Ranchi: The Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM) has welcomed the approval of the Jharkhand PESA Rules, 2025 by the State Cabinet, describing it as a historic victory resulting from decades-long struggles of Adivasis, original inhabitants, and Gram Sabhas in Jharkhand. The Mahasabha stated that this decision is a direct outcome of people’s movements aimed at protecting water, forests, land, and self-governance.
In its official statement, the Mahasabha said that the coming into force of the PESA Rules marks a victory for thousands of villagers, social activists, and people’s organizations who faced police batons, went to jail, and continuously exerted pressure on the government through democratic movements to secure these rights. The Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha itself played an active role throughout this process. It conducted awareness campaigns on the PESA Act in villages, distributed pamphlets, organized large protests and public meetings in the state capital Ranchi, and submitted a people-centric draft to the government.
The Mahasabha appreciated the fact that the state government prioritized public participation during the drafting of the Rules and incorporated suggestions from people’s organizations, social activists, and subject experts. According to the Mahasabha, this democratic process of policy and law-making sets a positive example that should be adopted by other states as well as the central government.
However, the Mahasabha also made it clear that without amendments to the Jharkhand Panchayat Raj Act (JPRA), 2001, the Rules would remain incomplete. It stated that unless all provisions of PESA are explicitly incorporated into the parent Panchayat law, the administrative powers of Panchayats (Mukhiya and Pramukh) will remain unchanged, leaving scope for interference in the authority of Gram Sabhas. The Mahasabha warned that while the PESA Rules are subordinate legislation, JPRA is a statutory law, and in case of any contradiction, the bureaucracy may cite the law to weaken the decisions of Gram Sabhas.
The Mahasabha demanded that the approved Rules be made public immediately and copies be circulated to all Gram Sabhas. It further urged the government to amend the JPRA without delay and align it with the core spirit of PESA.
Additionally, the Mahasabha demanded widespread dissemination of the Rules in local languages across villages and strict training for district administrations and the police regarding their limited jurisdiction, so that there is no interference in the powers of Gram Sabhas. It also called for amendments to all state laws related to land, forests, and minerals within the next six months to bring them in conformity with the PESA Rules.
For effective implementation of the Rules, the Mahasabha emphasized the need to constitute a high-level monitoring mechanism under the leadership of the Chief Secretary and to ensure regular monthly dialogue with people’s organizations and traditional leadership. It also demanded the formation of a committee to explore the possibility of implementing broader provisions similar to the Sixth Schedule under Section 4(o) of PESA in traditional Adivasi autonomous regions such as Kolhan and Santhal Pargana.
On this historic occasion, the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha congratulated all struggle partners and reiterated that its movement will continue until the dream of “Abua Disum, Abua Raj” (Our Land, Our Rule) is realized. The Mahasabha also announced that after the Rules are formally notified, it will release a detailed public commentary comparing them with its people-oriented draft.
Issued by:
Ajay Ekka, Aloka Kujur, Aman Marandi, Afzal Anis, Ambika Yadav, Ambita Kisku, Apoorva, Arunanshu Banerjee, Ashok Verma, Bharat Bhushan Chaudhary, Binsay Munda, Birsingh Mahato, Charles Murmu, Chandradev Hembrom, Dinesh Murmu, Elina Horo, James Herenz, George Monipally, Jean Drèze, Jyoti Behn, Jyoti Kujur, Kumar Chandra Mardi, Leena, Manthan, Manoj Bhuiyan, Mary Hansda, Munni Devi, Meena Murmu, Naresh Paharia, Pravir Peter, Prem Bablu Soren, P. M. Tony, Puneet Minz, Nand Kishore Ganjhu, Paran, Riya Tulika Pingua, Raja Bhai, Ranjit Kindo, Ramesh Jerai, Rose Khakha, Rose Madhu Tirkey, Ramesh Malto, Regina Indwar, Reshmi Devi, Ram Kavindra, Sandeep Pradhan, Sangeeta Beck, Siraj Dutta, Shashi Kumar, Santoshi Lakra, Sisilia Lakra, Shankar Malto, Tom Kawla, Timothy Malto, Vinod Kumar, Vivek Kumar
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