Panchayati Raj Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj addresses valedictory session of Regional Conference on strengthening of PESA at Ranchi Jharkhand
Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati
Raj Vivek Bharadwaj addressed the valedictory session of the second Two-Day
Regional Conference on Strengthening of PESA at Ranchi, Jharkhand today. In his
address, Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj emphasized on the Government's
commitment to prioritize the implementation of schemes like PM–JANMAN Yojana in
saturation mode, in line with the vision of the Prime Minister. He stressed the
importance of ensuring uninterrupted delivery of benefits of government schemes
to all the eligible beneficiaries.
Reflecting on
the insights gathered over the two-day PESA Conference, Vivek Bharadwaj
emphasized the need for practical solutions and sensitivity in addressing
challenges. He highlighted the importance of regular communication and
collaboration among various Departments and stakeholders for effective
implementation of PESA. Bharadwaj announced plans for a National
Conference on PESA in the presence of political leadership to further advance
the agenda of PESA. Vivek Bhardwaj reiterated the importance of
effectively implementing and strengthening The Provisions of the Panchayats
(Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA).
Secretary Bharadwaj emphasised the importance of
maintaining momentum and urged all participants to carry forward the work with
a definitive strategy to implement PESA Act. Recognizing the pivotal role of
Gram Sabhas and public participation in Gram Sabha meetings, he stressed the
need for collective strong will at the community level and encouraged learning
from best practices for genuine empowerment of the tribal communities. The
Union Secretary underlined the importance of proper resource utilization to
propel development forward, emphasizing the spirit of inclusivity and leaving
no one behind in society. A call to action was made, highlighting the crucial
role of civil society organizations and NGOs in ensuring compliance with the
PESA Act.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Dr
Chandra Shekhar Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Panchayati
Raj, Government of Jharkhand, Dr Rajeev Arun Ekka; Joint Secretary, Ministry of
Panchayati Raj, Mamta Varma and Director, Department of Panchayati Raj,
Government of Jharkhand Smt. Nesha Oraon were also present during the
deliberations held on the second day of the Conference.
Engaging discussions on (i) Role of Non-Government
Stakeholders in strengthening implementation of PESA and (ii) Enforcement of
Forest Rights Act in PESA areas were the highlights of the concluding day of
the Regional Conference to help facilitating knowledge-sharing among
participants, fostering commitment towards achieving the objectives of PESA.
Insightful presentations on various aspects of PESA implementation offered
valuable insights and actionable recommendations. Case studies and success
stories from different regions provided inspiration and guidance for
participants seeking to enhance their own efforts.
The Conference organized by the Ministry of
Panchayati Raj concluded focusing on the strengthening and effective implementation
of The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996,
popularly known as the PESA Act. The Regional Conference held on 4 – 5 March
2024, garnered significant momentum towards the successful and targeted
implementation of PESA and achieved its objectives, with active participation
and insightful contributions from all participants, paving the way for further
progress in PESA Act implementation. The participants from five participating
States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Telangana left
the valedictory session filled with enthusiasm and hope, anticipating positive
changes at the grassroots level as a result of their collective efforts. The
Regional Conference in Ranchi concluded with a resounding resolution