The government will table the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 or PESA in the coming Budget session of the Assembly, Chhattisgarh Panchayat and Rural Development Minister T.S. Singh Deo said on Wednesday.
He made the announcement during a visit to Charama in Kanker district, a press release said.
Singh Deo held a marathon meeting with the public representatives of 16 blocks of the district wherein he reiterated a pledge to implement the provisions of PESA in Chhattisgarh.
The Minister clarified that PESA does not violate the rights and powers of the Union or state governments. Rather it is a law which enables people residing in a scheduled area to take decisions of development and implement rules according to their needs and culture.
Singh Deo said a delay occurred in its implementation because the outlay structure and some provisions of PESA are conflicting. As of now, the government is dedicated to implement PESA in scheduled areas, he said.
During discussion with tribal representatives, the Minister told them about the types of powers that could be provided to gram sabhas once PESA is implemented.
He said the gram sabhas in the scheduled areas can formulate rules to regulate markets and business transactions.
It can draft rules and regulations to manage land, water and forest resources. PESA will empower the villagers in scheduled areas to take decisions in their interests, he added.