From Our Bureau
Deccan Chronicle. March 10, 2002
Khammam, March 9:
Differences came to the fore between the officials of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency and the Forest Development Corporation over the payment of royalty on 1,600 acres cashew grove situated at Naramvarigudem in Dammapet mandal of the district.
As many as 532 tribal Dwacra women, who were enjoying the produce, were assured by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, at a public meeting that the lands would be handed over to them. The Forest Development Corporation raised a cashew grove in 1,600 acre government land 15 years ago and was marketing cashew nuts every year. Later, the corporation referred to hand over the land to the tribals saying that it was against the Forest Act. But the district administration insisted on the land transfer and argued that the cashew grove was located where 1/1970 Act was in vogue. Then, the administration and the corporation came to an understanding on the issue. According to the understanding, the ITDA was to pay a royalty on the grove every year according to the market rate.
The ITDA paid Rs.25 lakh royalty to the corporation in the first year and handed over the crop to tribal Dwacra groups. The ITDA as a nodal agency, supervised the production and sale of the crop. The profit accrued was being distributed to the 532 Dwacra women. The ITDA did not face any problem regarding the payment of royalty and giving away the profit to women in the first year. But, in the second and third year, the Agency did not get the royalty amount as it was paid to the FDC due to fall in price of cashew nuts. On the other hand, Dwacra women insisted that the Agency pay their wages at least. Under the circumstances, the IRDA owed Rs.12 lakh royalty to the corporation. As a result, the ITDA made a new proposed that the revenue should be distributed between the Dwacra groups and the corporation in a ratio of 80.120 and the district administration sent to the government for approval. But, the Forest Development Corporation rejected the proposal and the Dwacra women rejected the proposal and the Dwacra women appealed to the CM to pay the royalty.
FORESTS ARE RESERVOIRS OF WATER AND LUNGS OF OUR ENVIRONMENTS.
SAVE THEM FROM MINING AND DESTRUCTION.
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