A regional conference focused on the Strengthening of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, also known as the PESA Act, is set to occur on the 4th and 5th March in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
The purpose of the PESA Act, which was established back in 1996, was to extend the provisions outlined in Part IX of the Constitution that pertain to the Panchayats to the Scheduled Areas.
It is important to note that Part IX encompasses Articles 243-243ZT, which specifically address municipalities and cooperative societies.
Provisions:
As per the Act, the Scheduled Areas are those mentioned in Article 244(1).
This article specifies that the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Areas in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram shall be governed by the provisions of the Fifth Schedule.
The Fifth Schedule lays down various special provisions for these areas.
Currently, ten states have identified Fifth Schedule areas that encompass several districts, either partially or completely. These states are Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
Objectives:
The objective is to establish self-governance among the inhabitants of Scheduled Areas through Gram Sabhas or village assemblies. This approach acknowledges the tribal communities' right to self-determination and reinforces their traditional rights over natural resources. Gram Sabhas are empowered to take charge of approving development plans and regulating all social sectors, making them a crucial player in the process.