State governments can create 'Smart Village' scheme: MoS Tribal Affairs Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

NEW DELHI: The Centre today said it does not have any ' Smart Village' scheme but suggested that the state governments can create one, if they so desire.

In his reply in Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava said, his ministry does not have any scheme for 'Smart Village'.

"While this Ministry does not have any scheme for 'Smart Village' the state governments, if they so desire, may decide to create 'Smart Village'," he said.

Responding to another question, he said that in hilly areas of Manipur, forests and agricultural lands is owned by communities through village councils and village authorities.

In all cases, however, where a forest right holder or any land holder is being displaced, they are required to be adequately compensated through proper livelihood plan in accordance with the provisions of Right to fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he added.