MP to withdraw 90,000 cases against tribals

Bhopal, Jul 10: About 90,000 cases registered against tribals for dwelling on forest land will be withdrawn by the Madhya Pradesh government along with the distribution of land title deeds to them from August 8.

Distribution of land pattas under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 and its Rules 2008 will start from tribal-dominated Mandla district.

Besides, materials recovered from the forest dwellers will also be returned to them.

A decision in this regard was taken at the Tribal Advisory Council meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here yesterday.

A state-wide campaign will be launched from July 15 to August 15 to create awareness among the forest dwellers about their rights, while an incentive of Rs 100 each will be given for filing claims under the Act.

The Chief Minister also issued directive to streamline the procedure for issuing ST certificate to tribals.

An additional high school and additional hostel would be opened in each of 89 tribal blocks, he said, adding quality should be maintained in construction worksm and goods purchased for hostels should be certified by people's representatives prior to its distribution.

A proposal to run liquor shops in tribal areas through government employees would be presented before the cabinet, he said.

The TAC also approved the Governor's report on administration in tribal areas for 2006-07 and 2007-08, official sources said.

UNI