PESA Act likely to be implemented in Odisha soon

The Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act is likely to be implemented in Odisha soon, informed Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik on Sunday.

Mohan Majhi government is reportedly planning to implement the scheme 27 years after the verdict of the Supreme Court.

According to Minister Naik, the PESA Act is required for the protection of the rights of the tribals.

The Minister further informed that all the constituencies will be divided into clusters and planning will be made accordingly for the protection of the rights of the individuals and families.

Naik expressed concern over the fact that the number of tribal people is dwindling in the country and urged for awareness. He informed that the bill in this regard will be brought in the second phase of the Assembly session.

“The PESA Act has been implemented in all the states across the country except Odisha. The Panchayatiraj Department will make provision for the implementation of the act in the next session. My department will bring the bill. The implementation of the PESA Act in the state was a long-standing demand of the tribal people," said Minister Naik.