Stalled Tribal Autonomy: Delays in PESA Rule-Framing in Fifth Schedule States

The review highlights that the delay in rule-framing has led to the continued alienation of tribal lands and the marginalization of traditional forest-dwelling practices. Furthermore, the Act’s provision to resolve local disputes through customary laws remains largely on paper. This administrative inertia not only undermines the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment but also contributes to tribal unrest, as communities feel excluded from the governance process. In many regions, the lack of PESA rules has been cited as a factor fueling local grievances and even extremism. To bridge this gap, the report urges state governments to prioritize the notification of PESA rules. This includes defining the procedures for Gram Sabha meetings, the mechanism for managing community resources, and the integration of traditional tribal institutions into the modern administrative setup. Effective tribal self-governance is not just a legal requirement but a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable development in India’s heartland. UPSC Relevance: This news is critical for questions on local self-government, tribal development policies, and the challenges of the federal structure in GS Paper II. It also provides a contemporary case study for Anthropology and Public Administration optional subjects regarding the implementation of the Fifth Schedule and the friction between traditional and modern political institutions.