PESA Act to bring all-round development for tribal community: CM Chouhan

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that a new history is being created for the all-round development of tribal brethren by implementing the PESA Act in scheduled areas in Madhya Pradesh. There is a provision in the PESA Act that the Gram Sabha will make an action plan for village development. The amount received by the Gram Panchayat will be spent only after seeking permission of the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha will monitor the quality of development works. The muster roll will be placed before the Gram Sabha for inspection.The Gram Sabha will also ensure that the laborers get full remuneration on time. Village Chaupal will now run the government in the village.

Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the PESA Jagrukta Sammelan at Pandhana in Khandwa district. Chief Minister Chouhan announced that the Pandhana-Ghatakhedi-Kalka road will now be known as the ‘Amar Krantikari Tantya Bhil’ road. The Chief Minister said that the laborers going out of the village for work must first inform the Gram Sabha where they are going to work, they will have to write the address of that place so that the interests of the laborers can be taken care of by the Gram Sabha. There is a provision in the rules of the PESA Act that the permission of the Gram Sabha will be mandatory for the survey and land acquisition to be done in any project of the government’s plan. All development works will be done only with the permission of the Gram Sabha. The PESA Act is meant to strengthen the tribals in every way. This law is neither against any individual nor against the general and backward class. It has been implemented in the rural areas of 89 scheduled tribe development blocks. In the PESA Act, the rights related to water, forest and land in the scheduled areas have been given to the citizens through the Gram Sabha.

Land rights: Chief Minister Chouhan said that according to the rules of PESA Act, Patwari and Beat Guard of Forest Department will now have to bring village land map, Khasra, B-1 copy to the village once in a year and show it in the Gram Sabha, so that the records of the land are maintained. If any discrepancy is found, the Gram Sabha will have the right to rectify the record.Chief Minister Chouhan said that attempts to marry, convert and grabbing the land of tribals by trick, cheating and allurement will not be allowed.

Gram Sabha will have the right to foil such attempts and get action taken against the guilty person. The Gram Sabha will get back the usurped land. Chief Minister Chouhan said that Gram Sabha will decide whether or not sand, gravel-stone and Goud minerals should be given on contract under the PESA Act in scheduled areas. The government will cooperate in the works of the Gram Sabha. The society will have the first right on the mine, then the women of the village and then the men. Water rights: Chief Minister Chouhan said that the management of the pond will be done by the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha will take decisions related to fish farming, Singhada production and pond irrigation. The Gram Sabha will have the right to manage the pond for irrigation in 100 acres of agricultural area. The government will cooperate in this work as per the intention of the Gram Sabha. Whatever income is generated from the pond, will be given to the Gram Sabha.

Forest rights: Chief Minister Chouhan said that the state government will no longer collect the forest produce grown in the forest bordering the village. Gram Sabha will do this work. According to PESA Act, now the Gram Sabha will determine the collection, sale and price of forest produce. The State government will cooperate on the recommendation of the Gram Sabha. The Collector, Commissioner and officers of the Forest Department should understand that now the public has the right over the forest produce. Similarly, Gram Sabha has been given the right to pluck and sell tendu patta. The Gram SDabha will have to take a decision by December 15 to pluck tendu patta. The government will cooperate in this work. The money from the sale of tendu patta will now go to the Gram Sabha instead of going to the state government’s treasury. The staff of the Forest Department will extend full cooperation to the Gram Sabha as per its expectation.

New liquor shop can be opened only with the permission of Gram Sabha: Chief Minister Chouhan said that new liquor and Bhang shop can be opened only after seeking permission of the Gram Sabha. The Gram Sabha will be able to recommend removal of liquor shops located near schools, hospitals and dharamshalas. It will have the right to take action against illegal liquor trade.

Curb on exploitation: Chief Minister Chouhan said that only licensed moneylenders in tribal areas will be able to lend money at the prescribed rate of interest. They will also have to give this information to the Gram Sabha. Action will be taken against the guilty moneylender for charging excess interest. If the moneylender gives loan against the rules, the state government will waive the loan. In the PESA Act, Gram Sabha has been empowered to effectively prevent exploitation. Shanti evam Vivad Nivaran Samiti will be formed in the village: Chief Minister Chouhan said that Gram Sabha has been empowered under the PESA Act to strengthen the atmosphere of harmony and equanimity in the village. A Shanti evam Vvad Nivaran Samiti (Peace and Dispute Redressal Committee) will be formed in the village. Any problem, minor disputes will be resolved through understanding. Now petty disputes will not go to the police station. When serious cases of crime are reported in the police station, the police station will have to inform the gram sabha.

Right to inspect Anganwadi, ration shop, school: Chief Minister Chouhan said that under the PESA Act, Gram Sabha will have the right to inspect and run Anganwadis, ration shops, schools, ashrams and hostels. For this, it will constitute a committee.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that the honour of women is our topmost priority. The state government is taking strict action against the miscreants. He said that the government is committed to provide employment to the youth. Every month lakhs of youth are being linked with self-employment. One lakh government posts will be recruited in the next one year. In order to enable the children of poor families to become socially and economically capable by getting higher education, medical and engineering studies have been started in the state in Hindi as well. Quality education is being expanded in the state. CM Rise schools are being opened in rural areas, which will be better than private schools. Chouhan flags off Gaurav Yatra: Chief Minister Chouhan flagged off the Gaurav Yatra from Badoda Ahir, the birthplace of revolutionary leader Tantya Bhil. Starting from Badoda Ahir, this yatra will pass through Pandhana, Dulhar Phata, Borgaon Bujurg, Rajora, Dongargaon, Kohdad, Piplod, Bhilkhedi, Gudi and reach the karmasthal of Krantisurya Tantya Mama. Chief Minister Chouhan garlanded the statue of Jananayak Tantya Mama and also met his family members. Tribal community gives thanks letter to CM Chouhan: The Pandhana tribal community thanked Chief Minister Chouhan through ‘thank you letter” for implementing the PESA Act for the upliftment and empowerment of the tribals. The tribal folk dance mesmerized everyone. Chief Minister Chouhan and Forest Minister Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah also enthusiastically participated in the folk dance. Forest Minister Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah, MP Dnyaneshwar Patil and Pandhana MLA Ram Dangore addressed the PESA awareness conference. Khandwa MLA Devendra Verma, Mandhata MLA Narayan Patel, Vice President Tourism Development Corporation Narendra Singh Tomar and other public representatives were present.

Three killed in accident

Community Health Centre, Rithi. Police informed that Patonha Chikhla resident Bhajan Singh Thakur, son of Kadam Singh, age 22 years, Arvind Thakur, son of Saddu Singh, age 24 years resident of Patonha, Abhishek thakur, son of Sathe Raja, resident of Patonha, age 18 years, all three friends, had gone to Rithi.