Acquiring forest land without giving benefits is illegal: Deo

Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo today alleged that the forest land acquired for mining and industries without giving benefits to original dwellers is illegal.

 Addressing a gathering of farmers and tribals here, he said gram panchayats should be taken into confidence by state governments before acquiring any forest land for industrial purposes.

"If a piece of land has been acquired to set up mining, industrial and irrigation projects without giving benefits to the tribal, it is illegal. To ensure this, you must check whether the gram sabhas have been notified while acquiring any single tract of land," Deo said.

He also stressed that while issuing licenses for small mining projects it is mandatory to obtain the recommendation of the gram panchayat.

Mentioning the granite and marble mines being operated in the area, Deo said "as per law it is mandatory to obtain a recommendation of the gram panchayat before issuing license for small mining projects. Gram sabhas are empowered to stop any land acquisition process which violates this."

This regulation stands true even when the land is being acquired for setting up corporations without giving benefits to the tribal people, he said.

The Minister also asked the villagers and tribals to seek information from their gram panchayats and various departments of the state government.

"We need to ask questions. We need to question whether the gram sabha has given its permission for mining projects. We need to check whether records regarding these are maintained properly or not," he said. 

Deo also spoke on the revised Forest Rights Act (FRA) aimed at ensuring a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for minor forest produces commercially used by forest dwellers.

"The central government will soon start a programme to ensure MSP for minor forest produces and items such as tendu leaves and bamboo have been included in this list," he said.

Mentioning programmes such as Indira Awas Yojna, MNREGA and others, he said, the Congress-led UPA government is seized of the issues of tribals and poor people in the country.

"Our government has started several programmes to provide higher and quality education to the children of tribal people. We recently signed an MoU to provide low-interest loans to students for this purpose," he said.