The Telangana High Court issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed primarily assailing legality and validity of the memo dated 05.11.2021 issued by the Secretary to Government, Tribal Welfare (Services.II) Department.
On perusal of the aforesaid memo the Court noted that a decision has been taken by the Government of Telangana to issue title deeds to eligible poor claimants under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and also to arrest further encroachments and protect forest land henceforth.
The counsel for the petitioner submits that taking cover of the aforesaid memo, the State authorities are providing title deeds in an indiscriminate manner to all and sundry, in the process encouraging encroachment into forest and tribal areas.
While considering the PIL , the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N.Tukaramji issued notice to the respondents.
In the meanwhile, the Court directed the respondents to strictly follow the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 as well as the rules framed thereunder while implementing memo dated 05.11.2021.
The matter is listed on 22.06.2023 for further hearing.