Context:

• To mark the 29th anniversary of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act), the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) organized a two-day PESA Mahotsav: “Celebration of Folk Culture” on 23–24 December 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Key Highlights

• The Mahotsav was aligned with PESA Day, observed annually on 24 December.
• The event provided a national platform for tribal communities to showcase their cultural heritage, traditions, and self-governance systems.
• Organizer: Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India

Objective:

– To review progress in the implementation of the PESA Act

– To strengthen Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas

• Core Discussions: Strengthening tribal rights over water, forests, and land
• Cultural Showcase: Rich tribal culture and handicrafts from 10 PESA states

Venues:

– Visakhapatnam Port Authority Campus (main venue)

– Ramakrishna Beach, Indoor Stadium, Cricket Stadium, and Kalavani Auditorium

Inauguration:

– By Kondidala Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayati Raj Minister of Andhra Pradesh

– Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, addressed the gathering through a video message

Participants:

– Around 2,000 delegates from 10 PESA states

– Included Panchayat representatives, athletes, artisans, craftsmen, and cultural performers

Major Attractions

PESA Run:

– Flagged off at Ramakrishna Beach

– Witnessed participation from all age groups, especially tribal youth

Sports Competitions:

– Kabaddi, Archery, and traditional games such as Chakki Khel, Uppanna Barelu, and Mallakhamb

– Kabaddi Winners:

– Men’s category: Madhya Pradesh

– Women’s category: Jharkhand

Cultural Programs:

– Folk dances, music, tribal cuisine, handicrafts, and art exhibitions

– 68 stalls showcasing tribal heritage

Special Gram Sabhas:

– Organized across the 10 PESA states

– Discussions focused on strengthening Gram Sabhas, conservation of natural resources, and preservation of traditions

Mascot: Krishna Jinka (Blackbuck) unveiled

Conclusion:

– On 24 December, the ceremonial baton for hosting the next PESA Mahotsav in 2026 was handed over to Chhattisgarh

Key Initiatives and Launches

• • PESA Portal: For information dissemination and monitoring implementation
• • PESA Indicators: To assess the status of PESA implementation across states
• • Training Modules in Tribal Languages: For awareness and capacity building
• • E-book: On Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, documenting traditional knowledge, culture, and heritage

PESA Act, 1996

• • Full Name: Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
• • Enacted On: 24 December 1996
• • The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) extended Panchayati Raj across India but excluded Scheduled Areas.
• • Based on the recommendations of the Bhuriya Committee (1995), PESA extended Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas with suitable modifications.
• • Applies to Scheduled Areas under Article 244(1) (Fifth Schedule areas), excluding Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

Core Objective:

– To provide self-governance to tribal communities

– To protect their culture, traditions, and rights over natural resources (water, forests, and land)

– Often referred to as a “Constitution within the Constitution”

Bhuriya Committee:

– Headed by Dilip Singh Bhuriya (1994)

States Implementing PESA (10):

Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana

Five Major Powers under the PESA Act

• Resource Management: Control over minor water bodies and minor minerals
• Land Protection: Power to prevent land alienation and restore illegally transferred land
• Liquor Regulation: Authority to regulate or prohibit sale and consumption of alcohol
• Minor Forest Produce (MFP): Ownership over forest produce such as mahua and tendu leaves
• Social Welfare Schemes: Selection of beneficiaries for development and poverty-alleviation programs

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)

• Full Name: Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India
• Established: 27 May 2004 (earlier part of the Ministry of Rural Development)
• Mandate: Implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992

Key Responsibilities:

– Ensuring constitutional compliance by states

– Financial empowerment of Panchayats through Central Finance Commission grants

– Capacity building of elected representatives and Panchayat staff

– Promoting e-governance initiatives such as e-GramSwaraj

– Monitoring implementation of the PESA Act, 1996

• National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April (73rd Amendment came into force in 1993)
• Union Minister: Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh)
• Minister of State: S. P. Singh Baghel

Panchayat Awards

• • Deendayal Upadhyaya Panchayat Sustainable Development Award
• • Nanaji Deshmukh Best Panchayat Sustainable Development Award

Three-Tier Structure of Panchayati Raj

• Gram Panchayat: Village level
• Panchayat Samiti: Block / Intermediate level
• Zila Parishad: District level