Haryana Govt. Planning To Introduce 50 Percent Reservation For Women In Panchayats

Haryana State Deputy Chief Minister, Dushyant Chautala, recently announced that the administration is planning to reserve 50 percent seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. The government is hence evaluating the quality of work done by women in these villages. The minister also announced that these women members will also be getting a two-wheeler. This move comes five years after fixing mandatory educational qualification for sarpanches and other panchayat representatives.

100 Women Who Did Commendable Job

Under the initiative, the government is preparing a list of 100 such women who have done an outstanding job in their villages. For these women, a two-wheeler will be allotted in collaboration with Honda company, under the corporate social responsibility initiative.

Out of the total 6,186 sarpanches elected in the year 2016 in Haryana, 2,565 were women in panchayats. Moreover, out of 60,436 panches, 6,186 panches were women.

Though the final decision is yet to be taken, the minister said that both the ruling parties - BJP and JJP have introspected on this front and the final decision will be announced soon, NDTV reported.

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The Haryana Panchayati Raj

According to the Haryana Panchayati Raj, at least one-third of the seats have to be reserved for women. According to a study published in the year 2018, the number of female sarpanches rose to 41.5 percent in the 2016 election. The study observed that this change came as a result of increased literacy among women in villages. Out of the total 6,186 sarpanches elected in the year 2016, 2,565 were women. Moreover, out of 60,436 panches, 6,186 panches were women.

Dushyant Chautala further added that women's empowerment is primary to the empowerment of the entire society. He added that this step is definitely in the right direction. He further added that the government is taking all the necessary steps to maximise female inclusion in society and Panchayati Raj institutions.

Last year, the Jammu & Kashmir Government had announced a 33 percent reservation for women in the Block Development Councils (BDCs), which will form the second tier of Panchayati Raj in the state.

Picture Credit- Indian Express

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