Neglect of Fifth Schedule is an Attack on Tribal Rights: CPI-ML

Ranchi :: The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) has accused the Hemant Soren government of undermining the constitutional Fifth Schedule by failing to implement the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act for a long time. CPI-ML State Secretary Manoj Bhakt said that while previous BJP governments delayed PESA for the benefit of corporates and sand–land mafias, the real question now is — who benefits from the current government’s delay?

The party demanded that the government issue an executive notification immediately to empower Gram Sabhas with PESA rights. It further insisted that until PESA is enforced, all forms of land acquisition in the affected areas must be stopped. CPI-ML also emphasized that Gram Sabhas should have intervention rights not only in sand mining but also in the stone trade.
Attacking the BJP, CPI-ML alleged that the previous government weakened the authority of Gram Sabhas by signing MoUs for thousands of acres of land and imposing the land bank policy. All of this, the party argued, was done in the name of so-called development projects, while the actual beneficiaries were only corporate houses.
Bhakt also targeted former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, calling it ironic that he is now demanding the implementation of PESA, when in fact his government had played the biggest role in blocking it. He alleged that the BJP is taking advantage of the current government’s weaknesses by indulging in false posturing.
The party warned that if PESA is not implemented soon, tribal communities will continue to suffer losses. CPI-ML reminded that implementing PESA is part of the INDIA alliance’s policy direction.
The party also cautioned the Hemant government that the Modi-led central government would exploit such weaknesses to obstruct welfare measures in Jharkhand. CPI-ML recalled that in recent times, the Union government attacked Jharkhand’s interests by halting funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Public Distribution System, and Panchayat development schemes.
The party expressed hope that Chief Minister Hemant Soren, this time, will not allow the Centre to undermine the state’s rights and harm tribal interests.