07.10.2024:Governor announces doubling of funds to Gram Sabhas in PESA

Governor announces doubling of funds to Gram Sabhas in PESA

At a grand assembly – Gram Sabha Maha Sammelan – organized by the Vayam movement in Jawhar, the governor of Maharashtra, C. P. Radhakrishnan, announced the decision to double the PESA untied funds allocated to Gram Sabhas. He emphasized that the Gram Sabha is not a mere meeting but a miniature parliament and an essential part of parliamentary democracy from the village to the national level. He also announced the establishment of a Tribal Cell at Raj Bhavan, where tribal citizens can reach out with grievances.

The governor lauded the thousands of tribal citizens from Nashik and Palghar districts who attended the conference. He also handed over declarations to the 27 new PESA Gram Sabhas recently announced in the Gazette. The demands made by Vayam at the convention included – 1) improving cooperation and transparency from Panchayats, 2) separating the positions of Sarpanch and Gram Sabha President to ensure checks-and-balances, 3) making Panchayats accountable to Gram Sabhas, and 4) resolving 2,173 pending forest rights appeals.

The Pandal of this grand assembly was set up by multiple Gram Sabhas, and the governor praised this collective effort, highlighting people’s faith in democracy. Various officials, including MP, district collector, and police superintendent were present at the event.