Thane Tribal Areas Reviewed for Better Development
Maharashtra’s PESA Cell conducted an extensive field-level assessment across gram panchayats in Thane district this week. The initiative aimed to evaluate the utilisation and impact of the 5 per cent Direct Fund Scheme under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) of 1996, an act central to empowering tribal self-governance and sustainable rural transformation in India.
The review was carried out across multiple villages, including Shirol in Shahapur taluka and Kasara Khurd, between April 8 and 9, underscoring the state’s intent to enhance transparency and delivery of grassroots projects. The review comes at a critical juncture when implementation of PESA Rules continues to be a challenge in several Scheduled Areas of Maharashtra, often marred by administrative inertia and structural disconnects between rural governance bodies and tribal communities. While the PESA framework mandates that development decisions in Scheduled Areas be taken by the gram sabha, officials observed recurring delays in fund allocation and project execution. The field visit was conducted to assess these gaps, inspect documentation, and examine on-ground progress of works sanctioned through the direct tribal fund. This scheme earmarks 5 per cent of local development budgets specifically for Scheduled Area panchayats, enabling projects that reflect local socio-economic needs and environmental priorities.
Initial findings revealed a mixed picture. While certain panchayats had made visible progress in utilising the funds for infrastructure, water conservation, and community assets, others lagged due to bureaucratic entanglements or poor planning capacity. The inspecting team flagged the urgent need for standardised reporting mechanisms, digital record-keeping, and targeted capacity-building of panchayat staff to make the PESA mandate more effective. These reforms are being seen as essential for transitioning Scheduled Area governance from a policy framework to a people-led mechanism that ensures tribal dignity, equity, and ecological balance.
More importantly, the review placed renewed emphasis on the human dimension of rural development. For many tribal residents in these panchayats, the 5 per cent Direct Fund represents more than an administrative policy—it is a lifeline for community-led growth, improved livelihoods, and participative governance. In areas where implementation succeeded, the results were tangible: check dams revived local water tables, solar streetlights enhanced safety, and community centres offered spaces for collective action. Yet, the broader challenge remains in mainstreaming these successes across all Scheduled Areas in the district.
With rising urban migration and climate-linked vulnerabilities affecting rural regions, especially tribal belts, the role of PESA-led governance is gaining renewed relevance. Thane district’s diverse topography and tribal density make it a critical testing ground for evaluating the robustness of decentralised development. The PESA Cell’s visit signals the state’s willingness to recalibrate its strategies, align with local aspirations, and strengthen institutions from within. Whether this momentum translates into sustained policy action and improved ground realities remains to be seen, but the inspection has certainly reignited attention to grassroots governance—where development is not merely delivered, but co-created.
Thane Tribal Areas Reviewed for Better Development
