Indian Polity PYQ 391 of 440 · Panchayati Raj and Community Development

Which among the following is true about the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act?

  • 1. It was enacted in 1996.
  • 2. It accords statutory status to the Gram Sabhas in Scheduled V areas.
  • 3. Section 4(i) of the Act mandates that the Gram Sabha or Panchayat should consent before any land acquisition for development projects.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. AOnly 1
  2. B1 and 2
  3. CAll of the above
  4. D2 and 3

BPSC Assistant Education Development Officer 2026Disputed key

Show answer and explanation

Correct answers: (b) 1 and 2 or (c) All of the above

Explanation

  • The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act was passed in 1996 (it came into force on 24 December 1996). It extends Part IX of the Constitution to the Scheduled Areas.
  • It makes the Gram Sabha the centre of self-government in Fifth Schedule areas, with powers over minor forest produce, village markets, local plans and customs.
  • Section 4(i) says the Gram Sabha or the Panchayat at the appropriate level must be consulted before land is acquired in the Scheduled Areas for development projects, and before the people affected are resettled.

The book's key accepts all three statements.

The book's key is (c), all three. But Section 4(i) of PESA requires the Gram Sabha or Panchayat to be **consulted** before land acquisition. It does not require their **consent**. Read strictly, statement 3 is wrong, which makes (b) right. Both (b) and (c) are accepted here.

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