Victory for Gram Sabhas, PESA Act Rights Strengthened — Deputy CM Vijay Sharma Welcomes Supreme Court Verdict

Raipur

In a significant verdict reinforcing tribal self-governance, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the powers of gram sabhas under the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), affirming their authority to protect social customs, traditions, and cultural identity in Scheduled Areas.

Welcoming the ruling, Vijay Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, said the decision reaffirms the spirit of the Constitution and strengthens tribal self-rule. He stated that the verdict safeguards tribal culture and empowers gram sabhas to exercise their statutory rights for preserving traditional and social structures.

“Our government presented a strong case through the Panchayat and Rural Development Department. The court has clarified that gram sabhas have statutory authority under PESA to protect traditions and social systems. This ruling strengthens the concept of tribal self-governance,” Sharma said.

The Deputy CM added that the state government remains committed to making PESA rules more effective in Fifth Schedule areas to ensure better protection of tribal identity and constitutional rights.

The case originated in Kanker district, where several gram panchayats had installed boards restricting the entry of external religious preachers into villages. The move was challenged in the Chhattisgarh High Court, which ruled that gram sabhas possess such powers under PESA to preserve traditions. An appeal was later filed in the Supreme Court, which on February 16 dismissed the plea and upheld the High Court’s order.

The verdict is being viewed as a landmark step toward strengthening tribal autonomy, village self-governance, and the protection of traditional rights in Scheduled Areas.