently, the department secretary, who is also chairman of the tourism development corporation, is loaded with work and lacks time.

During the proceeding, Bokaro MLA Sweta Singh and several other MLAs drew the attention of the govt towards the lack of decisive action for setting up an integrated manufacturing cluster in Bokaro under the Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor. The govt stated that Bokaro Steel Plant was asked to send a revised estimated cost of the land required for the project.Before the House met for business, opposition MLAs protested at the gates against the alleged failure of the state govt in fulfilling its seven promises, including providing cylinders for Rs 450 and Rs 3,200 minimum support prices for crops.

Former education minister and Koderma MLA Neera Yadav also sang the popular Hindi song ‘Kya Hua Tera Waada’ on the occasion.Talking to media persons later, tourism minister Sudivya Sonu said that the proposal was according to public aspirations. “The people are watching who is supporting the proposal and who is not,” he said. BJP MLA Raj Sinha said, “My party has no objection to the names of tribal leaders. However, it will not be right to drag Birsa Munda’s name into politics.”Lok Bhavans located within Jharkhand are state govt assets and the latter has powers to change their names