indopia.in, June 23, 2009
Berhampur (Orissa), June 22 The Orissa government would give land deeds to tribals settled in jungles under the Forest Rights Act as soon as a stay on it was vacated in the High Court.
Around 30,000 to 40,000 tribals in the state would be benefitted under the Act, while 20,000 would get jungle land in southern Orissa districts including Koraput, Kalahandi and Kandhamal, Orissa Revenue minister S N Patro said today.
The Act has been stayed by the HC, but as soon as it was vacated, the government was ready to provide the land deeds to tribals settled in forest areas, Patro said.
"We have settled about 33 cases and returned about 15 acres to tribals in Narayanpatna block in Koraput district by June 10," Orissa Revenue minister Patro told newsmen.
The government took the initiative at Narayanpatna after tribal body Chasi Mulia Sangh took possession of about 500 acres taken over by non-tribals there.
Two senior officers have been deputed to dispose cases of tribals in Narayanpatna by holding camp courts and efforts were on to settle the land disputes in other districts.
The government has asked those who purchased the land belonging to tribals after 1956 to submit an affidavit showing reasons under section 22 of the Orissa Land Reforms Act, Patro said.
The district administration has been asked to examine the records of post-1956 period, the minister said.
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