Only 4 fresh claims under Forest Rights Act from Kalahandi

Times of India, July 17, 2013
BHAWANIPATNA: Ahead of the gram sabhas to decide the fate of bauxite mining in Niyamgiri hills, the Kalahandi district administration has received only four fresh claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

The Supreme Court had directed the state government to invite fresh claims under FRA within six weeks of the notification for gram sabhas.

Accordingly, the government had issued a notice on June 5 and publicized about it in the local language at villages where gram sabhas are to be conducted, sources said.

"There was no claim from Tadijhola. We have received one claim each from Kunakadu, Phuldumer, Palbori and Ijurpa villages under Trilochanpur gram panchayat. The gram sabhaswill discuss the claims in the presence of a district judge," said Collector (Kalahandi) GovindaChandra Sethi.

Sethi said the district administration has duly publicized the impending gram sabhas in the five villages. The proceedings of gram sabhas will be video recorded.

The quorum requires minimum 50% attendance for the sabha with one-third women participants.

The administration, however, did not disclose the nature of the claims made by the tribals. Sources said the claims mostly pertain to forest produce in the Niyamgiri hills.

They have reportedly claimed that they live in and around the hills and survive on the forest produce.

In Kalahandi district, the gram sabha will be first conducted on July 23 and subsequently on July 24, 25, 29 and 30.