Forest Rights Act Cells
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: For the first time since the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, was enacted, the Centre has sanctioned 324 Forest Rights Act (FRA) cells under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan across 18 States and Union Territories.
About Forest Rights Act Cells:
• What It Is? District- and State-level units created to support and accelerate the implementation of FRA under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA).
• District- and State-level units created to support and accelerate the implementation of FRA under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA).
• Governing Framework: Established under DAJGUA operational guidelines, not directly under the principal FRA legislation.
• Funded by: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• Authority & Location:
• Located in Tahsildar/Sub-Division/Collector offices within Tribal Sub-Plan areas. Headed by ADM or Sub-Collector at respective levels.
• Located in Tahsildar/Sub-Division/Collector offices within Tribal Sub-Plan areas.
• Headed by ADM or Sub-Collector at respective levels.
• Key Features of FRA Cells:
• Administrative Coverage: 324 district-level cells and 17 State-level cells approved. Budget Allocation: ₹8.67 lakh per district cell; ₹25.85 lakh per State cell. Highest Cells Approved: Madhya Pradesh (55), Chhattisgarh (30), Telangana (29), Maharashtra (26), Assam (25), Jharkhand (24).
• Administrative Coverage: 324 district-level cells and 17 State-level cells approved.
• Budget Allocation: ₹8.67 lakh per district cell; ₹25.85 lakh per State cell.
• Highest Cells Approved: Madhya Pradesh (55), Chhattisgarh (30), Telangana (29), Maharashtra (26), Assam (25), Jharkhand (24).
• Functions of FRA Cells:
• Accelerated Disposal: Expedite pending claims, especially post-District Level Committee (DLC) approval. Rejected Claims Review: Re-examine rejected claims and inform claimants with reasons to enable appeal. Demarcation Support: Aid in marking boundaries of vested forest lands. Title Distribution: Facilitate issuance of land titles and ensure updates in official land records. Scheme Integration: Ensure FRA titleholders benefit from government welfare schemes. Support CFR Filing: Help Gram Sabhas file claims for Community Rights and Community Forest Resources. Revenue Village Conversion: Assist in converting forest settlements into revenue villages legally. Stakeholder Coordination: Act as liaison between departments, civil societies, and claimants for smooth implementation.
• Accelerated Disposal: Expedite pending claims, especially post-District Level Committee (DLC) approval.
• Rejected Claims Review: Re-examine rejected claims and inform claimants with reasons to enable appeal.
• Demarcation Support: Aid in marking boundaries of vested forest lands.
• Title Distribution: Facilitate issuance of land titles and ensure updates in official land records.
• Scheme Integration: Ensure FRA titleholders benefit from government welfare schemes.
• Support CFR Filing: Help Gram Sabhas file claims for Community Rights and Community Forest Resources.
• Revenue Village Conversion: Assist in converting forest settlements into revenue villages legally.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Act as liaison between departments, civil societies, and claimants for smooth implementation.