The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which aims to recognize and vest forest rights in Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). As of May 31, 2025, over 25.11 lakh titles have been distributed under the Act, covering both individual and community claims.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed the House that a total of 51,23,104 claims have been filed at the Gram Sabha level across 20 states and 1 Union Territory, out of which 23,89,670 individual titles and 1,21,705 community titles have been granted amounting to 49.02% distribution of total claims.
States Lead Implementation; Centre Monitors Progress
Under the provisions of the FRA and associated rules, state governments are primarily responsible for implementing the Act. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) monitors progress through Monthly Progress Reports (MPRs) submitted by states and UTs.
To ensure accountability, the Ministry has consistently urged states to conduct quarterly meetings of the State Level Monitoring Committees (SLMCs), which are to be chaired by the respective Chief Secretaries. These meetings are expected to assess claim settlements and revisit rejected applications in accordance with existing procedures.
Campaigns and Support to Address Claim Rejections
Concerned by delays and the volume of rejected claims, the Ministry has asked states to increase efforts in awareness building. Through multiple review meetings, advisories, and formal communications, states have been directed to organize FRA awareness campaigns at the grassroots level. These efforts are aimed at empowering forest dwellers with the necessary information to file and follow up on their rightful claims.
To facilitate the process, the Centre has been providing financial assistance under the ‘Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ (DA-JGUA). This includes support for setting up dedicated FRA cells at the state and district levels to expedite claim processing and improve administrative coordination. These cells are expected to ensure timely convening of Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs) and District Level Committees (DLCs) key authorities in the approval process.
Transparency and Grievance Redressal
In an effort to maintain transparency and strengthen grievance redressal, the Ministry continues to receive and forward public complaints and representations related to FRA violations to the respective state and UT administrations for appropriate action.
The Ministry also provides regular guidelines and directions to state governments to improve implementation efficiency. Further information, including detailed, month-wise, and state-wise data on claims and title distributions for the last three years, is available on the Ministry’s official website: https://tribal.nic.in/FRA.aspx.
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