Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs  Shri Durgadas Uikey informed Lok Sabha today that as per the provisions of ‘The Scheduled Tribes And Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006’ and Rules made thereunder, the State Governments are responsible for implementation of various provisions of the Act and are being implemented in 20 States and 1 UT. Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) monitors the Monthly Progress Reports (MPR) submitted by States/UTs.

As per the latest information reported by the States and collated under MPR as on 31.12.2025, a total of 44,33,940 (85.40%) claims have been settled (decision taken), comprising 42,56,845 individuals and 1,77,095 community claims. Further, during the last three years, i.e. from 01.01.2023 to 01.01.2026, a total of 4,43,247 claims have been settled (decision taken), comprising 4,10,135 individual and 33,112 community claims. A statement showing state wise details of claims settled along with details of claims filed, titles distributed and claims rejected during the last three years is at Annexure.

As reported by States/UTs, cumulatively till 31st December 2025, a total of 18,90,360 (36.41%) claims have been rejected, comprising 18,36,594 individual and 53,766 community claims. And during the last three years, a total of 1,60,715 claims have been rejected.

Based on the information received from the State Governments of Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, the primary grounds for rejection of claims are - claimed land not occupied before 13th December 2005, duplicate claims filed on the same land, claims on Non-Forest Land, lack of evidence, OTFD could not prove 3 generations of residence, etc. Further, the State Government and UT Administration have not provided information on Appeals on claims.

(c) & (d): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has asked states in various review meetings and through letters to consider the claims under FRA in a time bound manner and engage with districts to resolve bottlenecks, if any, in settling of claims. Further, to enhance the comprehensive implementation of the FRA, MoTA has been providing support to the districts by setting up dedicated FRA cells at the State and District/ Subdivision levels, for a period of two years. Further, a DC/DM National Conference was held in January, 2025, where DC/DMs of 87 districts (including those from Maharashtra, Telangana and Odisha), officials from States/Line Ministries participated. The district wise progress of FRA implementation was reviewed and participant DM/DC were requested to dispose of all pending FRA Claims.

(e): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, being the Nodal Ministry for Monitoring and administering the legislative matters of FRA, by exercising power under Section 12 of the Act, has been issuing directions and guidelines from time to time on various aspects to ensure uniform interpretation and effective implementation of the provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) by the States. The Ministry has been exhorting all State Governments to abide by the provisions contained in the FRA and ensure that all eligible claimants are provided the rights which are due to them. MoTA has asked states in various review meetings and through letters to inter alia have the meetings of the State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC), to be chaired by Chief Secretary, at least once in three months, to monitor the process of recognition, verification and vesting of forest rights, consider and address the field level problems.

Further, the FRA provides provisions for a safeguard against eviction through the provisions contained in Section 4(5) and also provision of petition by the aggrieved to SDLC and DLC (Section 6(2) and 6(4)). State Governments have been advised to ensure that the interests of the Scheduled Tribes are properly safeguarded in accordance with constitutional provisions and various laws designed to provide safeguards for the STs.

Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 949 to be answered On- 05.02.2026 regarding “Individual and Community Forest Rights Claims”:

State wise details of claims filed, titles distributed, rejected and settled claims during last three years period (01.01.2023 to 01.01.2026), as per information received from States/ UT:

(Certain States reported negative FRA progress during the period but have submitted clarifications and rectified figures)

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RN/