Podu Lands: CM KCR initiates the distribution of title deeds to tribals. Several cases have been registered against the podu lands in the recent past, related to tribal and girijan disputes. These cases need to be resolved!” – CM KCR.
Podu Lands | CM KCR initiates the distribution of title deeds to tribals. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan personally started the distribution of podu lands, which have been a subject of controversy, to the rightful owners. However, officials who were working under him rejected the claims made by the tribals. Now, the tribals in Telangana are facing similar difficulties. They have intensified their protests against the Madhya Pradesh government. This is the effect of “Telangana Sarkar” (Special Task Bureau) program.
(Hyderabad, July 6): The distribution of podu lands initiated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been done without any value for the tribal lands. The officials from the forest department rejected them. Now, the tribals in Telangana are facing similar difficulties. They have intensified their protests against the Madhya Pradesh government. This is the effect of “Telangana Sarkar” (Special Task Bureau) program.
What actually happened?
During the 2008 Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan promised to return the power to the BJP and started a campaign to attract voters. He assured the tribals that he will distribute podu lands among them. The results of the elections favored the BJP. Chouhan, who became the CM again, started distributing podu lands as promised. 97 tribals were given title deeds. It was covered extensively in newspapers and television channels. However, the satisfaction of receiving title deeds did not last long for the tribals. The officials from forest department rejected their claims. As a result, 97 tribals filed cases against the government.
Can we get these lands?
“You are cultivating the podu lands illegally. Your rights have vanished. For the first time, my government is giving you the podu lands. Now, you can claim any further lands legally,” said Chouhan while distributing the title deeds to the tribals. Everyone had the same script. Nevertheless, the land given as title deeds by Chouhan has been rejected by officials in the forest department. The activists fighting for tribal rights were disappointed.
Are we not farmers?
“In 2009, I received the title deeds for podu lands under the distribution program. I also received a title deed for my land. With great enthusiasm, I started cultivating my land. However, the officials from the forest department confronted me and filed a case against me. I am not just a farmer, my father too has been cultivating his land for many years. I am doing the same. But the government doesn’t see us as farmers,” said Ratan Singh, a Sahariya tribal farmer from Lam
