A parliamentary committee has pointed out that the implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) continues to be slow and uneven in various scheduled regions, nearly 30 years since it was enacted.
PESA grants gram sabhas, or village assemblies, the authority to make decisions related to local resources, land, and traditions.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has also called on the central government to ensure timely notification and regular assessments of the Act across all states.
“The main goal of PESA is to empower gram sabhas in areas designated under the Fifth Schedule while safeguarding tribal customs, traditions, land, forests, and community resources. In this context, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and state governments should collaboratively develop a roadmap with clear, measurable targets for effective implementation of the Act,”
the committee stated.
It suggested that digital recording and monitoring of gram sabha resolutions be implemented, especially concerning land acquisition and local planning.
“There must be mandatory consent from gram sabhas prior to any land acquisition. Violations of this requirement should lead to accountability and social audits,”
it added.
This recommendation is particularly relevant as numerous gram sabhas and village bodies have frequently reported feeling excluded from the land acquisition process, especially in tribal regions.
The committee emphasized the necessity for a national action plan aimed at preserving tribal customs, languages, governance structures, and traditional dispute resolution methods.
“There is an urgent requirement to translate all PESA manuals and IEC materials into prominent tribal languages. Additionally, panchayat bodies should cultivate community-based tribal trainers,”
it recommended.
To reinforce PESA institutions, the committee proposed the establishment of PESA cells at the state, district, and block levels.
PESA is applicable only to Fifth Schedule areas across ten states: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana. Notably, Odisha has yet to issue rules under the Act.
“PESA serves as a robust legal framework for tribal self-governance, but its potential has yet to be fully realized. Enhanced implementation, empowered gram sabhas, better safeguards for tribal land and culture, improved training in local languages, and stronger institutional support are crucial for making PESA effective in practice,”
the panel concluded.
