For the first time, the Centre sanctioned 300 FRA cells to effectively implement the Forest Rights Act in 18 States and UTs.

• The Union government has started funding structural mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) for the first time since its inception in 2006.

• The Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA) Central scheme has sanctioned the setting up of 324 district-level FRA cells across 18 States and Union Territories.

• State-level FRA cells have also been sanctioned for 17 of these States and Union Territories.

• The DAJGUA programme, launched in October 2024, aims to speed up FRA implementation by assisting with the disposal of pending claims.

• The highest number of district FRA cells sanctioned so far has been in Madhya Pradesh, with 55 approved.

• The cells are funded by the Centre through Grants-in-aid General, with a budget of ₹8.67 lakh for each FRA cell at the district level and ₹25.85 lakh for each State-level FRA cell.

• This marks a significant departure from the Union governments’ handling of FRA implementation, which was previously mandated “primarily” to States.