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It is for States to implement Forest Rights Act: Manmohan

Special Correspondent

Writes to Chief Ministers seeking their cooperation

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to the Chief Ministers seeking their cooperation in effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forests Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

The Act requires the States to constitute committees that will process cases and ensure distribution of land rights.

Committees

Dr. Singh has asked the State governments to set up, at the earliest, State and district-level monitoring committees to begin the work promptly. His letter, sent on January 8, described the Act as a landmark legislation that sought to provide land rights to the STs and other traditional dwellers who have been residing in forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded.

“You may appreciate that it is necessary to ensure proper implementation of this Act expeditiously, in keeping with the Rules provided under it. The responsibility for implementation vests with the State governments.”

He said there should be effective communication at multiple levels to ensure that the provisions of this Act and Rules were well known. Public information contributed to transparency and accountability in implementation.

Gram sabhas

The Prime Minister said the Panchayati Raj Ministry would separately write to the State governments, asking them to organise gram sabhas across the country on an appointed day to ensure that the provisions of the Act were made widely known to the members of the gram sabhas and panchayats who would play a critical role in its implementation.

In implementing the Act, critical wildlife habitats would be protected as provided for in Section 4 of the Act, the letter said.

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