(1)

The Gram Sabhas shall—

(a) call for claims and authorize the Forest Rights Committee to accept the claims in the Form as provided in Annexure I of these rules and such claims shall be made within a period of three months from the date of such calling of claims along with at least two of the evidences mentioned in rule 13, shall be made within a period of three months:

(b) fix a date for initiating the process of determination of its community forest resource and intimate the same to the adjoining Gram Sabhas where there are substantial overlaps, and the Sub-Divisional Level Committee.

(2)

The Forest Rights Committee shall assist the Gram Sabha in its functions to—

(i) receive, acknowledge and retain the claims in the specified form and evidence in support of such claims;

(ii) prepare the record of claims and evidence including maps;

(iii) prepare a list of claimants on forest rights;

(iv) verify claims as provided in these rules;

(v) present their findings on the nature and extent of the claim before the Gram Sabha for its consideration.

(3)

Every claim received shall be duly acknowledged in writing by the Forest Rights Committee.

(4)

The Forest Rights Committee shall also prepare the claims on behalf of Gram Sabha for community forest rights in Form B as provided in Annexure I of these rules.

(5)

The Gram Sabha shall on receipt of the findings under clause (v) of sub-rule (2), meet with prior notice, to consider the findings of the Forest Rights Committee, pass appropriate resolutions, and shall forward the same to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee.

(6)

The Secretary of Gram Panchayat will also act as Secretary to the Gram Sabhas in discharge of its functions.