Ranchi: Today, the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha delegation met Panchayati Raj Director B. Rajeshwari and demanded that the Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2001 (JPRA) be amended as per the provisions of PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act) and the guidelines be notified again.
The delegation informed the Director that, according to constitutional and legal provisions, the rules of PESA can only be implemented through the state’s Panchayat Act. According to PESA, the state’s Panchayat laws should be aligned with the traditional customs, social-religious practices, and community-based management systems in the Scheduled Areas. However, the current JPRA does not include this fundamental principle. Furthermore, many provisions of PESA are not incorporated in JPRA, such as land acquisition, minor minerals, minor forest produce, and land restitution rights.
The delegation emphasized the need to amend JPRA to prioritize the powers of the Gram Sabha over those given to the village panchayats, panchayat samitis, and district councils in Scheduled Areas. Therefore, the first step is to amend JPRA and incorporate all the provisions of PESA. Afterward, the guidelines should be notified accordingly.
The delegation reminded the Director that on May 9, 2025, the Panchayati Raj Department had issued the PESA Guidelines, 2024, and invited suggestions within a month. The Mahasabha had already submitted drafts for amendments in JPRA and improvements in the guidelines to the department and the departmental minister several times. It is disappointing that despite repeated orders from the High Court, no action has been taken yet.
Panchayati Raj Director B. Rajeshwari assured that the Mahasabha’s suggestions would be included in the proposed guidelines.
The Mahasabha delegation reiterated its demand that, without delay, the JPRA be amended to include all the provisions of PESA and that the revised guidelines be notified in a transparent and time-bound manner. This process should be carried out with the active participation of tribal representatives, traditional tribal self-governance systems, and organizations fighting for tribal rights and issues related to the Fifth Schedule.
The delegation included Alka Aind, Basing Hassa, Dinesh Murmu, George Monipally, Rose Khakha, and Tom Kawla.
إرسال تعليق