(a) whether the Union Government proposes to further raise the level of reservation for women including SC/ST in
panchayats;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the present number of women Sarpanches, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has noticed interference of male members related to women Sarpanches in the working of
panchayats in the country; and
(d) if so, the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard ?
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (Dr. C.P. JOSHI)
(a) , (b), (c) & (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (a), (b), (c) & (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.58, DUE FOR REPLY ON 23.11.2009 REGARDING
RESERVATION FOR WOMEN IN PANCHAYATS.
(a): Yes. Government proposes to amend Article 243D of the Constitution to raise the level of reservation for women
including Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women in Panchayats from the present one-third to at least half of the
seats and offices of Chairpersons in Panchayats. A Constitution Amendment Bill is being introduced in the session for
this purpose.
(b): Based on the information received, the number of Sarpanches in 20 States and UTs is given in Annexure.
(c) & (d): Yes. There are complaints of relatives of lady office bearers interfering in their work. Certain States like
Maharashtra have issued guidelines to discourage this tendency. MoPR is formulating guidelines on this subject.
ANNEXURE
Annexure refer to in part (b) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.58 to be answered on 23.11.2009.
DATA ON THE NUMBER OF WOMEN SARPANCHES IN STATES
Sl.No. Name of the Provision in the State/ UT Legislation. Number State/UT
1. Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act 1994. 7269 out of 21807 = 33.3% Provision 1/3rd of the seats are reserved for women Sarpanch.
2. Arunachal Pradesh 1/3rd of total seat of Saroanches 647 Women Chairperson (GP) out (GP) are reserved for Women Sarpanches. of total of 1779
3. Chattisgarh Chaattisgarh Panchayati Raj (Amended) Act. 3282 Women Sarpanches. 2008 reservation has been enhanced from 33% to 50 %
4. Bihar 50% as per the Bihar Panchayati Raj Act 2006 4013 Women Sarpanches.
5. Goa Goa Panchayati Raj Act 1994 72 out of 190 = 37.84% Including Deputy Sarpanches.
6. Gujarat Provision of one third reservation against 4565 out of 13693 elected total number of seats for Village Sarpanch Village Sarpanches. (33.33%) in Gujarat Panchayat Act. 1993 vide Section 9,10 & 11
7. Haryana 1/3rd seats of the total seats are reserved 2108 seats are reserved for women for women to be elected as Sarpanches. against 6155 seats of Sarpanches. (34.24%)
8. Himachal Pradesh 1/3rd seats of the total seats are reserved 1147 out of 3243 = 35.37%. for women to be elected as Sarpanches.
9. Kerala 33% as per the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act. 333 Women Sarpanches out of 999 (33%)
10. Madhya Pradesh As per amendment in Madhya Pradesh Panchayat & 7707 Women Sarpanches. Gram Swaraj Act. 1993,50% reservation for women has been made in all three tiers of PRIs.
11. Maharashtra As per the reservation policy in Maharashtra State, Out of 27909 Village Panchayats 1/3rd of the total number of offices of Sarpanches 9210 seats of Sarpanches are in the Panchayati Raj Institutions are reserved reserved for women. 9448 women for Women candidates. are officiating. (33.85%)
12. Manipur Section 25 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act 1994 60 women Sarpanches out of 165 (36%)
13. Rajasthan The reservation for women to be elected as 37.89% Sarpanchas in the State of Rajasthan was 33% which has been increased to 50%.
14. Sikkim 40% seats are reserved for women. The State Govt. 65 women Sarpanches in Sikkim out enhanced seat reservation from 33% to 40 % of 163 total Sarpanches. (39.87%) in 2007 only. No proposal to enhance further.
15. Tripura 1/3rd seats are reserved for women. 219 Women Pradhans out of 511 Pradhans (Sarpanches).
16. Uttrakhand Up to 50% as per Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Raj 3751 Women Sarpanches out of 7541 Adhiniyam 1947. (49.7%)
17. West Bengal Not less than 1/3rd of the total number of offices of Sarpanches including the seats reserved for women.
18. Chandigarh 1/3rd as per Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 4 out of 12 (As applicable in Chandigarh).
19. Lakshadweep Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation, 1994 provides 4 Women Sarpanches out of 10 reservation of not less than 1/3rd of seats Panchayats. (40%). in Panchayat for women.
20. Puducherry Section 11 (4) of the Pondicherry Village and 36 out of 98 Commune Panchayats Act 1973. Provided further that one-third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women.