Speed up implementation of forest dwellers Act: PM tells CMs

New Delhi, Jul 29 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to the Chief Ministers of all the states, asking them to give ''personal attention'' to ensure speedy and effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Dr Singh has urged the Chief Ministers to expedite action on the matter to ensure that a very vulnerable section of the population of the country gets its basic rights over land which has historically been in its possession.

A review by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs done recently showed that while some States had moved ahead, some others were yet to complete activities related to filing of claims and other related matters.

''Needless to stress, it is important for those States, which have large tribal populations to ensure that the opportunity through this landmark legislation is not missed and every genuine claimant is provided with title deeds.

''As your State has a large population of Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers, I request you to give your personal attention to this matter and ensure that the activities relating to implementation of this Act are expedited,'' the Prime Minister said.

UNI SN RP AS1836