Source: PIB
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) celebrated “PESA Mahotsav: Utsav Lok Sanskriti Ka” from 23–24 December 2025 at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority Stadium, Andhra Pradesh.
The event marked the anniversary of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, commonly known as the PESA Act.
PESA Day is observed every year on 24 December.
What is PESA?
- Social and cultural practices
- PESA extends self-governance through Gram Sabhas to Scheduled (tribal) Areas
- It empowers tribal communities to manage:
- Natural resources
- Local development
Key Initiatives Launched
On the concluding day, Vivek Bharadwaj and Shashi Bhushan Kumar unveiled several important initiatives:
- PESA Portal
- For sharing information
- For tracking and monitoring PESA implementation
- PESA Indicators
- To measure how well different states are implementing PESA
- Training Modules in Tribal Languages
- To improve awareness
- To strengthen grassroots capacity
- E-book on Kinnaur District (Himachal Pradesh)
- Documents local traditions, culture, and traditional knowledge
