Draft guidelines for PESA discussed, ministers attend
1
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Ranchi: The state rural development and
panchayati raj
department on Thursday organised a workshop on draft guidelines formulated for the implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA).
PESA was enacted on December 24, 1996, to empower tribal communities in scheduled areas through self-governance via gram sabhas.
However, Jharkhand is yet to implement PESA.
The draft guidelines prepared by the Jharkhand govt for the implementation of the Act ensure tribal communities' authority over the land and resources in the scheduled areas, granting gram sabhas the authority to make decisions for the conservation of forest resources along with tradition and customs.
Members of social organisations discussed the draft guidelines and offered their solutions to modify the draft, ensuring the overall development of the tribals.
Adivasi activist Gladson Dungdung said, "The department has formulated three drafts of the Act in the past three years. Yet no significant changes have been made for the benefit of the tribals. There should not be any intervention by govt officials in the self-governance system of tribals.
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But govt officials are given the responsibility to interfere in the matters of the tribals in the draft guidelines. We demand its rectification.
"
Jharkhand rural development and panchayati raj minister Dipika Pandey Singh assured all that the govt will take cognizance of the concerns raised by all parties and try to resolve them. "The department will also try to reach out to the grassroots," she added.
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