Lok Sabha Question No. 3674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-10
Subject: Women in Panchayat Systems
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3674

ANSWERED ON-10.08.2021

## WOMEN IN PANCHAYAT SYSTEMS

## 3674.  SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the data on the percentage of women in Panchayat systems;
- (b) whether  there  are  any  measures  being  taken  to  ensure  increased  representation  of women in Panchayat systems, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the amount of funds disbursed for them so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) Article 243D of the Constitution of India provides for not less than one-third reservation for women out of total number of seats to be filled by direct election and number of offices of chairpersons of Panchayats. However, as per the information available with the Ministry, 21 States  namely,  Andhra  Pradesh,  Assam,  Bihar,  Chhattisgarh,  Gujarat,  Haryana,  Himachal Pradesh,  Jharkhand,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Odisha,  Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, have made provisions of 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. In respect of remaining States Constitution provision as prescribed in Article 243D applies.

(b) 'Panchayat', being 'Local Government', is a State subject and part of Seventh Schedule of the  Constitution.  Accordingly,  all  Panchayat  related  matters,  including  representation  of women in Panchayat systems are governed by the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts and rules. However, Government has been encouraging increased involvement of women in the functioning  of  Panchayats  through  active  participation  in  the  Gram  Sabha  meetings  for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans and various schemes being implemented by the Panchayats. This Ministry has also issued advisories to the States to facilitate holding of separate Ward Sabha and Mahila Sabha meetings prior to Gram Sabha meetings, enhancing the presence and participation of women in Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings, allocation of Panchayat funds for women centric activities, combating the evil of women trafficking, female foeticide, child marriage etc.

(c) Article 280 (3) (bb) of the Constitution of India provides for the Finance Commission to make recommendations regarding the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a  State  to  supplement  the  resources  of  the  Panchayats  in  the  State  on  the  basis  of  the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State. Accordingly, to improve the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions, including women related activities, funds have been recommended by Central Finance Commissions successively.

Funds  released  by  Government  in  pursuance  of  recommendations  of  Central  Finance Commission are as under:-

(Figures in Rs. Crore)

| Central Finance Commission   | Award period   | Recommendation   | Released   |
|------------------------------|----------------|------------------|------------|
| 14 th                        | 2015-20        | 2,00,292.20      | 183278.54  |
| 15 th (Interim Report)       | 2020-21        | 60,750.00        | 60,559.00  |
| 15 th (Final Report)         | 2021-26        | 236,805          | 8923.80    |

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