The Centre has issued a fresh set of guidelines for conversion of forest villages into revenue villages. Addressing a press conference, the Environment and Forests Minister, Mr Ramesh Bais, has said that ownership rights (pattas) would be extended to all tribals who have been living on the forest land prior to 1993. Mr Bais said that the decision had been taken in consultation with the Prime Minister. He said that the Ministry will now inform the Supreme Court about the decision and expressed the hope that the apex court would respond positively to the decision of the Ministry.