Overview
- The rules give Gram Sabhas authority to grant or withhold consent for mining and set defined roles in land acquisition, minor forest produce, and water management.
- Implementation will cover Fifth Schedule regions in 15 districts, with Gram Sabha boundaries to be notified by district administrations.
- The state clarified that the framework becomes legally operative upon formal notification, so enforcement is not yet in force.
- High Court oversight has stalled sand-ghat auctions and affirmed that Gram Sabhas cannot be bypassed in resource decisions, pressing the state to act.
- Officials said the draft followed extensive consultations and was approved with minor changes in a meeting that also cleared 39 other proposals.