PMAY houses on forest land: Govt tells SC about safeguards, duties under FRA, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• The Ministries of Tribal Affairs and Environment submitted a joint affidavit to the Supreme Court (SC) in March 2026 regarding the construction of houses on forest land under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
• The affidavit details safeguards within the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, including multi-tier verifications and forest department oversight.
• The SC is examining an appeal related to PMAY-G constructions on forest land for the Sahariya tribe in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district.
• The Centre stated that once individual rights are recognized under FRA, prior approval under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 is not required.

Detailed Insights:

• The ministries emphasized that the FRA, 2006, and Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, should be interpreted harmoniously to promote both social justice and forest conservation.
• The SC's examination stems from an appeal against a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that deemed PMAY-G constructions violative of the Forest Conservation Act.
• The Centre's affidavit outlines safeguards under FRA, including a three-tier gram sabha verification process, mandatory evidence requirements, and on-site verification by forest and revenue officials.
• Rule 12A(1) of the FRA mandates the presence of forest and revenue department officials during on-site verification of claims, ensuring oversight in decision-making.
• The gram sabha and forest rights committee initiate title claim processes under FRA, requiring a 50% quorum and resolutions passed through deliberation and voting.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: An act to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation of forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G): A scheme by the Indian government to provide affordable housing to rural poor.
• Gram Sabha: A village assembly consisting of all adults residing in the village.