HYDERABAD: To find a lasting solution to the Podu Land problem, the chief minister KCR had held an exclusive meeting and said all the tribals would be given land on the fringes of the forest soon.
He instructed the officials to undertake a field-level survey on tribal population and the forest land being held by them. Once the tribals were given land on the periphery of forest, no more encroachment forest land would be allowed and police protection would be provided near the habitations.
KCR wanted the Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to hold a meeting with all the district collectors and seek applications from the tribals demanding podu land rights. After the field level survey and distribution of land, the state government would provide electricity and water to the tribal habitations.
It may be noted that for decades the tribals were demanding rights over their land being cultivated by cutting the valuable forest. There were many instances wherein the guise of tribals, many non-tribals too encroached vast tracts.
The State government viewed this as a serious issue and now focused on finding to put a full stop.