50% reservation for women in panchayats approved by cabinet

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The government has approved a proposal to increase reservation for women in panchayats at all tiers from the current one-third to 50 percent. This was decided in a meeting of Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It was clarified that Article 243(D) of the Constitution will be amended for this purpose.

The new reservation ratio would be applicable to the total number of seats to be filled by direct elections, the offices of Chairpersons, and the seats and offices of Chairpersons reserved for scheduled castes and tribes.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on this occasion said that, such enhanced reservation will facilitate more women to enter public sphere. Also this would further empower women and make panchayats more inclusive institutions and improve governance and public service delivery. She also added that the Ministry is likely to move a bill to amend the constitution in the next session of Parliament to give effect to the increased quota.