Despite the Government’s tall claims, implementation of the Forest Rights Act, under which land is given to tribals free of cast, seems to be an abysmally low key of affairs in Kandhamal district.
While a special Government website states that Kandhamal is the only district in the country where integrated forest right was given to highest number of 1,848 villages, the actual figure is very low. The website had been inaugurated by Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick on August 15, 2014.
Furnishing information sought through RTI Act, the Integrated Tribal Development Authority informed that only 176 villagers have been enlisted to avail FRA benefits. Gopinath Kanhar of Sartaguda under Tudipaju GP had sought data in this regard.
As per letter no 2744 of the ITDA, Phulbani, all the villages have been served sironama since June 18, 2013. But the information furnished to the ITDA was found to be wrong after the district Collector recently directed concerned officers to give sironama to the people through Post.
As per letter no 1412 dated 15-9-2015 of the ITDA, Phulbani, it was revealed that the website had been operated by the Basundhara, an NGO based at Bhubaneswar and the district administration didn’t spend a single pie. It indicated that the NGO uploaded the wrong information to garner benefits.
The motive behind falsely showing Kandhmal as number-one FRA benefit getter district should be investigated properly, demanded people.