Forest dwellers not granted patta

Bhopal, Mar 22 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Government today informed the Assembly that more than 70,000 eligible forest dwellers in the state could not be provided title deeds (patta) because of not receiving permission from the Centre.

Replying to a supplementary question from Mr Harvansh Singh (Cong) during the Question Hour, Forest Minister Himmat Kothari said a survey was carried out in 1994-95 to ascertain about forest dwellers, who had encroached on forest land before 1980.

He said a proposal for resettlement of 70,141 eligible forest dwellers had been sent to the Centre but no sanction had been received so far.

During the Question Hour, Mr Kothari assured that arguments related to forest and revenue departments in Sidhi and Shahdol will be resolved by September.

UNI