The PESA Act, or the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, has become a focal point of political debate in Jharkhand. The BJP has criticized Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s government over its approach to the Act. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren has accused the current government of neglecting the interests of the tribal community.
Champai Soren claimed the Hemant Soren administration shows indifference toward tribal welfare and is reluctant to implement the PESA Act. The PESA Act is designed to provide greater autonomy and rights to tribal communities living in scheduled areas of India. It aims to extend the principles of the Panchayati Raj system to these regions, which are predominantly inhabited by tribal populations. PESA was enacted after the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which established Panchayati Raj institutions throughout the country, excluded these areas, to promote self-governance through Gram Sabhas, enabling them to manage resources and their own affairs.
The objectives of the PESA Act include empowering tribal communities to manage their resources, such as forests, land, and water. It also grants Gram Sabhas the authority to plan, manage resources, and resolve local disputes. The Act also ensures respect for traditional customs and involvement in development initiatives.
Ten states have adopted PESA, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana. However, the Act remains unimplemented in Odisha and Jharkhand, while the remaining eight states have successfully implemented it.
The BJP is using the PESA Act as a platform to criticize Hemant Soren’s government. Speaking at the Adivasi Maha Darbar, Champai Soren revealed that he had reviewed the PESA Act during his tenure and integrated special provisions to empower Gram Sabhas financially, but the current government is not committed to its implementation. He mentioned that on International Tribal Day, August 24, he declared the commencement of farming in Nagri, Ranchi, challenging the government’s authority. Despite attempts to stop his supporters, they succeeded in tilling the land where the government intended to construct the RIMS-II project.
Champai Soren appealed to the tribal community to unite in defense of their traditions, identity, and culture, following the example of their ancestors. He criticized the Hemant Soren government, alleging that it does not want to strengthen the tribal self-governance but rather wants to restrict their influence to “Abua-Abua”. He emphasized the issue of Daanpatra, alleging that this document has been used to seize tribal land by circumventing laws like the Chota Nagpur and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Acts. A major tribal meeting is scheduled for December 22 in Bhognadih, Dumka, to devise strategies for recovering tribal land acquired through Daanpatra, Champai Soren warned.