The correct answer is: a) Tribal areas.
The PESA Act, or the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, is an Act of the Parliament of India that extends the provisions of the Panchayats Act to the Scheduled Areas. The Act provides for the establishment of autonomous village panchayats and district councils in the Scheduled Areas. The Act also provides for the transfer of powers and functions to these bodies.
The concept of ‘parallel bodies’ under PESA is meant to strengthen governance in tribal areas. The parallel bodies are meant to supplement the work of the existing government institutions in the Scheduled Areas. The parallel bodies are also meant to ensure that the tribal people have a say in the decision-making process that affects them.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option b) is incorrect because the PESA Act does not apply to urban areas.
- Option c) is incorrect because the PESA Act does not apply to Naxal-affected areas.
- Option d) is incorrect because the PESA Act does not apply to coastal areas.