Other States - Madhya Pradesh   

Minister sees injustice to M.P. tribals

BHOPAL: The Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Namo Narayan Meena, on Thursday talked of “historic injustice” and said tribals have been denied their traditional rights on forest land.

Mr. Meena made this assertion at a press conference at the State Congress headquarters here. He said that protecting the tribals’ rights on forest land was a commitment. It was part of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government’s common minimum programme. This was a promise made to the people by the Congress party and the UPA Government had kept the promise by enacting the Forest Rights Act, he added.

Mr. Meena said the Centre had laid down the procedure and fixed the guidelines to enforce the Forest Rights Act but the Madhya Pradesh Government had failed to implement the Act in right earnest and on top priority.

The Minister, who was here to attend a meeting of NGOs and political leaders to identify issues keeping in focus the coming Assembly elections, said he had received a large number of complaints about non-implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Madhya Pradesh. The complaints would be probed and, if necessary, the Centre would even monitor the implementation of the Act in the State, he added.

Asked to name the States that were in the forefront when it came to distributing ownership rights to tribals under the new Act, Mr. Meena tried to evade the issue. However, when goaded for a reply, he said he would give details to journalists in New Delhi.

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Minister sees injustice to M.P. tribals

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