Balangir forum seeks implementation of food rights schemes August 09, 2011 10:07:58 PM

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Balangir forum seeks implementation of food rights schemes
August 09, 2011 10:07:58 PM
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PNS | Balangir

The Patnagarh block-level Food Security Federation has expressed concern over the drought situation in Balangir district and demanded proper implementation of food rights schemes.

At its meeting held at Patnagarh on Monday, the block-level forum expressed its apprehension of exclusion of poor and vulnerable people in the BPL-2011 survey process.

The BPL-2011 survey methodology is faulty and likely to exclude around 16 per cent of poor and vulnerable people of Odisha, pointed out Tirtha Sahu of the forum.

Even as the Forest Right Act has come to existence since 2006, not a single community claim of community forest has been given in Balangir.

A total of 688 individual claims over forest and 119 community claims have been submitted to district administration till July 2011, but not a single case has been taken up for the joint verification process, rued Regional Manager of RCDC Amar Kumar Gouda.

Even though 43 community claims over forest have been submitted by the Zilla Jangal Manch with the administration, not a single one has been taken up for joint verification, said Tikendra Jaal of the Balangir district forestry forum.

The meeting express concern over this year's drought conditions and demanded proper implementation of the food securities schemes so that poor and vulnerable people get the desired benefits.
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