'Nobody will be given the ownership of Forest Land' Says Social Welfare officer at Bhatkal

Bhatkallys News Service/ Rizwan Gangavali Bhatkal 06 Oct 2016: The newly elected members of Jali Patan Panchayath and Muncipality members were today called upon to an awareness and learning program about the Forest land Rights, here in Muncipal hall Bhatkal. Speaking on the occasion , Social  Welfare officer Allah Baksh informed, applications from the residents who are currently staying on forest lands are being accepted and the last dates for applications has been extended till 31^st of October 2016. Elaborating on the issue he further alerted the members, that even after the applications are accepted and the resident permit is allotted to public the land will still remain to be of Forest department and that no one will be allowed to Buy/ Sell the land. He also made it clear that an Individual will only be allowed to hold only one land’s registration onto his name. Speaking of Madrasas, Temples and Masjids which have been constructed on Forest lands, he said as of now thee applications of registration for these lands will not be accepted and they are awaiting further modifications in lawbooks which will allow them to accept applications for it as well. He quashed all the reports that were making rounds on social media claiming the applications for registrations of forest lands are being accepted and made it clear that the applications only allow one to reside on the forest land and no one will be entitled to get ownership of the land. The event was presided over by Assistant commissioner Ramesh Kalsad, among others present were Tahsildar VN Bathkar, Jali panchayath President Abdul Rahim Sheikh.