Awareness programmes held in Koracha, Halora and Kadari village panchayats focusing on Gram Sabha rights and forest-based livelihoods
Published on: December 26, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
In an effort to strengthen grassroots democracy and tribal self-governance, PESA Day was organised on December 24 in the village panchayats of Koracha, Halora and Kadari under Manpur block of Rajnandgaon district. The programme was organised by Jan Kalyan Samajik Sansthan and witnessed active participation from tribal men and women, Gram Sabha members and social workers.
The primary objective of the programme was to raise awareness about the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act), and to empower Gram Sabhas by informing villagers about their constitutional rights and responsibilities. Detailed discussions were held on the decision-making powers of Gram Sabhas, their role in village development, and community rights over water, forests, land and traditional resources.
Addressing the gathering, Kishan Singh Sahu, representative of the organising institution, said that the PESA Act provides tribal and forest-dependent communities with the right to self-governance. He explained that the law mandates that key decisions related to village development must be taken through the Gram Sabha. He urged villagers to hold regular Gram Sabha meetings, ensure collective participation, and remain vigilant to safeguard their constitutional rights.
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Participants at the programme collectively resolved to work towards effective implementation of the PESA Act, strengthening Gram Sabhas, and protecting natural resources through community-led initiatives. The organisers described the initiative as an important step towards the social and economic empowerment of tribal and forest-based communities.
The programme was attended by Koracha Sarpanch Virendra Shah Mandavi, Kadari Sarpanch Pileshwari Bhuarya, Halora Panchayat Secretary Yashwant Komre, representatives from Gategahan, Sambalpur and Khedegaon villages, along with Mitnina Didis, Anganwadi workers and a large number of women villagers.
