The unpopularity of Jharkhand’s new recruitment policy could have lasting political ramifications 

The call for the withdrawal of Jharkhand’s new “60-40” recruitment policy, being opposed everywhere in the State by student unions, shows no sign of abating. While ‘60-40 Nai Chalto’ campaigns continue on social media, their influence is also seen in protests ranging from the ‘Assembly gherao’ and the Chief Minister’s residence ‘gherao’, and in the calls for a Jharkhand bandh twice in the past two months.

The call for the withdrawal of Jharkhand’s new “60-40” recruitment policy, being opposed everywhere in the State by student unions, shows no sign of abating. While ‘60-40 Nai Chalto’ campaigns continue on social media, their influence is also seen in protests ranging from the ‘Assembly gherao’ and the Chief Minister’s residence ‘gherao’, and in the calls for a Jharkhand bandh twice in the past two months.

On March 3, 2023, the Jharkhand Government reserved 60% of government jobs for aspirants from the State, leaving the remaining 40% open to all. Angry students allege that locals have been neglected by the new policy.

For the State government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the issue has posed to be an escalating problem. For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which opposed the recruitment policy in the previous Budget session too, it’s part of the political agenda.

Student organisations are demanding the 1932 Khatiyan (land settlement)-based policy be applicable. In November 2022, the Jharkhand Government passed a Bill in the State Assembly making the land records of 1932 as the criteria for verifying domicile in the State for the recruitment policy.

However, the former Governor of Jharkhand, Ramesh Bais, returned the Soren government’s 1932 Khatiyan Bill. The Governor asked the State government to review the policy. The Governor also said the legality of the Bill had to be scrutinised seriously, and to ensure it conformed to the Constitution and the directions of the Supreme Court.

In the Bill approved by the Soren government in both Houses, locals are defined as residing within the territorial and geographical limits of Jharkhand and are citizens of India. Their forefathers’ names have to be recorded in the survey/Khatian of 1932 or earlier. Moreover, only local people identified under this legislation were entitled to Grade 3 and Grade 4 government jobs in the State. The “60:40” policy, however, does not feature this provision.  

Moreover, upon the review of the Bill, it was found that all citizens had equal rights to employment under Article 16 of the Constitution.