Occupants of forest land to get title deeds

Bhopal, Jan 22 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured that people occupying forest land would not be dispossessed.

While addressing a massive tribal convention yesterday at Sarai village, about 100 km from Sidhi district headquarters, he said, ''pattas (title deeds) will be conferred on occupants. Forest villages will be converted into revenue villages to facilitate development activity. Job-oriented and technical training will be imparted to the people.'' As per an official release, the Chief Minister dwelt at length on welfare steps taken by the state government. ''A scheme is on the cards under which a certain amount will be deposited in bank accounts for girls at the time of birth and on attaining the age of 21 years they will receive Rs 1 lakh,'' he said.

Mr Chouhan said that ten lakh job opportunities would be created in the next two years. He also announced the setting up of a 30-bed hospital at Sarai.

Minister of State for Rural Development Gangaram Patel and local MLA Chhatrapati Singh also spoke, the release added.

UNI