Indus Valley Times

Foundation stone laid for projects worth Rs 1,535 crore for development of tribal communities

By Nalini Sahu

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 16: In a significant development, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday clarified his government’s intentions regarding the implementation of the (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996. He stated that the state government would hold comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders before implementing the Act, which has been pending execution in the state for over 27 years.

Addressing a massive gathering of tribals at Janata Maidan on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, organised to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a revered tribal freedom fighter, Majhi criticized the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government for failing to implement the PESA Act, accusing it of harboring an “anti-tribal” attitude.

“The previous BJD government was anti-tribal and never wanted to ensure the socio-economic development of tribal communities in the state. Our government will guarantee all-around development for tribal communities,” the Chief Minister said.

Odisha is among 10 states with Fifth Schedule areas where the PESA Act is applicable. In terms of tribal population, Odisha ranks third in the country, after Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Act empowers tribal communities by granting them greater authority in self-governance and ensuring the protection of their unique social and cultural practices in Fifth Schedule Areas.

As per the spirit of the PESA Act, 1996, power and authority should be devolved to gram sabhas and panchayats.

The state has 13 PESA districts—six fully covered districts, including Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, and Koraput, and seven partially covered districts, including Ganjam, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Balasore, and Gajapati. Of Odisha’s 314 blocks, 121 have been identified as tribal sub-plan blocks.

According to experts, since the PESA Act is a Central Act, the Union Government should have framed its rules, as was done for the Forest Rights Act, 2006. States such as Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra have already notified their PESA Rules, while Jharkhand has floated a draft for public consultation.

Reacting to the Chief Minister’s remarks, senior BJD leader Pradeep Majhi refuted the allegations of tribal neglect.

“The BJD government, under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, has undertaken significant initiatives for the socio-economic development of tribal communities. Special Development Councils were established for their upliftment, alongside measures to provide quality healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities,” the BJD leader stated.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 1,535 crore aimed at the development of tribal communities.