In a recent interaction, officials informed representatives of Suchna Evum Rozgar Ka Adhikar Abhiyan and Rajasthan Adivasi Adhikar Manch that the state government after framing preliminary rules of the by-laws for the Act on March 14, a meeting was held among departments concerned.
G S Narwani and P R Sharma, members of the committee for framing the by-laws, also made a presentation for the Manch representatives.
The next meeting for finalising the by-laws would be held on March 23, the officials said.
The officials said by-laws from the Centre were being used for framing the state’s laws.
They promised to look into the demands of civil society organisations, including from Adivasis and tribals, which have asked for smoothening of the differences between Central and state by-laws for the Act, the pitfalls in implementation of the Forest Rights Act in the state and the Fifth Schedule.
The promises come in the wake of a recent public hearing held by the Rajasthan Adivasi Adhikar Manch on the non-implementation of tribal rights in the state. Following the public hearing, the state has also promised to look into the existing vacancies in teaching posts in tribal areas.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has given his assurance to look into the problems of encroachment of tribal land by land mafias.
According to him, his cabinet has discussed the issue and it was felt that tribals should have the right to sell their land at prevailing market rates. The state would also take into land grabbing issues, he said.
Gehlot told a Manch delegation that implementation of PESA was also announced in the budget. He also said the state is serious in ensuring that tribals get a proper price for forest produce.