PESA – A Potent Weapon Against Naxals (Maoists) In India !! The Power of PESA PESA, short for Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, is the most important law meant for the Adivasis (natives ofIndia) that can radically change the socio-political landscape of India, only if it is implemented honestly. It can achieve three things simultaneously: (1) deprive the Naxal of the fertile ground of backwardness and poverty in the “Red Corridor” and make them baseless; (2) assimilate the 8 percent tribal Adivasis into the mainstream political current through self governance; and (3) preserve forests and local ecology because they only know their land and its resources the best. But unfortunately, state governments lack willpower, honesty, and far-sightedness to grasp the profound impact its proper implementation will have for the future development. In last six decades, India has achieved significant milestones in the areas of economic growth, cultural assimilation and global political interests. However, the 8% tribal population of the country has been left to protect themselves against the guile of rich and powerful eyeing the natural resources and minerals of their indigenous land. Only geographical distance and remoteness of their habitat offered them some protection. But their isolation has also exposed them to the ruthless might of Naxal cadres, supposedly struggling to throw out the rulers of the country through the barrel of gun. None, except Mao would be happy in his grave to find faithful followers in a remote land that he never visited. The Red Corridor RED CORRIDOR Naxals, the leftwing extremists, have carved out a large area along the eastern coast of India, spreading from Nepal border to Tamil Nadu. Though started 40 years ago, the movement ceased to die out and instead had grown ominously. This region largely includes dense forests and tribal areas and consists of 92,000 sq km. Red Corridor is the label people have given to this area, which the government machinery never dared to reach. Naxals are the uninvited and self declared rulers in the Red Corridor. About two years ago, the Indian government launched Operation Green Hunt to root out the Naxals. In reality, however, the tribals find themselves sandwiched between the Maoists on one side who can’t give up their armed struggle and the government on the other, that can not put the interests of a vulnerable minority — the adivasis — ahead of those with more money and political power. Realizing that the lack of development and the absence of governance are primarily responsible for growth of the leftwing extremists, the government has drawn development plans to win over the tribal people. Besides the plan of para-military force, the government has come up with plans for development of the territory included in the Red Corridor. Just recently, the central government has planned to spend Rs. 100 cr on every of the 33 (or 34) Maoist affected districts. This is an additional expenditure apart from the usual security related expenditure. According to reports, this additional money of Rs. 3400 cr will be spent on roads, electricity and drinking water. Plus, there is the issue of implementing the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act in its true spirit.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 05:32:43 +0000
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