Bhopal(Madhya Pradesh): Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA) has come into force in Madhya Pradesh from Tuesday. State government announced its implementation in presence of President Droupadi Murmu during the Tribal Pride Day function at Lalpur hamlet in Shahdol.
Governor Mangubhai Patel handed over the first copy of the PESA Act Manual to the President. Addressing the gathering, the Governor said the implementation of PESA Act will empower the gram sabhas. Stating that “Today is the day of social revolution,” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said the Act is for the empowerment of tribals in the state. Highlighting the salient features of the PESA Act, Chouhan said the Act entails mandatory permission from the gram sabha for opening a wine shop and intimating the village body in case any FIR is filed against a tribal person. It will give the rights of water, forest and land to the tribals. No person will be able to grab the land of villagers by deceit, conversion etc. If this happens, the Gram Sabha will have the right to get it back.
Gram sabha will also decide whether to give contracts for sand mines, ballast and stones or not. These will first be given to the Tribal Cooperative Society. Gram Sabha will give consent for the management of the ponds, fisheries, cultivation of water chestnuts in them.
Gram Sabha will decide which work should be done with the MNREGA money. It will also see the muster roll of the work.
In tribal areas, only licensed moneylenders will be able to lend money at the fixed rate of interest. This information will also have to be given to the Gram Sabha. Action will be taken on charging more interest. No new liquor shop will be opened without the permission of the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha can recommend removal of any liquor shop. The Gram Sabha will also have the right to settle minor disputes.
He said that if an FIR is registered in a police station in a tribal area, it will have to be informed to the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha will also have the right to inspect schools, health centers, anganwadi centers, ashram schools, hostels etc. Gram Sabha will also manage the fair and market. PESA coordinators will be appointed to implement the new rules effectively. Special yatras will be taken out from coming 20th December, which will conclude on 4th January at Patalpani Indore on the sacrifice day of Lord Birsa Munda.
Union minister speak: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda praised the implementation of new PESA Act in Madhya Pradesh.Union Minister of State for Steel Faggan Singh Kulaste said long wait of the tribal class has come to an end. They are getting rights on water-forest-land.
The PESA Act 1996 was formulated to prevent the exploitation of the tribal population with the active involvement of gram sabhas. It gives special power to gram sabhas in scheduled areas, especially for the management of natural resources.
