A panel constituted by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2023 has submitted its report, Transforming Women’s Representation and Roles in Panchayati Raj Systems and Institutions: Eliminating Efforts for Proxy Participation, recommending “exemplary penalties” to curb the practice of ‘Pradhan Pati’.
Governance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
- State Subject: Local governance falls under state jurisdiction, operating under respective State Panchayati Raj Acts.
- Constitutional Framework:
- 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992): Established the three-tiered Panchayat system with 1/3rd reservation for women (later increased to 50% in 21 states and 2 UTs).
- Article 243D: Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes in PRIs.
- Article 40 (Directive Principle of State Policy): Mandates states to establish village panchayats as self-governing units.
- Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act (1996):
- Grants Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas special powers to manage natural resources and protect tribal culture and livelihoods.
Key Recommendations of the Panel (2023 Report)
- Strict Penalties for Proxy Leadership
- Enforce “exemplary penalties” for cases where male relatives act as proxies for elected women representatives (WERs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- Structural and Policy Reforms
- Gender-exclusive quotas in panchayat subject and ward-level committees (inspired by Kerala’s model).
- Annual ‘Anti-Pradhan Pati’ awards to recognize efforts against proxy leadership.
- Appointment of women’s ombudspersons to address complaints related to proxy leadership.
- Public swearing-in ceremonies in Gram Sabhas to reinforce the authority of women pradhans.
- Creation of a federation of women panchayat leaders for peer support and collective decision-making.
- Technological Interventions
- Virtual Reality (VR) simulation training to enhance governance skills.
- AI-powered query-driven guidance in vernacular languages for real-time legal and governance support.
- WhatsApp groups to link WERs with officials for issue resolution.
- Panchayat Nirnay Portal to track pradhans’ participation, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Collaboration with educational institutions and international agencies for leadership development programs.
Issue of ‘Pradhan Pati’ in PRIs
- Also known as ‘Sarpanch Pati’ or ‘Mukhiya Pati,’ it refers to the practice where the husbands of elected women leaders wield power on their behalf.
- Impact:
- Reduces WERs to mere figureheads, undermining autonomy and leadership.
- Reinforces patriarchy, weakening the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
- Extent:
- In northern states like UP, Bihar, Haryana, and Rajasthan, male relatives often control decision-making.
- Despite 46.6% women representation in panchayats, effective participation remains low.
- Challenges in Addressing ‘Pradhan Pati’:
- Patriarchal norms and bureaucratic neglect limit women’s authority.
- Threats, violence, and social pressure discourage active governance participation.
- Strict penalties may push the issue underground, failing to address deeper issues like patriarchy.
