Goa govt should have policy for forest dwellers: MP

Panaji, Dec 22 (UNI) Goa government should establish an effective, transparent and time-bound policy that ensures the rights of Schedule Tribe (ST) and traditional forest dwellers in the state, urged Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik here today.

The policy should be designed on the lines of a bill, which recognises rights of the ST and traditional forest dwellers, passed in the Parliament session recently, he said.

Forest dwellers have been deprieved of their right to their ancestor's land during the colonial period as well as post independence, he pointed out.

UPA government at the centre had recently passed a bill granting protection to forest dwellers against eviction. The bill will became an act soon, which was a great achievement of UPA government at the centre, Mr Naik added.

Goa government should have land management policy to regulate and control the land, lay down policy of maintaining forest cover and land management to give effect to the policy, he said.

Regarding the controversial Goa regional plan of 2006-2011, Mr Naik said, ''Congress party and Government in Goa will give due respect to the opinion expressed by either NG0s or others. In few years, NGOs will play an effective role throughout the country shaping and formulating the policies''.

''Necessary revision under section 17 of town and country planning is needed and government should take an appropriate action on it,'' said Mr Naik.

''There should be a website meant for town and country planning department to have transparency in land deals,'' said Mr Naik.

''The Government should also issue specific guidelines to land registrar in Goa to ensure that no violation of land take place when foreigners are buying land in Goa,'' added Mr Naik.

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