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CPI demands notification of Forest Act

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has demanded that the Government notify Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act immediately.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, CPI national secretary and MP, D. Raja, urged the Government to ensure that the Act was not “sabotaged” any further as it would be a “betrayal of the people and of the commitment that this government made to tribals and forest dwellers.”

The CPI leader said that right from the time the Forest Act was drafted, vested interests had been trying to undermine it, to the extent that amendments were made weakening the legislation.

“Now, the Government has held up the notification of the Act for the last 10 months, while drafting rules that, as per the draft made public, run counter to the purpose of the legislation in significant ways,” he said.

Mr. Raja said the most remarkable of all was the opposition to the Act by some individuals on grounds of wildlife conservation.

“It is extraordinary how a government that has weakened all environmental and social regulations for private companies suddenly discovers environmental values when it comes to the rights of the poor. This Act was passed unanimously by Parliament, is in fulfilment of a promise made in the National Common Minimum Programme and was unanimously recommended by a Joint Parliamentary Committee that held public consultations. It is now the law of the land and it is not open to the government to undermine it and allow it to be rendered null and void by evictions,” Mr. Raja said.

He claimed that the people were facing “increased repression and brutal violence” and people in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Gujarat were being evicted. “These evictions are clearly aimed at removing people before the Act comes into force — a blatant fraud on the legislation and Parliament,” he said.

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