Chhattisgarh govt sets deadline to clear forest land dispute

Chhattisgarh Government has decided to settle the forest land disputes under the Forest Protection Act 1980 within a time frame to expedite the road projects in the interior areas.

The roads has been sanctioned under the Prime Minister's Rural Roads Project. The State Government has ordered the authorities to settle the forest land disputes under the Forest Protection Act 1980 as early as possible. Time-bound action plan has been chalked out for various departments to settle the matter expeditiously.

Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand convened a high level meeting and gave necessary direction to the department concerned. During the meeting, the delay caused due to acquiring of forest land for the road projects was discussed as focus point. The Divisional Revenue Commissioners, Chief Conservators of Forests, District Collectors and Forest Officers would be communicated about the new directives.
 

The Chief Secretary in a circular issued said all the road works should be carried on and completed in a time-bound manner. The official notification has been circulated to the departments and authorities concerned.

He said that the land should be inspected by the Forest Department officer on the next day itself of getting the official information or application. The Collector should be informed if there is any delay. The Collector concerned should settle the issue within 10 days. The time-frame has been fixed as per the area of the forest land.

The officials informed that many road projects specially in the red zone had hit the blockade following legal complication in getting forest land clearance.