Date:09/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/09/stories/2006120919181700.htm

National

CPI (M) welcomes move

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday welcomed the Cabinet decision to bring the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill before Parliament this session itself.

The Bill, incorporating major recommendations made by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, will be an important step in protecting the rights of the tribal people and traditional forest dwellers, the party's Polit Bureau said in a statement.

Basudeb Acharia, party leader in the Lok Sabha, said at a press conference that the Government had incorporated three important amendments, such as shifting the cut-off date, quantum of land and position of non-tribal people, who were residing in forest areas.

He said the party had been pressing for passage of the Bill for long.

It could not be taken up earlier, as there were differences between the Government and the Left parties.