The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has linked PESA implementation in Fifth Schedule areas with digital planning, monitoring, and capacity building. The release is important because it connects constitutional decentralisation in tribal areas with the practical question of whether Gram Sabhas and Panchayats can use digital tools for planning and oversight.

What happened

The Union government said that the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 was enacted under Article 243M(4)(b) of the Constitution to extend Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas with exceptions and modifications. The ministry also said that implementation of PESA, including adoption of digital governance applications in Scheduled Areas, lies with the respective State governments because Panchayats are a State subject and operate through State Panchayati Raj Acts.

The ministry said it facilitates digital governance through the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project, including eGramSwaraj and AuditOnline. It also said that the ministry periodically reviews implementation with States through review meetings and other monitoring mechanisms.

What changed now

The ministry said it has developed 10 PESA Indicators, including an indicator on uploading Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) of PESA Gram Sabhas on the eGramSwaraj portal. The ministry also said it has initiated integration of PESA within the GPDP framework, launched a dedicated PESA-GPDP Portal, and made PESA a separate theme in the 2026-27 eGramSwaraj planning cycle with 42 activities.

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