Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it is a matter of fortune for the state that President Smt. Draupadi Murmu has come to Madhya Pradesh on the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda.
In his presence, the PESA Act is being implemented for the empowerment of tribals in the state. Its rules will give the tribal class the rights of water, forest and land. The new rules will be implemented in the state with social harmony. Today is the day of social revolution, he said.
Chief Minister Chouhan said according to the new rules of the PESA Act, every year the Patwari will have to bring the land map, Khasra Nakal to the village and show it in the Gram Sabha, so that no one can make any mistake in the records. In case of any discrepancy, the Gram Sabha will have the right to correct it.
The consent of the Gram Sabha will be necessary for taking land for any scheme. No person will be able to grab the land of the villagers by deceit, conversion etc. If this happens, the Gram Sabha will have the right to get it back, she said.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that the gram sabha will also decide whether to give contracts for sand mines, ballast and stones or not. These will first be given to the Tribal Cooperative Society.
The Gram Sabha will give consent for the management of the ponds, fisheries, cultivation of water chestnuts in them. It will do the Management upto 100 acres of irrigation ponds, collection of forest produce and determination of minimum price, she said. Tribals will collect forest produce and sell them. The tribals will also do the work of plucking and selling tendu leaves. A proposal in this regard will have to be given by December 15 this year.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that only the Gram Sabha will decide which work should be done with the MNREGA money. Gram Sabha will also see the muster roll of the work. If the laborers are to be taken out of the village, then the Gram Sabha will have to be informed first.
The information about the person coming from outside in the village will also have to be given to the Gram Sabha.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that in tribal areas, only licensed moneylenders will be able to lend money at the fixed rate of interest. This information will also have to be given to the Gram Sabha. Action will be taken on charging more interest. Gram Sabha will decide the priority as to who will get the benefits first in the beneficiary oriented scheme. No new liquor shop will be opened without the permission of the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha can recommend removal of any liquor shop. The Gram Sabha will also have the right to settle minor disputes.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that if an FIR is registered in a police station in a tribal area, it will have to be informed to the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha will also have the right to inspect schools, health centers, anganwadi centers, ashram schools, hostels etc. The Gram Sabha will also manage the fair and market.
PESA coordinators will be appointed to implement the new rules effectively. Special yatras will be taken out from coming 20th December, which will conclude on 4th January at Patalpani Indore on the sacrifice day of Lord Birsa Munda.
