CNT Act

• The Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act enacted in 1908 after the Birsa Movement to govern land issues and prevent land alienation is supposed to be MagnaCarta for tribals.  
• The blueprint of the act was prepared by John Hoffman, a missionary social worker.
• Under the CNT Act, land belonging to SC/ST/BC can be mortgaged only for five years, so banks will lose the right to recover loans after five years. Since, housing loans are for larger terms >5, it creates problems for housing schemes.
• CNT Act has been listed in the 9^th Schedule of the Constitution, which implies that it is beyond Judicial Review.
• A tribal can transfer his land through sale/gift/transfer to a fellow ST member and resident of his own police station only.
• It is applicable in North Chotanagpur, South Chotanagpur and Palamau divisions.