Inviting the comments and suggestions of the members on the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 & Rules 2008, Shri Kantilal Bhuria, Minister for Tribal Affairs said that the legislation deserves to be implemented with exemplary zeal and dedication from all of us. Though, there have been quite a few Writ petitions filed against the Forest Rights Act in various High Courts as well as in the Supreme Court, the Ministry has been able to defend them successful as far and hope the same in future. Because of such efforts, 7.09 lakh titles have been distributed all over the country to forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. He further added, 'More than 37, 000 titles are ready for distribution and I am hopeful that many more would be distributed soon. For this I have written to the States which have not progressed so well'. The Minister told the members that the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers have been living in forests for centuries but their rights were not so far legally vested in them. This Act by legally vesting the forest rights in them, aims to undo the historical injustice to these people.

Members of the Consultative Committee addressed the various issues including how to ensure livelihood on a sustainable basis to these titles holders besides, Developmental and Welfare programmes of the Ministry and other central Ministries/State Governments that need to be dovetailed in such a manner so as to have visible impact on Socio-economic conditions of these title holders.

Besides the Minister of State Dr. Tushar A. Chaudhary , the meeting was attended by Shri C. L. Ruala, Shri Laxman Tudu, Shri Mansukhbhai Vasava, Shri Bhagirathi Majhi, Smt Jyoti Dhurve and Smt T. Ratna Bai. Shri G. B. Mukherji Secretary, Tribal Affairs and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.