The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday directed the State Government to submit the final rules for the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) by the next hearing on 9th October 2025. The directive came during the hearing of a contempt petition filed over the delay in implementing PESA rules in the state.
Also Read: Jharkhand High Court Ordered Suspension of All Sand Ghat Auction until PESA Rules Notified
Court Expressed Strong Displeasure
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar observed that the Government cannot indefinitely ignore court orders. The bench remarked, “We will not keep giving orders while the State does nothing.” The judges made it clear that the rules must be placed before the court in the next hearing without fail.
Also Read: Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari is Retiring on 30th September, Shailendra Singh Top in Seniority List
Minor Mineral Ban to Stay
During the proceedings, the court refused to lift the stay on allotment of minor minerals until the PESA rules are implemented. The bench, however, accepted an intervention application seeking to vacate the stay imposed after Sand Ghat auctions and issued notice to the petitioner. The court noted that once the rules are notified, it will consider passing appropriate orders on mineral allocation.
Also Read: Supreme Court Summoned Chief Secretary Jharkhand to Appear on 8th October for Contempt Proceedings
The State’s Advocate General Rajeev Ranjan and Additional Advocate General Jai Prakash informed the court that a draft of the PESA rules has already been prepared and sent to the cabinet for approval. Panchayati Raj Secretary Manoj Kumar was present in court and assured that the process was at an advanced stage. The matter will now be heard again on 9th October, when the court expects the notified rules to be produced.
Also Read: Major Reshuffle in Jharkhand Police, Key IPS Officers Transferred and Given New Charges
Join the WhatsApp Group of Business Jharkhand to Stay tuned for all the latest updates of industrial-political developments in Jharkhand.
