Budgam, Oct 22 (KNO): Under Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, Shambhu Nath Pal, on Thursday said that pending claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, should be reviewed and settled in a time-bound manner, while stressing the need to address gaps in awareness regarding the evidence required for claim verification.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of a review-cum-awareness programme in Khansahib Budgam, Pal, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the exercise was aimed at reviewing the implementation of the Act, which has completed 20 years, and identifying reasons behind pending claims.
The Under Secretary said several claims remain pending due to issues related to supporting evidence and a lack of awareness among applicants about the documents and other evidence required to establish their claims. He urged the district administration to educate applicants about the process and ensure that pending cases are resolved within a stipulated timeframe.
Appreciating the district administration’s efforts, Pal said that around 4,000 claims had been settled in the district, indicating significant progress in the implementation of the legislation. He added that the remaining cases needed to be examined to identify and address any shortcomings.
The officer further emphasised the importance of ensuring that eligible families receive benefits after recognition of their forest rights through convergence of government schemes.
He said coordination among the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture, other line ministries and the Jammu and Kashmir administration would be crucial in extending welfare benefits to eligible households.
Referring to schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY), PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and other initiatives, the Under Secretary said efforts should be made to facilitate access to housing, electricity and other essential facilities for recognised forest rights holders.
"Effective implementation would require regular dialogue and coordination among the concerned departments to ensure that the rights recognised under the Forest Rights Act translate into tangible benefits for eligible communities," he said—(KNO)