pesa

PESA, or Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, is a central Indian law intended to extend the constitutional framework of local self-government to the Scheduled Areas of the country. It was enacted to empower tribal communities by recognizing traditional governance structures and enhancing the role of the Gram Sabha in village-level decision making and resource management.

The act applies to areas designated as Scheduled Areas and establishes a framework for the participation of Gram Sabhas in governance processes. It seeks to place significant authority in the hands of local communities on matters including development planning, the management of natural resources, and the control of community resources such as minor forest produce. It emphasizes the need for consultation with Gram Sabhas in decisions affecting the community and aims to protect tribal customs and rights while promoting accountable and transparent local administration.

Key objectives include strengthening local institutions, ensuring that development activities reflect community priorities, and safeguarding against decisions that could undermine traditional governance or tribal rights. The implementation of PESA varies across states, influenced by local capacity, administrative practice, and how state laws interact with the Act’s provisions.

Impact and reception have been mixed. Supporters regard PESA as a landmark in decentralization and tribal empowerment, while critics point to implementation challenges and ambiguities in the Act’s scope. Ongoing debates focus on the alignment of PESA with forest rights, land rights, and broader development schemes in scheduled areas.