Decision on Podu lands soon: Satyavathi Rathod

She said action will be taken against the officials who are unnecessarily harassing tribals despite the government orders

Hyderabad: Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod on Thursday said the State government has sanctioned 94,774 pattas against Podu lands for eligible tribals covering around 3.03 lakh acre under Recognition of Forest Rights (ROFR) since 2008. Since the enactment of ROFR Act in 2005, around 1.84 lakh claims were received pertaining to 6.31 lakh acres. Out of this, field enquiry was conducted and eligible persons were issued Pattas.

Another 27,990 claims for ROFR pattas were filed since 2018, seeking ownership of 98,745 acres. Of this, 2,401 claims pertaining to 4,248 acres were found eligible and 9,976 claims pertaining to 40,780 acres were found ineligible by District Level Committee (DLC). About 15,558 claims pertaining to 53,565 acres are still pending before DLCs.

Replying to members’ queries in the State Assembly here, Rathod said Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was working towards finding a comprehensive solution to the Podu lands issue and he will personally tour different districts shortly to resolve all the pending issues. Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod on Thursday said the Chief Minister had instructed the officials not to harass tribals who are encroaching forest lands for cultivation, until he conducts field visits and resolves the Podu lands issues. She said action will be taken against the officials who are unnecessarily harassing tribals despite the government orders.

“Tribals are worried about their Podu lands due to forest conservation measures, afforestation to increase green cover, and simplification of land records through the Dharani portal among others. However, the Chief Minister will address all their concerns soon,” the Minister assured. She said the government was planning to appoint a liasioning officer to the development work on the forest lands to avoid petty issues and had already allocated Rs 220 crore to provide three phase power to each tribal settlement where works have already commenced. Under the Giri Vikasam scheme, the State government is providing agricultural implements and financial assistance to convert non-agricultural lands into cultivable lands.

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