Lagatar24 Network
New Delhi, Nov. 18: Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda and Union Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh jointly inaugurated the one-day National Conference on provisions of the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act 1996 (PESA) in New Delhi today. The Conference was organised as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations week of M/O Tribal Affairs along with state governments and partner organisations.
Secretary, Tribal Affairs Anil Kumar Jha; Secretary, Panchayati Raj, Sunil Kumar; Principal secretaries of Tribal Affairs and Panchayati Raj departments of various states; Representatives from IIPA, NIRD and representatives from various NGOs were present on the occasion.
Addressing on the occasion, Munda said that when the whole country is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, in this moment of pride there is an urgent need to closely review the implementation of PESA on completion of its 25 years to ensure basic rights of tribals.
Outlining the spirit of PESA, the Minister said that the basic philosophy behind Panchayati Raj in our country is derived from the notion of self-reliance of villages as given by the Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi. PESA seeks to protect the principle of Jal, Jungle , Jameen (Water, forest and land) for the tribals and is the basis of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, he said. The Minister explained that in this 75th year of Independence we need to re-enforce the message of development for the tribals, maintaining their traditional culture and value system at the same time.
The strengthening and empowerment of the Gram Sabhas is imperative under PESA, the Minister elaborated. But whatever system is evolved has to be in consultation with the tribal people and not be imposed to ensure its proper integration with the tribal system, only then it can ensure successful implementation, he explained. Munda stressed upon the need to prevent land alienation of tribals for which a well organised data base has to be maintained.
He specifically emphasised the need for involving civil society and NGOs doing good work in the area of tribals to ensure better implementation of PESA since they are more well versed with the ground reality and issues faced by the tribal people . The Minister further added that there is a need to have convergence between PESA and the FRA. He also urged for holding a joint conference comprising of officials of Forest deptt, Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs for better coordination in implementation of PESA as well as Forest Rights Act.
Highlighting the role of Governors, Munda said that Governors are custodians of the Constitution in the states and they have a pivotal role to play in ensuring the Constitutional provisions for the tribal people including PESA. He hoped that they will take a lead in this direction.
Whatever measures we take for the tribal people have to reflect a wholistic and balanced approach, the Minister concluded.
