The failure of the government to hold panchayat elections has caused the state to lose out on an estimated Rs1,100 crores in central assistance over the past four years. The Union ministry of rural development blocked its annual special central assistance of Rs. 275 crore in 2001.

Schedule Areas in Jharkhand that falls under the Fifth Schedule are the districts of Ranchi, Dumka, Pakur, Rajmahal, Jamtara and some blocks in Garhwa, Godda and Latehar districts.

In 1990’s two programmes were implemented by PRI in India -Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna (JGSY) (Rural Infrastructure Programme) and Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS). The purpose of these programmes was to provide wage employment in lean seasons or incase of natural calamities and create community assets in these areas. Preference was given to groups like dalits, adivasis, women and wage labourers living below poverty line.

In 1989, the central government initiated Jawahar Employment Plan (Jawahar Rozgar Yojana), which provided funding directly to village councils to create jobs for the unemployed through public works projects.

The concept of panchayat has been incorporated in Part 1V of the constitution.

112 of 212 blocks of the state have been reserved for tribal population, under the provisions of scheduled area.

There are total of 234676 Gram panchayats, 6097 Intermediate panchayats and 537 District panchayats in India. This includes 3746, 211 and 22 respectively in Jharkhand.
See:  http://panchayat.nic.in/pris.htm

The union tribal welfare ministry has framed a draft for Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of forest rights) Bill 2005 which proposes to accord two-and-half acres of land and the right to use minor forest produce to each individual situated in “forest settlements” prior to 1980.
See http://tribal.nic.in

The district is the principal subdivision within the state. There are 476 districts in India; the districts vary in size and population. The district collector is the head of the district. Districts in India are subdivided into blocks (also called taluqs or tehsils in some states).

Constitution provisions under Article 243-D reserves seats of panchayats in favour of weaker sections-SC, ST and women.
See:  http://indiacode.nic.in