Tezpur : Assam ministers Biswajit Daimary and Ashok Singhal on Monday reviewed the implementation of schemes and developmental initiatives under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, with a focus on Dhekiajuli Co-District and 77 Forest Rights Committees (FRCs) functioning under Dhekiajuli LAC. The review meeting was held at the Conference Hall of Swahid Smarak Udyan, Dhekiajuli. Sonitpur district has 136 FRCs, of which 77 fall under the Dhekiajuli LAC. The meeting, attended by Sonitpur MP Ranjit Dutta, District Commissioner Ananda Kumar Das and senior district officials, focused on ensuring that FRA implementation goes beyond the recognition of forest rights and delivers tangible benefits in livelihoods, infrastructure and basic services.
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Officials reviewed healthcare facilities, teacher rationalisation, school enrolment, model Anganwadi centres, ration card coverage and strengthening of cooperative societies. It was decided that Gram Sabhas in FRC areas would be convened at the earliest. The meeting also discussed livelihood initiatives under the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission, including vocational training, skill development and strengthening of Self-Help Groups. Road connectivity, Farmers’ Registry for FRA landholders and agricultural initiatives under DAJGUA, including farm machinery, fruit saplings, Farmer Producer Companies and Soil Health Cards, were also reviewed.
The ministers stressed electrification of villages where forest rights titles have been distributed and called for improved drinking water, veterinary services and artificial insemination facilities. The DFO, Sonitpur West Division, was directed to coordinate with departments for implementation within prescribed norms. Later, Daimary and Singhal chaired a departmental review meeting on developmental programmes in Sonitpur, with emphasis on Dhekiajuli. Earlier, the ministers inspected Bhotpara Stadium and Dhekiajuli Sports Association Playground and discussed measures to strengthen sports infrastructure for local youth.
