Tuesday, August 22 2006 10:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Agitated NDA and Left members yesterday (Aug 21, 2006) charged the Government with delaying the passage of a bill aimed at rehabilitating tribals in their forest land.

They said the entire issue had already been discussed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Members, including JD-U leader Sharad Yadav and Brinda Karat (CPI-M) wanted to know the rationale of setting up a Group of Ministers to look into the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005 when the JPC had already given its recommendations.

Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah said the issue of rehabilitating non-tribals had to be decided before clearing the legislation.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the matter could be could be taken up through half-an hour discussion.