Raman directs providing title deeds to forest dwellers soon

Raipur, Jun 28 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has issued directions to provide title deeds to forest dwellers within prescribed time limit.

The Chief Minister gave the directions while reviewing the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, here last evening.

Forest Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Chief Secretary Shivraj Singh and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.

Dr Singh said amendment could be made as per provisions if more time was required for completing allotment procedure.

The meeting was informed that 2.55 lakh applications had been received for granting title deeds. Of them, 50,000 applications had reached a committee constituted at the level of Sub-Divisional Officers.

The Chief Minister directed to complete site inspection and send rest applications to a high-level committee at the earliest. He also gave directions for organising a video-conferencing of eight district collectors and Divisional Forest Officers for earlier implementation.

Secretary (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Welfare) M K Raut said 'gram sabhas' had been organised in 14,864 villages, forest right committees constituted and 4,950 survey teams formed so far.

UNI AS-PS GL AS1347