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Ranchi, March 04 (HS). Vivek Bhardwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, on Monday inaugurated the second two-day regional conference on strengthening the 'Panchayat Extension over Scheduled Areas Act, 1996' (PESA Act).
Vivek Bhardwaj emphasized the important role of Gram Sabhas empowered by the PESA Act in addressing social issues, resolving disputes, managing natural resources and promoting economic empowerment efforts in a sustainable manner. He said that efficient implementation of the PESA Act would pave the way for strengthening the traditional lifestyle and reducing social evils. Bhardwaj said the Panchayati Raj Ministry has taken the initiative to meet and collaborate with concerned departments and stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of the PESA Act.
Vivek Bhardwaj encouraged participants to share their ideas, experiences and suggestions during the two-day regional conference to foster a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives can be considered, leading to more comprehensive and effective strategies. The upcoming National Conference on PESA aims to incorporate the inputs received from the two editions of the regional conferences held in Pune and Ranchi to streamline and expedite the implementation of the PESA Act on the basis of unanimous consent. The broad objective of the Ministry is to increase awareness about the benefits of the PESA Act, empower Gram Sabhas and extend the benefits to tribal communities as envisioned in the Act.
Bhardwaj said the Central Government aims to assist tribal communities in preserving their cultural heritage and achieving socio-economic development through various efforts and initiatives in line with the principles of the PESA Act and the broader goals of inclusive governance.
Dr. Rajeev Arun Ekka, Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department, State Government, highlighted the importance of traditional systems in maintaining social peace and underlined the potential for development and progress through strengthening Gram Sabhas. He expressed confidence in Jharkhand's commitment to promptly and dedicatedly implement the PESA Act, ensuring benefits for tribal communities while preserving cultural heritage.
Mamta Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, gave a presentation giving an overview on compliance with PESA rules and emphasized on the use of tools like Gram Manch for effective planning. He provided valuable suggestions on the ongoing formulation of PESA rules by various states. He stressed the importance of tools like Gram Manchitra to facilitate efficient planning in PESA-designated areas.
The main objective of the PESA regional conference is to assess the progress made by the states in implementing the PESA Act and develop a common perspective on its impact at the ground level. The objective of the conference is to promote cooperation and discussion among the participating States on enhancing the implementation of the PESA Act for the sustainable development of tribal communities in the Scheduled Areas.