Why in news?
Centre has not notified extra 50 workdays for FRA title holders under VB-G RAM G, unlike MGNREGA’s 150-day entitlement.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims – VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 – Ministry, guarantee, wages, funding, sections; Forest Rights Act, 2006
Mains – GS2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Mechanisms for protection of Scheduled Tribes; Federalism and fiscal relations
Recent Issue
- Under MGNREGA, Adivasi households holding Forest Rights Act (FRA) titles got 50 extra days of work over the 100-day guarantee, i.e., 150 days. This entitlement began in January 2014; extra days were first given to drought-prone areas in 2012.
- VB-G RAM G, rolled out on 1 July 2026, guarantees 125 days only but has no separate tier for FRA title holders. However, it may increase the number of days under Section 5(4).
- Section 5(4) – Centre or a State may provide work beyond guaranteed days within its economic capacity – discretionary and does not name any group.
- In an RTI reply (6 October), the Rural Development Ministry said no order or guideline on additional work for FRA title holders has been issued so far.
- FRA entitlement in limbo – Without a notification, Adivasi households may get only 125 days, 25 days less than their earlier 150.
Forest Rights Act, 2006
For nearly 150 years, forest laws such as the Indian Forest Act, 1927 treated forest dwellers as encroachers on land they had lived on for generations. The FRA was passed to undo the “historical injustice” done to forest dwellers and to recognise their rights over land and forest resources and to make them partners in conservation.
| Full name | Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006; Rules 2008, amended in 2012. |
| Nodal ministry | Ministry of Tribal Affairs. |
| Who is eligible | Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) – living in and depending on forests before 13 December 2005. Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) – must also prove residence for three generations (75 years) before 13 December 2005. |
| Cut-off date | 13 December 2005 for occupation of forest land. |
| Land ceiling | Individual rights limited to land under actual occupation, up to a maximum of 4 hectares. |
| Individual Forest Rights (IFR) | Right to hold and live on forest land for habitation or self-cultivation. |
| Community Rights (CR) | Nistar rights; ownership, collection and sale of minor forest produce; grazing; fishing and use of water bodies; seasonal access for nomadic and pastoral communities. |
| Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights | Right to protect, regenerate, conserve and manage the community forest resource – Section 3(1)(i). |
| Habitat rights | For Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and pre-agricultural communities. Eg. Baiga in Madhya Pradesh. |
| Other rights | Conversion of pattas, leases and forest villages into titles; rights over biodiversity and traditional knowledge; rehabilitation if illegally evicted. |
| What is excluded | Traditional right of hunting or trapping wild animals is not recognised. |
| Minor Forest Produce (MFP) | All non-timber produce of plant origin – includes bamboo, tendu leaves, honey, lac, cane, tussar, cocoons, medicinal plants and tubers. |
| Nature of title | Heritable but not alienable or transferable. Issued jointly in the names of both spouses. |
| Development facilities – Section 3(2) | Government may divert up to 1 hectare of forest land per project (with less than 75 trees per hectare) for 13 public facilities like schools, dispensaries, anganwadis, drinking water and roads. |
| Critical Wildlife Habitats | Rights in core areas of National Parks and Sanctuaries can be modified or people resettled only with free informed consent of the Gram Sabha. No eviction until recognition process is complete. |
| Duties – Section 5 | Right holders and Gram Sabhas are empowered to protect wildlife, forest, biodiversity and water catchments. |
| Authority to start process | Gram Sabha – initiates the process and passes resolutions on claims (Section 6). |
| Forest Rights Committee | 10 to 15 members elected by Gram Sabha; at least two-thirds STs and at least one-third women. |
| Three-tier verification | Gram Sabha → Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) → District Level Committee (DLC). The DLC’s decision on the record of rights is final. State Level Monitoring Committee oversees implementation. |
| Appeal | Aggrieved persons can petition the SDLC within 60 days of the Gram Sabha resolution, and the DLC within 60 days of the SDLC decision. |
Practice MCQ
Q1. Consider the following:
- Grazing rights
- Ownership of minor forest produce
- Right to protect and manage community forest resources
- Traditional right of hunting wild animals
How many of the above are recognised as forest rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Act expressly excludes the traditional right of hunting or trapping wild animals. The other three are recognised under Section 3(1).
Q2. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, households holding titles under the Forest Rights Act are statutorily entitled to 150 days of wage employment.
Statement II: The VB-G RAM G Act allows the Centre or a State to provide work beyond the guaranteed days within the limits of its economic capacity.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The Act guarantees 125 days to all rural households and has no separate tier for FRA title holders. Section 5(4) permits additional work, but it is discretionary and names no specific group.
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