*Revenue Minister leads workshop on FRA at Chaupal*
An important workshop was held today at the Public Works Department’s rest house, Chaupal, to explain the complexities of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and to ensure its benefits reach eligible beneficiaries. The workshop was chaired by Himachal Pradesh Revenue, Horticulture, Tribal Development and Public Grievance Redressal Minister Jagat Singh Negi.
The workshop was notable for the Cabinet Minister personally conducting the program and briefing the officials and the public on the intricacies of the Act. He explained in detail the circumstances under which the Act came into force and its primary purpose. He stated that the government wants the benefits of the Act to reach eligible individuals in a timely and transparent manner. He also clarified that due to lack of information and administrative complexities, eligible individuals in rural areas are often deprived of their rights. Therefore, it is crucial for both officials and the public to have complete knowledge of the Act.
At the workshop, the heads of various panchayats in the Chaupal constituency presented their areas’ problems to the Minister. These included difficulties in documentation, demarcation issues, obstacles at the Patwari level, and delays in the process. The Minister called on everyone to actively participate so that eligible people can receive maximum benefits.
On this occasion, the Revenue Minister stated that, like in 2023, the state has suffered significant losses due to the rains this year, and full support is expected from the central government. He added that the state government has made historic additions to the disaster relief manual, which is benefiting the affected people.
The Cabinet Minister stated that the state government has launched the Universal Carton Scheme, which ensures fair prices for orchardists for their crops. Additionally, the purchase price for apples through APMCs has been increased by ₹2 per kilogram. So far this year, 70,000 metric tons of apples have been procured. Additionally, a lump sum payment of approximately ₹154 crore has been made to orchardists under market mediation.
Congress Committee Organization General Secretary Rajneesh Kimta welcomed the Minister on his arrival at the Chaupal and apprised him of the problems of the area.
Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma, District Revenue Officer Sanjeet Sharma, Joint Director of the Tribal Development Department Kailash, SDM Choupal Hem Chand, FRC members, Patwaris, Forest Department officials, and forest guards were present on the occasion. All the Panchayat heads, local public representatives, and villagers from the Choupal constituency enthusiastically participated in the workshop.
