Centre to handhold states on tribal eviction case

NEW DELHI: The Centre would handhold the state governments in implementing the Supreme Court order on eviction of tribals and other traditional forest dwellers.

The ministry of tribal affairs would hold a national conference on March 6 (Wednesday) to ensure effective implementation of Supreme Court order. On February 13, the Supreme Court had ordered state governments to evict tribals and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFDs) whose claims had been rejected under Forest Rights Act. The states were directed to conduct this exercise and file affidavits by July 24. With this interim order, over 1 lakh tribals faced eviction.

The Centre, however, filed a recall petition on Wednesday. On Thursday the apex court stayed its February 13 order. However, the state governments have to implement certain directives and file affidavits by July 10. The state governments have to give information regarding constitution of office review committees, the procedure followed on the claim applications under the Act and appeals filed against the rejection cases. The state governments also have to inform the Supreme Court on procedure followed after finally arriving at the rejection cases.


Stung once by the adverse verdict, the Centre is not willing to take any chances before the parliamentary elections. The national conference would deconstruct the Supreme Court directives for the state governments and then give specific directions on how information needs to be provided.