In Tripura, a two-day consultative seminar for the women Sarpanches and members of PRIs of the North Eastern region began today at Agartala, with the aim at excelling leadership and empowerment in women, particularly the elected women representatives under the ambit of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Addressing the workshop virtually from New Delhi, Joint Secretary of the Panchayati Raj Ministry Mrs Mamata Verma said discussions on stopping ‘Proxy Participation’ on behalf of women was timely in the light of the Supreme Court’s order. Applauding the initiative of the Tripura government in organising such consultative workshops, Mrs Verma said there are many states in the country where women members participation is made with proxy by male members of their families, which tendency needs to be stopped.
Notably, following a writ petition, the Supreme Court, on July 6, 2024, ordered the formation of an advisory committee to review the practice of male family members acting as proxies for elected female representatives, and other related issues. In this context, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has begun organising such consultative workshops in states and regions to empower the womenfolk working at the grassroot levels with the purpose to put an end to the trend. On the occasion, Secretary of the state Panchayat Department Dr. Sandeep Rathod said that about fifty per cent of seats in the three tier panchayati raj system in Tripura are female. Also, there are five panchayat bodies like, Matabari Panchayat Samiti, Khilpara Gram Panchayat, Thakcherra Gram Panchayat, Karoimura Gram Panchayat and Halahali Gram Panchayat, where all members are women and even office staff are all women, which testifies the example of female empowerment in the state. Mr Rathord said that the Tripura government is giving emphasis on women led governance, their participation and to empower the women folks. He said a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the Tripura government with the National Law University to impart training. The training module will include personal development, making the women representatives aware of more legal provisions and soft skills.
Addressing the gathering, Director of union Panchayat Raj Ministry Dr. Ramit Maurya also emphasized the need for specific legal protection and training programs for elected women members in compliance with the Supreme Court order. He added that the consultative workshops will play a pivotal role in empowering women in various states of the North Eastern region. Amongst others, Deputy Director General of Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration-Yashoda (YASHADA), Pune, Dr. Mallinath Kalshetti, Chairpersons or Sabhadhipatis from Zilla Panachayats, Block and Gram panchayats from several states of the region including Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim participated in the workshop.
