You would agree that there are many empowering acts and policies for the underprivileged and marginalized sections of the population in this country. These Acts, by the very process of empowering the poorest and marginalized sections of the society, also help to protect the environment, and preserve valuable knowledge systems, and traditions.
Yet, these acts exist more in violation than as enabling and empowering provisions for the poor of this country. One such Act is the PESA Act, which has been in force for the last 8 years.
Not only have State Governments diluted the Act extensively in ratifying it for their states, even the provisions that do exist within the present State Acts are not followed. Thus, nowhere is a public audit of Panchayat funds taken up and hardly any are the instances where Gram Sabhas decide the development plans to be taken up.
On the other hand, the violations are many. Beginning with tampering with beneficiaries lists finalised in the Gram Sabhas, to the decision on land and other natural resource use centrally, and enforcement of such decisions through coercion and intimidation, not only is the PESA and other 'empowering' Acts for the tribal communities being ignored, but are being actively violated. It is undeniable that the tribal communities in this country are not just the most underprivileged communities, but also the most deprived, and poverty stricken section of the society. Not just HD indicators, but also the fact that the majority of stories of distress and starvation come from the tribal regions underlines this fact.
This is indeed regrettable, and many organisations, institutions and individuals are working to empower the tribal communities as per the provisions of the constitution. Tribal communities are also getting increasingly restless with the denial of basic rights, and are seeking to change the situation. What has been the experience of all these people; what are the prospects for constructive change; can there really be steps towards empowerment and entitlement, so that tribal communities can exist in peace and harmony, and not be forced into worsening distress conditions; can we think of a more proactive stand on the part of state and central Governments, which will treat tribal communities with the dignity and respect they are entitled to, rather than viewing them as obstacles to the path of 'National Development'?
To debate these and several other questions, Agragamee invites you to a national conference on PESA titled: 8 Years of PESA, Understanding decentralisation in the Tribal Regions on 18th & 19th January, 2005, to be held in Bhubaneswar (Venue: CYSD, E-1, Institutional Area).
Major Areas of Discussion will be:
¨- Tribal Communities & Natural Resources;
¨- Tribals and Human Rights;
¨- Governance in Tribal regions;
¨- Basic services and tribal Regions.
We look forward to your response.
Get in touch with us @
info@agragamee.org
Phone: 0674-2551123
Fax: 0674-2551130
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