PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured the legislative assembly that around 10,000-odd pending cases of Forest Rights Claims (FRC) will be expedited and resolved before the current government’s tenure ends.
“The cases under the Forest Rights Act will be cleared in this tenure. All pending cases will be expedited for disposal,” Sawant said in response to concerns from Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao regarding the backlog of over 10,000 cases. Alemao’s concerns were raised during a discussion on Calling Attention tabled by MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, pointing at improper assessment of Forest Rights Claims and inordinate delay to settle these claims, affecting Goa and particularly the tribal population
Sawant credited the BJP for granting rights to the tribal population, stating that although the Forest Rights Act was implemented in 2006, it was ‘activated’ only in 2012 under the BJP government. “We have seen our leaders fighting for tribal rights, and Speaker, some of our cabinet ministers took part. BJP government fulfilled the demands including tabling of the Bill in the parliament to provide ST representation in Goa Assembly,” the CM said, adding,
“To expedite the resolution of FRC, we have engaged a competent private agency for the survey and demarcation of these claims. This agency has already started the survey and demarcation process for approved claims by the District Level Committee (DLC).”
According to the reply tabled in the House, in 2023-24, 308 claims were approved, 386 titles were distributed and 20 claims were rejected. “There is suo-motu updating of revenue records once the title is handed over to the beneficiaries,” Sawant added.
