{"id":12082,"date":"2021-07-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current_affairs\/uncategorized\/15-07-2021\/25-years-of-pesa-act\/"},"modified":"2024-05-08T13:22:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T07:52:16","slug":"25-years-of-pesa-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-07-2021\/25-years-of-pesa-act","title":{"rendered":"25 Years of PESA Act"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Tilma<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> gram sabha, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Jharkhand<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> has written a letter to the State Chief Minister seeking restoration of their rights guaranteed under the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act 1996<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Act completes <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>25 years<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2021<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>About the Issue<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">According to the Tilma gram sabha, the district <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>administration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>police<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> have <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>encroached upon their Sarna Sthal <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">(sacred place for tribal worship) and prevented the villagers from offering their worship.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A large contingent of security forces levelled the land and fenced it in February 2021.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Tilma<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Turup<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> are among the two villages where <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Pathalgarhi<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>movement was not carried<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> out.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pathalgadi movement refers to a practice where tribal villages erect a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>huge stone structure at the entry point <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">of their villages <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>notifying the power and rights <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">of the gram sabhas.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The police officials have held that the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>land was acquired by the administration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and handed over to police and the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>plot<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, with construction going on, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>does not include any Sarna Sthal<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An adjacent plot is the Sarna Sthal but the villagers wanted to carry out rituals inside the fencing, so they were stopped.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Background<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>73<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><sup>rd<\/sup><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> and the 74<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><sup>th<\/sup><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> Amendments<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to the Indian Constitution passed in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1992<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> took the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>three-tier <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><strong><u>Panchayati Raj governance<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> structure to rural and urban parts<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of the country and came into <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>force<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>April 1993<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> scheduled areas<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, predominantly inhabited by the tribal population, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>were exempted from the new amendments<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given low human development indicators, there was a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>huge demand to empower <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">local governance in the scheduled area as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thus, the government of India constituted a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>committee in 1994<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to look into the need for such law and modalities and how it can be extended. Chaired by <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dilip Singh Bhuria<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, a parliamentarian from Madhya Pradesh, the committee <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>highlighted the plight of the tribal communities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and the exploitation they faced and submitted its <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>recommendations<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1995<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Parliament enacted a special legislation called <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">(PESA) <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>in 1996<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and came into <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>force on 24<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><sup>th<\/sup><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> December 1996<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is now applicable in the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Fifth Schedule areas<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, which deals with the administration of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>districts dominated by the tribal communities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, and is in force in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>10 states<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of the country.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These states include Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Telangana.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Objectives<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To extend the provisions of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Part IX<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>of the Constitution<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> relating to the Panchayats to the Scheduled Areas with certain modifications.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To provide self-rule for the bulk of the tribal population.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To have village governance with participatory democracy and to make the Gram Sabha a nucleus of all activities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To evolve a suitable administrative framework consistent with traditional practices.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To safeguard and preserve the traditions and customs of tribal communities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Gram Sabhas under PESA Act<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> were entrusted with <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>wide-ranging powers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to:<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Enforce prohibition or to regulate or restrict the sale and consumption of any intoxicant.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ownership of minor forest produce.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas and to take appropriate action to restore any unlawfully alienated land of a Scheduled Tribe.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Manage village markets by whatever name is called.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Exercise control over money lending to the Scheduled Tribes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Exercise control over institutions and functionaries in all social sectors.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Control over local plans and resources for such plans including tribal sub-plans.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2013<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, while hearing a case, the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Supreme Court <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">of India referred to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>PESA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and asked the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Odisha government to go to the Gram Sabha to get permission for bauxite mining<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Kalahandi<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Rayagada<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> districts.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Local forest dwellers were asked whether bauxite mining will affect their religious and cultural rights and they<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> decided against the mining on Niyamgiri hills<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> which led to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>cancellation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of a huge project.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The case is considered a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>milestone<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> that <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>shows the power of the Gram Sabhas <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">but this one of the rare achievements of PESA even as it underlines the possibilities the Act carries.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Significance<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It aimed to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>decentralise powe<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">r and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>empower indegneous communities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, paving the way for <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>participatory democracy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> &amp; envisaged that <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>each tier of the local governance is independent<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is based on the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>cardinal principle of governance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> that <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>human communities are the best agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>handle most of their survival challenges<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, manage their affairs and progress towards growing emancipation through the instrumentality of participatory deliberative democracy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It also calls for <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>creating the appropriate levels<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of Panchayats similar to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>6<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><sup>th<\/sup><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> Schedule Area<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, where the administrative boundaries are autonomous enough for self-rule.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The act is constructed around the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Gandhian concept of Gram Swaraj<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> which was included in the Constitution as <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Article 40<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> (organisation of village panchayats) and came alive only when PESA was adopted.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> 73<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><sup>rd<\/sup><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> Amendment<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, which inserted <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Article 243<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, made the terms Gram (village) and Gram Sabha (village assembly) a part of the Constitution for the first time, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>PESA gave shape to the concept of self governance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, by devolving <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>power and authority<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hence the first substantive section of PESA begins with the legal presumption that the \u2018<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Gram Sabha<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2019 is \u2018<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>competent<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2019 and calls upon the state governments to ensure legal, procedural and administrative empowerment as a means of deepening democracy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>principle<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> that underlies PESA has <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>two corollaries<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in relation to development namely<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Any community can best decipher advancement and modernity when it is grounded in the strength of its own culture and way of life.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Any community can negotiate both advancement and modernity only when it is founded on the bedrock of its own culture and way of life.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Its provisions appeared to come as a saviour that is <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>designed to erase the historical injustice done to the tribal community<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and was perceived as restoration of their dignity and tradition of self-governance.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Challenges<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The act has now been termed \u201c<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>toothless<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201d with the erosion of its spirit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Till now <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>40 per cent of States<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> have <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>not formulated necessary rules<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> regarding PESA which highlights the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>apathetic attitude<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of the state governments towards it.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Four states (Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha) have not even framed the rules for the implementation of the act yet.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Not a single state<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> has currently<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> amended the Panchayat Raj Act <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">as required as per PESA.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Even in the states where the rules were formulated, they <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>performed quite poorly <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">on ensuring their implementation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After enacting PESA, the Union Government brought <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>several other legislations and included many provisions of PESA into these<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> laws, shadowing its purpose and significance.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For instance, the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> Land Acquisition Act, 2013<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> empowered Gram Sabhas immensely.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Similarly, the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Forest Right Act, 2006<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> has provisions of PESA and now when people need to protect their rights and resources, they look up to these laws.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Violations of the self-governance aspects<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of the Gram Sabhas with respect to customary resources, minor forest produce, minor minerals, minor water bodies, selection of beneficiaries, sanction of projects and control over local institutions <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>continue<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Currently, no Gram Sabha can function without going through revenue officers at various levels and in a majority of cases, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>required sanctions are denied <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">by inordinate delays or outright refusals.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>No stretch of common property<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> can in any way be <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>rightfully owned<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>controlled<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> by any village, communities, groups, or people.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And the gram sabha\u2019s <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>power to accord such ownership is never recognised<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While the constitution of Gram Sabhas was made mandatory in states, the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>powers and functions of the Gram Sabhas<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> have been left to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>discretion of the state legislatures<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">. As a result, different states have developed powers and functions for this body differently.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">From the land acquired and the clearing of villages for the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Statue of Unity in Gujarat<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, where 121 villages were notified for the project in a blatant disregard for PESA.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Another example was the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>criminalisation of the Pathalgadi movement<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, wherein Adivasis erected stone slabs to demarcate the area of their villages.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">PESA <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>laws of maintenance of autonomy <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>tribal culture remained obscure<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The infringement of the provisions of PESA outlined with it a disregard for the rights of forest-dwellers, mostly <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>tribal communities <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">which constitute around <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>nine per cent<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of India\u2019s population.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Violations of the Act and its dilution highlights a pattern of developments which show the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Centre and states&#8217; lack of commitment<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> towards strengthening of gram sabhas.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Instead<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> there has been a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>push for corporate entry and control of resources<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, making it <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>easier to surpass<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> gram sabha consent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The biggest challenge is the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>degradation of the spirit<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of PESA as the formulation of rules did not take place for varied reasons <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>giving rise to increased conflict<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The traditional <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Gram Sabhas<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> and the State structured <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Panchayats<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> are in conflict with one another.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Way Forward<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Structures above Gram Sabha <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>should be patterned on the <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><strong><u>Sixth Schedule<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: circle;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Scheduled areas should have had a structure where the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>powers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> of the State could be allocated in such a way<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> that the Gram Sabha is not overridden<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> but empowered.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There is a need to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>pledge plausible and time bound actions<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to implement PESA in letter and spirit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>conflict and the inconsistencies<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> between the Gram Sabhas and the Panchayats <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>need to be ironed out<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>State governments need to change their laws<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> in order to comply with PESA and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>laws<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> relating to land acquisition, excise, forest produce, mines and minerals, agri produce market and money lending <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>need to be amended<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">PESA is <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>good legislation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> but it will <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>only make sense only if taken seriously and implemented well<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: disc;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is hoped that in its <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>25<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><sup>th<\/sup><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> year of implementation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>serious efforts<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>would be pledged<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> to identify the pitfalls and promote policies that pave the environment for establishment, prevalence and persistence of a system of tribal self rule in the Fifth Schedule Areas.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/city\/ranchi\/villagers-admin-tussle-over-land-in-khunti-village\/articleshow\/83673904.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif;\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><u>TOI<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In News Recently, the Tilma gram sabha, Jharkhand has written a letter to the State Chief Minister seeking restoration of their rights guaranteed under the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act 1996. The Act completes 25 years in 2021. About the Issue According to the Tilma gram sabha, the district administration and the police [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[30,84],"class_list":["post-12082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-gs-2","tag-management-of-social-sector"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/07\/5925824current-affairs.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12082"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24452,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12082\/revisions\/24452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}