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.
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Man booked for duping 7 persons of Rs 91 lakh on promise of awarding govt works
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have registered a case against a man for allegedly duping seven persons of Rs 91 lakhs on the promise of awarding them works of different government departments, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused was identified as Satish Kadam, a resident of Nanded in Marathwada region, an official said.
A complaint was filed by Hanumant Vadje, who alleged that the accused cheated him and six others of around Rs 91 lakh by promising to give them various works of Urban Development and Social Justice Department, he said.
The fraud occurred between 2024 and 2026, with Kadam collecting money in cash and into his accounts, police said, adding he had returned some amount to them partially.
Multiple cheques issued by the accused bounced, prompting the victim to lodge a complaint at the Marine Drive police station. Based on the complaint, a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered against him.
The case is under further investigation, the official said.
