Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 9 (Diary Times): Himachal Pradesh’s Revenue Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the delays from Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla regarding the suspension of certain provisions of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980, particularly in relation to granting land to landless individuals in tribal areas under the “Na-Tod” (non-fragmentation) law.

Governor Shukla recently clarified that he had not rejected the proposal but raised several queries. He assured that once these queries were addressed, the matter could proceed. The Governor also pointed out that the Raj Bhavan is not bound to fulfill promises made by political parties during election campaigns.

In a media address on Wednesday, Negi, who also holds the position of Minister for Tribal Development, Revenue, and Horticulture, emphasized that the demand for land under the “Na-Tod” law is constitutionally grounded. He referred to Article 5 of the Indian Constitution, which grants the Governor the power to make decisions for tribal areas in consultation with the Tribal Advisory Council and the state cabinet. “We are not asking for anything unconstitutional,” Negi reiterated.

Negi highlighted that suspending FCA provisions in tribal areas is not unprecedented. He referred to instances during the tenure of the previous BJP government between 2016-18 and again in 2020, when nine provisions of the FCA were suspended to allow landless individuals in tribal areas to receive land. However, Negi criticized the BJP government for extending this benefit to only one individual, despite the suspension.

The Minister also drew attention to the economic hardships faced by residents in border tribal areas such as Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi. He pointed out the lack of industries, job opportunities, and resources, stressing that migration from border villages must be stopped to protect national borders and improve the quality of life for these communities. Past initiatives, such as providing land under the “Na-Tod” law, have helped tribal families create orchards, leading to economic stability and prosperity, Negi said.

Expressing frustration with the Governor’s delays, Negi revealed that he had personally met the Governor five times, accompanied by other MLAs, including BJP members, to present the case for a two-year suspension of FCA provisions. The goal is to process both pending and new applications, and Negi assured that all necessary data would be provided to address the Governor’s queries promptly.

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Negi made it clear that the proposal is intended solely for genuine tribal beneficiaries, emphasizing that there would be no room for misuse. “This is a temporary measure aimed at addressing a critical issue,” he explained. “Claims will be thoroughly scrutinized by competent authorities, and the process will remain transparent and constitutional.”

In a sharp critique of the BJP and the central government, Negi accused them of neglecting tribal welfare. He pointed out that despite the “Vibrant Villages” scheme, no funds had been allocated for tribal border villages in Himachal Pradesh. While areas along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders received funding, regions like Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti had been ignored, a situation Negi found unacceptable, especially given the encroachment of China in some border areas.

Negi further criticized the BJP for being indifferent to the tribal population, citing that only one meeting of the Tribal Advisory Council had been convened in five years, and only one individual was granted land under the previous government. This, he argued, reflects the BJP’s lack of commitment to tribal welfare.

As a tribal leader himself, Negi reiterated his commitment to fighting for the rights of his people, whether he holds office or not. “The Constitution empowers us to act in the best interest of tribal communities,” he concluded, urging the Governor to exercise his authority to provide relief to landless families in tribal areas.

The state government is now awaiting the Governor’s decision on whether to temporarily suspend the Forest Conservation Act provisions in tribal areas. Such a move could have a profound impact on the lives of many landless families in Himachal Pradesh, offering them much-needed land and opportunities for economic advancement.