Bhopal : In the interest of poor forest dwellers and tribals, the state government has issued additional directives about rapid, impartial and dedicated implementation of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition to Forest Rights) Act 2006 and Rule 2008. While issuing fresh directives to this effect, Principal Secretary Tribal Welfare OP Rawat has expressed the hope that the district collectors would strive to get this Act implemented in a time-bound manner for ending the historic injustice against scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. They have been asked to keep a constant watch over implementation of Forest Rights Act and plug the loopholes as and when they come to their notice. Besides, they have also been asked to provide caste certificates free of cost to the members of scheduled tribes and not to reject the claim of any claimant due to non-availability caste proof. Directives have also been given for convening meetings of sub-division and district level Forest Rights Committees and review the progress made so far. They have been directed to disseminate information about the Act in the areas under their jurisdiction and provide claim forms free of cost. They have been told to ensure whether the training has been imparted by master trainers to members of Forest Rights Committee under their charge and training has been imparted to Gram Panchayat secretaries at the annual meetings under every Janpad Panchayat. They have been instructed to complete two-third quorum at the Gram Sabha meetings apart from one-third number of members of scheduled tribes and women. Every meeting of Gram Sabha should be organised in an open, free and impartial atmosphere. It must also be ensured at the district level committee whether the meetings of sub-division level committee have started to take place. They have been asked to initiate penal action against any person who demands price or charge for providing forms about forest rights to the beneficiaries. Instruction has also been given to maintain records in proper manner in view of possibility of litigation in courts. Making clarification about confusion over verification of claim forms in national parks and sanctuaries, it has been said that this would not affect the process of verification of claims since the process of declaring Critical Wildlife Habitat is under progress separately. They have been instructed to ensure provision of free of cost permanent caste certificates to members of scheduled tribes in all the sub-divisions by launching a campaign in June. Claim of any tribal claimant, who and his children do not possess caste certificate should not be rejected on this ground. The Forest Rights Committee should record its findings in such cases and Gram Sabha should also make its mention in the resolution on the basis of information collected by it. Every claimant would have to present two proofs about his stay in forests and actual dependence on forests for his livelihood. Free copy should be provided to the claimant on his demand so that he can present his claim to the Gram Sabha within the time limit. They have been instructed to tell the Forest Rights Committees not to ignore claim of any beneficiary on the ground that he has not attached proofs/documents with the claim form. Where there is a controversy whether the claimed land falls in revenue or forest category, district collectors would seek resolution of district level committee for disposing of the case.