The need to expedite distribution of pattas under the Forest Rights Act and educating tribal people on their rights came up for discussion at the three-day training programme organised recently under the aegis of the Community Action for Development and Empowerment of Tribals (CADET).
Organised by the Dhimsa Foundation with support from DKA Austria at Tribal Foundation Campus, Araku Valley, the training is being imparted on PESA (Panchayat Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996), Restoration of Forest Rights (RoFR) entitlements, roles and responsibilities of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI), tribal development approaches, and coordination with line departments.
PRI representatives, volunteers, and community elders numbering attended the programme.
In his inaugural address, officiating Chairman of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights S. Balaraju spoke on the importance of the PRI in refreshing communities in understanding the schemes available to them.
Calling upon them to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities as per enactment PESA, he said they should exercise the rights enshrined in the enactments.
