Mumbai: Tribals in Jawhar and Mokhada in Palghar district have demanded that the hamlets be notified under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), which would grant the gram sabhas recognition and allow them control over the natural resources of these villages.
Over 2,500 tribal people from gram sabhas (village assemblies) of over 40 villages from Jawhar and Mokhada blocks on Friday demanded “ padopadi swarajya ” (self-rule in every pada or hamlet), at a gathering attended by Tribal Development Minister Vishnu Savara.
The gram sabha members pointed out that as per the Act, revenue officers have to declare a tribal habitation as a PESA village within 135 days after the villagers demand recognition for the gram sabha. This time limit has expired for about 100 villages from these two blocks, and as per the rules, such a village is deemed notified under PESA, the villagers said. These villages have already started conducting gram sabha meetings and the residents want the government notify them.
The gathering, called Gram Sabha Jagran, was organised by Vayam, an organisation working for empowerment of tribal communities in Jawhar.
Milind Thatte, Vayam’s organiser and a member of the State Tribal Advisory Council, said, “The government is delaying justice by not giving timely recognition to these gram sabhas. PESA rules are in force since 2014. The rules entitle a gram sabha control over the village’s natural resources: water, minor forest produce, tribal lands, minor minerals and so on. The government transfers 5% of the tribal sub plan funds to the gram kosh (bank accounts) of these gram sabhas. However, these benefits do not reach the villages unless they are notified by the government.”
Mr. Savara assured the villagers that he would follow up the issue and ensure that the villages are notifies soon.
Mr. Thatte said the gram sabhas will start an agitation if the government does not follow through on the assurance within one month.
