This is a type of spatula. It is usually very flat, and has a triangular or square headpiece attached to a long handle.
This is very a useful and convenient kitchen tool for turning fish, meat and vegetables & chapathis/parathas,dosas on a tawa/ skillet . It is useful too, for stir frying in an open pan.
Paltas can be made of wood, stainless steel, iron, aluminium etc. The size, shape and thickness of the handle and the headpiece vary a lot. This leads to a range of different shaped paltas as each one is suitable for a specific cooking method/ food item.