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Accept JPC report on ST forest rights Bill, Government urged

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Campaign for Survival and Dignity has asked the Government to accept the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005 before it is tabled in the ongoing session. "We have learnt that the Group of Ministers looking into the recommendations of the JPC has rejected the suggestions," Vijay of the Campaign for Survival and Dignity told reporters here on Tuesday. He said the tribal and forest dwellers organisations condemned the "anti-people" and undemocratic stand of the Government on the Bill. "For decades now, the tribals and forest dwellers have been fighting for their rights. For the first time since Independence, the Central Government last year finally responded to the unrest, violence and protests in forest areas and drafted a Bill on the matter," he said, adding that a diluted version of the draft bill was tabled in Parliament following opposition by the Union Environment and Forests Ministry. This was subsequently sent to the JPC.

The JPC has recommended that the process of deciding who receives what rights should take place in public through the Gram Sabhas. This has been rejected on the grounds that village sabhas would be politicised and therefore all powers should be handed over to the Government officials.

Another suggestion on scientific basis for resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced from the "core areas" of national parks and sanctuaries has been rejected.

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