THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, June 24: Chief Minister Champai Soren today attended the one-day workshop on the topic of Abua Bir Abua Dishom Abhiyan (Empowering Communities-Ensuring Rights Decoding FRA-2006 – Justice, Conservation and Challenges) organized in the auditorium of Shri Krishna Institute of Public Administration (ATI) as the chief guest.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister said in his address that providing the rights to all sections of the community, including the tribals and natives living in the forest areas of Jharkhand, under the Forest Rights Act is one of the top priorities of the state government.
The Chief Minister said that every point of the Abua Bir, Abua Dishom campaign was discussed in detail in today’s workshop. “I am confident that this workshop will prove to be historic and a milestone for Jharkhand,” he said.
Addressing all the officials present in the workshop, the Chief Minister said that by making the Forest Rights Act simple and transparent, the people of all sections and communities, including the tribals and natives living in the forest areas of Jharkhand, should be given forest patta with respect as per the decision of the Gram Sabha.
“As per the recommendation of the Gram Sabha, whether the demand for land in the application received for forest lease is in hectares or acres, we will provide them that much land on priority basis; there is a need to work with this objective,” the CM said.
Officers should discharge their duties with strong willpower
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that after this workshop, the Abua Bir Abua Dishom campaign will gain momentum. The main objective of this campaign is to fulfil the shortcomings in the distribution of forest patta.
“I not only hope but have full confidence that the state government will definitely move forward and achieve success in the work of forest patta distribution in accordance with the target,” he said.
The Chief Minister told the officials that there is a need not only to distribute forest patta among the families residing in the forest area but also to connect them in every aspect of development. It is the moral responsibility of everyone to strengthen them socially, economically and educationally.
He urged everyone to work together to create a system in Jharkhand where there is no discrimination between the development of rural and urban people, ensuring equal development for all. The aim is to make Jharkhand a model of development that can be a better example for the entire country.
The Chief Minister reminded the officials that they are well aware of the provisions of the Forest Rights Act. What is needed now is to awaken a strong willpower within themselves and fulfil their responsibilities.
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Do not intentionally reject applications for forest patta
Chief Minister Champai Soren stated that the Forest Rights Act was implemented in 2006. Even after 18 years of its implementation, the state government is still significantly behind in granting forest land rights to the families living in forest areas.
Thousands of applications for forest rights pattas have been rejected in various offices across Jharkhand. The public will need to be given an explanation for why these applications were rejected.
The state government will take strict action against officials who intentionally attempt to reject applications for forest rights patta.
The Chief Minister told the officials that the purpose of this workshop is not to discuss granting forest rights patta for 2 or 3 decimals of land, but to reaffirm the state government’s commitment to providing the forest dwellers with their full rights.
He emphasized that those entitled to forest land will be given their rights with respect. Families living in forest areas will be able to use this land for agricultural activities, whether for rice cultivation, Rabi crops, or forest products, allowing them to live their lives with dignity.
Abua Bir Abua Dishom an important campaign
The Chief Minister said that the Abua Bir Abua Dishom campaign should not be taken lightly. This is an important and effective campaign. The roadmap prepared by the state government for the settlement of forest lease claims under this campaign will have to be implemented at all costs.
“Today all of us responsible people have gathered in this workshop and all of us will have to discharge our responsibilities promptly and with full honesty, only then the tribal and indigenous families here will be able to get the benefits of the Forest Rights Act”, he said.
Our ancestors began the struggle for rights from the land of Kolhan: CM
Chief Minister Champai Soren stated that the indigenous people of Jharkhand fought for their rights to water, forests, and land for three to four hundred years ago. The ancestors initiated a major movement to preserve water, forests, and land from the land of Kolhan. Many brave souls took bullets to their chests in this struggle.
It is the result of the sacrifices and dedication of the ancestors that the Forest Rights Act was implemented in the country. After years of struggle, the FRA was finally implemented in 2006.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the dense forests seen today are protected by the indigenous families. It is thanks to the village committees established in the forest areas that these forests have been preserved.
The indigenous people of this region are very simple and straightforward by nature, but they never back down when it comes to protecting their traditions, culture, and existence.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the holistic development of these communities is a priority for the government.
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Need to move forward with change in work style and positive mindset: Deepak Birua
On this occasion, Minister of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes Welfare, Deepak Birua, stated that today’s workshop is addressing a serious issue. The Forest Rights Act is a crucial link to protecting families living in forest areas. At present, there is a need to deeply understand the objectives and sentiments of the Forest Rights Act.
He noted that although the Forest Rights Act was enacted in 2006, even after 18 years, the full benefits of this law have not yet been provided to the indigenous and tribal people of the region, which is a matter of concern.
He urged the attending officials to bring about changes in their work style and to implement the provisions of the Forest Rights Act with a positive mindset.
Who all were present?
In the workshop organized on the topic Abua Bir Abua Dishom Abhiyan, Minister of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Backward Class Welfare Department Deepak Birua, Chief Secretary L. Khiangte, PCCF Sanjay Srivastava, Principal Secretary Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Vandana Dadel, Departmental Secretary Kripanand Jha, Senior Advocate of Supreme Court Sanjay Upadhyay, Tribal Welfare Commissioner Ajay Nath Jha, Deputy Commissioners of all the districts and District Forest Division Officers along with many dignitaries were present.
