CORE CONTEXT
• Maoist violence has declined due to security operations, especially in Fifth Schedule tribal areas.
• However, Maoism emerged and sustained itself due to deep governance failures, not ideology alone.
• The post-Maoist phase demands a shift from military dominance to legitimate, participatory governance.
PROBLEM: Governance Deficits Behind Maoism
• Administrative neglect in Fifth Schedule areas.
• Extractive state institutions (police, forest, revenue) with weak accountability.
• Under-representation of Adivasis in governance and local bodies.
• Poor service delivery: health, education, nutrition, welfare.
• Justice vacuum → Maoist jan adalats filled the gap.
Failure of protective laws:
• PESA (1996): Gram Sabhas lack real autonomy.
• Forest Rights Act (2006): rights diluted via executive actions.
• Land alienation and mining without genuine consent → loss of trust in state.
SOLUTION: Post-Maoist Governance Roadmap
• Move beyond security-centric approach to governance-centric reforms.
Strengthen local self-governance:
• Empower Gram Sabhas under PESA.
• Functional Autonomous and Zonal Councils.
Administrative reforms:
• Greater tribal representation in bureaucracy, police, forest and revenue departments.
• Context-sensitive governance.
Justice and rule of law:
• Accessible, speedy, non-coercive justice.
• End parallel authority spaces.
Restore constitutional protections:
• Faithful implementation of PESA and FRA.
• Reverse dilution through executive and legal bypasses.
• Political priority to Fifth Schedule areas for durable peace.
TDF
“Suggest key governance reforms required to ensure durable peace in India’s post-Maoist regions.”
(Answer in 150 words)
