The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), held a review meeting on 16th June 2025 in New Delhi to evaluate initiatives for protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, with a focus on the implementation of PESA (1996). Deliberations focused on fund allocation, monitoring of the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC), and improving grassroots governance through participatory planning.

The meeting was attended by Shri Antar Singh Arya, Chairperson, NCST; Shri Nirupam Chakma, Smt. (Dr.) Asha Lakra, and Shri Jatothu Hussain, Members, NCST; accompanied by Shri Puneet Kumar Goel, Secretary, NCST and Shri Amit Nirmal, Joint Secretary, NCST. Ministry of Panchayati Raj was represented by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary; Ms. Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary (FD & Policy Division); and Dr. Bijaya Kumar Behera, Economic Advisor, among other senior officials.

MoPR highlighted recent initiatives such as a proposed Centre of Excellence at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak, creation of a dedicated PESA portal, preparing Gram Panchayat Development Plans under PESA provisions, and formulation of training manuals based on the seven PESA themes, organizing of special Gram Sabha on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, organizing of regional and national workshop/write-shop, compilation of success stories, creation of PESA cell at MoPR and training of the State Level Master Trainer on 7 PESA themes. NCST highlighted their mandate to monitor and evaluate tribal development and emphasized PESA’s critical role in enabling tribal self-governance and also emphasized the need for raising awareness of PESA among tribal communities. NCST Members stressed upon capacity building at State level, dissemination of success stories in regional languages, and follow up with Odisha and Jharkhand for notifications of the PESA Rules.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange views, review progress, and strengthen coordination between institutions committed to the development of Scheduled Tribes, ensuring that constitutional and legal safeguards translate into meaningful outcomes at the grassroots. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to institutional strengthening and inclusive governance in the 5^th Scheduled Areas.

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Aditi Agrawal

Ncst Press Release