Odisha government was forced to reverse its decision on opting superintendent of police and additional SPs as members of District Level Committees for implementation of Forest Right Act in the State following objections raised by Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
The State government in the 8th State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) under Chairmanship of Chief Secretary G.C. Pati decided that SPs and additional SPs were to be co-opted as DLC members, while Sub Divisional Police Officers were to be co-opted at the Sub Divisional Level Committees level as special invitees.
Objecting to the decision, the MoTA had said it was violation of the FRA. The Forest Rights Rules under Rule 5 and 7 clearly lay down the composition of the SDLC and DLC respectively, detailing the officials and representatives of these Committees, it pointed out in a letter to state government, it stated.
“No provision”
“There is no provision or scope in the Forest Rights Act or the Forest Rights Rules to co-opt any additional members,” MoTA mentioned.
In its latest direction, State ST and SC Development modified SLMC decisions admitting that there was no scope in the Act to co-opt any additional members in committees under FRA.
In another climb down, the State government clarified that Community Forest Resources rights should be conferred only to Gram Sabha and not to Van Surakshya Samitis as per the Forest Rights Rules and it was for Gram Sabha to constitute a committee for protection of wildlife, forest and biodiversity.
