BJP Tries To Woo Tribals With Implementation Of PESA Act

Bhopal: When the Bharatiya Janata Party fielded Draupadi Murmu as its presidential candidate, there was talk in political circles that after making inroads in the Other Backward Classes, the organization wanted to bring tribals to the center of its politics. 

Political observers believe that even before this, the organization had started giving indications of its new strategy when Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the hero of the Santhal rebellion, i.e. on 15 November across the country. It was announced to celebrate this day every year as 'Tribal Pride Day'. 

In Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have started making more efforts to woo people in the tribal areas. 

While Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat is on a three-day tour in Chhattisgarh's tribal-dominated Surguja division, in Madhya Pradesh, the PESA Act has come into force from Tuesday itself. That too in the presence of President Draupadi Murmu in Shahdol of the state. 

This is the first time this law is being implemented in Madhya Pradesh after it was passed by Parliament in 1996. It is believed that with the implementation of this law, the tribal community will get more rights.

Historic moment: Shivraj

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called the moment 'historic' as the 'PESA' law is being fully implemented in six districts of the state.

Chouhan said that with the implementation of the PESA law, settlement of revenue matters will be easier, as well as management of forest produce and water resources will be done in a better way. 

Social and economic empowerment of tribal class: Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel said that the new rules of the PESA Act implemented in Madhya Pradesh will prove important in the social and economic empowerment of the tribal class. The gram sabhas will become very powerful. 

He said the management of water, land and forests, settlement of minor disputes, inspection of health centers, schools, anganwadi centers, monitoring of various schemes, etc. will be in the hands of the Gram Sabhas.

Kamal Nath raised questions: But State Congress President and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath raised questions and asked that when the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power in the state for the last 20 years, then why did it take so many years to implement this law?

He alleged that due to non-implementation of PESA, many government posts are lying vacant in the state.