Now is the best time for governors of states where the Schedule V of Constitution to flex there power to counter left wing extremism, writes tribal affairs minister Kishore Chandra Deo in a letter to such governors.

Deo highlights the lack of governance and unchecked exploitation of resources in scheduled areas that continue to affect the lives of the indigenous peoples. This has fuelled Maoist rebellion in these areas, the minister reasons saying that the government largely ignores the plight of the tribal people whose rights are violated on a daily basis. He blames the large scale denudation of forests and indiscriminate mining for the tribals' loss of homes and livelihoods. He also says that the poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act has left many tribals with no recognition of their ownership of the land they have lived on many generations and has curtailed their access to the forest resources on which they depend upon for livelihood.

However, the thrust of the letter is his reminder to the governors about the special powers they have been granted under the Schedule V and other laws. he cites the Clause V of the Schedule V ( a governor can exercise a law in scheduled areas without needing the sanction of the council of ministers of the state government) and the Article 266 of the constitution (the governor can amend laws to preserve peace and good governance, especially in cases of land rights and money lending). Deo rues, "Unfortunately in the 65 years of Independence, there has been not a single instance of any governor exercising these powers."