Centre directs states to stop forced eviction of forest dwellers until rights are settled
New Delhi: The Union government has urged all states and union territories to ensure that no tribal or forest-dwelling group be forcibly removed from wildlife sanctuaries or national parks, until their rights are recognised and settled under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006.
The New Indian Express mentioned in a report, a letter dated October 22, Vibhu Nayar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), directed Chief Secretaries to strictly follow the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The letter also stated that the ministry was concerned about the Act's delayed implementation, more than two decades after its enactment.
The letter also identified 12 priority areas for accelerating the registration of forest rights. These topics include Individual Forest Rights (IFRs), Habitat Rights for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Community Forest Rights (CFRs), and Community Forest Resource Rights. The Centre used Section 4(2) of the FRA to remind states that "no member of the Scheduled Tribes or other traditional forest dwellers shall be evicted or removed from forest land under his tenancy until the recognition and verification procedure is completed."
The letter urged authorities to prevent all forms of forced displacement until rights are settled and resettlement plans are completed. It also called for adjustments to forest land records to ensure that the rightful beneficiaries can utilize government schemes, warning that inconsistencies could lead to disputes between the forest and tax departments. However, it clarified that such corrections are administrative and must not be used to reject pending or new claims.
The ministry further emphasised that claims under the FRA should be evaluated primarily through field verification rather than technological data. “Inputs such as satellite imagery or GIS mapping should only serve as supplementary tools,” the letter stated, noting that Section 12 of the Act requires decisions to be based on ground evidence.
Highlighting successful models from Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, the ministry urged states to adopt similar practices such as creating FRA Atlases and district-level action plans to identify potential CFR areas.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Firms being arm-twisted to divert investment from Karnataka: Priyank Kharge
New Delhi (PTI): Companies are being arm-twisted to divert their investments from Karnataka despite the state having the best talent ecosystem, state's IT, biotech and rural development minister Priyank Kharge said on Friday.
The minister said it has taken 40 years to develop the entire ecosystem in the state that suits investors.
"Why is semiconductor going to Gujarat, Assam? That's my question? That's what I have been asking. Why is it going to Gujarat? Why is it going to Assam? When PLI comes, they have to choose their state. The name is Karnataka. How does it become Gujarat by the time the application reaches Delhi? They are coming to my state. Why are they being arm-twisted to Gujarat?" Kharge said.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a roadshow in the national capital for the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026 to be held in November.
"They are coming to our state only. They want to invest in our state. It works out for them. It is profitable for them. Our human resource is one of the most agile and best in the world. But yet, they are going to be pushed to Gujarat," Kharge said.
During the event, Kharge said Karnataka is planning to rejig policy on data centres to promote sustainable data centres.
"There is a serious need for states and the central government to bring up policies for sustainable data centres. That's exactly what the government of Karnataka intends to do," Kharge said.
_vb_18.jpeg)
_vb_38.jpeg)
