PESA Act approved by Jharkhand Cabinet, empowering Gram Sabhas. (File)
The Jharkhand Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) rules, empowering Gram Sabhas with wider administrative and decision-making powers in Fifth Schedule areas—regions with a high tribal population—of the state.
The Hemant Soren-led Cabinet cleared the Panchayati Raj Department’s proposal with minor modifications during a meeting chaired by the chief minister. A total of 39 proposals were approved at the Cabinet meeting.
Under the approved rules, Gram Sabhas in rural areas will have authority over the use of minor forest produce, preparation of local area development plans, and management of water resources. The rules will come into force after they are formally notified.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Panchayati Raj Secretary Manoj Kumar said the rules have been framed according to provisions of the PESA Act, 1996, and other laws that empower Gram Sabhas. He added that the draft rules also provide for the delimitation of Gram Sabhas, which will be notified by the district administration.
Kumar pointed out that the PESA rules will not directly influence Panchayati Raj elections, even in scheduled areas. “The Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2001, fits in well with PESA, so these new rules won’t change the three-tier panchayat elections at all,” he said.
He further said that 13 Jharkhand districts fall entirely under Fifth Schedule areas, while certain blocks in two other districts are partially notified as scheduled areas. Gram Sabhas will play a decisive role in the implementation of development schemes in these regions.
Soren said the Cabinet has approved the PESA rules after extensive consultations with departments and stakeholders. “The rules have been framed to ensure effective implementation of PESA. After detailed discussions in the Cabinet, the Act will be dedicated to the people in its original spirit, particularly in Scheduled Areas,” he said.
The issue was discussed for over an hour in the Cabinet meeting. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the legislation has been passed after incorporating the chief minister’s guidance and suggestions from ministers. “On the completion of 25 years of Jharkhand’s formation, this has been dedicated to Dishom Guru,” she said, referring to the late Shibu Soren.
Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore said a consensus was reached on having one Gram Sabha per revenue village, irrespective of the number of Panchayat Samitis. “Everyone agreed to this proposal. This was Rahul Gandhi’s vision, and the chief minister also shared the same view,” he said.