Women constitute 46 per cent representation in Panchayati system: Government

NEW DLEHI: Women form 46 per cent of the total 13.41 lakh elected representatives (ERs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Nihal Chand shared the information while responding to question on states which have implemented reservation of 50 per cent seats in PRIs for women.

Chand informed that there are a total of 29,17,336 ERs in the country, while the number of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in PRIs across 28 states/Union Territories is 13,41,773, that is, 46 per cent.

Out of the total states/UTs, 16 including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal have reserved half the seats in PRIs to women, the minister added.

According to the details tabled by Chand, among the five states/UTs which have reported higher EWRs include Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka with 59.18 per cent, 58.29 per cent, 57.83 per cent, 55.14 per cent and 53.40 per cent representation respectively.

Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Goa figure amongst five states with lower EWRs at 28.87 per cent, 29.18 per cent, 30.13 per cent, 32.90 per cent and 32.97 per cent respectively.

On the criteria prescribed for women candidates contesting in PRIs, Chand said according to Article 243 K of the Constitution, state legislatures make provision with respect to matters relating to election to Panchayats.

"The eligibility criteria for contesting elections vary from state to state," the minister added.