Tribal Self Rule was a development initiative on a sponsorship-based partnership of ActionAid with Jan Chetna. It aimed to build tribal assertion for basic rights with opportunity created by the constitutional amendment concerning extension of the panchayats to scheduled areas (Panchayat Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act). Under this initiative, Jan Chetna facilitated the formation of the Bhakhar Bhitrot Vikas Manch (BBVM). This community-based organization (CBO) has worked on various community development issues. Initiatives include promoting self-governance, ensuring equal participation of women and men at the Gram Sabha level, and leveraging government programs for simplified implementation.

• Build and strengthen tribal people’s organizations

• Ensure that tribal people have access to and control of resources within their traditional set ups

• Facilitate processes so that they have full opportunities to participate in governance of tribal areas

• Influence policy for the poor and marginalized

• Ensure access of the tribal over rights and entitlements

BBVM leaders meet once a month at the gram panchayat level, while at the village level the gaon sabhas are conducted every month. All the emerging issues are discussed here and then taken forward at the GP level, and then at the forum level meeting every 3 months. Forum members from different clusters then prioritize the issues and take it forward with their respective gaon sabhas and gram sabhas. The village level collectives have 20-25 members each, while at the GP level 2 leaders from each village are representatives. BBVM has a total membership of around 12000 active members. Leaders such as Sharmi Bai and Kali Bai, emerged from within the forum and till date contribute to various transparency and governance related issues.