Madhya Pradesh govt implements Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act to preserve tribal population from exploitation

Shahdol: Madhya Pradesh government has implemented the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in the state, which aims to preserve the tribal population from exploitation with an active involvement of the Gram Sabhas.

The PESA Act also gives special powers to the Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas especially for the management of natural resources.

The formal announcement was made by President Droupadi Murmu at a function organised by state government on the occasion of 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' which marks the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda -- in Shahdol district.

The announcement was made in the presence of around one lakh tribal people, including women and



youth, who had arrived from different parts of the state to celebrate the occasion.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangu Bhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with several tribal ministers from the state and the Centre were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, President lauded the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh government for the implementation of PESA Act. She said, she believes that the PESA Act will be used to empower the lives of tribal communities.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it will give more constitutional rights to the tribal people to reap the benefits of natural resources from the forest areas where they live.