By IANS,
New Delhi : Women’s rights groups Friday hailed the government’s decision to increase the reservation for women in panchayats, or village councils, to 50 percent, saying the move will encourage women to have a greater say in local governance.
The reservation for women in the 252,000 panchayats across the country was earlier 33 percent.
Ranjana Kumari of NGO Women Power Connect said: “This move is an excellent example to show how a woman in a leadership position can bring about positive changes in the country’s political infrastructure.”
“We hope that the new legislation will further boost the spirit of several women aspiring to become leaders to contribute towards the country’s development,” she added.
With the increase in reservations, the number of elected women’s representatives at the grassroots level is expected to rise to more than 1.4 million of the close to three million panchayat seats in the country.
Giving statistics, Ranjana Kumari said that five states – Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – already have 50 percent reservation for women, since “states have the power to bring in amendments in their state laws to increase women’s representation.”
“Rajasthan has announced 50 percent reservation that will be implemented in the next panchayat election in early 2010. Kerala, too, has announced 50 percent reservation for women in panchayats and other local bodies.
“In Uttarakhand, women have an overwhelming 55 percent representation in panchayats and many of them contested from non-reserved seats as well and won. However, the amendment of article 243 of the constitution will exclude states like Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur,” she said.
Radhika Jain, a sociology professor at Delhi University who is also associated with NGOs, however, added: “Nonetheless, we are happy at the beginning of this kind of a movement. Panchayats continue to be the first step for women leaders.”
Charulekha Singh, a women’s rights activist said: “This decision sets a precedent for providing greater opportunities for the women of this country to take part in decisions at the governance level.”