Orissa among top states in FRA implementation

Orissa ranks among the top states of the country in terms of implementation of the Forest Rights Act-2006 (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers- Recognition of Forest Rights).

This is despite the fact that the state government has drawn flak over alleged irregularities in FRA implementation for big ticket investments like Posco India and Vedanta.

"We are among the top ranking states in terms of implementation of FRA. The state government has already disposed off 75 per cent of cases under FRA while 25 per cent cases are pending. In terms of award of community rights, we have sought certain clarification from the Union ministry of tribal affairs as the current law does not give a clear picture on that count", state Chief Secretary B K Patnaik told mediapersons.

The Union Cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar, on Monday, reviewed the progress of FRA implementation in different states through videoconferencing.

Till now, as many as 449,546 individual cases of FRA claims have been filed at the gram sabha level out of which the sabha has recommended 366,952 lakh cases to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC). The SDLC in turn, has recommended 278,085 cases to the District Level Committee (DLC). The DLC has approved 273,283 cases.

The state government has hitherto distributed 264,087 land titles to the Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). All district collectors have been directed to expedite settlement of pending cases of FRA claims.