Lok Sabha Question No. 2766 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Implementation of PESA Act
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.- 2766

ANSWERED ON- 10.03.2026

## IMPLEMENTATION OF PESAACT

## 2766. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

## Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation of Panchayats (Extentions to Scheduled Areas) Act in Scheduled Areas of Rajasthan;

(b) if so, the gaps identified and measures taken to strengthen implementation; and

(c) whether similar reviews are being conducted in other tribal-dominated states and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH)

(a) to (c) The Parliament enacted 'The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996' (PESA), for extending the provisions of Part-IX of the Constitution, with certain exceptions and modifications, to the Fifth Schedule Areas, as per article 243M(4)(b) of the Constitution. At present, Fifth Schedule Areas exist in 10 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana. Provisions of PESA Act are applicable only to these 10 States.

"Panchayat, being "Local Government", is a State Subject and part of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. Accordingly all matters relating to Panchayats, including reviewing of the implementation of PESA Act in the Scheduled Areas of the State, identification of gaps and measures taken to strengthen its implementation etc. fall within the purview of the State Government concerned.

States having Fifth Scheduled Areas have informed that regular review meetings are conducted to monitor the implementation of PESA Act. Government of Rajasthan has informed that the progress of implementation of PESA Act has been reviewed regularly through meetings with the concerned departments at the State level.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj has recently developed 10 PESA indicators to facilitate State Governments in assessing performance, identifying gaps and taking appropriate measures to strengthen the implementation of PESA in the State.These 10 PESA Indicators

areAlignment of State Panchayat Raj Acts with PESA Provisions; State PESA Rules Notified; Provisions in State PESA Rules in conformity with PESA Act; Amendments in State Acts / Rules / Regulations / Policies / Executive Directions of other line departments to comply with PESA Act; GPDP plan upload of PESA Gram Sabhas; Mapping of PESA Villages/Panchayats in LG directory; Deployment of PESA Staff at State Level; PESA Trainings; Orientation of PESA Gram Sabha under RGSA; and Uploading of photos / videos and minutes of Gram Sabha on 'Panchayat NIRNAY' portal.

In the assessment for the FY 2024-25, State of Rajasthan has secured 4th position and is tagged as 'Performer'. PESA Indicators reveal that State of Rajasthan is lacking in certain areas such as 'Provisions in State PESA Rules in conformity with PESA Act' and 'Amendments in State Acts / Rules / Regulations / Policies / Executive Directions of other line departments to comply with PESA Act'.

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