| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| State & Event | Jharkhand implements rules under the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) after nearly 25 years of statehood. |
| Date of PESA Act | Enacted on 24 December 1996. |
| Purpose of PESA | To extend constitutional self-governance provisions to Fifth Schedule areas, predominantly tribal, and empower Gram Sabhas. |
| Implementation Areas | Fully applied in 13 out of Jharkhand's 24 districts, including Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega, West and East Singhbhum, Dumka, and Pakur. Partially implemented in Palamu, Godda, and Garhwa. |
| Tribal Population | Jharkhand has a 26.3% tribal population with over 12,000 villages inhabited by tribal communities. |
| Tribal Communities | Home to 32 tribal communities, including 8 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). |
| Gram Sabha Powers | Declared the supreme institution in Scheduled Areas. Powers include management of minor minerals, small water bodies, community resources, local dispute resolution, and imposition of fines up to ₹2,000. |
| Challenges | Concerns about bureaucratic oversight through district administration, lack of Gram Sabha authority over District Mineral Foundation funds and Tribal Sub Plan, and fears of administrative interference eroding customary law. |
| Economic Context | Jharkhand has 29.5% forest cover and produces minerals worth nearly ₹15,000 crore annually, yet tribal communities remain economically vulnerable. |
| Historical Context | Tribal communities historically marginalized, facing displacement, land/resource loss, and cultural erosion. PESA aims to restore autonomy and control over development decisions. |
| Key Provisions | Gram Sabha as the main forum for tribal participation, management of natural resources, protection of land rights, and safeguarding traditional practices. |
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