In India, the Constituent Assembly has taken several steps to protect the interests of the vast tribal population of the country. The PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act gives radical governance powers to the tribal community and recognizes its traditional community rights over local natural resources. This Act has also made it mandatory for the states to make specific provisions for a broad range of powers to the tribals on matters relating to decision making and development of their community. This book examines the profound impact of effective implementation of Act, with special emphasis on the extremely affected districts which are characterized by a high degree of poverty, lack of infrastructure, illiteracy, exploitation, and marginalization. Through various case studies, the book discusses the diverse issues and concerns relevant to people-centric governance for removing the discontent among the tribal population and assuring them that they have equal stake in the progress of the country. [Subject: India Studies, Sociology, Public Governance]