(a) whether the Government has implemented the provisions of Panchayats (Extension of
the Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996 effectively in the Naxal/Maoists affected States in
the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government considers that the effective implementation of PESA in these
States is a right step in a right direction to resolve their problems; and
(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)
(a) to (b): The PESA Act, 1996 was enacted to extend Part IX of the Constitution with certain
modifications and exceptions to the Scheduled V areas of nine States viz. Andhra Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and
Rajasthan to provide for people-centric governance and enable the people to safeguard and
preserve the customary law, social and religious practices, and traditional management practices
of community resources alongwith a central role assigned to the Gram Sabha. Draft Model Rules
for PESA were prepared by the Ministry and circulated to all the nine PESA States for framing
of rules for effective implementation of PESA. Further, for effective implementation of PESA
Act, guidelines and advisories have also been issued by the Government to all the nine Fifth
Schedule States. The concerned State Governments have been reminded to expedite action.
(c) and (d): Yes, Madam.