The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)

The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) is an Act of the Parliament of India that extends the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1994 to the Scheduled Areas of the country.

The Scheduled Areas are those areas that have been identified as being inhabited predominantly by Scheduled Tribes. The PESA Act gives Scheduled Tribes a greater say in the management of their own affairs. It also gives them the right to protect their land, water, and other natural resources.

The PESA Act has been hailed as a landmark piece of legislation that has given Scheduled Tribes a greater say in their own development. However, it has also been criticized for being too complex and for not being implemented effectively.

The PESA Act has the following key provisions:

• It establishes a three-tier system of panchayats in the Scheduled Areas: gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, and zilla parishads.
• It gives Scheduled Tribes the right to elect their own representatives to the panchayats.
• It gives the panchayats the power to make laws and regulations on matters that are important to the Scheduled Tribes, such as land, water, and forests.
• It gives the panchayats the power to levy taxes and other fees.
• It requires the government to consult the panchayats before making any decisions that affect the Scheduled Areas.

The PESA Act is a complex piece of legislation and it has been difficult to implement effectively. However, it has the potential to be a major force for good in the Scheduled Areas. It gives Scheduled Tribes a greater say in their own development and it protects their land, water, and other natural resources.