(a) the details of programmes being implemented by the Government specially for forest villages and its dwellers in the country particularly in tribal areas for the last two years, State-wise;
(b) the allocation made, amount sanctioned, released and utilisation made by the State Governments as well as concerned departments for the purpose during this period; and
(c) whether the Government has proposed for upgradation of Forest Villages into Revenue Villages and if so, the details thereof?
(a) & (b) Ministry of Tribal Affairs had implemented a programme for development of forest villages since 2005-06 as a one-time measure for integrated development of forest villages with a view to raise the Human Development Index (HDI) of the inhabitants of the forest villages and for providing basic facilities and services in 2,474 forest villages/habitations that were covered under the programmes spread over twelve States in the country. The programme included infrastructure works relating to basic services and facilities viz. approach roads, healthcare, primary education, minor irrigation, rainwater harvesting, drinking water, sanitation, community halls, etc. and activities related to income generation. The programme was implemented as a part of the Special Area Programme ‘Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan” and funds were released from the year 2006-07 to 2011-12 only. No fund has been released during 2012-13 and onwards.
(c) This Ministry has issued guidelines, in compliance of Section 3 (1) (h) of “The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 to convertall forest villages, old habitations, unsurveyed villages in forests, whether recorded, notified or not into revenue villages vide letter No.23011/33/2010-FRA dated 08.11.2013 which was followed by letters of even number dated 6th June, 2014, dated 30.01.2018 and 24.04.2019.The status of conversion of Forest Villages to Revenue Villages based on the information received from the State Governments is as under:-
S.No Name of the State Forest village to Revenue village
1. Madhya Pradesh 925 Forest Villages to be converted to Revenue Villages
2 Maharashtra All Forest villages are in the process of conversion into revenue villages
3 Chhattisgarh 421 Forest villages converted to Revenue villages
4 West Bengal 86 Forest villages converted to Revenue villages
5 Odisha Recorded 22 Forest Villages and unsurveyed habitations identified for being converted to Revenue villages
6 Gujarat 175 have been identified for conversion to Revenue villages
7 Uttar Pradesh 6 have been converted to Revenue Villages.
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