Objectives of the Act

The objectives of the PESA Act are as follows6 :

1. To extend the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to the panchayats to the scheduled areas with certain modifications

2. To provide self-rule for the bulk of the tribal population

3. To have village governance with participatory democracy and to make the gram sabha a nucleus of all activities

4. To evolve a suitable administrative framework consistent with traditional practices

5. To safeguard and to preserve the traditions and customs of tribal communities

6. To empower panchayats at the appropriate levels with specific powers conducive to tribal requirements

7. To prevent panchayats at the higher level from assuming the powers and authority of panchayats at the lower level of the gram sabha