(a) whether there are provisions for reservation for women to be elected as Sarpanches in
the Panchayati Raj System in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of women Sarpanches in the country,
State/ UT-wise;
(c) whether some States/ UTs have not implemented the said provision;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the action taken or proposed by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) to (e) OF REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 379 TO BE
ANSWERED ON 22.3.2013, REGARDING RESERVATION FOR WOMEN IN PANCHAYATS.
(a) & (b): Article 243D(4) of the Constitution of India provides that not less than one third
of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for
women. The actual number of offices reserved is determined by the provisions in the Panchayati
Raj Act of each State. Fifteen States have so far enacted legislation for 50% reservation of
women in seats and offices of Chairpersons as indicated in Annex-I. The number of Panchayats
in the country is 239582. Data on the number of women sarpanches in the country is not available
at Central level in the Ministry.
(c): As per information available with this Ministry, concerned States/UTs have provided for
such reservations.
(d) & (e): Do not arise, in view of the reply given to part (c) above.