Bhubaneswar, 6 December (H.S.): The Congress on Saturday strongly demanded the immediate implementation of the PESA Act in Odisha, accusing the BJP-led state government of failing to fulfill its promises to tribal communities.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Congress Legislature Party Leader Ramachandra Kadam said that despite being one of India’s largest tribal states, Odisha has yet to enforce the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, even after 17 months of the new government’s tenure.

Kadam pointed out that Odisha ranks third in the country in terms of tribal population, with over 40% of its residents belonging to tribal communities. “Yet the government has consistently betrayed them,” he alleged, adding that the ruling party had earlier assured the House that the PESA Act would be implemented during its second session but failed to do so.

He further highlighted that the Chief Minister himself belongs to the tribal community and the Tribal Affairs Department is headed by a tribal minister. Despite this, he said, the state has not secured the tribal people’s rights over jal, jungle, and jameen (water, forest, and land).

Accusing the government of continuing the exploitation of tribal communities, Kadam warned that although tribals are humble and peaceful, no power will be able to stop them when they rise to claim their rightful entitlements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda