Demanding immediate enactment of the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act 1996, thousands of tribals drawn from 13 Scheduled districts of the State staged a massive demonstration at the Lower PMG here on Tuesday.
Adivasis under the the banner of Odisha State PESA, Gram Sabha Coordination Committee took out a rally from the Master Canteen Square in the forenoon and held a massive protest meeting to press for the demands of implementation of PESA Act in true form and spirit, recognition of Gram Sabha as the decision making authority, ensuring protections under Odisha State Immovable Property Transfer Act 1956, Regulation-2, not allowing proposed amendment of Regulation-2 as raised in the Tribal Advisory Council.
Addressing the gathering, advisor Sudarshan Chhotoray, president Budhua Jojo and secretary Panduram Hembrum appealed both Union and State Governments to protect the constitutional rights of tribals, tribal heritage, tribal culture and empower Gram Sabha as the ultimate decision making unit at the grassroots level thus ensuring tribal self rule.
During the protest, a five-member delegation led by Chhotoray and consisting of president Jojo, secretary Hembrum, Suhagi Rani Marndi Hembrum and Nanaram Murmu met and submitted a memorandum to Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and apprised him about the longstanding demands of millions of tribals.
As a custodian of the Schedule Area of the State, the Governor assured the delegation that he would take up the issue of implementation of PESA (Panchyat Extention to the Scheduled Area) Act 1996 in true spirit in Odisha. He would also apprise the President of India and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, he added.
Besides, the Governor also expressed grave concern over the proposed amendment of Odisha Immovable Transfer of Land Act 1956, Regulation-2, on transfer of land of tribals to non tribals.
Later speaking at the rally, the leaders expressed their satisfaction over the Governor's assurances.
At present eight of 10 tribal populous States have enacted the PESA Act except Jharkhand and Odisha.