Date:16/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/16/stories/2006121606301200.htm

National

Procedure not followed: BJP

Special Correspondent

We supported Bill as it was important, says Malhotra

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party said the Government rushed through the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005 in the Lok Sabha on Friday "without following proper procedures."

However, the Opposition indicated that it supported the bill as it was very important. Also, it had to be adopted in the Rajya Sabha in the next two days.

Expressing the BJP's unhappiness, deputy leader in the Lok Sabha V.K. Malhotra said the Government did not circulate to the MPs any note on its acceptance or rejection, with reasons, of the standing committee's recommendations. This failure was against laid down procedures.

Bangladeshis had occupied large areas of forestland in West Bengal, Assam and the northeast. The Government should take measures to end the illegal occupation, he said.