Lok Sabha
Government of India is aware that some dissatisfaction has been expressed in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh regarding the resettlement and rehabilitation policy followed by the State Governments in Kalinganagar (Orissa) and Polavaram (Andhra Pradesh). As regards Kalinganagar, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has approached the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for clearance of their R&R Plan. The State Government has been asked to follow the Constitutional provisions and provisions of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.
Safeguards exist in the Constitution as well as in State laws in respect of transfer of land belonging to tribals in scheduled areas. In addition, this Ministry has already introduced the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005 in the Parliament for the protection of rights of tribals on forest land which they have been occupying for generations.
This information was given by the Minister of DoNER Shri P.R. Kyndiah in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
PKM/UB
(Release ID :16299)