Shahdol, 15 November: President Droupadi Murmu implemented the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act 1996 by releasing the rules at the state-level function of Tribal Pride Day organized in Shahdol on Tuesday afternoon. Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other public representatives were present on the occasion.
With this, Madhya Pradesh has become the 7th state in the country to implement the PESA Act. Earlier, six states implemented the PESA Act in their respective states. These include Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
At the function, President Murmu said that a son of Madhya Pradesh has made a historic contribution to the welfare of tribal society at all Indian levels. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who grew up in Madhya Pradesh, formed the Ministry of Tribal Affairs when he was the Prime Minister.
“I congratulate all the countrymen. This is my first visit to Madhya Pradesh as the President. I am very happy to be among the brothers and sisters present in such a large number. The tribal population in our country is ten crore. Madhya Pradesh has a population of more than 1.5 crore. That’s why organizing tribal gathering in this area of Madhya Pradesh is very relevant.” She said that the students of the tribal community have been honoured today, seeing them, “I hope that the coming times will be more bright.”
Governor Mangubhai Patel said: “With the implementation of the PESA Act, the Gram Sabha has now become much more powerful.”
