Local bodies in the state have a higher representation of women and it is growing,according to minister for rural development Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil. He was speaking at a function to felicitate zilla parishads (ZPs),panchayat samitis (PSs),gram panchayats (GPs) and officials who excelled in implementation of rural development schemes. The Ahmednagar zilla parishad,which is presided over by Shalini Vikhe-Patil,wife of the school education minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil,was adjudged the best zilla parishad in the state. The award included Rs 25 lakh in cash and a memento. Deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil were also present at the function. Presenting awards at the function,Mohite-Patil said around 54 per cent women run ZPs,42 per cent run PSs and 34 per cent run GPs in rural Maharashtra. He said though the legislation of 33 per cent quota for women has still not been implemented,the state is well ahead. He said the increasing participation of women in the administration has brought good results. He pointed out that in the past three years,the government had provided Rs 1,800 cr to the local bodies and around Rs 1,100 cr had been spent for implementing various welfare schemes. According to him,the tenure of PSs and ZPs has been extended by four months in view of forthcoming Assembly elections. Bhujbal urged local bodies and officials to be accountable. He said while good work may not gain media attention,mistakes were widely publicised and brought bad name to all those involved in implementing the schemes.
