Giving a push for the implementation of Forest Rights Act and setting out guidelines regarding its implementation, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, today chaired a meeting with the concerned officers, here.After taking a thorough review, the DC stressed for adopting a coordinated approach for its effective implementation.The meeting discussed in detail the measures to be taken up to dispose of the claims, ensure effective working of the committee constituted under FRA, mapping of the Forest areas and other issues.The DC impressed upon the Committee members to ensure thorough verification of the claims as per guidelines. He directed for submitting the claims received so far to DLCs after verification. He also stressed fixing a particular day for the District Level Committee to decide the claims.Vaishya underlined the need of disseminating awareness at grassroots level and directed ACD and ACP Shopian to formulate a viable mechanism so that appropriate measures are taken to provide necessary awareness at Panchayat level more especially in remote and inaccessible areas.
The DC emphasized upon the concerned departments to work with added zeal for getting the desired results within the fixed time frame.Asking the officials to regularly hold Gram Sabhas in order to find solutions for issues concerning the tribals, he warned the officials against any laxity in the implementation of the Act. The DC also instructed the officials to find all files regarding the applications received in case they are misplaced and to come up with an action plan on implementation within a week's time.On the occasion, a comprehensive discussion on different aspects of the act was held wherein the concerned officers of Forest, Revenue and Rural Development Department briefed the DC about the current status and other related necessities with regard to its implementation at grassroots level.Assistant Commissioner Development Assistant Commissioner, Panchayat, Chief Planning Officer, Shopian, Tehsildar, Shopian and Keller, BDO, Shopian and other officials were present in the meeting.