Odisha Governor Urges Swift Action on PESA Implementation for Tribal Welfare

Governor's Call for Action on PESA Rules

Bhubaneswar: Odisha's Governor, Hari Babu Kambhampati, has raised alarms regarding the slow progress in establishing regulations for the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, commonly known as PESA. He proposed that the state government form a high-level task force to ensure the effective execution of this crucial legislation.

This recommendation was made during an extensive review meeting held on Friday, focusing on the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backwards Classes Welfare Department.

Highlighting the involvement of various departments in the execution of PESA and the Forest Rights Act (FRA), Kambhampati suggested that a task force led by the Chief Minister would enhance coordination, facilitate joint planning, and address implementation hurdles more efficiently.

The Governor expressed his concerns about the delays in finalizing the PESA rules and urged officials to accelerate the process.

He also stressed the importance of holding Tribal Advisory Council meetings biannually, as required by the Constitution.

Additionally, he called for the timely submission of the department's annual report and emphasized the need for effective fund utilization.

"Setting a target of 120 percent utilization can realistically lead to achieving at least 100 percent," he remarked.

Kambhampati pointed out the infrastructure challenges faced in tribal areas, particularly in transporting equipment for mobile connectivity, and underscored the necessity for focused development.

To gain a clearer understanding of the situation, he expressed his intention to engage directly with project administrators to discuss the progress and issues in tribal regions.