A four-time MLA Nirmala Bhuria finds her political ascendancy in Madhya Pradesh politics from her father Late Dilip Singh Bhuria, who was leader in tribal-dominated district of Jhabua (west Madhya Pradesh) and Chairman, of National Commission for ST/SC. In the recently concluded elections, BJP picked Nirmala Bhuria for two reasons; she comes from a tribal family and was a poster girl in the district for Ladli Bahna Scheme that did the trick. She also successfully contested Petlawad seat in the election and accorded Cabinet berth in Mohan Yadav-led government. Speaking exclusively to ‘The Hitavada’ she said that her top priority is to implement PESA in the tribal belt more aggressively.

Excerpts:

Q. 1 Implementation of PESA is always under debate. Your father was proponent and had championed the cause of tribal people across the state. Do you think the Act has been implemented properly?

 

A: PESA has been implemented in the State successfully. It is true my late father did a lot in the interest of tribal people, it is obvious I had to step into his shoes. My father and his colleagues were aggressive for ensuring the right of the tribal people since beginning when Bhuria committee was formed in 1995 and later recommended extension of Panchayat Raj to scheduled areas, a three-tier structure of self-governance in the tribal areas in Gram Sabha. On my part, I will ensure that more information is needed to be disseminated among people about the PESA. We have to iron out issues and shortcomings if there were any and make sure people can get benefited from the Act. We need to raise more awareness, if more people have to be brought in the ambit of PESA benefits.

Q. 2. The party has exuded faith in you during 2023 elections eventhough you have lost Lok Sabha by-election from Ratlam sea. You were fielded from Petalawad constituency in Assembly elections. You won the seat. How will you place your priorities in this prominent tribal dominated constituency?

 

A: If you look at statistics the BJP government has delivered benefits and prosperity in the region by a slew of populist schemes and several other initiatives. However, government has a tough challenges as the area is highly drought-prone. The entire region has Mahi river as its main artery and our government has fully utilised it by introducing Mahi river project. My priority is to ensure that the farmers must remain comfortable even in odd natural conditions. A major cultivable area is yet short of proper irrigation facility despite the project is aimed at ensuring maximum irrigation. We will see the area must be cent-percent irrigated.

Q. 3 The BJP government has introduced gender-budget and gender specific schemes, do you think tribal women are reaping benefit of such schemes?

 

A: It is true that a lot needs to be done for the women in tribal dominated areas, yet they have come out of isolated life, the region has better sex ratio even better than some two-tier towns, girls are attending schools and colleges. Our Government is given push to 50% reservation to women in Panchayat. It has brought more women out of house-hold drudgery and participate in policy making process.

Q. 4 Jhabua was considered as one of the most economically weaker districts till 2006 as it was isolated with a few infrastructure, road connectivity etc. What are the major challenges you have?

A: Our Government has ensured all necessary infrastructure, ensured better health facilities, education and basic amenities. Farmers have now exposure to better schemes and facilities. More health centers and primary schools are being set up in many areas, the CM Rise Schools are being set up in various areas. We want to make sure that students in various remote areas too have better