Context: A panel constituted by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has recommended “exemplary penalties” for proven cases of proxy leadership as a measure to curb the practice of ‘Pradhan Pati’, ‘Sarpanch Pati’ or ‘Mukhiya Pati’ in Gram Panchayats across the country.

Background:

• India has about 2.63 lakh panchayats in all three tiers – Gram Panchayat (at village level), Panchayat Samiti (at block level) and Zila Parishad (at district level) – with 32.29 lakh elected representatives, of which 15.03 lakh (46.6 per cent) are women. 
• While the ratio of Women Elected Representatives (WERs) in panchayats have increased, their effective participation in the decision-making process is low.

Key points

• The report titled ‘Transforming Women’s Representation and Roles in Panchayati Raj Systems and Institutions: Eliminating Efforts for Proxy Participation’ has recommended a slew of measures to end proxy leadership.
• Initiatives such as gender-exclusive quotas in panchayat subject committees and ward-level committees (like Kerala); an annual award for Anti-Pradhan Pati champions; appointing women’s ombudspersons; public swearing-in of women pradhans; creating federation of women panchayat leaders; and setting up gender resource centres for leadership training, legal advice, and support networks are recommended.
• The committee also suggested technological solutions like virtual reality simulation training, integrating AI-powered query-driven replies to provide real-time legal and governance guidance to WERs in vernacular languages, creating WhatsApp groups of WERs linked with panchayat and block officials to help resolve day-to-day problems, and using the ministry’s Panchayat Nirnay Portal to allow citizens to track elected pradhans’ participation in meetings and decisions.
• It also suggested accountability and oversight mechanisms, which include helplines and women watchdog committees for confidential complaints about proxy leadership, with whistleblower rewards in verified cases.

Source: Indian Express