Despite its ambitious goals, the implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) of 1996 in Orissa has been largely disappointing. While the Act was designed to empower tribal communities with real control over their resources and cultural rights, weak enforcement, bureaucratic hurdles, and contradictory state laws have crippled its effectiveness.
PESA was supposed to be a game-changer for tribal communities in Orissa, promising them real power over their land, forests, water, and cultural heritage. Passed in 1996, the law aimed to give Gram Sabhas—local village assemblies—control over resources, decision-making, and the right to preserve their way of life. In a state where 22% of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, this law was meant to empower them to govern themselves.
But the reality is far from what was promised. Orissa did amend its laws in 1997 to align with PESA, but the actual implementation has been half-hearted at best. The state’s policies often clash with the spirit of the Act. For example, while PESA grants tribes control over minor forest produce and protection against land alienation, the state continues to hold tight control over revenue-generating activities.
Even worse, most tribal communities remain unaware of their rights under PESA, and the bureaucratic machinery continues to undermine their authority. The promises of self-governance and cultural protection are being lost in a maze of contradictory laws and lack of political will.
Orissa’s experience shows that passing laws is not enough—what’s needed is genuine commitment to tribal welfare, where Gram Sabhas are empowered not just on paper but in real life.
Keywords: PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas), Tribal Welfare, Gram Sabha, Scheduled Areas, Orissa (Odisha), Land Rights, Customary Laws, Self-Governance, Minor Forest Produce, Decentralization
Tribal Welfare Through Panchayats: The Experience of PESA in Orissa
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