Seraikela: The traditional Gram Sabha Manch based in Kuchai of Seraikela-Kharsawan district has demanded an immediate stop to the ongoing Gram Sabha formation process in the scheduled areas. In this regard, on Tuesday, the delegation of the Manch submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor, Chief Minister and Panchayati Raj Minister through the Deputy Commissioner.
Forum President Sanatan Singh Kuntia and Secretary Rajesh Mundri alleged that the state government was acting against the basic spirit of the PESA Act 1996.
He says that the government is trying to bring the traditional gram sabhas and tribal self-governance system under government control, which is against the rights and traditions of the tribal society.
The delegation said that in the current Gram Sabha rules, the responsibility of forming and running the Gram Sabha is being given to the Panchayat representatives and government officials instead of the traditional leaders and community-based leadership.
In particular, the forum has expressed strong opposition to the provision of making the Panchayat Secretary the Secretary of the Gram Sabha. They argue that this will affect the autonomy of the Gram Sabha and the traditional self-governance system will weaken.
Forum officials said the objective of the PESA law is to give tribal communities rights over their resources, traditions and local administration, but the current system seems to be weakening that objective.
He demanded from the government that necessary amendments should be made in the Gram Sabha rules as per the PESA Act 1996 and the role of traditional Gram Sabhas should be maintained as is.
The traditional Gram Sabha forum has warned that if positive initiative is not taken soon on their demands and necessary amendments are not made in the rules, the tribal society will be forced to launch a statewide agitation.
The forum said that no compromise of any kind will be accepted with the traditional self-governance system and independence of the Gram Sabha.
