Rao stresses need for implementation of FRA, PESA for tribals

Tribal communities should have self-governance to ensure good governance in tribal areas, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao said here today.
He also said PESA and FRA, two laws meant for the tribal community, should be implemented properly.
Rao was speaking at the inauguration of two-day national seminar on 'Governance, resources and livelihoods of Adivasis in India: Implementation of PESA and FRA' at National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj here.
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act assume immense importance for tribal communities in the context of historical denial of access to forests, displacement, alienation of land and the denial of acceptance in local governance systems, an official release quoted him as saying.

He said that despite its potential to transform Scheduled Areas, PESA was hardly implemented for a very long time.
Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra has become the beacon for the entire country in the implementation of PESA, the Governor added.
Rao informed that in Maharashtra, steps have been taken to ensure effective implementation of Forests Rights Act (FRA) and PESA and for general welfare of tribal communities.