The passage of the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) rules by the Jharkhand cabinet on December 23rd triggered widespread celebrations in Giridih. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) expressed its gratitude through a dedicated ‘Gratitude March,’ thanking Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his government for the historic decision. Festivities included distributing sweets at the JMM district headquarters, followed by a spirited rally with music and banners, making its way to Tower Chowk.
According to District President Sanjay Singh, this achievement addresses a long-standing demand for tribal self-governance in Jharkhand’s scheduled areas, a dream come true a quarter-century after the state’s inception. He emphasized that PESA will grant Gram Sabhas enhanced powers, making them central to the decision-making process for village-level projects. District Secretary Mahalal Soren highlighted the secured rights over ‘Jal, Jungle, and Zameen.’ The initiative was further lauded by Nunu Ram Kisku, also known as Tiger, and District Spokesperson Krishna Murari Sharma, as a pivotal moment for local governance and the state’s progress.