Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Odisha – OPSC OAS Mains GS Paper II PYQ

📝Model Answer

Introduction

Odisha has been among the pioneering states in empowering women at the grassroots by enhancing their reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to 50%, going beyond the constitutional mandate of 33% under the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992. This has significantly expanded women’s formal representation, though translating numerical presence into effective decision-making authority remains a work in progress.

Role and Status of Women in Odisha’s PRIs

1. Enhanced reservation – Odisha reserves 50% of seats and chairperson positions for women across all three tiers of PRIs (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad).
2. Large representation base – Odisha has one of the highest numbers of elected women representatives (EWRs) among Indian states, given the 50% quota.
3. Participation in local planning – Women pradhans and ward members formally participate in Gram Sabha meetings, budget approvals, and scheme implementation (MGNREGA, PMAY-G, Swachh Bharat Mission).
4. Successful leadership examples – Sarpanches such as Minati Barik in Odisha have driven visible improvements in sanitation, health facilities, and women’s safety in their Panchayats.
5. Proxy representation ("Sarpanch Pati") – Despite formal empowerment, many decisions continue to be taken by male relatives, undermining actual authority.
6. Limited administrative and financial autonomy – Low literacy, lack of digital access, and dependence on the Panchayat Executive Officer/Secretary constrain independent functioning.

Suggestions to Improve Role and Status

1. Strengthen legal and institutional monitoring mechanisms to identify and penalize proxy governance.
2. Mandatory capacity-building and digital literacy training for all elected women representatives.
3. Simplify financial and administrative procedures to reduce dependence on male relatives or officials.
4. Set up dedicated Women’s Help Desks at Block and District levels for grievance redressal.
5. Promote mentorship by experienced women leaders and strengthen linkages with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Mission Shakti (Odisha’s SHG network).
6. Hold public swearing-in ceremonies and separate Mahila Sabhas to reinforce the legitimacy of women’s direct authority.

Recommendations of the 2023 Committee (Ministry of Panchayati Raj)

Following a Supreme Court direction (July 2023) to examine the issue of proxy representation, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj constituted an Advisory Committee, whose report is titled "Transforming Women’s Representation and Roles in Panchayati Raj Systems and Institutions: Eliminating Efforts for Proxy Participation." Key recommendations include:

1. Exemplary penalties for proven cases of proxy leadership (nature of penalty left to states/authorities to determine).
2. Multi-pronged strategy combining policy reform, technological monitoring, peer-support programs, and punitive action.
3. Gender-exclusive quotas in Panchayat subject committees, drawing on Kerala’s model.
4. Public swearing-in ceremonies for women pradhans to publicly establish their authority.
5. Accountability tools such as helplines, watchdog committees, whistleblower incentives, and the Panchayat Nirnay Portal to track elected representatives’ participation in meetings and decisions.

Conclusion