Mamata for giving forest rights to tribals

LALGARH - Strongly pitching for granting of forest rights to tribals, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said she will request the central government to bring a comprehensive bill in this regard.

“I will request the centre to bring a comprehensive bill and give forest rights to tribals. Rights over forest is their birth right,” Banerjee told a huge rally in this Maoist-hit area, which is the headquarters of the Binpur-I block in West Midnapore district.

“The tribals have demanded rights over forests where they live. I feel tribals should have it,” Banerjee, also the main opposition leader in Communist-ruled West Bengal, said at the “apolitical” rally called under the banner of the Anti-Atrocities Democratic Forum.

However, the Trinamool leader - whose party is the second largest force in the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance at the centre - said her powers were limited.

“We are in power. But our party has only 19 MPs. It’s not that they (Congress) listen to whatever we say,” she added.