*Effective Implementation of PESA and Forest Rights Act Among State Government’s Priorities: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
*State-Level Action Plan Committee to Coordinate Departmental Rules; District-Level PESA Monitoring Committees to Be Activated
Raipur, August 5, 2026/
The first meeting of the apex committee of the task force constituted for the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) was held at Mahanadi Bhawan on August 5 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. The meeting reviewed strategies to ensure effective implementation of both laws at the grassroots level and promote comprehensive and sustainable development in the Scheduled Areas of Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the effective implementation of the PESA Act and the Forest Rights Act is among the State Government’s top priorities. He directed officials to ensure that the PESA Act becomes an effective instrument for strengthening village self-governance, protecting natural resources, increasing community participation, and reinforcing the rural economy. Noting that nearly one-third of Chhattisgarh’s population belongs to tribal communities, he said the government is committed to developing an exemplary implementation model while safeguarding tribal traditions, rights, and development.
The Chief Minister said the PESA Act safeguards the interests of people living in Scheduled Areas by strengthening Gram Sabhas, improving local resource management, expanding employment opportunities, and promoting balanced and sustainable development. He added that the government’s objective is to ensure that development and public participation progress together.
Emphasising the need for better convergence, Shri Sai said effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act and the PESA Act requires close coordination at every level. He directed officials to adopt an integrated approach in implementing both laws so that the benefits of government schemes reach the last eligible beneficiary. He also announced that a State-Level Action Plan Committee will be constituted to coordinate the rules and procedures framed by different departments under the PESA Act and ensure convergence among them. The committee, comprising ministers and secretaries of the concerned departments, will prepare a time-bound action plan and monitor its implementation.
The Chief Minister further directed that the existing District-Level PESA Monitoring Committees be activated to strengthen Gram Sabhas, improve coordination among departments at the district level, and ensure effective implementation of the PESA Act. He also instructed officials to conduct public awareness campaigns, disseminate accurate information, and address misconceptions through factual communication.
The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Provisions (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Rules, 2022, along with the progress of individual and community claims received, disposed of, and pending under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Detailed discussions were also held on the recognition, conservation, and management of Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) and the process of converting forest villages into revenue villages.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, Tribal Development Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, MLA Shri Neelkanth Netam, subject experts associated with various social organisations, Chief Secretary Shri Vikash Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Singh, Additional Chief Secretary for Forest and Climate Change Shri Manoj Pingua, Principal Secretary of the Tribal Development Department Shri Sonmani Bora, Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Smt. Shammi Abidi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Shri Arun Pandey, Director of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department Smt. Priyanka Mahobia, and senior officials of the concerned departments attended the meeting.
