Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer.

… Ramesh also said his Ministry has decided to give authority to the Maoist-affected States, including Odisha, to have full flexibility to clear public infrastructure projects to be built inside forests in the areas up to five hectares.

The State Governments can divert the forestland with full freedom for the projects having social relevance like construction of roads, schools, health sub-centres, bridges, housing for police and other security personnel without referring to the Union Environment and Forests Ministry for its clearance.

He said this decision would be applicable to the identified 60 Maoist-affected districts of the country, of which 19 are in Odisha. “It will be of great benefit to the Maoist-affected States, particularly Odisha, to improve the essential infrastructures like connectivity,” he said. Besides, this would go a long way for creation of infrastructures in tri-junction areas of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarah to fight against the Maoists, he said.

This is a good step by Ramesh.