Ranchi, May 28 (PTI) Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday alleged that the JMM-led alliance government is reluctant to implement the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, commonly known as the PESA Act, under the influence of "foreign religion."

The PESA Act, which recognises the rights of tribal communities in Scheduled Areas, was enacted in 1996.

Also Read | 'Single Hand Can't Clap': Supreme Court Gives Interim Bail to 23-Year-Old Influencer in Rape Case.

However, the law has not yet been implemented in the state.

"The PESA Act was enacted across the country in 1996. All other states have framed PESA rules. In Jharkhand, even after five-and-a-half years of Hemant Soren's government, the Act remains unimplemented," Das told reporters.

Also Read | ISRO VSSC Recruitment 2025: ISRO Invites Applications for 64 Technician, Draughtsman and Other Posts, Apply Online at vssc.gov.in.

The senior BJP leader questioned, "Is the Hemant government at risk of falling if the law is implemented? Or is it being delayed under the influence of a foreign religion, as it may adversely affect those following the faith?"

He added that the state government published the draft PESA rules in July 2023 and sought feedback from the public and institutions through the Panchayati Raj Department.

"The Advocate General approved the draft rules on March 22, 2024, stating that they were formulated in accordance with judicial orders of the Supreme Court and High Court. Besides, extensive discussions also took place in a regional conference attended by representatives from the government of India, as well as Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, all of whom agreed on the PESA draft rules," Das claimed.

He urged that the PESA Act should be implemented at the earliest after getting approval from the state cabinet.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)