Himachal govt may rotate Panchayati Raj posts for women

Minister for rural development and Panchayati Raj Anil Sharma confirmed here on Thursday that a proposal was under consideration of the government to reserve posts of Pradhan and up-pradhans for women representatives . The new formula will be implemented on rotation basis. The new scheme, will not affect existing reservation for SCs/STs or OBCs.

During the upcoming session of the state assembly in February-March 2015, the government will introduce a bill making amendments in the existing law to give more representations to the women to head the PRIs and contribute in the development at gross-root levels.

“If a panchayat pradhan is a woman, then up-pradhan will be a male and vice-versa” said Sharma claiming that the move will help to enable women  to gain wider experience in running the affairs of the PRIs and utilise funds for development schemes under their supervisions.

If a woman serves as up-pradhan for five years in a panchayat, she will be eligible to contest for post of Pradhan after five years. Her knowledge and experience will certainly be better than one who is directly elected to the post of a panchayat Pradhan in first election, the minister feels.

In all there are 3243 panchayats in Himachal Pradesh. Many of these headed by women have posted better performance in fund utilisations .

“We have few other innovative ideas to empower women through PRIs. One such idea also relates to holding separate general house meeting for women PRI representatives –where they can freely deliberate on issues development and implementation of schemes for poverty sections, women, SCs/STs and OBCs”, Sharma said.

The minister was non-committal on move to create new panchayats but recalled that chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had already made it clear that it will be done only on merits and administrative needs .The panchayati raj elections in the state are slated for this year end.