Plea filed in high court over 30 years delay in PESA Rules for tribal areas in Odisha

Tribal organizations are taking a stand by petitioning the Orissa High Court, claiming the state's chronic delays in enforcing the PESA Act, 1996. Despite being enacted almost three decades ago, Odisha has not put into place the necessary legislation, resulting in tribal Gram Sabhas lacking the constitutional authority needed for self-rule and the safeguarding of their resources.

By LALMOHAN PATNAIK