RANCHI, Jan. 4 -- The Jharkhand government has notified the rules under the Panchayat Extension of Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, officials said on Saturday. The step aims at strengthening self-governance in the scheduled areas of the state, giving powers to the traditional Gram Sabhas, officials said. With implementation of the much-awaited PESA Rule, the Gram Sabhas would be empowered to take decision through common participation of people in sectors including sale/purchase of land, management of resources like forest produce, water bodies and minor minerals, opening of liquor shops, besides conducting open hearing and deciding on persons accused of petty crimes in their jurisdiction, with powers to grant monetary punishment. The Hemant Soren government had cleared the Rule on December 23 and it was notified by the Panchayati Raj department on Friday. The rules determine the process for institution of Gram Sabhas, selection of their heads and members, their powers, functioning as well the exceptions under which they would have to function....