ROURKELA: Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Sundargarh Lok Sabha member of BJP Jual Oram on Saturday claimed his statement on Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act has been distorted in the local media. Jual had on Thursday told local media persons that some provisions of the PESA Act were implemented in tribal districts of Odisha, but the State Government did not give necessary power to the elected members of the Panchayati Raj Institutions on issues such as education, health, forest rights, revenue laws and cooperative agriculture loan. He said his statement has been distorted.
Jual said he is aware of the history, tradition and culture of his home constituency Sundargarh. He said he has not criticised any tribal leader or group over PESA issue. Jual was quoted as saying that PESA Act was applicable in all tribal districts of Odisha and some vested interests were seeking personal benefits by raising the PESA issue. Jual’s clarification came after Bimirtrapur MLA and Sundargarh Zilla Adiwasi Mulwasi Bachao Manch leader George Tirkey criticised the Union Minister by saying the PESA Act was not implemented in letter and spirit in Sundargarh district and other tribal districts in Odisha. He said when the tribal people of Sundargarh were struggling to get special constitutional rights under PESA Act, Jual’s statement was against the interest of the tribal community.