Chief minister Hemant Soren chaired the second meeting of the Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) on Monday and resolved to send a formal proposal to President Ramnath Kovind for inclusion of a Sarna code column in the forthcoming national population census.

During the meeting, which lasted for around five hours, the council decided to set up a five-member sub-committee to probe dubious land deals of tribals and the alleged land grab of Adivasi land. The idea is to take corrective steps, grant recognition to all such places where Adivasis have been worshipping since ages.

Sharing details about the meeting at a news meet on Monday night, council vice chairman Champai Soren said, “The first and foremost important resolve of TAC is to send a proposal to the President through the governor to include Sarna code in the upcoming census. If required, TAC members will also visit Delhi in person to press for the demand.”

Last year, the state government had sent a similar proposal to the Union home ministry after passing a resolution on it in the state assembly. “GOI must include a separate column for Sarna followers in the census. Followers are Sarnas have distinct religious practices and need distinct identity of their own,” said Soren.

On other decisions he said, “To probe issues of land grab of tribals, a committee has been formed. The members include MLAs Stephen Marandi, Chamra Linda, Dipak Birua, Bandhu Tirkey and Bhushan Tirkey. This apart, tribals often face issues in obtaining caste certificates. It was decided that the tate personnel department will come up with a notification that once a caste certificate is made it should be valid for life.”

He added, “We also agreed to work towards giving jobs to dependents of those who fought for the creation of Jharkhand.This apart, TAC has agreed to work out ways to ensure industrial development helps in the overall upliftment of tribals.”

Opposition BJP boycotted the meet for the second time to register its protest against new TAC Rules-2021 enacted in May this year. The new rules empower the chief minister to nominate members to the council against the earlier system of the Governor doing so. BJP has dubbed the amendments " unconstitutional".