By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

KAWANT, October 28, 2026: DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, organised a one-day training programme on the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, popularly known as the PESA Act, to promote legal awareness and empower tribal communities to exercise their rights through effective village-level governance.

Around 35 young men and women from 14 villages of Kawant taluka participated in the programme. The villages represented included Piplada, Keldhara, Nakhal, Moti Devat, Moti Sankal, Jamli (Musat), Khadla, Godha, Moti Tokri, Usela, Mogra, Saidivasan, Vagudan and Dungargam. Mr Ratilal Jadav served as the resource person and explained the provisions and significance of the Act in simple, accessible language.

The training began with an introduction to the PESA Act, enacted in 1996 to extend the provisions of the Panchayati Raj system to Scheduled Areas while recognising the traditional governance systems and rights of tribal communities. Emphasising its underlying principle, Mr Jadav explained that decision-making in tribal areas should begin at the village level rather than being imposed entirely by authorities at the state or national level.

A central theme of the programme was the importance of the Gram Sabha as a key institution of self-governance in Scheduled Areas. Participants learnt about its role in protecting jal, jangal and jameen—water, forests and land—and in addressing issues affecting their communities. The discussions covered the Gram Sabha's role in regulating village markets and weekly fairs, adopting resolutions on alcohol prohibition within the applicable legal framework, and participating in decisions concerning mining, industrial projects and land acquisition, in accordance with relevant laws.

The resource person also explained the relationship between the PESA Act, the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and government welfare schemes. Participants gained an understanding of the Gram Sabha's responsibilities in the recognition of forest rights, consultation in matters involving land acquisition, and the identification of eligible beneficiaries for government schemes, subject to the provisions of the respective laws. The programme also highlighted the importance of respecting tribal customs, traditions and customary practices in local governance.

An interactive approach made the training particularly engaging. During the sessions, participants shared their understanding of nearly twelve special rights associated with the PESA framework in their own language, helping fellow participants grasp the practical relevance of the law. This exchange encouraged collective learning and strengthened their confidence to engage with village institutions.

The programme aimed to prepare the young participants to become informed community leaders who could help convene Gram Sabha meetings, draft resolutions, submit applications against illegal mining and unauthorised liquor outlets, and take responsible action to protect their villages' natural resources. It is hoped that they will share their learning with fellow villagers and contribute to more informed and participatory local governance.

At the conclusion of the programme, Mr Hasmukh Christian, Programme Officer of DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, expressed his gratitude to Mr Ratilal Jadav for conducting the training and thanked the participants for their active involvement.

Through this initiative, DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, reaffirmed its commitment to tribal empowerment, grassroots leadership and awareness of legal rights, encouraging young people to become active guardians of their communities, culture and natural resources.