A State-level workshop will be held at Bhopal on Thursday to ensure effective implementation of Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in Madhya Pradesh. Panchayats and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargava and Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar will inaugurate the workshop.
The workshop will be held by Panchayats and Rural Development Department with the cooperation of the Central Government. Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, senior officers of the Central and state governments, office-bearers of Panchayat raj institutions and representatives of NGOs will attend the workshop. Senior officers of Union Panchayat Raj Ministry, Forest Ministry and Ministry for Scheduled Caste Affairs and representatives of National Rural Development Institute, Hyderabad will be present at the workshop where district, Janpad and Gram Panchayats selected for Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme-2013 will be awarded.
At the inaugural session, Union Secretary Panchayat Raj will throw light on the objectives of the workshop. Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats and Rural Development Aruna Sharma will give a presentation on the Act’s provisions. In the second session, Principal Secretary Revenue will discuss role of Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats in issuing notification for convening meetings of villages/Gram Panchayats under PESA Act, prevention of transfer of land in contravention of law, process for providing relief and rehabilitation package to people affected by land acquisition and moneylending under Moneylending Act.
Principal Secretary Forests will dwell on ownership of minor forest produce. The workshop will also discuss provisions of Bio-Diversity Act 2002. Union Tribal Welfare Ministry and Madhya Pradesh Principal Secretary Tribal Welfare will discuss areas under 5th Schedule of the Constitution and provisions of Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act 2006.