by Police - Bureau of Police Research and Development
by Police - Bureau of Police Research and Development
by Police - Bureau of Police Research and Development
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The Indian <strong>Police</strong> JournalRights) Act <strong>of</strong> 1996 called ”Extension to the Scheduled Areas Panchayats Act<strong>and</strong> the Maharashtra State Amendment to Panchayats Act, 1997”. ThisAct recognizes <strong>and</strong> vests the forest rights <strong>and</strong> occupation <strong>of</strong> forest l<strong>and</strong>in forest dwelling tribes. It also gives the right to protect, regenerate orconserve or manage any community forest resource, to Gram Sabha. ItAccording to this Act, ‘Gram Sabha’ means a village assembly, whichshall consist <strong>of</strong> all adult members <strong>of</strong> a village <strong>and</strong> in case <strong>of</strong> Stateshaving no Panchayats, Padas, Tolas <strong>and</strong> other traditional villageinstitutions <strong>and</strong> elected village communities, with full <strong>and</strong> unrestrictedparticipation <strong>of</strong> women.According to the Act, ‘minor forest produce’ includes all non-timberforest produce <strong>of</strong> plant origin, including bamboo, brushwood, stumps,cane, tussah, cocoons, honey, wax, lac, tendu- or kendu-leaves,medicinal plants <strong>and</strong> herbs, roots, tubers <strong>and</strong> the like.Case <strong>of</strong> MaharashtraThe State <strong>of</strong> Maharashtra also passed the Act - The MaharashtraPanchayats in Scheduled Areas for Self-Government, 1997. But thisAct failed to incorporate the spirit <strong>of</strong> Central Act generally referredas PESA Act or the Extension to the Scheduled Areas Panchayats Act,1996. Unfortunately, the implementation <strong>of</strong> the Act had hardly seenthe light <strong>of</strong> the day, barring one or two provisions <strong>and</strong> that too at a fewplaces. The Act had not found favour with policy planners <strong>and</strong> otherpowers to local people. The cry <strong>of</strong> social activists had fallen on deafears.Gadchiroli DistrictThe worst affected District in the State with Naxalite problem presentsan ideal example <strong>of</strong> ground realities. The Naxalite problem startedthere approximately 30 years back. Certainly, it was <strong>and</strong> still is, themost backward District <strong>of</strong> the State. More than Rs. 15,000 millionshave been pumped into the District for development activities <strong>by</strong> theGovernment so far. Signs <strong>of</strong> area development in the form <strong>of</strong> roads,bridges, schools, hospital, Panchayat buildings are clearly visible. Butfor the local tribal people, there has been hardly any change. TheirJanuary - March, 201365
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