Panaji, May 25 (IANS): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that 10,000 claims of forest land dwellers, pending under Forest Right Act, would be cleared off within the next two and half years, provided there is cooperation from panchayats and other departments concerned.

"As of now, we could provide 135 'sanads' (land title) to forest land dwellers. In next one year, we will be able to give 'sanands' to more 1,500 claimants and if the process expedites, then we can clear all claims in two and half years," he said addressing the 'Prerna Din' function organized by Tribal Welfare Department.

"We require cooperation from communities and all departments to expedite the process to clear these claims. The Tribal Department will monitor the situation to get it done.

"I am happy that I could distribute sanads to 135 claimants (Schedule Tribe dwellers) during my tenure, which were pending since 2003," Sawant, who also holds Tribal Welfare portfolio, said.

He said that nobody should get deprived from availing schemes, either announced by the Centre or the state. "All these schemes will reach people provided everyone works towards it," he said.