Delay in PESA Implementation Threat to Tribal Autonomy: People's Collective in Jharkhand Urges Soren Govt to Act in Monsoon Session

Ranchi- The Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (a collective platform of social activists and people's organizations in Jharkhand) has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, demanding the complete implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) in the state. The Mahasabha has urged the government to amend the Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act (JPRA) and notify the PESA rules during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the state assembly to safeguard tribal and indigenous rights.

The Mahasabha emphasized that PESA is a crucial law for protecting the cultural identity, self-governance, and community rights over natural resources of tribal and indigenous communities. Despite the INDIA alliance government coming to power in 2024 with a clear mandate for "Abua Raj" (Our Rule), PESA remains unimplemented, leading to growing public discontent.

Since PESA provisions must be enforced through state panchayati raj laws, the Mahasabha stressed the need to amend the Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act (JPRA), 2001, which currently lacks key PESA provisions. The state government had released a draft of the PESA rules on May 9, 2025, seeking public feedback within a month. The Mahasabha and other organizations submitted multiple recommendations, but no concrete action has been taken yet.

The Mahasabha warned that without PESA, gram sabhas (village councils) and traditional self-governance systems will remain powerless, leaving decision-making concentrated in bureaucratic hands. It criticized Jharkhand’s bureaucracy for being "insensitive" to tribal rights and public welfare, which could deepen public frustration.

Call for PESA-Aligned Reforms in Other Laws

The Mahasabha demanded that within six months of PESA’s implementation, the government must amend other related laws, including:

• Jharkhand Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules, 2015

• Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011

• Kendu Patta (Trade Control) Act, 1973

• Jharkhand State Sand Mining Policy, 2017

• Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004

The letter was endorsed by prominent activists and representatives, including Afzal Anis, Atoka Kujur, Aman Marandi, Ambika Yadav, Ambita Kisku, Apurva, Ashok Verma, Basing Hassa and many others.