Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has strongly criticised the PESA rules framed by the state government, terming them “completely anti-tribal” and an attack on the traditional system of tribal self-governance.

Addressing a meeting of the All India Sarna Samaj in Khunti, Soren said the newly framed rules have diluted the constitutional spirit of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and weakened the authority of the Gram Sabha.

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He alleged that from the very first page of the rules, space has been created for “outsiders” alongside traditional village heads, opening the door for arbitrary decisions. According to Soren, this provision directly undermines the customary leadership structure of tribal villages.

The former Chief Minister pointed out that during his tenure, the Gram Sabha held the authority to restore land in cases of violations under the CNT-SPT Acts, and its consent was mandatory before any land transfer in Scheduled Areas. “The current government has removed these crucial rights,” he said.

Soren further alleged that on the same day the PESA rules were approved by the cabinet, over 850 acres of land in Noamundi (Kolhan) were allotted to Hindalco without the consent of the Gram Sabha, which, he claimed, exposes the government’s real intentions.

“Just as a fish cannot survive without water, tribal culture cannot exist without land,” Soren remarked. He added that if land is acquired for industries in Scheduled Areas, affected families should not only receive one-time compensation but also a share in the company’s profits, and ownership of the land should revert to the original holders if the factory shuts down.

Accusing the Grand Alliance government of crushing the original spirit of the PESA Act, Soren said the legislation was meant to protect tribal traditions, religious practices and self-governance, but its essence has now been compromised. He also criticised the removal of the Governor from the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) and the concentration of PESA powers in the hands of the Deputy Commissioner.

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The meeting witnessed widespread anger among community members over the new rules. Participants resolved to launch a village-level awareness campaign against what they termed the government’s anti-tribal policies.

Among those present were All India Sarna Samaj President Bhim Singh Munda, former Khunti Nagar Panchayat Chairperson Rani Tuti, Chhotray Munda, Manoj Kumar, and a large number of tribal representatives.


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