Bhuria urges Orissa CM to implement Forest Rights Act expeditiously

New Delhi, Sept 24 (ANI): Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Kanti Lal Bhuria has urged Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to expedite the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 in the State.

In a meeting held here today with Patnaik, Bhuria pointed out that out of 2,92,000 claims, only 41,000 claims have been cleared by the State Government.

Patnaik informed Bhuria that the State High Court has recently vacated the stay on the implementation of the Act.

"Now, the State Government is vigorously working to clear the backlog of the claims," Patnaik said.

Bhuria also apprised him of the Prime Minister's concern over the issue and said that the Centre is convening a meeting of the State Chief Ministers in early November to review the implementation of Forest Rights Act.

"The meeting is also held to resolve the problems being faced by the States in expeditious implementation of this law which aims at benefitting the tribal population across the country," Bhuria said.

Patnaik requested for inclusion of some communities in the Scheduled Tribe list of the State and financial assistance for Scheduled Tribe girls hostels, and increase in amount of Post Matric Scholarship.

Bhuria said that the proposals will be examined by his Ministry and decision would be taken expeditiously.

"A sum of Rs. 64.26 crore has been released by the Ministry to the State of Orissa on September 22 based on the proposals of the State Government," Bhuria said.

Bhuria also accepted the invitation of Patnaik to visit Orissa. (ANI)