A two-day regional conference on the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, commonly known as the PESA Act, commenced in Pune, Maharashtra, on Thursday. The event brought together officials, experts, and stakeholders to deliberate on the implementation and impact of the PESA Act of 1996, which grants special powers to gram sabhas in scheduled areas for the sustainable management of natural resources.
Key Highlights: The PESA Act, enacted in 1996, focuses on empowering gram sabhas in states’ scheduled areas, granting them special powers for effective natural resource management. The conference witnessed the participation of five out of the ten states covered by the PESA Act: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.
Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, inaugurated the conference and underscored the central government’s commitment to empowering tribal communities. He highlighted initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), designed to provide comprehensive support to tribal communities.
Deliberations and Focus Areas: The conference’s discussions revolved around key themes, including the effectiveness of gram sabhas, management of minor forest produce and minerals, and the role of non-government stakeholders in reinforcing PESA Act implementation.
The primary objective of the regional conference is to evaluate the progress made by states in implementing the PESA Act and to establish a shared vision for its grassroots impact. The event aims to encourage collaboration among participating states and foster discussions on enhancing the implementation of the PESA Act for the sustainable development of tribal communities in scheduled areas.
This conference marks the first of two regional gatherings organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for states covered by the PESA Act. The discussions with the remaining five states – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Telangana – are scheduled for a separate conference in February.
