Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU Jan 11: BJP today termed the implementation of the Forest Rights Act as a new era for growth and development of poor and marginalised Tribal communities of Jammu & Kashmir. Through this Act the Tribal communities who depend on the forests and forests land for their livelihood can submit their claims to Forest Rights Committees constituted by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
While addressing the media persons at party headquarters here, BJP State general secretary and former MLC, Vibodh Gupta appreciated the implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) in J&K. He informed that while the rights under the FRA were given to Tribal communities in other parts of the country in year 2006, the successive governments in J&K acted as a barrier for implementation of this important Act.
He said that this Central Act was never implemented in Jammu & Kashmir since the last 14 years as a result of which Tribal communities have suffered a lot. Vibodh also came down heavily on those leaders of PDP and NC who belong to the Tribal community but have always used them as vote bank. Vibodh was accompanied by Kulbushan Mohtra and Parneesh Majahan in the press conference.
He called upon the Tribal communities to analyse the fact that when in the past a powerful leader of their community remained forest Minister for over 10 years but he did nothing for them except for using them as their vote bank. While appreciating the efforts of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for giving a respectful and dignified life to the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities of the UT through this Act, Vibodh said that the Central Government fully realises the patriotic and nationalist spirit of these communities.
He said that this decision will open new doors of development and will give equal opportunities to these communities in general and the younger generation in particular.
Vibodh highlighted the fact that in addition to this, recently the Central Government has also given political reservation to this community and thus fulfilled its long pending demand.
He said that Tribal communities must use this Act for their growth and development. He called upon everyone to become part of the vision and mission of the Modi Government.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
