ABSTRACT
Maharashtra, with 73.18 lakh tribal population is a state that has the second highest tribal population in the country, next to Madhya Pradesh. This chapter examines the process of representation of tribals in the decentralized governance of Maharashtra. The process is apparently inclusive insofar as it provides an opportunity to the tribals to participate in the decision-making in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through affirmative action. For the purpose of the study, tribal Panchayat leaders from ten selected districts of Maharashtra, covering 161 villages that comprise a significant percentage of tribal population, were taken as a sample. On the background of these empowerment criteria we try to assess the performance of PESA Act and PRI, and the extent to which it is successful for the empowerment of tribal community in Maharashtra. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act provides for the reservation of constituencies for STs in PRIs, facilitating the advent of political institutions as well as.
