POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI RAJ INSTITUTIONS
By
Dr. P. APPA RAO
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POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI RAJ INSTITUTIONS
(A case study on Therlam Constituency of Vijayanagaram District of A.P.)
By
Dr. P. APPA RAO (M.A, M.phil, Ph.D.)
Department of Politics S.V.V.P V.M.C. Degree and P.G. Centre M.V.P. Colony Visakhapatnam
(This work was submitted by Dr. P. APPA RAO as Ph. D. thesis for the partial fulfilment of Ph.D. degree in Department of political science ., Andhra University Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh India in the year 2012)
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I express my heartfelt gratitude to my research director
Dr.(Mrs.) K.Sreeranjani Subba RaoRao, Professor and HeadHead,Head
Department of Politics and Public Administration, Andhra
University for her valuable guidance and supervision from the beginning of my research work.
My sincere thanks to Prof. P. Krishna Prasad,,,, Chairman,
Board of Studies for their cooperation.I express my sincere thanks to Prof. K. Ravi, Prof. Mrs. B.Meena Rao, Prof. M. Madhu Sudan,
Prof. K. Syamala Devi, Prof. E. A. Narayana, Prof. M. Nalini, and
Dr. P. Premanandam for their encouragement and support.
I am thankful to Dr.V.S.Krishna Library for their kind cooperation during my study in providing necessary information by opening the Library for innovative twenty four hours.
Iam thank full to all the women members of Z.P.T.C,
M.P.T.C, Sarpanches and ward members of Therlam constituency for the spairing their time and giving information with regard to the present research work. I also extend my thanks
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in government offcials in the District collectorate, Zilla parishad, office of the M.D.O and the other officials of village
level for giving me valuable information. I am also thank full to some of the senior citizens of both male and female of area under study for expressing there views with regard to the empowerment of women which I am able to utilize in the present research work. I thank G. Dharma Rao for his neat typing and timely help.
I am thankful to my friends and co-scholars and my well wishers for their help and encouragement during my thesis work.
Last but not the least I express my deep sense of gratitude towards my father Late Shri P. George and my mother
Smt. Bangaramma for their patient moral support to complete this research work.
I am extremely thankful to my wife Smt. Bharathi for her continuous encouragement in completing this piece of research work.
P.APPA RAO
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INDEX
Page
CHAPTER No. CONTENT
I INTRODUCTION … 1 - 29
II PANCHAYAT RAJ INSTITUTIONS AS VEHICLES … 30 - 65 OF EMPOWRING WOMEN
III PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT … 66 - 87
SOCIO ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF WOMEN IV … 88 - 118 REPRESENTATIVES
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN V PANCHAYAT RAJ INSTITUTIONS OF THERLAM … 119 - 195 CONSTITUENCY
VI CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS … 196 - 226
BIBLIOGRAPHY … 227 - 241
REFERENCES … 242- 249
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LIST OF TABLES
Table. Table of Content Page. No. No. 1 Caste wise Division of women representatives NO. of 92 women Representatives 2 Age wise Division of Women Representatives 94
3 Marital Status of Women Representatives 97
4 Size-wise Division of Families of Women 98 Representatives 5 Religious division of the Women Representatives 103
6 Educational Qualifications of the Women 105 Representatives 7 News Papers and Periodicals Reader 106
8 Distribution of Women Leaders by their Family Income 109
9 Political Awareness among the women 113 Representatives 10 Showing the total elected ZPTC member in Therlam 119 Constituency in July 2006 11 Showing the total elected MPTC members in Therlam 119 Constituency in July 2006 12 Showing the total elected Sarpanches in Therlam 120 Constituency in August, 2006 13 Showing the total elected Ward Members in Therlam 122 Constituency in August 2006 14 Showing the priorities in the Development of the 125 Villages and Sources of Inspirations in Therlam Constituency
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15 Relationships with the Political Parties, previous 130 involvement, and financial expenditure in the elections 16 Total elected Women representatives in Therlam 147 Constituency in 2006 17 Gram Sabha at Uttaravalli 148
18 Participatory Talents of Women Representatives 152
19 Distribution of women leaders in their response 154 towards 33% Percentage of Reservation of seats for women in the Political Bodies 20 Distribution of women leaders by their occupation 155 before entering into politics. 21 Distribution of women leaders by their rational behind 156 entering into politics. 22 Distribution of women leaders by their party 156
23 Distribution of women leaders by their expenditure in 157 their contesting of elections 2006 24 Distribution of women leaders opinion towards their 157 participation in mandal / district politics 25 Distribution of women leaders in their opinion towards 158 their leadership 26 Distribution of women leaders response towards 158 Direct and Indirect Elections in Pnachayat Raj Elections 27 Distribution of women leaders response towards 159 discharge of functions 28 Distribution of women leaders by their expectation of 159 support from their family members in discharging of duties ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch 29 Distribution of women leaders response towards the 160 cooperation of male officials when implementing the Government Programmes.
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30 Distribution of women leaders in their response 161 towards getting sufficient funds on time from the higher administrative authorities 31 Distribution of women leaders in their expectation of 161 support from local area leaders in their duties/ functions 32 Distribution of women leaders by their attendance in 162 the training programmes of PRI meetings organized by Government Authorities 33 Distribution of women leaders by their response 162 towards the training improve the efficiency 34 Distribution of women leaders by their response 163 towards reaching of welfare schemes 35 Distribution of women leaders by their response 163 towards the role of ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Member
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ABBREVIATIONS
1. INCS : Indian National Congress
2 TDP. : Telugu Desam Party
3 ZPTC : Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency
4 MPTC : Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency
5 WR : Women Representative
6 MDO : Mandal Development Officer
7 MRO : Mandal Revenue Officer
8 VAO : Village Administrative Officer
9 SC : Scheduled Caste
10 BC : Backward Caste
11 ST : Scheduled Tribe
12 OC : Other Caste
13 FC : Farward Caste
14 KV’s : Koppala Velama
15 OBC : Other Backward Caste
16 VS : Village Sarpanch
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17 WM : Ward Member or Women Member
18 CMEY : Chief Minister Employment for Youth
19 PMRY : Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana
20 DWCRA : Development for women and Children in Rural Area
21 TRYSEM : Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment
22 WS : Women Sarpanch
23 FFW : Food for Work
24 ZP : Zilla Parishad
25 MP : Mandal Parishad
26 CEO : Chief Executive Officer
27 CPO : Chief Planning Officer
28 GPO : Gram Panchayat Office
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CHPATER --- III INTRODUCTION
Article 15 of the Constitution of India guarantees equal rights to both men and women. Though women were given equal status on par with men as citizens, keeping in view the special disabilities, Article
15(3) of the Indian Constitution also empowers the states to make any
`special provision for women and children i even in violation of the fundamental obligations of non-discrimination among citizens, inter- alia of sex. Although independent India promised equality of opportunities to women in all spheres, women, especially in the political sphere are laying behind. It is well known that women around the world have not gained equal status with men especially in the political sphere because of male domination ii . The low political status of women through out the world had led to the emphasis on `political empowerment of women’. That political empowerment would be useful to achieve women’s empowerment in general has been accepted widely. Absence of political empowerment to women is also one of the main factors for the various problems that women are facing today.
Problems in a society are generally related to political decisions of the administration where political power is concentrated. Therefore political power is most important power in the process of political empowerment of women to overcome the low status of women in political decision-making. From 1990 there has been increasing
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in emphasis on political empowerment of women. It is worth to mention the declaration of Beijing Conference, which was held at China in
1995. “We are convinced that Women’s Empowerment and their full participation on the basis of equality in all spheres of society, including participation in the decision making process and access to power, are fundamental for the achievement of equality, development and peace iii .
Empowerment is a process that enables women to gain access to and control of material, intellectual and human resources.
Empowerment is the redistribution of power that challenges patriarchal ideology and male dominance. Political empowerment of women is part of the overall empowerment process. Political participation is a major path to women’s empowerment and participation in decision- making power will lead to women’s empowerment in true sense of the term. In other words, increased decision-making power gives greater ability to influence matters that affect our lives in the community and the society at large iv . According to Nisar-ul Huq “Women’s empowerment and their full participation on the basis of equality in all spheres of society, including participation in the decision making process and access to power, are fundamental for the achievement of equality, development and peace. The explicit recognition and reaffirmation of the right of all women to control all aspects of their health, in particular their own fertility is basic to their empowerment….women’s opportunities to exercise power are in many
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in contexts greater at the local than at the national level. In India and
France, policies to increase women’s participation in local elections led to significant increase in women’s presence in local office. Since 1993, one-third of seats in local councils in India are reserved for women.
Studies of Women’s participation in village councils report on the empowering effects for the women themselves as well as the positive impact of women’s presence on local politics v. India is ranked 93 rd among the member states of UNO in empowering women vi . One of the objectives of the Ninth Five Year Plan is the empowerment of
Women and socially disadvantaged group vii . Political empowerment of women through Panchayat Raj institutions is an healthy attempt which would result in the realisation of Gandhiji’s dream of Gram Swaraj. The 73 rd and 74 th Amendments of Indian
Constitution aimed at the greater participation of women and members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, in running the affairs of
Panchayat Raj Institutions and thus furthering the ideals of Women’s empowerment and social justice viii . Participation in Panchayat Raj
Institutions by directly and indirectly, attending the meetings regularly, taking active part in decision-making, contesting in the elections are some of the ways to empower women politically. The 73 rd and 74 th
Amendments have thrown open political opportunities in the
Panchayats ix . There are only few studies which examined the role of disadvantaged sections in decision making and their effectiveness in
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in delivering public goods x. Under the present scenario of increasing focus on political empowerment of women, studies on the role of women at the gross root level administration is an area to be explored largely.
Women’s Empowerment and Pancayati Raj: a ConcepConceptualtualization:ization:
Empowerment is a multidimensional social process that helps people gain control over their own lives. It is a process that fosters power (that is the capacity to implement) in people for use in their own lives, their own communities and in their own society, by acting on issues that they describe as important. Above all, empowerment is a result of participation in decision-making xi . Then, women’s empowerment refers to the process by which women acquire due recognition on par with men, to participate in the development process of the society through the political institutions as a partner with human dignity xii . So, why is empowerment through Panchayati Raj? According to the Document on Women’s Development (1985) women’s role in the political process has virtually remained unchanged since independence. Broad-based political participation of women has been severely limited due to various traditional factors such as caste, religion, feudal attitude and family status xiii . As a result, women have been left on the periphery of political life. Observing this dark picture,
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73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came to provide them an opportunity to ventilate their grievances and to take active part in decision-making process in the local level. With the passage of 73 rd
Amendment Act, 1992, India is at a crucial structure in the evaluation of Panchayati Raj institutions- the Indian brand of rural local-self government. It has envisioned people’s participation in the process of planning, decision-making, Implementation and delivery system. The
Panchayat Acts of State governments have subsequently been amended to incorporate the stipulations of the central Acts thus the constitutional mandate has heralded uniform pattern throughout Indian states.
Policy analysisanalysis::::
The 73 rd constitutional Amendment have created space for women in political participation and decision making at the grass root level by providing that 1/3 rd of the seats are reserved in all over the country. 73 rd constitutional amendment Act, 1992 says-
* It provides reservations for women in PRIs set up in two ways; for the office of the members and for that of the chairpersons. *As per the clause (2) and (3) of Article 243(d), not less than one third of the seats meant for direct election of members at each tier of the Panchayats are to be reserved for the women.
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Review of Related Literature:
O.P.Bohra xiv states that, 73 rd Amendment Act, mainly aimed at decentralizing the power and also removing the gender imbalances and bias in the institutions of local self government .He justifies the rationale to provide reservations for following reasons, what is the actual intention of our policy makers. Seventy third constitutional amendments actually aims for * Shared perception of justice, deprivation and oppression.* Shared experience of marginalisation vis- a-vis power structure.* Collective empowerment through representation and democratic process will give them voice, feelings of solidarity and democratic politics.*Affirmative action will build a critical mass of local leadership of such groups will be active participants in the strategic decision-making.
Devaki Jain xv in her analysis of the 73 rd constitutional amendment writes that the main intention of the policy makers behind this reservation is two-fold one is the democratic justice and second is resource utilization (human). She further states that as the half of the population are women. The country development cannot achieve without the proper participation of woman. Shirin Rai xvi (2000) argues that 73 rd constitutional amendment has opened up process of democratizing these deliberative bodies, what actually our policy maker’s wanted.
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Biduyt Mohanty xvii in her article states that empowerment has been defined here as the change of self-perception through knowledge. She clarifies that by providing reservation, our policy makers intention was not only to improve only the number of elected leaders but also to improve their economic independence, access to resources as well as to education so by examining their socio- economic situation we can derive the conclusion whether woman are really ‘empowered’. However Dr. Mohanty suggests that the conditional steps for empowerment area clear beginning in this direction. P. Manikymba xviii states that the makers of Panchayati Raj system desired rural woman should not only become a beneficiary of development, but more importantly contributors to it. Analyzing the
Balawantrai Mehta Committee she states that Mehta Committee considered the condition of the rural woman at length and felt that they should be assisted to find ways to increase there incomes and improve the condition of their children. The committee was particular that woman should find representation in the rural political institutions.
Then Ashok Mehta Committee according to her laid special emphasis on the need to recognize and strengthen women’s constructive decision-makings and managerial rule.
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Bhargava and others xix writes that it was to improve women’s representation that the policy of reservation was introduced. According to them, reserving seats for women in the political institutions will, provide them and opportunity to raise their grievances and other related social and economic problems in a formal forum, a political process necessary to ensure the improvement for all women in all sphere of life.
Usha Naryan xx confirms that the main position of 73 rd constitutional amendment involves the participation of women as voter, women as members of political parties, women as candidates, women elected members of PRI’s taking part in decision making, planning implementation and evaluation. She stressed that reservation provisions are providing be a guarantee for their empowerment. Sudhir
Krishna xxi mentioning the aim behind 73 rd institutional amendment states that 73 rd amendment was made to provide not less than one- third seats including the offices of chairpersons for women in PRI’s at all levels and role of women in development programmes.
Sudhir Krishna xxii mentioning the aim behind 73 rd institutional amendment states that 73 rd amendment was made to provide not less than one-third seats including the offices of chairpersons for women in
PRI’s at all levels and role of women in development programmes.
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Snehalata Panda xxiii in her study of village Panchayat in Orissa found that women entered into politics due to mandatory provision of reservation. Most of the women are from non-political background and entered into politics due to persuasion by their family members or pressure from the village community. The important aspect of her study is that the women who reluctantly entered into politics showed great maturity in outlook, enthusiasm, increasing political consciousness and increasing perception of their role and responsibility. In another study in 1999, Panda brought out an interesting point in her field study. There prevails strong caste feelings and women belonging to upper caste have not come forward to representing the Panchayat. This has provided an opportunity to the women from the labour and lower caste to emerge as a potential force in village politics.
Devaki Jain xxiv found that usually these are young women of 25-
45 years of age. 20% of the women had previous political experience.
The pattern caste representation was the same as before the constitutional change, 60% of the elected representative whether men or women were from dominant caste. Most of the women elected were illiterate and above all the majority of women declared themselves as homemakers. She found that women's experience of Panchayat Raj institution has transformed many of them. The elements of this transformation include empowerment, self-confidence, political
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in awareness and affirmation of information. She argued that women have gained a sense of empowerment by asserting control over resources, officials and most of all by challenging men further, women's empowerment challenged traditional ideas of male authority and supremacy.
Biduyt Mohanty’s xxv recent study, on the impact of 73rd amendment in Orissa through field experience, analyses about 80-90% of women attend the Panchayat meeting regularly. Given the sure number, one might conclude that the democracy has become participatory than before at least at the grassroots level. In her study of taking interview of elected women leaders from Orissa, she observed that the socio-economic background of these women which showed that majority of them come from the lower income group particularly at the village Panchayat level. The micro studies also show that the working culture of the Panchayat has changed because of the presence of the women. Finally, a part of the increase of the female literacy rate can be attributed to the presence of the women in
Panchayat and their willingness to get educated. She also found that the standard of political institution at the grassroots level has not been lower because of women reservation and to some extent; the development process has become engendered. It is alleged that since many of the women are first timers and are illiterate, they depend upon their men folk for conducting the panchayat activities first; the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in husbands for other male representatives will shield them from the panchayat secretary, B.D.O if they try to harass the women. In fact, some of the state government has passed a rule that their male relatives could accompany the women elected representative to the
Panchayat. This is because in some cases, the secretary of the
Panchayat tried to implicate the inexperienced women by asking them to sign on blank cheques etc. Some of the women chiefs went to jail because of those acts. An interesting finding came out from the above field experience. Even if women representatives depend on relatives, the power relations between husband and wife has already changed due to the reservation for women, the woman's husband gets a chance to come to the public sphere because of the wife and particularly no longer monolithic structure is seen in family relation. Studies point out the emergence of proxy women in Panchayat where the husbands or brothers look after her official activities. Mohanty however states that the first one or two years of the tenure, the proxy women are seen.
Gradually, they become independent so finally Mohanty concludes 73 rd amendment has an empowering impact on women.
S. Govinda Gowda xxvi and others in their study of Karnataka women elected panchayat leader found that the women members of developed taluks were found to play a better developmental role that their counterparts in the backward taluks. The study reveals that among the socio-economic attributes such as age, education, caste,
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in annual household income and land holding of women leaders, only education and annual household income had a highly significant and positive relationship with their developmental role performance. The findings of the study states that women members of the Panchayat Raj institution could play an effective developmental role if they are given adequate recognition and encouragement.
O.P Bohra xxvii in his case study of a Tamilnadu Panchayat observed that even though women electorate constitute half of the voters, candidates including female candidate do hardly have interest in campaigning to seek the women' support. Rashmi Arun xxviii in a case study of Madhya Pradesh found that in most of the cases women are housewives, first time entrants into politics and most of them are illiterate or educated up to primary level. Indian Institute of Social
Science xxix in a study of panchayat Raj in Haryana has reviewed the progress of some hundred elected women in four districts; majorities of the elected women panches including younger women were illiterate when elected to office. After two years in office, they demanded literary skill and generally feel the need of education for their daughters.
K.Jayalakshmi xxx A.P based on the field study conducted in the
Nalgonda district states that reservation in Panchayat ensures entry for all sections and thus visualizes as the harbinger of equality and social justice. Further, it is found that reservation has merely brought in a
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in quantitative change in the gender participation rather tan ushering a qualitative developmental efforts.
P. Manikyamba xxxi , in her study of Andhra Pradesh found that socio-economic background in general and political backgrounds in particular are important determinants of shaping the nature and level of participation of members in political institutions. The study reveals that education and participation are interrelated. In general, women members having secondary educational qualification are more participated well in the meetings. Next, economic status gives a sense of confidence and encouragement to participate. The participation of the poor women members is found mostly insignificant. The middle class and rich members showed greater degree of participation. Then, age has its impact on participation. The extent of participation of the young and the middle age is generally more than that of old age. Next, women members with experience in politics played active roles in the institution under study.
G. Palanthurai xxxii in his study of Tamilnadu observed that women have come to positions in the local bodies as provisions have been made in the constitution. The outlook of the society towards the women has started changing. The author, from his experience suggests that women need orientation, sensitization, capacity building,
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in information and counseling continuously through organizations. The ongoing experiments and experiences suggest that periodical training; orientation and sensitization can help the women leaders to perform the assigned role in a better way. He argues that the Govt. will respond to the needs of these women leaders only when social organization and groups support them.
Nirmala Buch xxxiii states that earlier studies of women representatives in panchayat before the 73 rd amendment noted the major presence of women form the dominant sections e.g. from
Marathas and families owing more than twenty acres of land in
Mahrastra and lingyats and vokkalings in Karnataka. But the profile of the new women in post 73 rd amendment panchayats showed that majorities were illiterate and large percentages were from families in the lower socio-economic strata. They were comparatively younger than the earlier entrants and were predominantly first generation entrants to the public political life. She further expressed that, a study of twelve all women panchayats in Mahrastra documented male female member's support form women's coming into panchayats, but such supports were tentative and interspersed with typical anxieties expressed in such comments as 'who will make the chapattis?
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As we found from previous studies, though women comprises about half of the Indian population they have been subjected to discriminatory social ethos resulting in denial of equality of status and opportunities in social, economic and political sphere. Ten years after the amendment was introduced and the first term of PRIs is over in many states, there is need to go back to the history and analyse the reason for the government to give this space and it’s workability.
Though previous analysis is showing various issues on participation and development at grass root level, they do not touch still many issues. Last but not the least to write here is, over all development of a nation requires maximum utilisation of human resources without any discrimination. A more developed society is a more participant one. So the participation of women in political process is a major step towards inclusive politics.
Marilee Karl xxxiv in his book highlighted the process of empowerment. According to him, empowerment is a process and is not therefore something that can be given to people. The process of empowerment is both individual and collective. Since it is through involvement in groups that people must often begin to develop their awareness and the ability to take action and bring about change.
Women’s empowerment can be viewed as a continuation of several interrelated and mutually reinforcing components:
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1. Awareness building about women’s situation, discrimination,
rights and opportunities as a set towards gender equality
collective awareness building provides a sense of group identity
and the power of working as a group.
2. Participation and greater control and decision making power in
the home, community and society
3. Action to bring greater equality between men and women. In
short empowerment is a process of awareness and capacity
building leading to greater participation, to greater decision
making power and control and to gain formative action. xxxv
Sakuntala Narasimhan xxxvi in her book on `Empowering Women’ discussed women’s networks alternative strategies in the process of empowerment. Sangeeta Purushothaman xxxvii examines the gender barriers in the process of empowerment, Manikyamba’s xxxviii study on
`Women in Panchayat Raj Structures throws light on the working of women in the decision making process, inbuilt abilities of women and their concern to the development of the society. It also brings out the successful functioning of the women in the grass root level administration. D’Lima Hazel xxxix focuses on the socio-economic background of the leaders of the local self Government in
Maharashtra. It also brings out the various social aspects in the process of political empowerment of women. Studies on women’s entry into Panchayat Raj institutions in the states of Madhya Pradesh,
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Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh xl concentrated on the performance of women and the obstacles they face. A study conducted in Madhya
Pradesh xli brings out the reflections of officials and other secretarial staff with regard to the performance of women leadership in Panchayat
Raj Institutions. A study conducted by Snehalata Panda xlii brings out the positive pattern of emerging women’s leadership in traditional setting with a male dominance in the family. V.B.Athereya and
K.Rajeswari xliii found out the satisfactory performance of women representatives in the local self government. K Vijayakumar and
Vanaja Rani xliv in their study opined that economic freedom, resource and political representation are essential for empowerment. Through the above overview of literature it is revealed that the existing literature on empowerment of women especially in the context of 73 rd and 74 th
Constitutional Amendment is limited. Some of the above mentioned studies on the empowerment of women are macro level studies and generally concentrate on the outer layer of the problem as the area of the study is supposed to be larger. Studies of micro level nature helps us to look into the problem in depth and to take healthy precautions in solving the problems and reaching the target. Under the present policy of `empowering women’ though grass root administration, micro level studies on empowerment of women are highly useful to improve the process of empowerment. As a result of the 73 rd and 74 th
Constitutional Amendment the women and the backward class were
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in given the opportunity to participate in the governance through reservations. There are about 73,513 women members at GP level,
4,776 at MP level and 361 at ZP level; 38,764 SC members at GP level, 789 MPTC and 126 ZPTCs’, 15304 ST members at GP level,
803 MPTCs and 66 ZPTCs. What is more important is the performance level of these sections in the service of the poor and needy.
J. L. Singh xlv in his study on Women and Panchayat Raj, the awakening of women in India towards a society where justice and brotherhood prevail, can best be achieved by a women to women contact. Even though men have played a pioneering role in the case of women in India, their role has been effective bringing about constitution and legal changes in the status of women. For these changes the effect the life pattern of the vast majority of women in this country, women leaders must be found who can penetrate into streets and villages, homes and hearts in order to create awareness and motivation for actions
M. Arun Kumar xlvi in his study on Tribal Women in Local
Governance, as a result of the restructuring the political administrative system provided by the constitutional amendment women had been elected to the local councils in unprecedented numbers. By 1994,
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330,000 women had entered politics as a result of PRI and the percentage of women at various levels of political activity has shifted dramatically as a result of this constitutional change from 4-5 percent before PRI to 25-40 percent after PRI. This brought about a qualitative difference as they are making the state sensitive towards issues of poverty, inequality, and gender injustice by bringing their experience of governance of civic society in to governance of state. Initially there have been many doubts about the ability of women representatives.
But having become more familiar with their effectiveness, people have been overwhelmed by the vitality and enthusiasm and are offering both moral and material support.
Stefanie Strulik xlvii in his book on Women- Panchayat Electives at the interface of State and Village Politics, considers gram panchayat councils as an interface of the local village community with the state.
Gram panchayat councils are bodies of self-governance at the village level in India and constitute the lowest tier of the reformed and re- institutionalized Panchayati Raj System. After the 73rd and 74 th constitutional Amendments in the early 1990s and their attempts to democratize the existing political and administrative structures by prescribing, amongst many other reforms and reservations, a 1/3rd women’squota for all Panchayati Raj bodies and offices, a great
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in number of women made inroads into the local, hitherto almost exclusively male political arena.
Sumati Vaid and Neeru Sharma xlviii in their study on Political
Rights for Women : Special Reference of Jammu and Kashmir State,
Women empowerment is still a debatable issue in India. She is still treated as a second class citizen especially in state like Jammu and
Kashmir and the reasons are, besides illiteracy, customs, traditions, poverty, ignorance, her own lack of interest and motivation. Her lack of interest in her own political empowerment leads to such governmental policies, which lack proper insight and direction. It is important for the empowerment of women that the women actively participate in the political process of the nation. The authors discussed these issues with special reference to the controversial permanent residents bill of the
State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Katharina Rabe, Madhushree Sekher and Regina Birnerxlix in their review on the “Effects of Political Reservations for Women on
Local Governance and Rural Service Provision”, in 1993 India introduced quota-based political reservations for women in rural areas with the objective to promote gender equality in human development by making rural service provision and local governance inclusive and responsive to the needs of women. Recent evidence shows that reservation policies for women (1) stimulate the political participation of POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 20
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in women in rural areas, (2) shift rural service provision to public goods that reflect gender preferences, and (3) improve the access to and the quality of public services. Despite the suggested positive effects of women’s reservation policies on service provision and local governance, the gender bias in human development is still pronounced. This casts doubt on the effectiveness of reservation policies as an instrument for making rural service provision and local governance more gender equitable and raises questions about the nature and direction of the major constraints.
M.R. Biju l in his book on Women’s Empowerment, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to take part in the government of his/her country. The United Nations
Economic and Social Council endorsed a target of 30 per cent women at all levels of decision-making by 1995. Inspite of this, globally women constitute only ten per cent of legislative bodies and less in parliamentary positions. In India, the post-independence period has seen many positive steps to improve the socio-economic status of women.
Shashi Kaul and Shradha Sahni li in their study on the
Participation of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, stated that
Panchyati Raj Institutions have always been considered as a means to good governance and 73 rd Constitutional Amendment was effected in
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the hope that it would lead to better governance and provide political space to the disadvantage section of the society like schedule caste, schedule tribes and women.
Deshmukh-Ranadive, J lii ., in his study on Gender Equity in the
Family Centre Stage : Use of ,Kala Jatha, Women’s empowerment does not necessarily take place when incomes are generated, when livelihoods are enhanced or when groups are formed. This is because within families and households, hierarchies and structures do not alter.
In fact, public interventions which result in new social activity or new avenues of income generation can actually accentuate tensions within households. It is at such times that supplementary interventions are required. ‘Gender Equity in the Family’ is an experimental intervention from Andhra Pradesh, India, which uses folk theatre to highlight traditional socio-cultural norms within the family. The performances do not blame the men or the women for gender inequality but show how both those who suffer from and those that perpetrate inequality are victims of social structure.
Sida liii in her study on Discussing Women’s Empowerment, discuss the latest debates on gender and power
PRIA liv in their study on “Women in Leadership in Panchayat Raj
Institutions, states that the Amendment enabled thousands of women to enter the political arena. While some women have created political POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 22
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in spaces to voice their needs, concerns and priorities, others are still trying to grapple with the power and authority thrust upon them. If empowerment is seen as a process by which women overcome the challenges of a patriarchal society then it is difficult to maintain that the
73 rd Amendment has achieved it for women.
Waterhous, R., and Neville, S. lv , in their study on “ Gender
Equality and Women’s Empowerment, sates that the concepts of voice and accountability form the core values of good governance – of ensuring that citizens have a voice in decisions made about their lives and that states and other actors hear those voices and respond to them. This evaluation makes a preliminary assessment of DFID's work since 1995 on issues of gender, voice and accountability and concludes that DFID has made a significant contribution through research and support to practical interventions.
Moghadamm V.M., and Senftova, L., lvi in their study on
Measuring Women’s Empowerment: point out that there have been many attempts to measure women’s empowerment in the development field, but these have had various shortcomings. There is confusion over concepts, a lack of disaggregated data, and limited information on household dynamics. Measurements and indicators to date have focused more on civil and political rights, what are known as ‘first
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in generation’ human rights, than on ‘second generation’ economic, social and cultural rights
Longwe, S lvii ., in his study on Towards Realistic Strategies for
Women’s Political Empowerment in Africa wrote that development agency strategies to support women's political empowerment are based on two assumptions: firstly, that women's increased access to resources, especially education, will lead to their increased representation in political positions; and secondly, that governments are genuinely committed to leading national programmes of action for women's advancement. He argues that both of these assumptions are seriously mistaken. All development organisations supporting women's empowerment must recognise the true obstacles women face in gaining political power, and develop programme strategies to overcome them. The key problem is the covert and discriminatory systems of male resistance to women who dare to challenge male domination of the present political system.
With this background the present study on the `political empowerment of Women; A Case Study of Therlam Constituency of
Andhra Pradesh” has taken up.
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Hypotheses:
Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, conceptualized the need for brining the weaker social group and women in the Indian society along with the mainstream of development through their participation in the grass root administration of the county. His strong determination to implement this concept came to reality through the
73 rd and 74 th amendments of the constitution of India. Panchayat Raj
Institutions are end to be one of the main vehicles of the political empowerment weaker social groups and women.
As a result of the 73 rd and 74 th constitutional amendments which were initiated by Rajiv Gandhi a number of women all over India including backward men like, Therlam Constituency of Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh came out from the social restrictions, utilized the opportunity provided by the constitution and became partners in the process of political empowerment. The women of Therlam
Constituency, through backward and poor also came farward to become the beneficiaries of the 73 rd and 74 th constitutional amendments. Some of the illiterate women of this constituency exhibited more confidence about their capabilities to serve the local political bodies as a first step in the process of political empowerment.
The women of Therla constituency by going in the various developmental programmes were able to understand gradually the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in importance of the collective work of the women force and gained confidence about their abilities which helped them to take part in the administration at grassroot level of Therlam constituency.
The newly elected women of the Therlam constituency have been trying to prone that they are not going to remain as dummies and wanted to share their actual share in the administration of the local political bodies.
Objectives of the Study:
There is a special need to concentrate on micro level studies about rural women of backward area, for political empowerment is to be begin with bottom sections of the society. Hence the aim of the present study is to assess the process of political empowerment of women in one of the backward constitutions of Andhra Pradesh.
Therlam Constituency of Vizianagaram district is the area identified by the researcher for field study as the area represents more number of women in the three tire system of Panchayat Raj Institutions. Also, the researcher being born and brought up in the Mallampeta Village of
Badangi Mandal felt that it would be helpful to have a better understanding of the issues of his own area for the field investigation.
The objectives of the study covers the following aspects:
1. To analyze the nature and process of empowerment and the
involvement of women as individuals and groups.
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2. To study the socio-economic and political background of women
that influence their participation in the process of empowerment.
3. to examine the factors that contribute their participation and also
to study if there are any obstacles that are coming in their way of
participation in the process of empowerment.
4. To suggest some steps to be taken to strengthen women’s
representation at the gross root level to influence the decision
making process through political empowerment.
Research SiteSite::::
Therlam Constituency of Vizianagaram district is the area identified for the present study Vizianagaram district is a part of the
Northern Andhra Pradesh coastal plain and lies between 17 o15’ and
19 o15’ North latitudes and 83 o0’ and 83 o45 ’ east longitudes lviii .
The district was formed on1st June, 1979 by taking of some areas of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts which presently surround the district from eastern and western sides respectively lix .
The district has 34 Revenue Mandals. According to the 1991 Census, the total population of the district is 21.11 lakhs of which 17.47 lakhs is rural and 3.64 lakhs is urban lx .
Methods and MatMaterials:erials:
The present study is based on historical, analytical, empirical and sample survey methods. The total respondents chosen for the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in present study are 76. The data has been collected from the available literature on Panchayat Raj institution, women’s political participation, in the form of books and professional journals. Some of the data has also been collected from the relevant acts of the State Legislature and records of the institutions of the area under study. As the study is an empirical study, empirical method of interviewing the women members of the sample has been administered containing the following information and a copy of the questionnaire has been enclosed at the end of the dissertation.
1. Personal information regarding caste, age, education, marital
status.
2. Awareness of political empowerment of women, process of
empowerment, participation at the local administrative
institutions, awareness of Panchayat Raj Institutions.
3. Impact of family, society and officials on the process of
empowerment. Family members encouragement for their
participation in politics.
In addition to the information collected through structured questionnaire, primary data has been collected through face to face interviews with the respondents of the area under study, each interview stretching from one hour to one and half hours. During the face to face interview the respondents spoke beyond the questionnaire and provided useful insights into the process of political empowerment of
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in women and the same is presented in the foregoing pages of the thesis.
In order to get first hand information to verify certain facts with regard to political empowerment of women and their participation in the
Panchayat Raj Institutions, the researcher also had informal talks with the fathers / brothers/husbands of the respondents and also interviewed the concerned officials of the Panchayat Raj institutions of the area under study. Informal interviews were also conducted with some of the male and female senior citizens of Badangi Mandal to know their opinions about the Political Empowerment of Women through Panchayat Raj Institutions and the performance of women in these Institutions. As the present study is a micro level one, a sample is taken. The completion of the collection of data is followed by the process of statistical techniques and analysis.
Chapterization:
The present work is divided into five chapters. The First chapter is Introduction, Second Chapter deals with Panchayat Raj Institutions as Vehicles of Empowerment of Women, third Chapter deals with
Profile of the District and Therlam Constituency. The Fourth Chapter is on Socio, Economic Backgrounds of Women Representatives of
Therlam Constituency. The Fifth Chapter is devoted to the Political
Empowerment of Women in Therlam Constituency and the Sixth
Chapter deals with Conclusions and Suggestion lxi
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CHAPTER ––– IIIIII PANCHAYAT RAJ INSTITUTIONS AS VEHICLES OF EMPOWERING WWOOOOMENMEN
Before going into the discussion on the political empowerment of women in the Therlam constituency an attempt has been made in this chapter to through light on the evaluation of Panchayat Raj Institutions and the Empowerment of Women in general and the political empowerment of rural women in particular.
Evolution of Panchayats in Independent India
In India, attempts at strengthening local democracy have invariably invoked the traditional self-governing institutions of the village, which have often been romanticised and valorised by a wide variety of observers, from Henry Maine to Mahatma Gandhi.
Historically, however, despite their consensual appearance, these
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in institutions were not really democratic as they were concealed forms of social prejudice, oppression and exploitation that were firmly rooted in local power structures. It was in recognition of these that B.R.
Ambedkar argued strenuously in the onstituent Assembly against incorporating them into that Document. This is why the impulse for local self-government, embodied in Article 401, was placed in the non- justiciable Directive Principles of State Policy. After Independence, the idea of the revival of panchayats was first mooted in the Balwantrai
Mehta Committee Report (1957) lxii , which saw democratic decentralisation as a way of making good the failures of the community development programme. Two decades later, the Asoka Mehta
Committee Report lxiii on Panchayati Raj Institutions made far-reaching recommendations for the revival of panchayats, which inspired at least a few states – notably, Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal - to restructure their institutions of local government. At the national level, the initiative to give Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj was attempted by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1989 lxiv . Eventually, in
1993, Panchayati Raj was incorporated into the Constitution by the
73rd (for panchayats at the village, block and district levels) and 74th
(for municipalities) Constitutional Amendment Acts. It is notable that, until the passage of the 73rd and 74th Amendments, the suggestion for strengthening women’s representation was only faintly articulated in the mainstream history of Panchayati Raj. The Balwantrai Mehta
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Committee report had suggested only that the 20-member Panchayat
Samiti should co-opt or nominate two women, “interested in work among women and children” lxv The Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and
Panchayat Samiti Act of 1961 followed this recommendation, providing for the nomination of one or two women to each of the three bodies, if no woman candidate was otherwise elected. In 1978, of 320 women representatives on the Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads in
Maharashtra, only six were elected, demonstrating – if any evidence were required – that the provision of co-option or nomination was little more than an opportunity for patronage and, at best, an expression of tokenism. Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan used such provisions fitfully and at convenience with broadly similar results. The Andhra Pradesh
Gram Panchayats Act, 1964 effectively provided for reservation of between 22 and 25 percent for women. The next important milestone in the history of Panchayati Raj in India was the Asoka Mehta
Committee Report of 1978. Between Balwantrai Mehta and Asoka
Mehta, the Committee for the Status of Women in India, in its famous report Towards Equality (1974), argued forcefully that rural women’s needs and perspectives had never been given sufficient weightage in the plans and development policies of the Government of India. The
Report recognised that cooption and nomination were underwritten by the assumption that women were incapable of contesting elections, and would not permit the questioning, much less transformation, of
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in power equations in rural society. It therefore recommended the setting-up of statutory women’s panchayats at the local level, which would have strong links with Panchayati Raj institutions, as well as possess some resources to manage and administer welfare and development programmes for women and children. On the question of reservations for women in legislative bodies, however, the Committee was suggested that the state shall take steps to organise village panchayats and endow them with such power and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government divided. The majority opinion was that reservations were a retrograde step from the equality conferred by the Constitution, but the note of dissent lxvi recognized the importance of reservations as an instrument of empowerment. The Asoka Mehta Committee Report (1978) emphasised the importance of Panchayati Raj institutions to local development planning, on account of both the democratic imperative of decentralising power, as well as the efficiency imperative of strengthening the micro-level planning process. It recommended a two- tier panchayat system, in which the two women who polled the highest number of votes in the panchayat elections would, even if they failed to actually get elected, stand co-opted into the panchayat. Where no women contested elections, any two women known to be active community workers, could be co-opted. The importance of according
Constitutional status to the PRIs subsequently came up in the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in recommendations of several official committees reviewing rural development and poverty alleviation programmes. lxvii The Sarkaria
Commission on Centre-State relations also noted that panchayats were not functioning effectively as elections to them were not regularly held, and they were constantly being superseded on flimsy grounds.
But the issue of the representation of women and their participation in local-level institutions only came up again in the parallel stream, with the National Perspective Plan for Women (1988) recommending 30 percent reservation for women in these bodies. The same recommendation was also made in the unsuccessful 64th
Constitutional Amendment Bill of 1989, but it was only finally in 1992 that a redesigned three-tier system of Panchayati Raj – along with the provisions for women’s reservation in panchayat bodies at every level – was incorporated into the Constitution by Amendment, and subsequently ratified by the states. Meanwhile, some states had already proceeded to provide reservations for women. In 1985,
Karnataka introduced 25 percent reservation for women in the Mandal
Praja Parishads, with a further reservation for women belonging to the
SCs and STs. Andhra Pradesh, too, had in 1986 provided for reservation of 22-25 percent for the Gram Panchayat, with two women to be co-opted in the Panchayat Samitis, in addition to the elected women members. Surprisingly, West Bengal – one of the states that introduced a new Panchayati Raj system in 1978 and held elections at
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in regular intervals – did not make any effort to encourage the participation, or even visibility, of women. The enactment of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution in 1992 was stimulated by the disappointment over the failure of development programmes, and the perception that these would be able to perform better with local participation that could help identify local needs as well as deserving beneficiaries. A wide chasm separated the largest body of the electorate from a small number of its elected representatives. This gap has been occupied by the power brokers, the middlemen and vested interests….With the passage of this Bill, the panchayats would emerge as a firm building block of administration and development….as an instrument in the consolidation of democracy at the grassroots” (Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi, 1989).
737373 rdrdrd amendment Act 1992
The Amendment Bill, giving Constitutional status to the
Panchayati Raj institutions, was passed by both Houses of Parliament in December 1992. Following its ratification by more than half the state
Assemblies as required under the Constitution, the President of India gave his assent, and the same came into force as the Constitution
(73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 on April 24, 1993, adding a new part to the Constitution, namely, Part IX titled “The Panchayats”. Article 243 of
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the amended Constitution defines a panchayat as “an institution (by whatever name called) of selfgovernment… for the rural areas.” This was clearly a substantial advance over the constitutional provision in
Article 40 (Directive Principles of State Policy) which envisaged panchayats as “units” of self-government, rather than institutions. Apart from adding a new section – Part IX – to the constitution, it also added the Eleventh Schedule, which lists the subjects on which powers may be devolved to the panchayats. The Act required that the states pass conformity legislations within a specified time, and while it made some provisions that were mandatory and binding on the states, there were other enabling or discretionary provisions on which the states were – within broadly defined parameters – expected to legislate. The following are the mandatory provisions, the discretionary provisions and the provision relating to the powers and functions of the panchayats. lxviii
Mandatory provisions:
The mandatory provisions, which pertain to the structure of
Panchayati Raj, includes:
• A three-tier panchayat system shall be constituted in every state,
comprising panchayats at the village, intermediate and district
levels. However, states with populations not exceeding 20 lakh
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could dispense with the intermediate level, and have a two-tier
system.
• Elections to the panchayats at every level shall be filled by direct
election from territorial constituencies in the panchayat area.
• The Panchayats will enjoy a five-year term; if dissolved earlier,
fresh elections will be completed within six months of the date of
dissolution.
• The Gram Sabha (village assembly) will consist of all persons
registered on the electoral rolls. While the composition of the
Gram Sabha is uniform, its powers and functions may vary, as
provided for by the state legislature.
• In the directly elected seats of members in all panchayats, there
will be reservation of seats for SC-ST in proportion to their total
population in a panchayat area, and one-third of these seats will
be reserved for women belonging to these groups.
• Of the seats to be filled by direct election in every panchayat,
there will be not less than one-third reservation of seats in
panchayats for women, including the seats reserved for SC-ST
women. Such seats may be allotted by rotation to different
constituencies in a panchayat.
• The offices of Chairpersons in the panchayats at all levels will be
reserved for the SC-STs and women as the state legislature may
decide, provided that not less than one-third of the chairpersons’
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positions shall be reserved for women. Likewise, there will be
reservation in the offices of chairperson in panchayats at all
levels for members of the SCs and STs, in proportion to their
population in a state.
• The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of
electoral rolls, as also the conduct of elections, will be the
responsibility of the State Election Commission to be appointed
by the state Governor.
• The Governor of the state will also appoint a State Finance
Commission, initially within one year of the commencement of
the Act, and subsequently every five years, to review the
financial position of the panchayats, and make
recommendations regarding the principles which should govern
the distribution of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees between the
state government and the panchayats. It will also decide the
principles by which the taxes leviable by the state, grants-in-aid
to the panchayats, and the taxes which panchayats may be
authorised to levy and collect will be determined.
Discretionary provisions:
The provisions left to the discretion of the state legislatures relate only partially to the structure of the Panchayati Raj system. More
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in substantively, they are concerned with additional reservations for the backward classes, and with the allimportant question of the powers devolved to the panchayats. The main features of these enabling or discretionary provisions, as provided for in the 73rd Amendment Act are:
• The state legislature may provide for the representation of
chairpersons of village panchayats to the membership of the
intermediate panchayat, and that of chairpersons of the
intermediate panchayat in membership of the district-level
panchayat.
• The state legislature may provide for the inclusion of Members of
Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assemblies of the
states in the membership of the two higher levels of the
panchayats.
• The state legislature may provide for reservation of seats – both
as members and as chairpersons – in the panchayats for
members of the backward classes.
• The state legislature may authorise a panchayat to levy and
collect taxes, duties, toll fees, etc., or assign to a panchayat
taxes, duties, tolls and fees levied by the state government, and
provide for grants-in-aid from the state government to the
panchayats.
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• The state legislature may endow the panchayats with such
powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to
function as institutions of self-government. This would also
enable the panchayats to prepare plans for economic
development and social justice, and to implement schemes
concerning plans entrusted to them.
Powers and Functions of Panchayats:
Article 243-G specifies the powers and functions of the panchayats in language that attributes some discretion to the states.
Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the Legislature of a State may, by law, endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self- government and such law may contain provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats at the appropriate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, with respect to –
a) The preparation of plans for economic development and social
justice
b) the implementation of schemes for economic development and
social justice as may be entrusted to them including those in
relation to the matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.
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The Eleventh Schedule:
The new Eleventh Schedule, added to the Constitution by Article
243–G, lists 29 sectors or functions which may be transferred by state governments to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. These are:
1. Agriculture, including agricultural extension 2. Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land
consolidation and soil conservation
3. Minor irrigation, water management and watershed
development
4. Animal husbandry, dairy and poultry
5. Fisheries
6. Social forestry and farm forestry
7. Minor forest produce
8. Small scale industries, including food processing
industries
9. Khadi (homespun cloth), village and cottage industries
10. Rural housing
11. Drinking water
12. Fuel and fodder
13. Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, waterways and other
means of communication
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15. Non-conventional energy sources
16. Poverty alleviation programmes
17. Education including primary and secondary schools
18. Technical training and vocational education
19. Adult and non-formal education
20. Libraries
21. Cultural activities
22. Markets and fairs
23. Health and sanitation, including hospitals, primary health
centres and dispensaries
24. Family welfare
25. Women and child development
26. Social welfare, including welfare of the handicapped and
mentally retarded
27. Welfare of the weaker sections, and in particular, of the
scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes
28. Public distribution system
29. Maintenance of community assets
In the last few years, the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj has encouraged the states to undertake a process of activity Mapping that clearly indicates the activities to be undertaken by the Panchayats in respect of each devolved function and at each of the three levels.
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District Planning Committees
At the district level, Article 243ZD in Part IX A of the Constitution provides for the constitution of District Planning Committees (DPC) by the State Governments. The DPCs are required to “consolidate” the plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities in the district, and, on this basis, to formulate a draft development plan for the district as a whole. Four-fifths of DPC members are to be elected by and from among the elected representatives of the District Panchayat and the
Municipalities in the district. Each DPC has the authority to take decisions regarding matters of common interest between the
Panchayats and the Municipalities, including spatial planning, sharing of water and other physical and natural resources, as also the integrated development of infrastructure and environmental conservation in the districts concerned. There is no reservation for women in the DPCs.
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Panchayat (Extension to the Schedule Areas) Act, 1996
Article 243 M gives to Parliament the power to extend the provisions of Part IX to the tribal areas listed in the Fifth Schedule. It is in exercise of these powers that Parliament passed The Panchayats
(Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. The Article exempts certain States and certain areas covered by the Sixth Schedule, as also certain other States and regions covered by separate special arrangements, from the purview of Part IX of the Constitution. It exempts Arunachal Pradesh from the necessity of making reservations for the Scheduled Castes.
The Structure of Panchayats
Panchayats are organised in a three-tiered structure from the village to the district level. Above the district level are the state and the central ministries for Panchayati Raj. The Union Ministry of Panchayati
Raj is responsible for the work of advocacy for, and monitoring of, the implementation of the Constitution (73rdAmendment) Act. The Ministry ensures that the States hold timely elections, set up State Finance
Commissions and implement their recommendations, constitute
District Planning Committees and empower them suitably to ensure grass-root level planning to effectively feed into State and Central-level
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Governments/Union Territory Administrations devolve funds, functions and functionaries to the Panchayati Raj institutions in the spirit of the
Constitutional provisions. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is also responsible for formulation and implementation of an Action Plan for seeing PRIs to emerge as “Institutions of Local-Self Governance” and secure economic development and social justice in their respective areas. The ministries at the states are largely responsible for executing the policies and plans formulated by the central ministry, as also for ensuring the complete devolution of functions, functionaries, funds to the grassroots level, and monitoring the activities and tasks assigned to the Panchayats. The Figure 1.1 below provides the structure of the three-tiered system of Panchayati Raj institutions and also indicates the administrative support structure that accompanies it.
Figure 1.1 Structure of Panchayati Raj
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By April 1994, all the states had completed the process of enacting conformity legislations to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Despite the uniformity in the application of the mandatory provisions, there are considerable variations in the enabling or discretionary provisions, especially those relating to the functions and powers of the Gram
Sabha, the election of chairpersons of the two higher levels, reservation for the backward classes, financial procedures, the committee system, and so on. Some important variations in the conformity acts of the various states are discussed in subsequent paragraphs.
The Third Tier: the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat
As the base of the entire pyramidal structure of local government, the Gram Sabha (or village assembly) is the life-blood of local democracy. Though the constitution of the Gram Sabha is mandatory, there are variations across states in respect of the required frequency of its meetings, as also its powers and functions. Gram
Sabhas are required to meet four times a year in Assam and Bihar, three times a year in Tamil Nadu, annually in Tripura, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, and twice a year in all the remaining states. Some states – viz. Bihar, Goa, Tripura, Rajasthan and Manipur - have provided for the constitution of Vigilance Committees for each Gram
Sabha. The meetings of the Gram Sabha are chaired by the Pradhan
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in and attended by elected members from different wards and the community at large. These meetings discuss the general problems of community; identify local development needs and aspirations as well as the special problems faced by particular groups. Issues of local public concern are meant to be raised and discussed among citizens in a participatory manner, with the final decision being taken collectively, and documented in the form of Minutes of Meetings (MoM). An indicative list of the issues discussed in Gram Sabha meetings includes:
1. Examine annual accounts and audit report.
2. Consider taxation proposals.
3. Consider budget proposals.
4. Discuss report of the administration.
5. Review existing schemes/works.
6. Review panchayat activities.
7. Review current and further programmes.
8. Select local schemes.
9. Approve village plan.
10. Identify beneficiaries.
11. Undertake programme for family welfare.
12. Maintain register of development activities.
13. Promote social harmony.
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14. Mobilize peoples’ participation.
The Gram Sabha is thus meant to be the forum in which beneficiaries of various development programmes are identified. It is also the body that audits and approves the accounts of the Gram
Panchayat. As such, it is in the Gram Sabha that ordinary citizens can make their representatives accountable and demand transparency in their functioning. In most states, Gram Sabhas take decisions on the basis of the majority of members present and voting. Though all persons registered as voters on the electoral rolls are members of the
Gram Sabha, very few states have provided special incentives to encourage the participation of women in this forum. The Village
Panchayat or Gram Panchayat covers a population that varies considerably, from 300 people in Arunachal Pradesh to 7,000 in
Karnataka and upto 10,000 in Assam. Statistically, one member of a village panchayat represents anywhere between 100 (in Arunachal
Pradesh) to 500 (in Bihar) persons. Proportionate reservation for SC-
STs is provided by all states. Reservation of seats to the minimum extent of 33 percent for women in the Gram Panchayat is also a feature in all the states. Reservation for the backward classes, though discretionary, is provided for by Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Goa. There are also variations in
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the percentage of seats reserved for the backward classes: one-tenth in Gujarat, one-third in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and 27 percent in Maharashtra. In Madhya Pradesh, where 50 percent or less of the seats are reserved for SC-STs, 25 percent are reserved for Backward
Classes. In Punjab, one seat in each Gram Panchayat is reserved for the Backward Classes, if their population is more than 20 percent. In
Haryana, one seat is reserved for the Backward Classes, if their population is 2 percent or more of the total population of the Gram
Sabha area. The mode of election of the Chairperson (variously called
Sarpanch, Pradhan or Mukhiya) at the village panchayat level is determined by the states. Thus, many states – including Bihar, Gujarat,
Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab – have provided for direct election of the Chairperson at this level. In Himachal
Pradesh, the “Upa-Pradhan” (or deputy chairperson) is also directly elected. The remaining states provide for indirect election, with the
Chairperson being elected by the directly elected members of the body from among themselves. The office of the Chairperson is also subject to provisions of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes (in proportion to their population) and women (not less than one-third). Arunachal Pradesh provides reservation to women alone. In
Uttar Pradesh, reservation for women in Chairpersonships is subject to the condition that it should not exceed 27 percent of the total number of
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Chairperson. Some states have introduced the two-child norm, disqualifying the candidature of all those who have more than two children. While Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh introduced and subsequently revoked the two-child norm, Andhra Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh continue to enforce it. This is a provision that is clearly against the interests of women who have little control over reproductive decisions. No-confidence motions are widely provided for, though there are notable variations across states. In
Sikkim and West Bengal, a simple majority of the total members can vote out a sitting Chairperson, while in most other states this requires a majority of between two-thirds (Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, among others) and three-fourths
(Madhya Pradesh). In Punjab and Haryana, a majority of Gram Sabha members can unseat a Chairperson, while in Himachal a two-thirds majority of the Gram Sabha members is required. Goa has the most foolproof method of all states - a no-confidence motion has to be supported by a two-thirds majority of the Gram Panchayat, ratified by a simple majority of the Gram Sabha members - while Andhra Pradesh
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Pradesh, there is no special safeguard against the removal of women
Pradhans through no-confidence motions. But if a no-confidence motion - against any Pradhan, male or female – fails, it cannot be raised for a two-year period following the rejection. However, in the case of no-confidence motions passed against a woman chairperson, the office, if reserved for women, can be filled only by another woman.
In Madhya Pradesh, which is distinctive in having a right to recall provision in its conformity law, the Gram Sabha has the right to recall the Sarpanch or a Panch after twoand- a-half years of his tenure, through a secret ballot. All disputes regarding no confidence motions against the Sarpanch or Upa
Sarpanch are referred to the Collector, whose decision is final. There are variations also in the number of standing committees. Standing committees – on Social Justice, Finance, Education, Poverty Alleviation
– are provided for by several states. These are also important from the gender perspective, because provisions for reservation frequently do not apply to these committees.
The Middle Tier: Block or Mandal Panchayats
In several states – including Bihar, Tripura, Orissa, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal
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Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and West
Bengal – panchayats at the intermediate level are constituted at the
Block. In Karnataka and Gujarat they are constituted at the level of the
Taluk, while in Andhra Pradesh at the Mandal level. There are significant variations in the nomenclature of these panchayats: they are called by many names, ranging from Janpad Panchayat in Madhya
Pradesh to Kshetra Panchayat in Uttar Pradesh, and Panchayat Samiti in most of the northern states. Members of these panchayats are directly elected, though the number of members depends on the population, with one member on average representing 2,000-4,000 people in the mid-sized to big states. In most states, the chairpersons of the third tier are ex-officio members of the intermediate level panchayat, too. While this is the provision in Bihar, Tripura, Uttar
Pradesh, Orissa, Kerala, Arunachal, West Bengal and Assam, other states (like Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana) take one-fifth of the chairpersons of the lower tier on a rotational basis for one year. In several states, MPs and MLAs are also ex-officio members of these bodies, with provisions also existing in many places for the co-option of the director of the cooperative marketing society or the cooperative bank. One-third of the seats in these bodies are also reserved for women, though as with the Gram Panchayat, reservation for OBCs is discretionary. Nevertheless, several states have made such provision, according to formulae largely similar to those adopted for the Gram
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Panchayats. The Chairpersons at the intermediate level are indirectly elected, i.e. elected by the elected members from among their own number. Again, the nomenclature varies across states, though the one-third reservation for this office is uniform. Many states have also exercised their discretion in providing reservation for OBCs to the office of the Chairperson.
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The District or Zilla Parishad
The Zilla Parishad is the topmost layer of the Panchayati Raj structure. Its members are directly elected by the voters in the district, and one member may represent anywhere between 15,000 to 50,000 people, depending upon the state. The President (head) of the
Parishad is known as Zilla Pramukh in many states, or by other names such as Sabhadipati in Tripura and West Bengal or Adhyaksha in Uttar
Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. In a majority of states, the Zilla
Pramukh is directly elected, though some states, e.g. Arunachal
Pradesh, follow the practice of selecting the Zilla Pramukh from among the elected members. The chairperson of the intermediate level panchayat is generally an ex-officio member of the district panchayat, as are Members of Parliament and Members of the state Legislative
Assembly. It is only in Maharashtra that legislators are completely excluded, while in Gujarat they are permanent invitees without the right to vote. At this level, too, there is mandatory reservation for women
(one-third) and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (in accordance with their proportion in the population). Reservation, on the same basis, holds for the office of the Chairperson in the panchayats of this tier. The chairperson and the vice-chairperson are indirectly elected by the elected members of the panchayat. In Madhya Pradesh, however, they are indirectly elected by all members of the Zilla
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Parishad. Not surprisingly, this is the level at which there are the maximum number of Standing Committees (the average, across states, being around six Committees per district panchayat) though
Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have none. Orissa has provided for the representation of women in the standing committee on education and health, such that three of its five members must be women. In most other states, persons belonging to the SC-STs or Other Backward
Classes are usually co-opted on to committees, but not women.
Though Orissa is one of the few states that has sought to make special provision for its tribal population – in tribal areas, not less than half the directly elected seats are reserved for the STs, and all the offices of sarpanches in the Gram Panchayats in these areas are so reserved - it has however neglected to make any special provision for tribal women.
Interlinkages Between Tiers
There is some ambiguity about the way in which the three tiers should be linked, thereby obviating situations resulting from lack of co- ordination between the three levels, which could weaken the structure as a whole. Thus, for instance, the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act does not provide for the Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat to be a member of the Panchayat Samiti, or for the Pradhan of the Samiti to be a member of the Zilla Parishad. The lack of specification of functions and
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Keeping in view of above existing conditions in the Panchayat
Institutions the Government of India, during the regime of Rajiv
Gandhi made revolutionary changes with a view to strengthen the
Panchayat Raj Institutions and also to empower the weaker sections and women to take part in the local administration.
Need for Political Empowerment of Women under the present Day political situation:
As gender inequality is a worldwide phenomenon the United
Nations Organisation which is the world’s highest organization to look after the welfare of humanity irrespective of race, caste, creed, colour or sex shouldered the responsibility of implementing strategies towards the elimination of the existing inequalities between men and women. It is well known that at the global level itself there are political, economic, social and cultural inequalities existing between men and women. Therefore as early as in 1952 itself the United Nations adopted the convention on the political rights of women. Later the U.N. also declared 1975 as the international Women’s Era. Followed by this, four international conferences on women were held with regard to gender justice and equality. ;the fourth Beiging conference which was
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in held in 1995 declared that “ women’s equal participation in political life plays a vital role in the general process of the advancement of women.
Women’s equal participation in decision making is not only a demand for simple justice or democracy but also be seen as a necessary condition for women’s interests to be taken into account”. To allow women to take part in government is the goal at the global level also.
With this view the U.N. Economic & Social Council endorsed the 30% of reservation to women at all levels of decision making by 1995. India proudly took the hold step of reserving 30% of seats to women in
Panchayat Raj and other rural bodies in the year 19692 by the 73 rd and
74 th amendments of the constitution. Followed by this in the years
1996 and 1998 was the legislation to provide for reservation of seats for women in the Loksabha and the State Legislatures to the extent of
1/3 rd of the strength of the Houses by the 81 st and 84 th Constitutional amendments. Besides this according to the national policy for the empowerment of women in the year 2001 the goal of the nation is to bring about the advancement, development through poverty eradication, micro-credit programmes, training of women to facilitate them in playing efficient role in agriculture and industry. The social empowerment of women is facilitated through effective provisions of education, health nutrition, drinking water and sanitation, gender sensitization etc., elimination of all forms of violence against women, physical and mental whether a domestic or social level including those
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To influence decision making process:
Though it is a healthy sign that a good number of women attained highest positions in the political sector in India and other countries, women’s concerns in general are not given priority as expected. Therefore increase in number of women in the political sector may lead to concentration on priorities to women issues.
Women’s Access to political resources :
In the field of politics women are unable to compete with men with regard to access to political resources due to the traditional role assigned to women. Thought hey were able to enter the political field the influence of male members either husband, father or brother is more which is an obstacle to the independent action of women.
Leadership Style:
In the present worldwide political scenario today there is no satisfactory administration which is able to give adequate facilities to the poor condition of women. Critics point out that there is a need for change in leadership – a feminine leadership may be welcomed for a change to solve some of the burning issues. There is also a need to
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Need to promote Women’s Political EmpowermentEmpowerment:
As the needs of women are not be prioritized and addressed there is a strong need to promote women through political empowerment. Participation of women in politics is necessary to achieve the general advancement of women Education for women, healthcare, legal status and livelihood can be better represented by increasing participation of women in the decision making process.
Through the increased participation one can expect the women to setup and pursue their own agenda. Sufficient number of women in the decision making position is highly required throughout the globe. To achieve this goal of empowering women through political power the strong will of the political leaders, political parties, business community, academic as well as non-government organizations is very essential.
As women constitute half of India’s population, without their engagement and empowerment one cannot expect rapid development in their progress. It is therefore necessary to empower women politically so as to give priority to the women issues as better judges of their community.
Political Empowerment to Gain Equity & Fairness:
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Women entry into the grass-root organizations enabled her to come forward to exercise her political power by raising their voices to the problems concerned not only to women but to the general public.
They are trying to exercise their limited power so as to bring equality and farness in the political process and planning.
Political Empowerment for Social & Legal Rights.
In the traditional Indian society women’s equality in basic legal and human rights access to control of land or other resources are not up to satisfaction. It is through women’s political participation effective legislation can be achieved. Women’s equality is undermined by historical imbalances in decision making power and access to resources. Rights and entitlements for women through hour the globe.
Political Empowerment through Balancing Power:
Out of a billion population of Indian neatly 120 million of women live in poverty Moreover the males significantly outnumber females,
India’s material mortality rates in rural area are among the world’s highest. Therefore political empowerment of women is a precondition for meeting the challenges of women and child towards a better society. Under the present globalised world gender equality political empowerment is a vita tool to achieve sustainable development. The POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 63
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in need for political empowerment of women was acknowledged by the
World Economic Forum which ranks India at an impressive 24 th on the variable of “Political Empowerment for its Women’ when measured against 134 countries. It is also a healthy sign that the number of women legislators entered into the Indian Parliament women to acquire political power. The participation of women from the marginalized sections are also gradually emerging into the political leadership which is also a good sign of political empowerment.
Panchayat Raj Institutions as vehicles of Political Empowerment of Women:
As a result of the opportunity given to women by the 73 rd and
74 th Constitutional amendments significant achievements were taken place especially in rural and backward parts of India. Over a million women in forward not only to context in the elections but also to exercise power in the elections but also to exercise power in the larger interest of the public good. It is also interesting to note that the proportion of women getting elected tens to be significantly higher than the reserved another, with women from the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes often securing election to higher proportion of results and Chairmanships the women from socially and economic better off classes. Yet women from a backward region like Therlam constituency are no exceptions like their sisters from other areas in facing hurdles in
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the process of the political empowerment, before attempting to discuss the holistic and scientific understanding of the role of women of this area is their local political bodies it is necessary to have a brief out look on the geographical setting. Therefore the next chapter is devoted to the geographical setting of the area under study.
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CHAPTER - III PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT
Brief History of the DistrictDistrict:
The History of the Vizianagaram District is connected with hoary part of Kalinga, one of the political divisions of Ancient India. Only in modern times, the upper part of Kalinga was gradually merged into
Orissa state and the lower part into Andhra Region. The Kalinga empire extended from Cuttack in Orissa to Pithapuram in East
Godavari district even as far back as the 4 th century BC. The Nandas ruled the area between 467 BC and 336 BC. They were followed by the Mauryas, the Chedis, the Satavahanas, the Pitribhaktas, the
Matharas, the Vasistas, the Vishnukundins, the early eastern Gangas, the estern Chalukyas of Vangi, the Late Eastern Gangas, the Reddis of
Rajahmudry and the Velanti Cholas who ruled over the area constituting the present Srikakulam district till the Kakatiyas appeared on the political scene by AD 1210.
Recorded evidence show the some local dynasties like the
Rapatri Chiefs, and the Gangas of Narayanapura (situated in the
Bobbili block) the Gangas of Jantarunadu (the track now known as
Srungavarapukota) ruled over parts of the district from the 12 th Century
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in to the middle of the 15 th century at various periods of time. The silas of
Nandapura with Capitals at Nandapura and Bobbili who acknowledged the Suzerainty of the Gangas of Kalinga held away over parts of the district for nearly a hundred years from the middle of the 14 th Century.
The Kakatiyas under Ganapatideva defeated the Velanati chola chief, Prithvisvara who was ruling over the territory in 1210 but the territory was recovered by the Eastern Gangas during the region of
Ananga Bhima III. The Gajapathis of Orissa then came to rule the territory after overthrowing the Eastern Gangas in A.D 1443. The rule of the Gajapatis over the area lasted for about 140 years till the Qutab
Shahis conquered the territory around AD 1574. Consequent on the occupation of Golkonda by the Mughals in A.D. 1687, the area came under the control of the Mughals when the viceroy of the Mughals in deccan, Niam-ul-Mulk-Asaf Jah declared his independence in A.D.
1724, the area came under the rule of the Asaf Jahis.
In the War of Succession after Nizam-Ul-Mulk Asaf Jah died, salabat Jung who came to power with the backing of the French
General Bussy rewarded the French by ending four circars including the Chico Cole circar in 1753. An important event in the history of the district which occurred by about this time is the war between the Rajas of Vizianagaram and Bobbili, Popularly known as Bobbili Yuddham.
The War was fought between the Rajah of Vizianagaram aided by the
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1757. the bravery of and Valour of the soldiers of Bobbili displayed in this war is still remembered by the people of the area.
Another important evident in the history of the district is the war between the French and English fought at Chandurthi in1758 in which the French were defeated and the Northern Circars were made over to the British under a firm Ana from Mughal emperor, Shah Alam in 1765 which were placed under the then existing chief and council at
Vizianagaram. In 1794, the Chiefs and councils were abolished and
Vizianagaram was arranged into three divisions each under a
Collector. Almost the entire area of the present area of Vizianagaram district fell under a Collector. Almost the entire area of the entire area of the present area of Vizianagaram district fell under the second division. However, the three divisions were merged and a collectorate for the whole district was established in 1803 after the introduction of the permanent settlement in the area.
The history of the rebellions against the alien rule goes back to
1830s when the people of the district particularly the tribal unable to beat the oppression, role in frequent rebellious (fituris) leading to the establishment of separate administrative system known as “Agency
Administration” under the India Act XXIV of 1839. The rebellion of
Korra Mallaiah, a tribal chief of the Salur area against the British rule in1900 is another important event in the struggle against the alien rule.
The District Magistrate dispatched reserve police to suppress the revolt POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 68
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After abolition of the Zamindaris in 1948, Visakhapatnam district was found to be unwieldy for administrative purposes. Consequently,
Srikakulam district was carved out in 1950 bifurcating it from
Visakhapatnam district. The constitution of Vizianagaram district in
1979, by transferring the taluks of Parvathipuram, Kurupam, Salur,
Bobbili, Badangi and Cheepurapalli from Srikakulam district and some taluks of Visakhapatnam from the latest development in the history of the district.
PHYSICAL ASPECTS :::
General:
Vizianagaram district is a part of the Northern Andhra Pradesh
Coastal Plain and lies between 17 o15’ north latitudes and 83 o0’ and
83 o45’ east longitudes. The district was formed on1st June 1979 by taking of some areas of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts which presently so surround the district from eastern and western sides respectively.
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The district occupies an area of 6,539 sq.kms with density of population of 323 per sq.km. The total population of the district is
21.11 lakhs of which17.47 lakhs is rural and 3.64 lakhs is urban. The percentage of rural population in the district is 82.78 while that of the urban population is 17.22. the scheduled caste population in the district forms 10.44 per cent of the total population while scheduled tribe account for 9.0 per cent of the 264 urban areas in the state, 9 are located in this district.
The district derived its name from Vizianagaram, its headquarters town.
Hills:
The areas transferred from Visakhapatnam district were mostly hilly and picturesque especially in the north. The agency tract mostly consists of the hilly regions covered by the eastern ghats which run parallel to the coast from the north – east to south-west. The average height of these hills is over 914 meters, although there are several peaks of even 1,219 meters high. The highest part is the Shankaram in Srungavarapukota which is over 1,615 meters. The main hills ranges are Dumakonda, Antikonda, Palakonda, Kodagandi and Gomatikonda.
All these individuals ranges from part of the eastern ghats. In the
Parvathipuram division, the hills are lower than elsewhere and consist of steep and rugged lines devoid of plateau hedging in the two broad,
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in almost parallel, valleys of Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers which drain them south wards down into the Bay of Bengal. A line of Mountain runs north and south through middle of this track and separate these two valleys. It is called Kailaskota hills and highest point on it is 1,187.2 meters above the sea level. The hills on the west of the coastal plain consist of three main plateaus. The highest and largest of these which is made up of the main line of the eastern ghats and runs parallel to the shore of the Bay of Bengal is usually known as the 3000 sq.ft.(911 meters) plateau.
Rivers:
The principal rivers flowing in the district are Nagavali or
Langulya, Gosthani (Champavathi) Suvarnamukhi, Vedavathi and
Gomukhi. Nagavali is the main river which h takes birth in the step hills of Orissa state. Its total length is 200 kms and flows for about 112 km., in Vizianagaram district. The total catchment area of this river is
8,963 sq.kms (12.461 sq.miles) The river Gosthani has its origin in the
Anantagiri forest area of Srungavarapukota. The Swarnamukhi river takes its birth in the hills of Salur and takes eastern direction and finally joins the Nagavali in Palakonda mandal of Srikakulam district. The
Vegavathi originates in Pachipenta hills of Pachipenta mandal and follows in the same direction almost parallel to the Suvarnamukhi. The river Gomukhi originated from the eastern ghats and follows north- west of Saluru. POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 71
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Climate:
The climate of Vizianagaram district is characterized by high humilities nearly all the year round, oppressive summer and good seasonal rainfall. The summer season is from March to May. This is followed by the South-West monsoon season, which continues up to
September, October and November constitute the post monsoon or retreating monsoon season. December to February is the season of generally fire weather. The Climate of the hill parts of the district west north west is different from that of the plain. Since hilly regions receive heavier rainfall. They are cooler than the plains. The maximum
o temperature occurred the month of June is 34.3 C and the minimum
o temperature notified in the month of January is 17.9 C during the year
1990.
Rainfall:
The normal annual rainfall of the district is 1,158.00mm. The district gets the benefit of both the south-west and north east monsoons.
Soils:
The main soils in the district are red soils, sandy loams, sandy clay and they constitute 96 per cent of the total area. The soils in the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in district are predominantly loamy with Indian fertility different types of rocks are abundant in the district.
Flora:
The floristic composition of the forests of the district is of much interest. The forest types found in the district are :
1. Southern tropical moist middle deciduous forests.
2. Northern tropical dry deciduous forests.
3. Southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forests.
4. Dry deciduous green forests.
5. Dry evergreen forests.
The forestry plays an important role in the economy of the district.
Fauna:
Fauna in the district is fairly high in the interior hill regions but it is heavily threatened with extinction. The reasons for the depletion are mainly shrinkage of habitat and uncontrolled poaching. There is fairly rich variety of fauna. The principal animals and birds found from the sea coast to the high platean are : (1) Fourthorned antelope (2) Yellow bat (3) Sloth bear (4) Indian bison (5) Will Buffallow (6) Tungle cat (7)
Civet (8) Mouse deer (9) Barking deer (10) Fox (11) Hare (12) Hyena
(13) Jackal (14) Langur (15) Leopard (16) mongoose (17) Sambar (18)
Squirrels (19) Tigers and birds of (i) Ashy Long tail Warher (ii) black
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Common Myna pitta etc.
Major Characteristics with reference to Economic resources:
FFForestryForestry :::
The total forest area in the district comes to 1,09,948 hectares for coming
17.3% of the geographical area of the district. Apart from the natural forest already indicated following plantations have been raised by the forest department up to
March 1990. The total revenue earned by the forest department during 1989-90 is
Rs.92,30,579.
S.No. Item Area in Sq.kms.
1. Teak 14.66
2 Bamboo 4.60
3 Others 48.00
Minerals:
The district is endowed with manganese lime, kankar and quartz, Manganese of high quality occurs at Garividi, Nellimarla,
Cheepurapalle, Gurla, Merakamudidam, Bobbili, and Salur mandals.
Nearly 45,343 tonnes of Manganese 15,915 tonnes of Kankar and lime stone and 849 tonnes of quartz were produced in the district during
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1989-90. Among minor minerals small quantities of graphite and mica are produced in the district.
Electricity:
Out of 1,458 inhabitated villages in Vizianagaram district, 1,253 villages have been electrified as on 31.3.1990. the percentage of electrified villages works out to 85.94 per cent the length of transmission and distribution lines in the district is 7,646.82 kms.
Land and Land Use Pattern:
The district is predominantly with red sandy loams, sandy clay loams and clay loam soils which constituted 74.0 per cent, 15.3 percent and 9.8 per cent of the total area of the district respectively.
The area covered by paddy formed 33 per cent, Bazjra 2 per cent, Ragi 4 per cent, Groundnut 20 per cent, Mesta 15 per cent and
Sesamum 4 per cent of the grass cropped area in the district during the year 1989-90. Food crops accounted for 60 per cent and the remaining 40 per cent is accounted for commercial crops.
Agricultural Activity:
Agriculture is the main stay of the people of the district.
Above72 per cent of the total main workers are engaged in agriculture and above 82 per cent of the population living in rural areas depends upon agriculture for their livelihood in about 64 per cent of the total
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in irrigated area, the cultivation is purely under tropical rains. In view of the unassured irrigation facilities, generally farmers taken up dry crops.
In about 73 per cent of the area, under kharif season, paddy is being cultivated. Tanks are main resources during kharif season and cannel irrigation is limited to 23.6 per cent. The annual rainfall of the district is
1,158 mm. Most of the rainfall, i.e., 64 per cent of the rainfall, is received during south-west monsoon during which period main kharif crops are grown. According to 1989-90 agriculture census, the percentage of net area sown in the district is 43 per cent which is lower than that of the coastal region, which is 58 per cent and is higher than that of the state which is 39 per cent.
There are no major irrigation projects in the district. However, there are 11 medium irrigation projects with ayacut of 38,646 hectare.
Out of the 11 medium irrigation projects 3 medium irrigation projects namely Vengalaraya Sagar project, Janjavathi project and Peda
Ankalam project are under progress. Besides this there are 833 PWD minor irrigation sources with an ayacut of 29,040 hectares and 9,927 minor irrigation tanks (Panchayat Raj) with an ayacut of 30,870 hectares.
The soil climate conditions such as temperature, rainfall and relative humidity are quite suitable to sericulture industry in the district.
This is a potential sector wherein women labour can be employed gainfully. One Mulberry seed format Jogampet to Seethanagaram POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 76
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in mandal was established. In addition to the above, two silk reeling units are functioning at P.Levidi and Venugopalapuram villages.
Animal Husbandary:
According to 1987, livestock census the total livestock population in the district is 11.09 lakhs of which 4.34 lakhs are cattle,
2.59 lakhs are buffaloes and 2.9 lakhs are sheep. The poultry population in the district is 12.25 lakhs.
There are 149 Veterinary Institutions out of which 88 are functioning with artificial insemination facility. There are 2 milk chilling centers functioning at Ramachandrapuram and Kurupam. These units are serving tribal people who are provided with milch cattle and collecting about 62 lakhs liters per year, through 227 collection centers.
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Fisheries:
The district has coastline of 28 kms. There are 29 marine fishing villages having 3,088 active fishermen. There are 1,372 traditional crafts like stitched boats, two beach landing crafts and 4,023 fishing tackle of various types. There are 24 in land fishermen cooperative societies, 6 marine fishermen cooperative societies and 12
Girijan fishermen Cooperative Societies with a total membership of
6,599 and with 9 paid up share capital of Rs.92077.
Industries :
The industries established in the district are mainly agro based.
Jute production mills were established at Nellimarla, Bobbili,
Vizianagaram, Kothavalasa and Saluru. Other important industries existing in the sectors of Sugar factories. Khandasari units, Ferro
Alloys industry, Groundnut oil unit, oilcake units, refined oil units are scattered in and around the Vizianagaram. The following are the major and minor industries in the district.
Major and Medium Industries:
1. Ferro Alloys Ltd., Sriramnagar (Garividi)
2. The Bheemasingi Cooperative Sugar Factory
3. The Sugar Factory, Komatipalli
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4. The Sugar Factory, Bobbili
5. The Nellimarla Jute Mills Co.,Ltd., Nellimerla
6. The General Industrial Society Ltd., Vizianagaram.
7. Andhra Pradesh Fabric Ltd., Jeegiram
8. Sri Gopalal; Krishna Jute Mills, Bobbili
9. Uma Jute Twine Mills, Kothavalasa
10. East Coast “Commercial Enterprises, Vizianagaram
11. Andhra Oil cake Products, Vizianagaram
12. Radhika Vegetable Oil Products Ltd., Duvvam
13. Sarvaraya Textiles Ltd., Vizianagaram
14. Andhra Pradesh Tanneries Ltd., Nellimarla
15. Soap Make Units – Vizianagaram
In addition to the above, there are 2427 small scale units mainly dealing with food products, cotton textiles and jute products, etc.
Apart from the above, the following industries are in different stages of construction.
1) M/s Gold Star Ferro Alloys Pvt.Ltd., at Kothavalasa with a total
cost of about Rs.120 crores.
2) M/s Rhino Tyres and Tubes Pvt.Ltd., a unit for the manufacture
of tyres and tubes for light vehicles at Kothavalasa
3) A Ferro Alloys Unit under M/s Jindal Group of industries with
15,000 tonnes capacity per annum at Kothavalasa.
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4) Mango Mining Co.Ltd. Bobbili a unit for the manufacturing of
electrolitic manganese dioxide is first of its kids in the entire
country in private sector with an investment of aboutRs.18
crores.
PLACE OF TOURIST ININTEREST:TEREST:
Bobbili Town (Bobbili Mandal)
Bobbili is situated at distance of 65 kms., from Vizianagaram.
The earlier name of the town was Peddapuli (tiger). Due to the efflux of time, it gradually changed Pebbuli, Bebbuli and finally Bobbili. This place is an important railway junction on the Raipur – Vizianagaram line. Bobbili is associated with the historic battle between Zamindar of
Vizianagaram aided by the French on the one side and the Raja of
Bobbili on the other. The Raja of Bobbili erected a war memorial at the place where the actual battle took place to commemorate the tragic event and the memorial can be seen towards north-east on the out skirts of the town. Bobbili is famous for the manufacture of Veenas and well known as one of the important town where fine arts flourished.
There is also a fine temple of Lord Venugopala.
Cheepurupalli Town (Cheepurupalli mandal):
This place is head quarters of the mandal of the same name and situated at distance of 30 kms., from the district headquarters,
Vizianagaram. This is a railway station on the Howrah- Madras broad
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in gage line and also well connected by road. There is an old ruined fort existing in the place three sets of copperplate inscriptions were found in the place during 1867 AD and one of them records a great made by the eastern Chalukya ruler Vishnu Vardana – 1 who flourished from 615
AD to 633 AD.
Garividi (Garividi Mandal)
This village is included in Kondapalem and Shriramanagar town.
This place is headquarters of the mandal of the same name and situated at a distance of 38 kms., from the district head quarters
Vizianagaram. This place became prominent after the establishment of Ferro manganese plant. An upgrading factory was also attached to the plant which is the largest of its kind in India. Manganese is exported from here to the foreign countries. This is railway station on the Howrah Madras broad gage line and also well connected by road.
There is also an eye hospital maintained by the lions club in the town.
Nellimarla Town (((Nellimarla(Nellimarla MandalMandal):):):):
This is a town and headquarters of the mandal of the same name situated on the river Champavathi at a distance of 5 kms. From Vizianagaram. Because of location of Jute factory this town has got importance. This town is connected by road and attained popularity.
Parvathipuram TTTownTown : (: (Parvathipuram( Parvathipuram MandalMandal):):):):
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Parvathipuram is a town situated at a distance of 95 kms from the district headquarters Vizianagaram. It is the head quarters of the mandal of the same name. This town is growing rapidly in trade owing to its location at the junction of the roads leading to many important places like Bengal. Jeypore, Vizianagaram etc. There is a fine temple of lord Jagannadha Swamy. The most important festival in this town is the car festival of Jagannadha Swamy, celebrated for 9 days during
June- July of every year. This town is well connected both by road and rail.
Ramathirtham (((Nellimarla(Nellimarla MandalMandal):):):):
This is a village which is also popularly known as Ramathirthalu situated at a distance of about 13 kms., north east of Vizianagaram In this village there is a hill called `Bodikonda’ on which a ruined brick shine in which three images of Jain Thirthankars are found nearly carved out of the local rock. Higher up this hill under an overhanging rock, another mutilated jain image is found. In addition to these, there are number of sculptures on this and the other hill nearby. An inscription of the eastern Chalukyas is also noticed. Apart from its archaeological importance, the village is known for the modern temple dedicated to Sri Rama. The most important festival celebrated in this place is Shivarathri and on this day thousands of people from Various parts of the district congregate here.
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Salur Town (((Salur(Salur MandalMandal):):):):
This is a town situated at a distance of 55 kms. From
Vizianagaram. Salur is also well connected both by road and rail.
Many buses of Orissa state fly through this place providing quick transport facilities even to agency areas. This place is considered as gateway for the export of all the forest produce from the agency areas to the important markets, such as Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram and it has become out let to the marketable surplus, particularly of the agency areas. The Vedasamaj Sanskrit school established in this town during 1888 AD is most important institution.
Srungavarapukota (((Srungavarapukota(Srungavarapukota MandalMandal):):):):
This place is the headquarters of the mandal of the same name situated at a distance of 45 kms., from Vizianagaram. It has good communication facilities by road with all important places in the mandal. This place contains the ruins of an old fort. There is a place at a distance of 3 kms, to the west of the village called Punyagiri at the fort of an outlying sour of the hills. On the Sivaratri day people in large number gather here to take bath in the stream that emerges from the two boulders on which there is a shrine of Dhara Gangamma.
Vizianagaram TTTownTown (((Vizianagaram(Vizianagaram MMMandalMandalandal):):):):
This place is the headquarters of the district of the same name.
It is a important railway junction on the south eastern railway. It was
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Vizianagar empire), who wielded power from 17 th century AD. There is a magnificent fort in this town which depicts the past glory of these
Rajas. The town has grown around the fort. This town has attained great prominence in the part of the center of arts and culture under the patronage of the enlightened rulers of Vizianagaram. Many of the existing educational and cultural institutions at this place had their origin from the time of Rajas of Vizianagaram. Vizianagaram is one of the centers of cultural development in the district as well as of the state.
Changes in the administrative units:
In 1985-1986 the then existing all taluks were reorganized into
34 mandals. Corresponding to the revenue mandals, Mandal Praja
Parishads were also formed which are coterminous with revenue mandals in all cases except that the statutory towns are not included in the jurisdiction of the MPPs. One of the mandal Bondapalli has been formed by including villages from 3 erstwhile taluks.
Eight mandals have got villages from2 erstwhile taluks. Each of the remaining 26 mandals have been formed by taking villages exclusively from each of the erstwhile 12 taluks (i.e., without including villages from a second taluk). The chart on the adjacent page gives a clear picture of the distribution of villages of the erstwhile taluks in to present mandals. The figure is the block at the intersection of the taluk POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 84
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While comparing the list of villages at 1991 census with the 1981 census it may kindly be kept in view that the difference in the number of villages is due to the fact that 3 villages which were treated as main villages at 1981 census have become hamlets whereas 5 villages which were treated as hamlets during 1981 census are treated as newly sprung up during 1991 census on attaining independent status.
Details of these hamlets are indicated in the Appendix. Three revenue villages have been deleted from the list of villages as they are now fully included in Vizianagaram Municipality. The details of the villages which are fully included in the urban areas are shown in the annexure to the Alphabetical list of villages given in the succeeding pages. At the same time Kothavalasa which was treated as Census town for the first time at 1981 census has been declassified as it had lost its urban status according to the criteria fixed at 1991 census. Thus there are 4 statutory town and 5 census towns in the district.
The 34 mandals have been organized into two revenue divisions in the district as follows:
Vizianagaram Division:
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Vizianagaram, Gantyada, Bhogapuram, Denkada, Pusapatirega,
Srungavarapukota, jami,Kothavalasa, Vepada, Lakkavarapukota,
Nellimarla, Gurla, Cheepurupalli, Garividi, Merakumudidam,
Gajapathinagaram, Bondapalli, Dattirajeru, and Mentada.
Parvathipuram Division:
Parvathipuram, Komarada, Garugubilli, Jiyyaammavalasa,
Kurupam, Gummalaxmipuram, Badangi Terlam, Saluru,Pachipenta,
Makkuva, Ramabhadrapuram, Bobbili, Seethanagaram and Balijipeta.
Badangi, Therlam and Merakamudidam mandals were established on 1985-1986 by merging some parts from Bobbili taluk and cheepurapalli taluk. This constituency is bounded cheepurapalli constituency in the East, Saluru constituency in the west, Bobbili constituency in the north and Gajipathinagaram constituency in the south. Badangi mandal consists of 41 villages and 25 panchayats,
Therlam mandal consists of 52 villages and 32 panchayats. And the merakamudidam mandal were 24 panchayats out of 41 villages. The total geographical area are of this mandal is of 12,490 hectares. At the
2001 census the total population in Therlam constituency is 16,4906
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in persons, which includes 82,680 males and 82,226 females. The river
Vegavathi flows through this constituency.
Therlam constituency carries 20,252 scheduled caste population and 43,38 scheduled tribe population. With the advent of 73 rd constitutional amendment regarding Panchayat Raj Institutions total
81Panchayats and 16 Mandal Parishad territorial constituencies and the three only Zilla Parishad territorial constituency. The Therlam mandal ZPTC member is reserved for women in this constituency
Agriculture is the chief occupation for the people of Therlam constituency. Major crops harvested are paddy, sugarcane, mesta,
Greengram, Bengal gram, etc. Migration is widely prevalent in this constituency. Many people migrate to nearly cities for their livelihood.
Mangoes and Cashew nuts are also grown in the Arid areas.
In the earlier days the British established a small airstrip in
Badangi mandal which touches Mugada, Pinnavalasa,
Ramchandrapuram, Pudivalasa, Mallampeta and Bodangi villages but now it was out of use and was encroached.
The river Vegavathi is used as inland waterway. Some festivals are held for this river. The village Koduru is famous for `Velenkanni’
Mother temple in Badangi mandal. Large celebrations is held.
Participants come from various states also.
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CHAPTER --- IVIVIV SOCIO ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES
Knowledge of the socio-economic background of women representatives of the Therlam Assembly Constituency is an indispensable prerequisite for understanding their thought and behaviour in participating local governance. It also helps the researcher to identify the successful women in the process of political empowerment. Differences in the behaviour and participation of women representatives mainly depend on their background atmosphere. The rural family which is in most cases on agricultural household, is characterized by a greater closeness among the members and thus more liable to be influenced by hereditary traits and
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lxx concerned. A number of studies establish that the socio economic and political factors influence the role of the leaders in serving the people. Some of the factors that determine the socio-economic and political background are economic position, marital status, education, occupation, age, caste, political awareness, political experience, membership in political, non-political associations, voluntary organizations and the like. Therefore, an attempt has been made in this chapter to analyse the socio-economic and political background of the women representatives of the area under study under the following heads.
The total sample of the study is 317 women representatives from
Therlam Assembly Constituency consisting of 1 ZPTC, 20 MPTCs, 36
Women Sarpanches and 260 ward members. As mentioned earlier, a questionnaire has been prepared and served to all the women representatives, besides oral interviews in the regional language by the researcher. With the help of the information gathered through
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Caste:
Caste is the core of traditional politics in India, although as early as 1858, Queen Victoria through her “proclamation” assured the
Indians that all Indians would be treated on par with European race irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Even after a half century of independence there are people who receive `unequal treatment’ among Indians themselves based on caste. Still we are in a long way to eliminate the caste system. Dalits, for whose emancipation and upliftment, Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his life are still in need of upliftment. From the sociological point of view every individual is born into a particular communal or caste group and with it he/she inherits a place and a station in society from which his/her whole behaviour and outlook, occupation, attitude towards his own caste group and other members of the society can be derived. The studies on rural
Panchayats demonstrate that local authorities are exploited by the local rich caste for their own advantage. The wide spread control of
Panchayats by the upper caste rich farmers has prevented Panchayats from being agents of social change through political participation. lxxi POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 90
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The caste system is an important determinant of the social, political, economic and administrative aspects of Indian society. Despite the emergence of many new forces that have undermined the rigidity of the caste system to some extent it still remains a force to be reckoned within the rural community. Caste is so tacitly and so completely accepted by all, including those most vocal in condemning it that it is everywhere the unit of social action lxxii .
Caste is becoming increasingly dominant in Indian Politics. After all, democracy should at the minimum reflect the real behaviour of the people. If their behaviour is governed by caste, it is arguable that it may be undemocratic not to allow caste behaviour its role in the political process. But caste operates in a duality of styles- the
`traditional ‘ and the `modern’. This is a situation, which can be exploited by selfish and dishonest individuals who for their own political purposes, are prepared to use any tool that serves them well lxxiii .
Therlam Constituency constitutes Tribal Communities. According to
Director of Census Operations lxxiv the Khond Savara Region constitutes those tribal areas which are part of the Eastern ghats, spreading across the forst and hill tracts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam Districts. The Khond are subdivided into two groups : (1) The Dondgria (jungle) khond and (2) The Derya khond.
The Savara are also divided into two sub-groups: (1) Kapu Savara, who dwell on the plains and (2) Hill Savara or jati Savara.
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Caste system in the Therlam Assembly Constituency has been structured
just like in any other Assembly Constituency of Andhra Pradesh with little variations based on regional traditions and customs. The caste system in the Therlam
Assembly Constituency can be placed under four categories of social hierarchy –
The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vysyas and the Sudras. The Brahmins are respected by all the remaining castes as their ritual heads and learned people. Brahmins with some exceptions strictly observe the rules of purity and pollution. Kshatriyas, next to Brahmins in the social hierarchy are also respected. Moreover, Vizianagaram as mentioned in the previous chapter is the head quarter of Therlam Assembly
Constituency was under the rule of Kshatriya kings of Andhra for a long time and therefore the King’s rule had its influence over these areas and even till today people of the dynasty are called “Raju garu” with great respect. The next comes the Vysya caste who are by birth traders. Vizianagaram, even till today is one of the greatest business centres of Andhra Pradesh. The fourth in the social hierarchy of caste is sudras. Among these a number of categories exists with slight variations from area to area. The sudras occupy variety of livelihood starting from agriculture to weaving the cloth. As the present study is focused on the empowerment of backward castes who are the “Service” or “an auxillary castes” it is necessary to mention here the names of some of the backward castes for a clear understanding and the following table gives a clear picture of the women representatives based on their caste in which they are born.
Table 1
Caste wise Division of women representatives
NO. of women Representatives
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S.No. Caste ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percentage
1 OC - 2 4 29 35 11.04
2 BC 1 14 26 173 214 67.51
3 SC - 4 5 49 58 18.30
4 ST - - 1 9 10 3.05
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Table 1 observed that the caste of the women representatives revealed that an overwhelming majority of the respondents (67.51%) are backward classes, 18.30% of women representatives are
Scheduled Castes, 11.04% of the women representatives are Other
Community and the rest of the 3.05 percent of the women representatives are Scheduled Tribes. This shows that the Backward castes women representatives are more compared with others in the selected area of the study.
Age:
Participation in Political life is closely connected with age and domestic responsibilities especially in the case of women who serve the public in different areas of political field. The extent and degree of participation are greatly influenced by age. Experiences in the life, also helps the participants in political life with regard to ideological commitment, interaction with public and participatory system. Thus
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Table 2
Age wise Division of Women Representatives
S. Age Ward ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch Total Percentage No. Group Member
1 20-30 - - 2 43 45 14.20
2 31-40 1 5 15 80 101 31.86
3 41-50 - 7 12 65 84 26.50
4 Above 50 - 8 7 72 87 27.44
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Table 2 observed that the age of the women representatives revealed that the majority of the women representatives (31.86%) are
31 to 40 years age group, (27.44) are above 50 years age group.
26.50% of the women representatives are in 41 to 50 years age and the remaining (14.20%) of the women representatives are 20 to 30 years. This shows that the respondents of 41 to 50 and above 50 years age group women representatives are in nearly same percent compared with others in the selected area of the study.
From the above data it is clear that the younger and middle age women are stepping into the process of political empowerment.
Another point to be noted from the above table is that there is a change in the leadership of traditional Panchayats and the present
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Panchayats. Studies on Panchayat Raj institutions in the past shows that generally the higher age group persons used to occupy the leadership in the Panchayat Raj institutions. Now the trend is shifting from higher age to younger and middle age group leadership. This tendency of shifting of the leadership from higher age group to younger and middle age group is an indication of the motivation and inclination of younger generation of women in the process of political empowerment. Another point to be kept in mind is that the higher age groups of women in Therlam Constituency are not inclined to enter into the new political process towards empowerment. Women, generally after 50 years, shows less interest to take-up any new activity whether it is political or social because of their traditional background and a place like Therlam Constituency which is both traditional and backward. Due to these factors the process of political empowerment of women in this area of our study has been involved by younger age group of women. This is also an healthy atmosphere in implementing the 73 rd and 74 th Amendment which aimed at giving opportunity to women and weaker sections in the process of political empowerment.
Marital Status:
Marital status play an important role in the village set up especially with regard to women and in particular in backward areas like Therlam Constituency. A married women is considered to be fully qualified from all social aspects and they are respected in the traditional set up of the village life. Thanks to the Government
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Legislation, voluntary organizations and women activists, child marriages are not in practice in the Therlam Constituency except a very few families who celebrate child marriage due to the great respect in the older generation of the family. In the traditional Indian village set up widow remarriages are not common except in a few lower castes widows are allowed to remarry depending on their traditional and social customs. The role played by widows within their traditional customs and restrictions during the freedom movement of our country cannot be underestimated.
To sublimate their psychological suffering in leading lonely life they diverted their energies and strength towards winning freedom to our country. In the traditional village set up our country, in the present generation also there are women of that category who are able to devote their time and energies to serve the country by participating in the local governance. The following table gives a clear picture of the age group of women representatives of the local governance of Therlam
Constituency. It is also clear from the following table that the marital status of the
Therlam Constituency women representatives is hundred percent.
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Table 333
Marital Status of Women Representatives
S. Total number of Women ZPT MPT SARPACNC W Tota Perce No Representativ C C H M l nt . es
25 1 Married 1 20 35 309 97.48 3
2 Un-married - - - - -
3 Widow - - 1 7 8 2.52
4 Divorced - - - - -
26 Total 1 20 36 317 100.00 0
Marital status wise distribution of the women leaders is presented in Table 3. The data in the Table shows that majority
(97.48%) of the women leaders are married while remaining (2.52%) of the women representatives are unmarried. The unmarried respondents are small in number, as compared to married.
Size of the Family:
Size of the family also plays an important role in the political participation of women. Of course some other factors like individual merit, social service, aptitude for mass uplift, admiration towards political parties and the like also play an important role in the political
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Table 444
SizeSize----wisewise Division of Families of Women Representatives
S. Size of the ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent No. family
1 NO Children - 1 2 7 10 3.15
2 Single Child 1 1 2 11 15 4.73
3 Two Children - 6 16 81 103 32.49
Three 4 - 7 11 103 121 38.17 Children
Above three 5 - 5 5 58 68 21.45 Children
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
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Table 4 observed that the size of the family of the women representatives revealed that an overwhelming majority of the women representatives (38.17%) have three children, while remaining 32.49 percent of women representatives have two children, 21.45 percent of the women representatives have above three children, 4.73 percent of the women representatives have single child and the rest of the women representatives (3.15%) have no children. This shows that the majority of the women representatives having three children in their family when compared with others in the selected area of the study.
Social Life:
Social life is one of the determinants of social background of a village community. People of Therlam Assembly Constituency are generally obedient, tolerant and unconscious of their rights. More details will be discussed in the pages ahead. The traditional and backward set up of the area is some what the same for a long time.
New changes are apparently visible in various forms such as increase in education, standard of living and the like. Modernization has its own influence on the people of this area and this resulted in the attitudinal change of people toward religion, customs and traditions. Similarly there is an apparent change among the people towards recreation after working hard in the fields through out the daytime. Folk songs,
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The traditional set up of rural life was a symbol of cooperation and cordial relations among the villagers. Therlam Assembly
Constituency though resembles this type of traditional structure it is not completely isolated from the urban culture. The rural community is in the process of awakening. The people of Therlam Constituency especially the scheduled castes and Backward caste have developed consciousness about their rights, privileges and government facilities.
For example the DWCRA Programme (Development of Women and
Children in Rural areas) introduced by Andhra Pradesh Government in
1982 and extended to all the districts during 1994-1995 helped the women of the Therlam Constituency in the process of political empowerment. DWCRA is a program to empower women to bring out the hidden talents, strength and power of women. Empowerment of women cannot be ensured until they organize themselves through collective strength. This is a prerequisite for initiating action lobbying, pressuring and bargaining. Grass root organisation can enhance the opportunities for poor women to participate in development programmes by providing an organizational base to operation. By organizing, working together sharing experiences and resources, building pressure groups and so forth women can find independent access to opportunities for development lxxv , The response from the
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Therlam Constituency. Women now came to know the value of time and money and therefore gossiping which is very common among the rural women has been replaced by empowering themselves through
DWCRA schemes. Grama Savikas and Animators play a key role in creating awareness on DWCRA among rural women. The researcher had the opportunity of having oral interviews with some of the Grama
Savikas of the area under study and based on the information revealed through the interview it is felt that the Grama Savikas are efficient in providing information to women and helpful in prioritizing women’s interest and providing cooperation and coordination. Therefore the women of Therlam Constituency’s social life was unlike the past has now been shifted to empowering themselves through the scheme adopted by the Government for the welfare of the women especially
Backward and tribal women. Of course, it does not mean that each and every women of the area under study knows about the DWCRA and other schemes. These are still a number of women who does not even know that the DWCRA scheme is meant for women and children.
No doubt there is awareness among women but that is limited.
Therefore there should be awareness of women’s empowerment schemes, procedural details and other related matters. Some of the women who entered into the DWCRA Schemes have been able to
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Whenever the women meet, they are showing interest to discuss about the schemes that help them to empower and therefore there is a great mark in the social life of women. Therefore, Therlam Constituency, through the involvement of women in the DWCRA schemes has been able to provide `political nursery’ which will produce for male leaders in the process of political empowerment proximity to administrative and political power during the group meetings, workshops and training programmes enable the women to dream for power one day – a definite shift from being power less to powerful lxxvi .
Religion:
One of the most important aspect of village social life is religion.
The people of Therlam Constituency are religious minded people form the very beginning. They believe in the worship of Gods and Goddess.
It is worth to mention here that the Rajas of Vizianagaram were the great patrons of the famous Varahalakshminarasimha Swami Temple which is situated in the Simhachalam. The Rajas donated huge lands to the temple and they are the hereditary trustees even today.
Therefore the atmosphere at the district head quarters of Therlam
Constituency has its own influence on the people of the area under study. A number of temples of village goddess do exist in and around
Therlam Constituency. Majority of the respondents are Hindus. Sacred rivers are also existing. People have their holy bath at these rivers on POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 103
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Christians celebrate their respective festivals and other functions in a coordinal manner.
Table 555 Religious division of the Women Representatives
Name Ward S.N ZPT MPT Sarpanc Tota Percentag of the membe o C C h l e Religion r
1 Hindu 1 20 36 256 313 98.74
Christia 2 - - - 4 4 1.26 n
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
From the above table it is clear that the area under study is dominated by Hindus. Majority of women members are also Hindus.
There are four Christian women members. It is also clear that the process of political empowerment has been involved by majority of
Hindu women.
Education:
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Vizianagaram district is famous as center of educational learning and knowledge. It is also a center for fine arts. The traditional Sanskrit education and fine arts were during the past confined only to the
Brahmin caste. Brahmin families were engaged in Sanskrit education and their means of livelihood was priesthood. The Rajas of
Vizianagaram were the great patrons of education and fine arts. They established schools and colleges to impart education to the children.
The present famous music college at Vizianagaram produced a great number of artists like Late Dwaram Venkata Swami Naidu the famous violin master. Though Vizianagaram is considered to be the seat of learning the surrounding areas like Therlam Constituency are yet to improve the literacy rate. One of the features of the traditional Indian society is that respectable families did not allow their daughters and daughter-in-laws to be seen by any person outside the family. Under such circumstances it is impossible to expect education among girls.
Upto 1956 women’s education was not common. Gradually, the number of school going girls began to be increased. Due to the impact of urban culture the general tendency among the parents has been changed. They began to realize that their daughters would have to live under economic burden if they were deprived of education. By 1970’s parents of both forward caste and backward caste started sending their daughters also to the schools to obtained education. The modern trend of the parents is that it is only through proper education their
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Table 666 Educational Qualifications of the Women Representatives
Level of No.of Women Politicians Total Percentage Education ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM
Illiterate - 5 5 120 130 41.01
Primary - 3 8 71 82 25.87
Secondary - 8 15 60 83 26.18
Inter - 3 5 9 17 5.36
Degree & 1 - 1 - 2 0.63 above
Professional - 1 2 - 3 0.95 Qualifications
Total 1 20 36 360 317 100.00
Majority of the women representatives (41.01%) in Therlam
Constituency are of Illiterates. This indicates level of education is not a major constraint for women political empowerment in Therlam
Constituency. 26.18 percent of women representatives are studied upto secondary education, 25.87 percent of the women representatives are studied upto primary education, 5.36 percent of the women representatives studied intermediate and the remaining very few women representatives 0.95 percent and 0.63 percent studied degree & above and professional qualifications.
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Table 777
News Papers and Periodicals Reader
Reading No.of Women Politicians of News Total Percentage Papers ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM
Yes 1 12 27 89 129 40.69
No - 8 9 171 188 59.31
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
The above table indicates that the women political leaders were habituated to take advantage of news paper/periodicals. Majority
(59.31%) of the women representatives are not reading the news papers daily and test of the 40.69 percent of the women representatives are reading news papers
The above data with regard to the educational qualifications of the respondents of the area under study indicates of two important points. One is that respondents are not highly educated. Second is that education, in some special cases is not the main criteria to achieve the desired leadership qualities or participation in political field.
For example, our study reveal that even the women with very less qualifications in education are stepping into the process of political empowerment. Studies on women leadership in Panchayat Raj institutions conducted in some other states and a few studies in
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Andhra Pradesh reveal that there are successful women Sarpanches with less educational qualifications. Therefore it is to be understood that political empowerment is a process which involves both the educated and uneducated women. The more the women involve in this process especially the educated women they could be more modals to the rural illiterate women to improve their educational qualifications through inspirations.
EcoEconomicnomic Status:
Before going to the details of the economic status of the women representatives in the local bodies of Therlam Constituency, it is necessary to know the economic set up of the Therlam Constituency - its traditional as well as the recent trends that have changed the economic structure of the Therlam Constituency. As mentioned earlier
Therlam Constituency, being a backward area, the livelihood of the people is mainly cultivation and to some extent mainly upon traditional occupation. Brahmins being the upper caste in the society receive great respect from the rest of the other castes and they perform the religious function and impart the Vedic knowledge to the younger generation to utilize for the welfare of the society as the custodians of our rich culture. The Kshatriyas, the ruling class by birth used to perform their duties. It is worth mention here that Therlam
Constituency was also under the rule of Rajas of Vizianagaram long ago the present head quarters of the constituency. After
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Rajas of Vizianagaram are saving the country as representatives of the people. The people of Therlam Constituency have their highest regards to the Rajas of Vizianagaram and even today the people of
Therlam Constituency follow the traditions in respecting this ruling class. The vysyas who are the traders by birth continuing their trade since the pre-independence days. Vizianagaram is a big business centre. The other castes are continuing their traditional occupations.
For example, the yadavas supply milk, the barbers cut the hair and shave, the oil men press oil seeds and supply oil, the kummari supply pots, the padmasalees weave the cloth, the salaries ferrying boats, the dhobi washes the clothes, the cobbler makes the leather goods, the scavenger do scavenge and other castes service the upper castes in various ways and therefore the traditional occupation is to some extent is the main source of livelihood in the Therlam Constituency.
However, fifty years of independence brought tremendous change in the economic set up of their areas. The rapid growth of population in
India also brought great changes in the occupation of the people with regard to their livelihood. Traditional occupations were not in a position to fulfill the necessary requirements of the people. Therefore people began to search for new avenues of livelihood. Employment opportunities in the urban and semi urban areas attracted the people and the increased transport facilities help them from moving their
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As mentioned previously, the government of Andhra Pradesh designed some schemes like DWCRA, TRYSEM, ICDS and others to eliminate poverty among the rural women. If women are economically independent their status in the family and society improves. Therefore, the Women of Therlam Constituency on par with other constituencies taking active part in the above schemes which is a mark of progress among women in their journey towards political empowerment.
The following table shows the possession of land by the women representatives of the area under study:
Table 888 Distribution of Women Leaders by their Family Income
Income ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WMWMWM Total Percent (in Rs.)
Below 10000 - - 1 34 35 11.04
10001 – 20000 - 2 8 182 192 60.57
20001 - 30000 - 5 11 32 48 15.14
30001 - 40000 - 7 9 12 28 8.83
40001 – 50000 1 4 4 - 9 2.84
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Above 50000 - 2 3 - 5 1.58
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
It can be seen from Table 8 that the majority (60.57%) of the women representatives have Rs. 10,001 to Rs 20,000 income, while
15.14 percent women representatives have income between Rs.
20001 to Rs 30000 and 11.04 percent women representatives have below Rs. 10000, 8.83 percent of the women representatives have between Rs. 30001 to Rs. 40000, 2.84 percent of the women representative have income between Rs. 40001 to Rs. 50000 and the rest of the women representatives have income above Rs. 50000.
The women representatives besides possessing some agriculture land do engage themselves in their field works. Some are working as agricultural labourers. Some are actively associating themselves with the DWCRA, TRYSEM, and ICDC. Besides this, the earning of their husband and other family members adds their possessions. However, the respondents in general hesitated to answer their sources of income. Possession of lands and other assets as many of the rural women are very careful while divulging the real status of income of their family members including themselves. It is clear from the above table that poor and middle class women also have the opportunity of empowering themselves through the local bodies. POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 112
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Women who posses 6 to 10 acres of land are mostly
Sarpanches and Zilla Parishad’s Chair person. There is also a contrast tin the economic status of women representatives – Ward members,
Sarpanches and Zilla Parishad, Chair Person, Ward Members who posses 1 to 5 acres are 58 in number where as Sarpanches and
Chairperson of Zilla Parishad possess 5 to 10 acres of land. As mentioned earlier agriculture is the main occupation of the people.
With the development of new techniques in agriculture the new types of seeds, fertilizers, pump sets, tractors, improved wooden plough and other facilities provided by the Government people are more interested in developing their agricultural land and earn money. The rise in price of the agricultural land is also one of the reasons in improving the economic position of the land owners. On the whole, the process of economic development placed the rural women in a position to think of their all round betterment. This is an healthy sign in the process of political empowerment of women in the rural areas.
Political Awareness:
Political awareness of the people of Therlam Constituency in general and women representatives of Therlam Constituency has its long roots starting from the days of the political liberalization movement of India. Both men and women of the
Vizianagaram district played a very remarkable role in liberating the country from the foreign yoke, According to the old generations of Therlam Constituency, for the
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Mahatma Gandhi, political awareness began to take root. However, Therlam
Constituency being a backward area, the villagers are so engrossed with their social and economic problems they have no time to think about the political issues. Added to this, lack of education is also responsible for the low level of political awareness.
Paradoxically, a new trend is to be seen in the elections either local, district or state level. As a result of the media facilities especially television, the village both men and women began to know what is happening around and they are showing interest on various factors like caste interest, public interest, or party interest or power interest. The contribution of political parties in this aspect cannot be under estimated. During elections, political parties through their party workers make great efforts to gather people to their party meetings by paying some money, food and transport. By attending such meetings the common people in the rural areas are able to know something about the political situation. Even the illiterate people show interest in attending the meetings now a days. Both the national and regional parties have their influence on the Therlam Constituency. The influence of
Congress party was more during the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy regime and during the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The Congress Party continued its influence by introducing various schemes for the development of women especially the rural women. During the researcher’s interviews with the women respondents some respondents expressed that they entered into politics mainly as fans of NTR the great hero. To assess the political awareness of the respondents especially with regard to the gross root administration, and functions of local bodies the researcher asked a few questions orally that are not covered in the questionnaire. Questions asked to the respondents are as follows:
1. When the system of Panchayat Raj institutions was introduced in
Andhra Pradesh?
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2. How many times Grama Sabha meets in a year?
3. Who are the members of the Grama Sabha?
4. What are the duties and powers of women Sarpanches?
On the basis of the correct answers given by the respondents the level of political awareness among the respondents was assed and the same is presented in the following table.
Table 999
Political Awareness among the women Representatives
Awareness Number of Percent Respondents
1. Nil 27 8.52
2. Average 188 59.31
4. Good 102 32.17
Total 317 100.00
The above table makes it clear that even among the women who entered into the local bodies as representatives of the people basic knowledge about the Panchayat Raj institutions is nil among 10 members. There are women who do not possess educational qualifications and belongs to interior villages of the constituency. The average awareness among 40 women, who are some Sarpanches and ward members is an indicative factor that middle level tire of
Panchayat Raj institutions constitutes at least average political
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`fair’ and `good’ political awareness constitutes mandal Presidents and Chair Person of Zilla Parishad. The above table also makes it clear that the awareness among the members of Gram Panchayats is less than the awareness among the mandal Presidents and
Chairperson of Zilla Parishad.
Affiliation of Political Parties among
Women Respondents:
Party affiliation and acquaintance with the leaders of a particular party who play a great role in the gross root political involvement of the representatives. The study reveals that out of 76 women 39 belong to Telugu Desam party and 37 belong to Congress party through the difference is very small. There are no independent contestants and other party contestants.
Experience in social service activities and other political activities:
Involvement in the social service activities and other political activities have
a definite influence in determining the perceptions and patterns of behaviours of
people representatives. As Therlam Constituency is a backward area social service
activities generally take place occasionally. Unlike the urban areas, social service
organizations are limited in the rural areas. Therefore the women respondents have
little experience in the social service activities. But some of their activities like youth
activities and village development activities. However, their participation in the
middle and lower tier political institutions, convership of the party, participation in
student politics, canvassing in elections are some of the activities of women of the
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The entry of women into the local political bodies of Therlam
Constituency goes back to early 50’s and 60’s when Therlam
Constituency was not formed. At that time the method of nomination and direct or indirect election was in operation. Direct election means the political office holders are elected directly by the citizens. Indirect election means election by the elected representatives. In Andhra
Pradesh the middle tire institutions elected through territorial constituencies called MPTCs are directly elected and the President of the Mandal is elected from among the MPTCs through indirect election. Cooption is also followed in the election or selection of an individual or individuals into a body by the members existing. Some members of Panchayat Raj were elected by this method. With the introduction of reservations to women and weaker sections in the local political bodies the new generation of women have been the beneficiaries of the process of political empowerment.
From the above analysis it is evident that the political process in the rural set up has been undergoing great changes according to the needs of the time. The socio economic and political awakening among the women of the area under study has bee paved the way for their involvement in the local political bodies for a greater and meaningful representations of women folk. Their exposure to the existing
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CHAPTER – V POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN PANCHAYATRAJ INSTITUTIONS OF
THERLAM CONSTITUENCY
The 73 rd amendment which came into force on 24 th April, 1993 provided women and Dalits an opportunity to participate in the political and social decision making process. According to 243 D of the constitution, the scheduled Castes (SCs)/Scheduled Tribes(STs) are provided reservation in Panchayats in proportion to their population in that area. Similarly, one third of the seats are reserved for women belongs to SC/ST community. As a result, as of now, nearly eight lakh women and six lakh of scheduled castes/tribes were elected to different levels of Panchayat Raj institutions in the country. Here reservations are not viewed as an end in itself but as a means to an end i.e, empowerment of the weaker sections particularly women and
Dalits. 1
The women of the Badangi, Therlam and Merakamudidam mandals (Therlam Constituency) are also the beneficiaries of the 73 rd and 74 th amendments of the constitution and they have been actively involved in the process of political empowerment of women through
Panchayati Raj institutions. Therlam Constituency is one of the 12
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Constituencies of Vizianagaram district. In the Therlam Constituency, there are three mandals i.e., Badangi, Therlam and Merakamudidam.
Badangi mandal consists of 41 villages with 25 Panchayats, Therlam mandal consists of 50 villages with 32 Panchayats and in the
Merakamudidam mandal consistis of 41 villages with 24 Panchayats .
Total Geographical area of Therlam Constituency is 51,740 acres.
The population of the Therlam Constituency is 1,61,636 with fifty percent of female population. The following tables explain the number of women won the elections of Panchayat Raj Institutions during 2006 and their respective places of success in Therlam Constituency.
Table 101010 Showing the total elected ZPTC member in Therlam Constituency
in July 2006
S.No. Nam of the Designation Place of success Women in Elections
1 Bonu Savitri Member of Nemalam Vizayanagaram Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC)
Table 111111 Showing the total elected MPTC members in
Therlam Constituency in July 2006
S.No. Name of the Place of Success Party
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Woman
Badangi Mandal
1 Gottapu Rejeru Congress Eswaramma
2 Pudi Tirupathamma Vadada Congress
3 Chella Badangi T.D.P. Narayanamma
4 Bogi Jayamma Koduru T.D.P.
5 Pappala Veerasagaram T.D.P. Simhachalamamma
Therlam Mandal
1 Gandham Sundarada Congress Venkataratnam
2 Gandi Adilaxmi Nemalam Congress
3 Arnipalli V. Chinnayyapeta Congress Thowdamma
4 Terli Ramanamma Amiti Congress
5 Narusupalli Ashoda Therlam T.D.P.
6 Chiriki Gowriswari Kusumuru T.D.P.
Merakamudidam Mandal
1 Sagi Somalingapuram Congress Saraswathamma
2 Buddaraju Uuttaravalli Congress Parvathamma
3 Routh Biillalavalasa Congress Seetaramamma
4 Senapathi Bharathi Garugubilli Congress
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5 Thalachutla Puligummi Congress Sundaramma
6 Satyavarapu Laxmi Byripuram Congress
7 Kotla Rajyalaxmi Chinabantupalli T.D.P.
8 Sankili Merakamma Merakamudidam T.D.P.
9 Sanapathi Bheemavaram T.D.P. Chinnamma
M.P.T.C. = Mandal Parishad Territorial constituency
Table 121212 Showing the total elected Sarpanches in
Therlam Constituency in August, 2006
S.No. Name of the Place of Success Party Woman
Badangi Mandal
1 Vangapandu Paltheru Congress Vimala
2 Maripi Latha Koduru Congress
3 Nalla Vijaya Veerasagaram Congress
4 Pudi Jayalaxmi Vadada Congress
5 Bomminaini Mani Rejeru Congress
6 Mekala P. Venkampeta Congress Narayanamma
7 Sankili Kottamma Mugada T.D.P.
8 Chappa Bheemavaram T.D.P.
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Gowramma
9 Avu Pedapalli T.D.P. Appalanarasamma
10 Kottla Seetamma Pindrangivalasa T.D.P.
11 Akkena Laxmipuram T.D.P. Ravanamma
12 Ravipalli Chinna Akulakatta T.D.P.
Therlam Mandal
1 Bonela Laxmi Nemalam Congress
2 Senapathi Perumali Congress Pydamma
3 Eedu Ammaji Arasabalaga Congress
4 Cheekati Savithri Cheekatipeta Congress
5 Narusupalli Therlam Congress Parvathi
6 Balaga Sativada Congress Narasamma
7 Gulivindala Goluguvalasa Congerss Lalithakumari
8 V. Simhachalam Nandabalaga Congress
9 Gavara Satyavathi Rajayyapeta Congress
10 Senapathi Rangappavalasa T.D.P. Ravanamma
11 Buri Venkatamma Vijayarampuram T.D.P.
12 Singireddi Kavirayani Valasa T.D.P. Savitramma
13 Chappa Pamulavalasa T.D.P. Satyavathi
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Merakamudidam Mandal
1 Baviri Laxmi Bheemavaram Congress
2 Karrothu Laxmi Chellapuram Congress
3 Pappala Byripuram Congress Asiramma
4 Nerella Laxmi G. Marrivalasa Congress
5 Sirivuru Somalingapuram Congress Bangaramma 6 Pinni Ravanamma M. Ravivalasa Congress
7 Talachutla Uttaravalli Congress Vijayarathnam
8 Gedala Suramma Puligummi T.D.P.
9 Nidaganti Sarada Ramayavalasa T.D.P.
10 Yedla Gollalavalasa T.D.P. Chinnammadu
11 Kotla Sasikala Chinabantupalli T.D.P.
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Table 131313
Showing the total elected Ward Members in
Therlam Constituency in August 2006
Party S.No. Name of the Mandal Total Congress TDP
1 Badangi 40 35 75
2 Therlam 64 38 102
3 Merakamudidam 49 34 83
Total 153 107 260
Induction of Women Candidates in the PanchaPanchayatyat ElectionsElections of
Therlam Constituency in 2006:
Although, Panchayat Raj elections are supposed to be conducted on the basis of party less, political parties played a great role in the selection of women candidates of Therlam Constituency of
Badangi, Therlam and Merakamudidam mandals Panchayati Raj elections as it happened in many places where Panchayat Raj elections were held. Families, who had their personal interaction with the political parties both the ruling and opposition parties come forward to induct the women members of their families or relatives into the
Panchayati Raj elections. Majority of the women/their family members
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Developmental programs that were introduced by the Congress party
Government for the development of women were being attracted by the women of the area under study. The women in the rural areas still consider that male members of the family are the better judges in achieving party affiliation to their women to contest in the elections. A few women exhibited their own personal interest in contesting the elections as a result of their awareness about the political empowerment. Some of the women had the advantage of becoming members of the self-help groups that created self-confidence among them about their skills and abilities. This in turn resulted in creating interest in their participation in the Panchayat Raj institutions as a mark of beginning of their political empowerment. For instance DWCRA
Programme provides a good opportunity to the women to improve their economic conditions, while also giving them a chance to have their and managerial and leadership capabilities. 2
Telugu Desam party the important opposition party in the state had also its influence in the Panchayati Raj elections of Therlam
Constituency of Badangi, Therlam and Merakamudiam mandals. Out of 317 women, 189 from Congress and 128 from Telugudesam Party won the elections in the Therlam Constituency successfully. The selection of women candidates belong to congress party was also
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Some of the women had their self motivation to participate in the local political bodies not only as beneficiaries but also as partners in the process of political empowerment. However the data on the selection of women in the Panchayat Raj elections of Therlam Constituency shows that majority of the women had contested in the elections on the encouragement of the political parties with whom their male family members had close associations while selecting the women the party leaders and the male family members gave priority to women who have even very little knowledge about the village affairs. It is hoped that even after winning the elections the male members could educate the women and help them in the village administration. Thus the political parties have an important role as catalysts in the representative aspect of the process of local government. The most obvious contribution which the parties can make is to assist the local body in assuming the enthusiasm and focusing the support of the electorate. 3 Local political leaders find it advantageous to have organizational ties with the political parties at the state level in order to get financial and other types of support and in turn the parties at the higher level use these local support for their national policies and programmes. 4 The local leaders of Therlam Constituency had their affiliations to their respective parties at the district and state level act
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in according to the suggestions given by them in matters of elections and other important issues. Therefore the relations among the party leaders starting from village, mandal district and state level play a crucial role in the elections of local political bodies besides other factors like money, capabilities of the candidate and developmental programmes to the needy. Another most important factor that helps the parties in the selection of women candidates is to some extent the individual interest, capabilities and abilities of the women representatives. In order to assess the level of interests in the political involvement, the selected women for study were served questionnaire besides oral interviews. They were asked to explain their purpose of participation in the local political bodies identifying certain priority areas for the development of the village. The following tables explain the individual interests of the women representatives in their concentration for the over all development of the villages of their respective jurisdiction. They were also asked to point out their favourite leader or by whom they were inspired to enter to the local political bodies.
Priorities in the Development of the Villages and Sources of Inspiration ::: Table 141414
Showing the priorities in the Development of the Villages and Sources of Inspirations in Therlam ConstitConstituencyuency
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S.NO. Name of the Area of Welfare Favourite Woman Development activities leader representative of women sources of inspiration
Z.P.T.C.
1 Bonu. Savithri Roads, Self help Rajasekhar Lights and groups Reddy Drainages
M.P.T.C.
1. Gottapu. Drainages DWCRA Sonia Gandhi Eswaramma
2 Pudi. Drainages Deepam, Sonia Gandhi Tirupathamma and lights DWACRA
3 Challa Lights - Chandra Narayanamma Babu Naidu
4 Pappala. Roads in DWACRA N.T. Simhachalamamma villages Ramarao
5 Bogi. Jayamma Cleanliness DWACRA Chandra of the village Babu Naidu
6 Gandham. Street Lights DWACRA Sonia Gandhi Venkatarathnam
7 Gandi. Adilaxmi Drainages Deepam Rajasekhara and Roads Reddy
8 Arnipalli Drainage DWACRA Rajasekhara Thoudamma and lights Reddy
9 Terli. Ravanamma Streetlights DWACRA Rajasekhara Reddy
10 Narusupalli. Street Light DWACRA Chandra Yashoda Babu Naiud
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11 Chiriki. Gowriswari Roads and DWACRA N.T. Drainages and Ramarao Deepam
12 Sagi. Drainage DWACRA Rajiv. Gandhi Saraswathamma and Roads
13 Buddaraju. Street Lights DWACRA Rajasekhara Parvathamma Reddy
14 Routh. Roads, Self help Sonia Gandhi Seetaramamma Lights and groups Drainages
15 Senapathi. Bharathi Lights - Rajasekhar Reddy
16 Talachutla. Roads in DWACRA Rajasekhar Sundaramma villages Reddy
17 Satyavarapu. Laxmi Cleanliness DWACRA Sonia Gandhi of the village
18 Kotla. Rajyalaxmi Street Lights DWACRA Chandrababu Naidu
19 Sankili Merakamma Cleanliness DWACRA Chandra of the village Babu Naidu
20 Sanapathi. Roads, Self help N.T. Chinnamma Lights and groups Ramarao Drainages
Sarpanchas
1. Vangapandu. Drainages DWCRA Rajasekhar Vimala Reddy
2. Maripi. Latha Drainages Deepam, Sonia Gandhi and lights DWACRA
3. Nalla. Vijaya Lights - Rajasekhar Reddy
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4. Pudi. Jayalakshmi Roads in DWACRA Rajiv. Gandhi villages
5. Bomminayini. Mani Cleanliness DWACRA Rahul of the village Gandhi
6. Mekala. Street Lights DWACRA Rajasekhara Narayanamma Reddy
7. Sankili Kottamma Drainages Deepam N.T. and Roads Ramarao
8. Chappa. Drainage DWACRA Chandrababu Gowramma and lights Naidu
9. Avu. Streetlights DWACRA Chandrababu Applanarasamma Naidu
10. Kottala. Seetamma Street Light DWACRA Chandrababu Naiud
11. Akkena. Roads and DWACRA N.T. Ravanamma Drainages and Ramarao Deepam
12. Ravipalli. Chinna Drainage DWACRA Chandrababu and Roads Naidu
13. Bonela. Laxmi Street Lights DWACRA Rajasekhara Reddy
14. Senapayhi. Roads, Self help Sonia Gandhi Pydamma Lights and groups Drainages
15. Eedu. Ammaji Lights - Rajasekhar Reddy
16. Cheekati. Savitri Roads in DWACRA Rajasekhar villages Reddy
17. Narusupalli. Cleanliness DWACRA Sonia Gandhi Parvathi of the village
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18. Balaga. Street Lights DWACRA Rajiv Gandhi Narasamma
19. Guluvindala. Lalitha Cleanliness DWACRA Rahul Kumari of the village Gandhi
20. V. Simhachalam Roads, Self help Rajasekhar Lights and groups Reddy Drainages
21. Gavara. Satyavathi Drainage DWACRA Rajasekhar and Roads Reddy
22. Senapathi. Street Lights DWACRA Chandrababu Ravanamma Naidu
23. Buri. Venkatamma Roads, Self help N.T. Rama Lights and groups rao Drainages
24. Signireddi. Lights - Chandrababu Savitramma Naidu
25. Chappa. Satyavathi Roads in DWACRA N.T. villages Ramarao
26. Baviri. Laxmi Cleanliness DWACRA Rahul of the village Gandhi
27. Karrotu. Laxmi Roads, Self help Rajasekhar Lights and groups Reddy Drainages
28. Pappala. Asiramma Drainage DWACRA Rajasekhar and Roads Reddy
29. Nerella. Laxmi Roads and DWACRA Sonia Gandhi Drainages and Deepam
30. Sirivuru. Drainage DWACRA Rajasekhar Bangaramma and Roads Reddy
31. Pinni. Ravanamma Street Lights DWACRA Rajasekhara
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Reddy
32. Talachutla. Roads, Self help Sonia Gandhi Vijayarathnam Lights and groups Drainages
33. Gedala. Suramma Lights - Chandrababu Naidu
34. Nidaganti. Sarada Roads in DWACRA Chandrababu villages naidu
35. Yedla. Cleanliness DWACRA N.T. Chinnammadu of the village Ramarao
36. Kotla. Sasikala Roads, Self help N.T. Lights and groups Ramarao Drainages
Ward Members
Total No.of Ward No of Ward No.of No. of Total number members who members ward Ward of Ward choose the who choose members members Members Developmental to take up inspired inspired programmes welfare by by TDP to improve the programmes Congress and their village for women and their leaders conditions leaders
260 162 54 29 15 260
From the above tables it is clear that the women of Therlam
Constituency have some kind of awareness about their functions as representatives though they were the first time participants. Therefore they felt confused when the researcher asked them orally what type of POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 133
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Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and
Rajasekhara Reddy. However the survey revealed that majority of the
Panchayati Ward members are women with less education and no political background. As mentioned earlier, mostly these women were brought into these field of election as contestants by their male members who have good influence among the villagers and linkages with their respective political parties at the district and state level. They also take into account the financial capabilities, earlier participation in the political parties as winnability qualities if they have to induct a
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Table 151515
Relationships with the Political Parties, previous involvement, and financial expenditure in the elections
S. Name of the Political Earlier Political Woman influence involvement expenditure NO. Representative or in polices of in elections relationship the woman or with the her family party members
ZPTC
1. Bonu. Savithri Yes Husband 80000
MPTC
1. Gottapu. Yes No. 70000 Eswaramma
2 Pudi. Yes No 60000 Tirupathamma
3 Challa Yes No 70000 Narayanamma
4 Pappala. Yes Yes 65000 Simhachalamamma
5 Bogi. Jayamma Yes No 50000
6 Gandham. Yes No. 75000
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Venkatarathnam
7 Gandi. Adilaxmi Yes No 55000
8 Arnipalli Yes Yes 70000 Thoudamma
9 Terli. Ravanamma Yes No 60000
10 Narusupalli. Yes No 70000 Yashoda
11 Chiriki. Gowriswari Yes Yes. 80000
12 Sagi. Yes No 60000 Saraswathamma
13 Buddaraju. Yes No 80000 Parvathamma
14 Routh. Yes No 65000 Seetaramamma
15 Senapathi. Bharathi Yes Yes 60000
16 Talachutla. Yes No. 55000 Sundaramma
17 Satyavarapu. Laxmi Yes No 75000
18 Kotla. Rajyalaxmi Yes No 90000
19 Sankili Merakamma Yes Yes 50000
20 Sanapathi. Yes No 50000 Chinnamma
SARPACHES
1. Vangapandu. Yes No 85000 Vimala
2 Maripi. Latha Yes Yes 70000 (husband)
3. Nalla. Vijaya Yes No 70000
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4 Pudi. Jayalakshmi Yes Yes(husband) 65000
5 Bomminayini. Mani Yes Yes(husband) 55000
6 Mekala. Yes No 30000 Narayanamma
7. Sankili Kottamma Yes Yes 40000 (husband)
8 Chappa. Yes No 50000 Gowramma
9 Avu. Yes No 55000 Applanarasamma
10 Kottala. Seetamma Yes No. 45000
11 Akkena. Yes No 50000 Ravanamma
12 Ravipalli. Chinna Yes No 45000
13 Bonela. Laxmi Yes Yes ------
14 Senapayhi. Yes No 40000 Pydamma
15 Eedu. Ammaji Yes No. ------
16 Cheekati. Savitri Yes No 55000
17 Narusupalli. Yes No 60000 Parvathi
18 Balaga. Yes No 45000 Narasamma
19 Guluvindala. Lalitha Yes No 60000 Kumari
20 V. Simhachalam Yes No 50000
21 Gavara. Satyavathi Yes No 60000
22 Senapathi. Yes No 40000
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Ravanamma
23 Buri. Venkatamma Yes No 45000
24 Signireddi. Yes No. 50000 Savitramma
25 Chappa. Satyavathi Yes No 55000
26 Baviri. Laxmi Yes No 60000
27 Karrotu. Laxmi Yes No 50000
28 Pappala. Asiramma Yes No 40000
29 Nerella. Laxmi Yes Yes 65000
30 Sirivuru. Yes No 40000 Bangaramma
31 Pinni. Ravanamma Yes No 45000
32 Talachutla. Yes No 55000 Vijayarathnam
33 Gedala. Suramma Yes No 40000
34 Nidaganti. Sarada Yes Yes 30000
35 Yedla. Yes No 50000 Chinnammadu
36 Kotla. Sasikala Yes No 60000
Ward Members
Total No. Political Earlier Political expenditure in of ward influence or involvement in Elections members relationship politics of the with the party women or her family members
260 Yes Yes (Family Except three ward members) members who are elected unanimously others spent an POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 138
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amount of Rs.3 to thousand.
With regard to the political relationship or influence of the party on the women members most of the women’s political socialization began after their entry into the Panchayat Raj institutions. Gradually they had their political orientation through party programs, experience in exercising their duties and by making efforts to empower themselves in the political process at the gross root level. Except a very few all the women members of the sample of the study have their own male family members involvement in the political field either former Sarpanches
/ward members or some close connections with the party supporters.
Coming to the election experiences and their expenditure in the elections, the sum total that is shown in the table is much less than the actual amount spent by them. Most of the women especially the
ZPTCs and MPTCs have been found unwilling to give their actual expenditure for various reasons. In the case of ward members also they also have to spend money though it is less when compared to the amount spent by ZPTCs and MPTCs. Except three ward members who were elected on unanimous basis the remaining 58 ward members spent an amount of three to four thousand. Therefore the data collected on the aspect of election of the women in local bodies clarifies that though reservations have facilitated the entry of women
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Functioning of Women in the Gram Panchayaties of Therlam Constituency:
Badangi Mandal:
The Women representatives selected for the present study belong to 25 villages of Badangi mandal, the total villages in Badangi mandal are 41 and out of these 25 are Gram Panchayaties. The names of the villages are (1) Rajeru, (2)
P.Venkatampeta, (3) Pina Penki, (4) Kotipalli, (5) Anavaram, (6) Botchavanivalsa,
(7) Bheemavaram, (8) Lakshmipuram, (9) Pinnavlalasa, (10) Mallampeta, (11)
Pudivalasa, (12) Mugada (13) Badangi (14) Golladi (15) Gajarajunivalasa (16)
Tentuvalasa (17) Pedapalli (18) Donkinavalasa (19) Vadada.(20) Akulakatta, (21)
Gudepuvalasa (22) Koduru (23) Palteru (24) Veerasagaram (25) G.K.R.Puram.
The five mandal Parishad territorial constituencies are (1) G.K.R.Puram, (2)
Gudepuvalasa (3) Mugda (4) Koduru and (5) Donkinavada.
Therlam Mandal:
The Women representatives selected for the present study belong to 32 villages of Therlam mandal, the total villages in Therlam mandal are 50 and out of these 32 are Gram Panchayaties. The names of the villages are (1) Amity, (2)
Arasabalaga, (3) Cheekatipeta, (4) D. Gadabavalasa, (5) Gangannapadu, (6)
Goluguvalasa, (7) Gopalavalasa, (8) Kagam, (9) Kavirayinivalasa, (10) Koratam,
(11) Koonayavalasa, (12) Kusumuru, (13) Lingapuram, (14) Locharla, (15) M.R.
Agraharam (16) N. Burjavalasa (17) Nandabalaga (18) Nandigam (19) Nemalam
(20) Pamulavalasa, (21) Panukuvalasa (22) Perumali (23) Punuvalasa (24)
Rajayyapeta (25) Rangappavalasa (26) Sativada (27) Sundarada (28) Therlam (29)
Vuddavolu (30) Velagavalasa (31) Viziarampuram (32) V. Chinnaypeta. The five mandal Parishad territorial constituencies are (1) Nandabalaga, (2) Amiti (3)
Locharla (4) D. Gadabavalasa (5) Nemalam (6) Kusumuru.
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Merakamudidam Mandal:
The Women representatives selected for the present study belong to 24 villages of Merakamudidam mandal, the total villages in Merakamudidam mandal are 41 and out of these 24 are Gram Panchayaties. The names of the villages are
(1) Merakamudidam, (2) Somalingapuram, (3) Vutapalli, (4) Byripuram, (5)
Sathamvalasa, (6) G. Marrivalasa, (7) Chinabantupalli, (8) Bheemavaram, (9)
Gottipalli, (10) Billalavalasa, (11) Budarayavalasa, (12) Kondalaveru (13) Korlam
(14) M. Marrivalasa (15) Ramayyavalasa (16) Garbham (17) Puligummi (18) Yadika
(19) Rachagumadam. (20) Uttaravalli, (21) Ippalavalasa (22) Gollalavalasa (23)
Chellapuram (24) Veerasagaram. The five mandal Parishad territorial constituencies are (1) Puligummi, (2) Uttaravalli (3) Grarbham (4) Budarayavalasa and (5) Byripuram.
The establishment of Panchayat Raj by the State Governments
is no obligatory gesture to India’s more than five lakhs villages. It is the
Constitution which had made it obligatory. The idea behind the
Panchayti Raj is the decentralization of power. In a democracy which is
participatory at the grass root level people have to be involved if
democracy is meant to be successful. If we recall the history of the
village development, we would find that the country started with
`Community Development Programme’ (CDP) in 1952. 5 To facilitate and coordinate the involvement of the people the system of Panchayat
Raj functioned through a two tier system in some states and three tier system in some states. The state of Andhra Pradesh opted for three tier pattern with the Zilla Parishad powerfully placed at the district level.
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The Panchayati at the Block level (which are now called as mandal) and the Gram Panchayats effectively designed for grass root involvement of the village. 6 According to an Act passed by the
Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1986, the Samiti Systems was replaced by Mandal system on the grounds of administrative convenience. 7 From that time the three tier of local self government in
Andhra Pradesh is arranged in the following way
Zilla Partishad - District Level
Territorial Constituency - ZPTC
Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency - MPTC block level
Gram Panchayati - G.P Village level
The Gram Panchayaties in Therlam Constituency:
After the 73 rd Amendment both the structure and functioning of
Gram Panchayat have been strengthened. Practically, Gram
Panchayat is identified and recognized as a distinctive institutions. 8
Membership to Gram Panchayat is through direct elections. It is POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 143
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in constituted by Ward Members and Sarpanches. The head of Gram
Panchayat is designated as Sarpanch. 9 All the Gram Panchayats that are selected for the study follow the traditional pattern of administration. The Sarpanch being the head of the village plays an important role in the local developmental programmes.
The State of Women LeadershiLeadershipp in the
Panchayats of Therlam Constituency:
As mentioned earlier the women representatives were motivated by the political parties to contest in the elections although the
Panchayati elections were supposed to be held on party less basis.
Even after holding their posts after winning elections, in many cases the performance of the women representatives depends on the wisdom of the male members of their family. Before we go into the detailed discussion of the state of women leadership in the Panchayats it is necessary to have quick glance of the functions and responsibilities of village Panchayats.
The functions of Gram Panchayats are grouped into two categories (1) General and (2) Obligatory. According to G.O.No.138 dated 18.4.2004 the following are most important functions under the first category. (a) Supply of drinking water, (b) Sanitary case, (c)
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Lighting and (Prevention of diseases. Under the second category i.e., obligatory functions the Gram Panchayats depending on their financial resources can take up the following responsibilities:
a) to build chantries, rest houses; b) plantation on the road sides and public places; c) to establish hospitals; d) to uplift the disabled, distitudes and unhealthy people; e) to establish and maintain libraries; f) to create playgrounds, body exercising centers; g) to make storage arrangements for the preservation of quality seeds; h) to make security arrangements in the village; i) to organize exhibitions of agricultural products of quality variety and other items; j) to encourage unity among the people of village by taking steps towards elimination of untouchability; k) to organize inter-dinning programmes in the dalit areas, to provide entry to Dalits in the temples; l) to convince the upper castes to allow the Dalits to take water from the common wells of the village; m) to encourage inter caste marriages; n) to implement minimum wages; o) to provide shelter to Dalits; p) to eradicate corruption; q) to take steps towards anti drinking campaign, gambling, prostitution; r) to take strong steps to protect the health and welfare of the individuals in the village; s) to protect the people from internal and external threats;
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t) to establish peace societies to create harmony among all sections of people in the society.
Though these are the obligatory functions the Gram Panchayats are not supposed to neglect these. Depending on the financial resources of the Gram Panchayats these are to be implemented in order provide a happy peace and healthy life in the society. According to the G.O. No.138 dated 18.4.2004 the Gram Panchayats must utilize their resources giving utmost priority to the general functions of the
Panchayats. 10 Minimum knowledge about the Panchayats and their functions is a fundamental requirement to exercise the power as elected members of the Panchayats. The field experience of the study revealed that the women representatives had a very poor knowledge with regard to the same. It is because `by and large the members belonging to SC/ST groups are found to be illiterate, inexperienced and less articulate’. 11 As observed by a Rural Welfare Officer “Village
Panchayt Presidents in general do not have any perception of the office procedures and the administrative system”. 12 The position of the women representatives of the Therlam Constituency also more or less as mentioned above.
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Meetings of Panchayats and the Gram Sabhas:
In all the 81 villages of the area under study Gram Panchayats
(Therlam Constituency) and Gram Sabha meetings are held. Though the women members are present in these meetings, majority of the decisions are carried on unanimously. Some of the male members who are active in the village politics take care about the smooth functioning of the Sabhas or meetings.
The three tier system of Panchayat Raj introduced under the new act of 1994 and its later amendments has Gram Panchayat,
Mandal Parishad and Zilla Parishad at the village, intermediate and district levels respectively. The act also provides for the construction of Gram Sabha at the village level with all the registered voters as members to function as the general body of the Gram Panchayat. The wide range of the functions of Gram Sabha includes the responsibility of supervision and implementation of poverty alleviation programmes, selection of local schemes, identification of beneficiaries etc. The act also provides for direct election of members to the Panchayati Raj
Institutions at all three levels on the basis of wards for the Gram
Panchayats and territorial constituencies in the case of Mandal
Parishad and Zilla Parishad with reservation for the Scheduled Castes,
Scheduled Tribes, Back Ward Classes and women in proportion to their population, one third of the total number of seats for direct
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in election in each of these bodies will be reserved for the back ward classes and women. The Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat will be elected directly by the electorate in the village and the President of
Mandal Parishad and the Chairperson of Zilla Parishad will be elected from among the directly elected members in respect of these bodies.
The term of Panchayat Raj institutions is five years. 13 In view of the
73 rd constitutional amendment, all the states have made the necessary provisions in their respective acts for the constitution of Gram Sabha in order to facilitate planning, consultation and participation at the village level. As a result, the process of participation at local level has been legitimized. In functional terms all the activities of the concerned village Panchayat are subject to the scrutiny of the people in terms of taking up new activities as also reviewing the performance of the schemes which have been completed. Activization of Gram Sabha will mean that all new projects will have to be approved by the people.
Open discussions in the gram Sabha meetings are like to be useful in
(a) improving the quality of the work done; (b) enhancing the scope of the activities in favour of rural people; (c) selection of better projects or a better prioritization; (d) increase in the level of accountability of leaders to the people and (e) improvement in the quality of management and information system. 14 With regard to the participation of women representatives of Therlam Constituency in
Gram Sabhas the study revealed that conducting of Gram Sabhas on
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in traditional lines is still followed by the people of the area. This situation has got an explanation as narrated by some of the senior citizens of the area under study to the researcher. Traditionally, like many other villages in India, in Therlam Constituency, all the decisions with regard to the village development or any problems among the villagers are concerned more to men rather than women. So the procedure of conducting the gram Sabha is also being carried on the traditional lines. After collecting data through structured questionnaire and informal interviews with the women representatives, the researcher also took the advantage of attending the Gram Panchayat Meetings and Gram Sabha meetings in order to study more about the practical working of the aims and objectives of the 73 rd and 74 th amendments with regard to the empowerment of women through the Panchayat Raj institutions. The researcher took the prior permission from the respective village Sarpanches to allow him to attend the meetings.
The researcher had the opportunity of attending the first Gram Sabha meeting. The meeting place was the Gram Panchayat office, which is having quite sufficient open place to accommodate the gathering. The time fixed for the meeting was 8 O’clock in the morning, the day being
Sunday, holiday for most of the ward members who are daily wage earning labourers. One day before the meeting the announcement of the meeting was made know to all the people in the village by drum beating which was the duty of a voluntary worker of the Panchayat
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in whenever the Gram Sabha or the Panchayat meeting takes place. The researcher was welcomed by the Sarpanch of the Village. The meeting started with the opening remarks of the Sarpanch in the regional local language i.e., telugu. The agenda of the meeting was with regard to laying roads, to improve the facilities in the old school building, and digging bores for the drinking water. As the husband of the women Sarpanch and the Upa Sarpanch have good understandings with mutual cooperation from the villagers the meeting concluded without any disturbance or non-cooperation from the public what the researcher observed along the meeting was it was the male members including the husband of the Sarpanch who discussed the issues and the plan of action though the real Sarpanch is women. It is because of the traditional outlook of the villagers that though a
Sarpanch was elected because of the policy of the Government, they respected the rule and followed the reservation policy to women in the local bodies and at the same time out of traditional respect to women whether she is a forward caste women or backward caste women they gave respect to the chair. It is because of this attitude of the villagers the women Sarpanches of the area under study generally do not feel that they were disrespected or their powers were usurped by others.
Being the first commence into political life they are just like spectators of the meetings. They feel inhibited to speak especially when they are in large male dominated gatherings. 15 The same is the case with some
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in of the other Gram Panchayat meetings that were attended by the researcher. Another important feature of the meetings that come to the notice of the researchers is that forward caste in the villages like – the
Brahmins and the Vysyas though small in number they do appreciate the women of the weaker sections to come into power and they also do not show keen interest in attending these meetings. If they have any problems they do approach the Sarpanch or the male member of her family and get the things done in a peaceful way. The Brahmin communities are generally very small in number in these villages and they are respected by other communities as the Brahmins are considered as their spiritual teachers who perform certain Hindu rituals starting from the birth of the individuals and their last ceremonies.
The Gram Sabha at UttaravalliUttaravalli::::
Before going in to the details of the Gram Sabha at Uttaravalli a brief note on the recent importance that has provided by the Andhra
Pradesh Panchayat Act of 1994 to Gram Sabha is worth to know.
According to section 6 of the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Act of 1994, the main purpose of this section is to bring back to old glory of the
Gram Sabha in the Ancient India. 16 (a) The Gram Sabha will be organized by the village secretary on the instructions of the Sarpanch.
(b) All the people who exercise their vote in the elections automatically become the members of Gram Sabha. (c) The Gram Sabhas must be
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in organized every year on 14 th April and 3 rd October. (d) All villagers unitedly must discuss the issues concerning the village. (e) According to G.O.No.162, dated 4.4.97 and G.O.No.367 dated 28.8.98 the officials at the mandal level are supposed to attend the meetings. (f)
The Gram Sabhas must be organized in the premises of Gram
Panchayat Office or at a place which will be convenient to all the people in the village; (g) The meeting of the Gram Sabha must be informed at least two days before the conducting of the Sabha to all the villagers either by distributing pamphlets or through the drum beating; (h) the Gram Sabha should be organized by the Sarpanch any time after the sunrise and before the sunset. 17 The following issues are to be discussed in the Gram Sabha. (a) A Review of the administration of the village for the last six months; (b) Audit reports;
(c) cheques and balances; (d) Report on the administration of the village in the previous year; (e) works done by voluntary organizations;
(f) Agriculture and production plans; (g) Revenues of the village and its expenditure; (h) approval of the proposed budget. (i) Explaining the welfare programmes of the people and selection of the beneficiers. (j)
Any other items with the permission of the Sarpanch. With a view to increase peoples participation in the democratic administration the idea of Gram Sabha is to bring transparency in administration. The
Gram Panchayat is accountable to Gram Sabha. It is the duty of each and every individual to participate in the gram Sabha as most
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in important discussions with regard to the welfare of the people in the village will take place. The importance suggestions raised in the gram
Sabha must reflect in the developmental programmes that are to be taken up by the Gram Panchayats 18 . As said above, the researcher attended the Uttaravalli Gram Sabha by taking prior permission from the concerned Sarpanch. The following table shows several aspects relating to Gram Sabha.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in From the above table it is revealed that the Gram Sabha was preside over by the Gram
Sarpanch and attended by others like Upa Sarpanch, Village Administrative offices besides the village gathering. It is also to be noted that issues that come up for are mostly related to the village as laid down in the Andhra Pradesh Gram Panchayat Act of 1994. Decisions taken on the issues are mentioned in the above table. Other than the information that is given in the table the researcher made the following observations as a result of his physical presence at the Gram
Sabha. They are (1) Though the Gram Sabha was presided over by the Sarpanch, the Sabha was carried out with the Cooperation of the Upa Sarpanch, Village administrative officer, or village assistant and the proxy. The involvement of the Sarpanch in the Gram Sabha is moderate. With regard to the discussion on priorities of the village the voice of the public is very slow and low. Even though the main objective of the Grama Sabha is to give priority to the involvement of the villagers in the administration of their own village, which is also the main characteristic of participatory democracy in theory, practical experience in the organization and functioning of Gram Sabha shows the difference between theory and practice. According to the observation of the researcher the slow and low voice of the public in the Gram Sabha is due to the poor knowledge of the villagers in the functioning of village Panchayaties and the role of
Gram Sabhas in raising the public opinion for the over-all development of the village. The situation is again linked upto various other factors. For example, as shown in the above table the reasons for the poor attendance of villagers in the Gram Sabha are many. Firstly, as many of the villagers who are daily wage earners to get their livelihood, it would be difficult for them to attend the Gram Sabha meeting because according to the rules of the Andhra Pradesh
Panchayat Raj Act the Gram Sabha are supposed to be conducted after the sunrise and before the sunset and this is the time when most of the daily wage earners have to go their work places which is generally a little far away from their residential localities. The position of women members in the villages also involved in earning money to get on their lives besides doing domestic service and these two roles keeps them busy which is another reason for not able to
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in attend the meeting of Gram Sabha . Some villagers consider the Gram Sabha as unimportant because their voice may not be given importance and therefore no interest is shown by them in attending the Gram Sabhas. Some of them are ignorant and some of them are negligent and lazy in attending the Gram Sabhas. A study conducted by Devi Prasad on participation of women in Panchayat revealed that “The reasons figured in general, for low attendance in the meetings are : lack of communication, lack of awareness about Gram Sabha, no role in the decision making at the Gram Sabha level, preoccupation with farm work, loss of wages if he or she attends the Gram Sabha and so on. Though caste and gender inhibitions figured as strong factors for low participation in Panchayat meetings, they did not figure that prominently for
19 Gram Sabha”.
While attendance in the Gram Sabha of Uttaravalli and a few other villages is low, other Gram Sabhas organized in the same Therlam Constituency are also visited by the researcher where he noticed the response of the public to some of the issues with regard to the village though the gathering is small. Some of the women of the village directly approached the woman Sarpanch and requested her to take necessary steps to close the liquor shops in that village. This is an example to show that quality of participation is more important than quantity of participation. In some other Gram Sabha the researcher observed that the members of the village appreciated the services of the woman Sarpanch who was elected unanimously as Sarpanch by the villagers of Merakamudidam.
Though she belongs backward community she is articulate, confident, and available to the villagers to solve their problems. Besides, personal observation, informal interviews with the respondents distribution of questionnaire the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in researcher requested the women representatives to evaluate themselves about their performance and their participatory talents in order to have more information for the analytical purpose. As ward members of the Gram
Panchayats, due to some inhibitions did not cooperate and therefore the following table contains the participatory talents of the women representatives of ZPTC,
MPTC and Sarpanches.
Table 181818 Participatory Talents of Women Representatives S.No. Name of the Women Better Working Serving the Influence Representative conveyance for the people at the through party satisfactory/ higher speeches silently political average level
Z.P.T.C.
1. Bonu. Savithri Yes Yes Satisfactory Yes
M.P.T.C.
1. Gottapu. Yes Yes Yes Yes Eswaramma
2. Pudi. Tirupathamma Yes No Average No
3 Challa No Yes Yes Yes Narayanamma
4 Pappala. No Yes Average No Simhachalamamma
5 Bogi. Jayamma Yes No Yes No
6 Gandham. Yes Yes Yes Yes Venkatarathnam
7 Gandi. Adilaxmi Yes No Average No
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in 8 Arnipalli No Yes Yes Yes Thoudamma
9 Terli. Ravanamma No Yes Average No
10 Narusupalli. Yes No Yes No Yashoda
11 Chiriki. Gowriswari Yes Yes Yes Yes
12 Sagi. Yes No Average No Saraswathamma
13 Buddaraju. No Yes Yes Yes Parvathamma
14 Routh. No Yes Average No Seetaramamma
15 Senapathi. Bharathi Yes No Yes No
16 Talachutla. Yes No Average No Sundaramma
17 Satyavarapu. Laxmi No Yes Yes Yes
18 Kotla. Rajyalaxmi No Yes Average No
19 Sankili Merakamma No Yes Average No
20 Sanapathi. No Yes Average No Chinnamma
Sarpanch
1. Vangapandu. Vimala Yes Yes Satisfactory Yes
2 Maripi. Latha No Yes Yes No
3 Nalla. Vijaya Yes No Average Yes
4. Pudi. Jayalakshmi No Yes Yes No
5 Bomminayini. Mani Yes Yes Average Yes
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in 6 Mekala. Yes No. Yes No Narayanamma
7 Sankili Kottamma No Yes Average Yes
8 Chappa. Gowramma Yes No Yes No
9 Avu. Yes Yes Average Yes Applanarasamma
10 Kottala. Seetamma No Yes Yes No
11 Akkena. Yes No Average Yes Ravanamma
12 Ravipalli. Chinna No Yes Yes No
13 Bonela. Laxmi Yes Yes Average Yes
14 Senapayhi. Yes No. Yes No Pydamma
15 Eedu. Ammaji No Yes Average Yes
16 Cheekati. Savitri Yes No Yes No
17 Narusupalli. Parvathi Yes Yes Average Yes
18 Balaga. Narasamma No Yes Yes No
19 Guluvindala. Lalitha Yes No Average Yes Kumari
20 V. Simhachalam No Yes Yes No
21 Gavara. Satyavathi Yes Yes Average Yes
22 Senapathi. Yes No. Yes No Ravanamma
23 Buri. Venkatamma No Yes Average Yes
24 Signireddi. Yes No Yes No Savitramma
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in 25 Chappa. Satyavathi Yes Yes Average Yes
26 Baviri. Laxmi No Yes Yes No
27 Karrotu. Laxmi Yes No Average Yes
28 Pappala. Asiramma No Yes Yes No
29 Nerella. Laxmi Yes Yes Average Yes
30 Sirivuru. Yes No. Yes No Bangaramma
31 Pinni. Ravanamma No Yes Average Yes
32 Talachutla. Yes No Yes No Vijayarathnam
33 Gedala. Suramma Yes Yes Average Yes
34 Nidaganti. Sarada No Yes Average Yes
35 Yedla. Yes No Yes No Chinnammadu
36 Kotla. Sasikala Yes Yes Average Yes
In order to assess their opinion on the reservation of 33 per cent of seats to women in the political bodies without asking the routine question `Do you support or oppose reservation?’ the researcher asked them in the following way. “How much percentage of reservation you require for women?” The following table explains their answers. The total number of 317 women representatives were divided into seven groups for convenience.
Table 191919
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 159
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Distribution of women leaders in their response towards 33% Percentage of Reservation of seats for wowomenmen in the Political BodiesBodies
Number of ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent groups
Necessary 1 19 30 218 268 84.54
Should be 50% - 1 6 37 44 13.88
Not necessary - - - 5 5 1.58
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
From the above table 19, we can observe that majority 84.54% (268) of the women leaders says that the women have 33 percent reservation of seats in the political bodies, 13.88% of women leaders said that the women should be 50 percent and the rest of the women leaders said that the women should have no need of reservation of seats in the political bodies.
Table 202020
Distribution of women leaders by their occupation before entering into politics.
Occupation before ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent entering into politics
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 160
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Labour - 4 6 125 135 42.59
Cultivation - 10 19 118 147 46.37
Business - 2 3 5 10 3.15
Housewife 1 4 8 12 25 7.89
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding occupation of the women leaders before entering in the politics is shown in Table 20. nearly half of the women leaders (46.37%) are cultivation,
42.59 percent of the women leaders are labourers, 7.89 percent of the women leaders are housewives and the rest of the few women leaders are business..
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 161
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Table 212121
Distribution of women leaders by their rational behind entering into politics.pol itics.
Rational ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Serve the 1 8 16 136 161 50.79 public
Political - 8 15 112 135 42.59 Interest
Heredity - 4 5 12 21 6.62
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding rational of the women leaders behind entering in the politics is shown in Table 21. Majority of the women leaders (50.79%) are serve the public,
42.59 percent of the women leaders rational behind entering into politics of their political interest and the rest of the 6.62 percent of the women leaders rational behind entering into politics of their heredity.
Table 222222
Distribution of women leaders by their party.
Party ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Congress 1 12 22 153 187 58.99
TDP - 8 14 107 130 41.01
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 162
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Table 22 observed that. the majority 58.99% of the women leaders elected from Congress party and the rest of the 41.01 percent of the women leaders elected from the Telugu Desam Party.
Table 232323
Distribution of women leaders by their expenditure in their contesting of electielectionsons 2006 .
Expenditure ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent (in Rs.)
Below 25,000 - - 3 187 190 59.94
25,001 to 50,000 - 8 17 73 98 30.91
Above 50,000 1 12 16 - 29 9.15
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding contesting of the women leaders expenditure in the elections of
2006 is shown in the table 23. Majority 59.94% of the women leaders expended below Rs. 25 000, 30.91 percent of the women leaders expended Rs. 25001 to
50000 and very few women leaders expended above Rs. 50000 in their elected from Congress party and the rest of the 41.01 percent of the women leaders elected from the Telugu Desam Party.
Table 242424
Distribution of women leaders opinion towards their participation in mandal / district politics.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 163
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Favourble for ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent women leaders
Yes 1 20 34 182 237 74.76
No - - 2 78 80 25.24
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding participation women in mandal / district politics in the elections of 2006 is shown in the table 24. Majority 74.76% of the women leaders are favourble opinion towards their participation in mandal / district politics and the rest of the women leaders have no favourble opinion towards their participation in mandal / district politics.
Table 252525
Distribution of women leaders in their opinion towardsrd s their leadership
Leadership of ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent women
Necessary 1 20 36 227 284 89.59
Not Necessary - - - 33 33 10.41
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 164
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in When asked the women leaders about their leadership are shown in Table
25 Majority (89.59%) of the women leaders are positive response towards their leadership and the rest of the 10.41 percent of the women leaders are negative response towards their leadership in the politics.
Table 262626
Distribution of women leaders response towards DirectDirect and Indirect Elections in Pnachayat Raj Elections
Elections ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Need of hour 1 20 35 213 269 84.86
Not necessary - - 1 47 48 15.14
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding response of the women leaders towards direct and indirect elections in Panchayat Raj Elections is shown in the table 26. Majority 84.86% of the women leaders are said need of hour towards direct and indirections in
Panchayat Raj Elections and the rest of the 15.14 percent of the women leaders said not necessary direct and indirect elections in Panchayat Raj elections.
Table 272727
Distribution of women leaders response towards discharge of functions
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 165
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Functions ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Listening to - 8 13 83 104 32.81 public problems
Service to public 1 12 23 177 213 67.19
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding discharge of functions of women leaders is shown in the table
27. Majority 67.19% of the women leaders said that they serve the public and the rest of the 32.81 percent of the women are listening the public problems.
Table 282828
Distribution of women leaders by their expectation of support from their family members in discharging of duties ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch
Expecting ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent support
Yes 1 15 27 205 248 78.23
No - 5 9 55 69 21.77
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding the expectation of support from their family members in discharging of duties ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch is shown in the table 28. Majority
78.23% of the women leaders are expected support from their family members in discharging of duties ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch and the rest of the 21.77 percent of
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 166
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the women leaders are not expected support from their family members in discharging of duties ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch.
Table 292929
Distribution of women lleaderseaders response towards the cooperation of male offofficialsicials when implementing the Government Programmes
Cooperation ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Yes 1 13 27 173 214 67.51
No - 7 9 87 103 32.49
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding the cooperation of male officials when implementing the
Government Programmes is shown in the table 29. Majority 67.51% of the women leaders are get cooperation from the male officials when implementing the Government Programmes and the rest of the 32.49 percent of women leaders are get non-cooperation from the male officials when implementing the
Government Programmes.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 167
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Table 303030
Distribution of women leaders in their response towards gettingget ting sufficient funds on time from the higher administrative authorities
Opinion towards getting the ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent sufficient funds
Yes 1 17 28 156 202 63.72
No - 3 8 104 115 36.28
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding sufficient funds getting from the Higher Administrative
Authorities on time to the public is shown in the table 30. Majority 63.72% of the women leaders said they get sufficient funds from the Higher Administrative
Authorities on time and the rest of the 36.28 percent of the women leaders said they did not get sufficient funds on time from the Higher Administrative
Authorities.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 168
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in TTTableTable 313131
Distribution of women leaders in their expectation of support from local area leaders in their duties/ functions.
Expectation of
Support from ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent local area leaders
Yes 1 16 27 218 262 82.65
No - 4 9 42 55 17.35
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
As seen from the above table 31, regarding expectation of support from local area leaders, majority 82.65% of the women leaders excepted support of the local area leaders in their duties / functions and the rest of the 17.35 percent of the women leaders are not expected support from the local area leaders in their duties / functions.
Table 323232
Distribution of women leaders by their attendance inin the training programmes of PRI memeetingsetings organized by Government Authorities
Response ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Attended 1 20 32 212 265 83.60
Not attended - - 4 48 52 16.40
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 169
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Table 32 revealed that , majority 83.60% of the women leaders attended in the training programmes of PRI meetings organiseed by Government Authorities and the remaining 16.40 percent of the women leaders are not attended in the training programmes of PRI meetings organized by the Government Authorities.
Table 333333
DistrDistributionibution of women leaders by their response towards the training improve the efficiency
Response ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Improved 1 17 29 203 250 78.86
Not Improved - 3 7 57 67 21.14
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Table 33 observed that, majority 78.86% of the women leaders are improved their efficiency after getting the training and the rest of the 21.14 percent of women leaders are not improved in their efficiency after getting the training.
Table 343434
Distribution of women leaders by thetheirir response towards reaching of welfare schemes
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 170
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Response ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Yes 1 20 30 145 196 61.83
No - - 6 115 121 38.17
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Regarding reaching of welfare schemes to the public is shown in the table
34. Majority 61.83% of the women representatives said that they get welfare schemes properly and the rest of the 38.17 percent of the women representatives said they did not get some welfare schemes properly.
Table 353535
Distribution of women leaders by their response towards the role of ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Member
Response ZPTC MPTC Sarpanch WM Total Percent
Good 1 14 23 124 162 51.10
Average - 4 10 111 125 39.43
Poor - 2 3 25 30 9.47
Total 1 20 36 260 317 100.00
Table 35 depicts that, half of the 51.10% of the women representatives in their opinion towards the role of the ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Members is good, 39.43 percent of the women representatives in their opinion towards the POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 171
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in role of the ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Members is Average and the rest of the
9.47 percent of women representatives in their opinion towards the role of the
ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Members is poor.
Besides expressing the performance of the elected women representatives in the statistical method, it is also of great relevant and useful to express the performance of elected women representatives in the exact words of the respondents.
The senior citizens, though differ in their expression in measuring the performance of the women leaders in the local political bodies they are appreciating their performance on the whole. Few of them are unsatisfactory about their performance. At the same time they expressed that political power is not a bed of roses always and one has to face lot of stress, pressure and strain.
Women, in particular rural women are being burdened with household works while struggling their lines to earn money for the lively-hood, and therefore they felt that women are not to be over burdened in the political field. So they said that it would be safe for women to lead a tension and strain free life and man should lesson women’s burden by taking up risk fields like political career to serve the village public.
In order to identify the important factors that are responsible for the political empowerment of women at grass root level the study of the existing political situations of women representatives is essential. Therefore the case studies of
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 172
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the women representatives of the area under study has also been taken up. This also helps to understand the exercise of their functions in their process of political empowerment.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 173
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 1:
BONU SAVITRI of Nemalam Village of Terlam Mandal is the member of
“Zilla Parishad Territorial constituency”. She is a graduate. She is one of the youngest member in Zilla Parishad. She is of Hindu religion and belongs to the weaker section of the community. Her source of income is through cultivation.
She entered in to active politics in 22 nd July, 2006. She is a house wife when asked about the rationale behind her entering of politics, she answered that her motive is to serve the people. Savitri is of congress party. She spent nearly 80 thousand rupees for her election as member of Zilla Parishad. Even though her husband (Aappala Naidu) is an active participant in politics and power point in
Terlam mandal, she replied no when asked whether any of her family members are active participant in politics. Savitri opined that there are favourable conditions for participation of women in Politics in Terlam mandal and stated that there is a greater need of empowering women in the local decision making bodies.
Though, Government had been granting some funds per year to each member of ZPTC, some of the women representatives did not like to give the this details of money. She done some works in some villages like Terlam and
Uttaravalli, in that villages she constructed the community halls and roads also were laid in some villages. She undertook some developmental activities like
C.M.E.M, P.M.R.Y., for some unemployed youth in Terlam Mandal. She is the coordinator of developmental activities undertaken in their constituency. POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 174
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Case Study 2:
Challa Narayanamma represents Badangi village and Badangi mandal as a member of “Mandala Parishad Territorial constituency”. Although she studied only 6 th Class, she was able to cope up with the problems of the mandal.
Narayanamma is of 55 years age. She belongs to Hindu religion and to Koppala
Velama community. She raises her income from cultivation. She owns four acres of cultivable land. In 22 nd July, 2006 she entered into active politics. She is a housewife before and after entering into political field.. Narayanamma revealed that serving the people is the motto and rationale behind entering the politics.
She belongs to Telugu Desam party. Her election expenditure during this election exceeded 80 thousand rupees. She had some experience in politics even though none of her family members are active participants in politics. She said that the conditions are favourable for women to empower themselves through their partipation in the local political bodies.
She has been encouraging the DWCRA groups, by being active in granting the revolving funds by Government through the banks. She is the coordinator of the developmental activities undertaken in her constituency. She herself also leads a DWCRA group in her village.
Case Study 3:
Bogi Jayamma represents Koduru village of Badangi mandal as a member of “Mandal Parishad territorial constituency”. She studied 7 th class only. She is of POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 175
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in 38 years old. She Hindu religion and SC community. She raises her income through Agriculture Labour. She entered into active politics in 22 nd July, 2006.
She belongs to TDP party. Her election expenditure during this election 50 thousand rupees. She gained access into active politics even though none of her family members are active participants in politics. She opined that the conditions in the Badangi mandal are favourable to women to participate in politics.
She is encouraging the DWCRA groups by making efforts to get the revolving funds by Government through the Banks. She herself also leads a
DWCRA group in her village. And she will coordinate the developmental activities in her constituency.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 176
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 4
Gottapu Eswaramma wife of Simhachalam Rejeru Village of Badangi mandal is the member of “Mandal Parishad Territorial constituency”. She studied secondary education. Eswaramma is 35 years age. She belongs to Hindu religion and to `Koppala Velama’ community. She raises her livelihood through cultivation. She entered active politics, in 22 nd July, 2006. She is a house wife, before and after entering into the politics. She belongs to congress party. Her election expenditure during this election exceeded 70 thousand rupees. She had access to some of the women leaders of the party at the district level by maintaining friendly relationship. She said that the conditions are favourable for political empowerment of women in Badangi mandal.
She was encouraging the DWCRA groups, by being active in granting the revolving funds by Government, through the Banks. She is the coordinator for the developmental activities undertaken in her constituency and instrumental in the membership drive of the DWCRA groups.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 177
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 5.
Gandham Venkata Ratnam of Sundarada village , Therlam Mandal is the member of “Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency”. She studied Secondary
Education. She is Hindu by religion and belongs to other community. She is 43 years old. Her source of income is business. She entered politics in 22 nd July,
2006. When she was asked about the rationale behind her entering politics, she said that she is interested in politics. Venkata Ratnam is of congress. She spent
75 thousand rupees for her election as member of mandal Parishad in elections.
Even though her husband is an active participant in politics and power point of
Therlam Mandal, she replied no when asked whether any of her family member are active participants in politics, which is a common answer from some of the women representatives. She opined that there are favourable conditions for participation of women in politics in Therlam mandal.
She was encouraging the DWCRA groups, by being active in granting the revolving funds by Government through the Banks. She herself also leads a
DWCRA group in her village. She also coordinates the developmental activities undertaken in her constituency.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 178
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 6:
Gandi Adilakshmi represents Nemalam village of Therlam mandal as a member of “Mandala Parishad Territorial Constituency”. She studied upto
Intermediate. She is of 36 years old. She belongs to Hindu religion and SC community. She raises her income through cultivation. She owns 6 acres of cultivable land. She entered into active politics in 22 nd July, 2006. She has been housewife, now and before entering the politics. Adilakshmi revealed that serving the people is the motto and rationale behind entering the politics. She belongs to Congress party. Her election expenditure during this election exceeded 55 thousand rupees. She had access into active politics even though none of her family members are active participants in politics. She said the conditions are favourable for women to political empowerment.
She will coordinate the developmental activities in her constituency. She encourages the DWCRA groups.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 179
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Case Study 7.
Narsupalli Yasoda of Therlam village and Mandal, is the member of
“Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency”. She studied 10 th class only. She is
Hindu by religion and belongs to ‘Koppala Velama’ community. She is 39 years old. Her source of income is cultivation. She has 4 acres land. She entered politics in 22 nd July, 2006. When she was asked about the rationale behind her entering politics, she said that she is interested in politics. Yasoda is of TDP.
She spent 70 thousand rupees for her election as member of mandal Parishad in elections. Even though her husband is an active participant in politics and power point of Therlam Mandal, she replied no when asked whether any of her family member are active participants in politics, which is a common answer from some of the women representatives. She opined that there are favourable conditions for participation of women in politics in Therlam mandal.
She was encouraging the DWCRA groups, by being active in granting the revolving funds by Government through the Banks. She herself also leads a
DWCRA group in her village. She also coordinates the developmental activities undertaken in her constituency.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 180
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 8:
Sagi Saraswathamma represents Soamalingapuram village of
Merakamudidam mandal as a member of “Mandala Parishad Territorial
Constituency and Mandal Vice-President”. She was illiterate. She is of 48 years old. She belongs to Hindu religion and other community. She raises her income through business. She entered into active politics in 22 nd July, 2006. She has been housewife, now and before entering the politics. Saraswathamma revealed that serving the people is the motto and rationale behind entering the politics.
She belongs to Congress party. Her election expenditure during this election exceeded 60 thousand rupees. She had access into active politics even though none of her family members are active participants in politics. She said the conditions are favourable for women to political empowerment.
She will coordinate the developmental activities in her constituency. She encourages the DWCRA groups.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 181
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 9.
Budharaju Parvathamma of Uttaravalli village , Merakamudidam Mandal is the member of “Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency”. She studied
Secondary Education. She is Hindu by religion and belongs to BC community.
She is 52 years old. Her source of income is cultivation. She entered politics in
22 nd July, 2006. When she was asked about the rationale behind her entering politics, she said that she is interested in politics. Parvathamma is of congress.
She spent nearly 80 thousand rupees for her election as member of mandal
Parishad in elections. Even though her husband is an active participant in politics and power point of Merakamudidam Mandal, she replied no when asked whether any of her family member are active participants in politics, which is a common answer from some of the women representatives. She opined that there are favourable conditions for participation of women in politics in Merakamudiam mandal.
She was encouraging the DWCRA groups, by being active in granting the revolving funds by Government through the Banks. She herself also leads a
DWCRA group in her village. She also coordinates the developmental activities undertaken in her constituency.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 182
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 10.
Kotla Rajya Lakshmi of Chinabantupalli village , Merakamudidam Mandal is the member of “Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency”. She studied
Intermediate. She is Hindu by religion and belongs to Koppla Velama community. She is 34 years old. Her source of income is cultivation. She entered politics in 22 nd July, 2006. When she was asked about the rationale behind her entering politics, she said that she is interested in politics. Rajya
Lakshmi is of TDP. She spent 90 thousand rupees for her election as member of mandal Parishad in elections. Even though her husband Mothilal Niadu is an active participant in politics and power point of Merakamudiam Mandal and also he is present ZDPTC and EX. MPP, she replied no when asked whether any of her family member are active participants in politics, which is a common answer from some of the women representatives. She opined that there are favourable conditions for participation of women in politics in Merakamudidam mandal.
She was encouraging the DWCRA groups, by being active in granting the revolving funds by Government through the Banks. She herself also leads a
DWCRA group in her village. She also coordinates the developmental activities undertaken in her constituency.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 183
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 11:
Sankili Merakamma represents Merakamudidam village and mandal as a member of “Mandala Parishad Territorial Constituency”. She studied up to 5 th class. She is of 43 years. She belongs to Hindu religion and SC community.
She raises her income through cultivation. She entered into active politics in
22 nd July, 2006. She has been housewife, now and before entering the politics.
Merakamma revealed that serving the people is the motto and rationale behind entering the politics. She belongs to TDP. Her election expenditure during this election exceeded 50 thousand rupees. She had access into active politics even though none of her family members are active participants in politics. She said the conditions are favourable for women to political empowerment.
She will coordinate the developmental activities in her constituency. She encourages the DWCRA groups.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 184
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 12.
Vangapandu Vimala is Sarpanch of Palteru village of Badangi Mandal.
She was studied 10 th class. She entered into politics in 2006. She is 36 years old. She is a Hindu by religion and belongs to Koppalavelama community. She has one son and one daughter. She and her family earn their livelihood through cultivation. She owns eight acres of cultivatable land. When she was asked about the reason for entering politics, she said that as her husband Jogi Naidu was present MPTC and ex-president, so she was sure of winning the election.
She is an active member of Congress. Her election expenditure exceeded nearly
85 thousand rupees. When asked, whether the situations in the mandal are favourable for women to be continued developing to women empowerment in politics.
She done some works under her leadership, those works are : Cement
Concrete roads, drainages, cleaning, drinking water pumps, repairing the electricity facilities and individual lavatories. This Panchayati includes two villages that is Pedapalteru and Harijana palteru.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 185
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 13
Sankili Kottamma is Sarpannch of Mugada village of Badangi mandal .
She was illiterate and entered into politics in very old age of 60 years. She is a
Hindu by religion and Scheduled Caste Women. She and her family earn their livelihood through cultivate labour. She entered politics in August, 2006. When asked of the reason for entering politics, she replied to serve the people. She is an active member of TDP. Her election expenditure exceeded nearly 40 thousand rupees. Her accession to politics happened without any of her family members being active members in politics. When asked whether the situation in the mandal are favourable for women to participate in politics.
In her village, she has done some important works like, laying cement concrete roads, repairing all the street lights and also dug drainages. She encouraged DWCRA groups in her village. These works are done by Kottamma under her leadership.
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 186
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 14:
Chappa Gowaramma belongs to Bheemavaram village of Badangi mandal.
She had been the elected Sarpanch of Village of Bheemavaram. Even though, she studied only third class. She succeeded in politics. She is of 52 years age.
She is a Hindu religion and belongs to Koppalavelama community. The source of income for her family is cultivation. She owns six acres of cultivable land. She has been in politics since August, 2006. When asked to give her Motto behind her entrance into politics she replied to serve the people. She belongs to TDP.
She expended nearly 50 thousand rupees in elections. Her husband Tirupathi
Naidu is an active participant in TDP. When asked whether the conditions are favourable for women to enter active politics she opined yes.
Due her some works were done in her village, like digging drinking water wells, dug drainages, individual lavatories and repairing street lights under her leadership. She encouraged DWCRA groups. She is also one member of
DWCRA in her village.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 15.
Bomminayani Mani belongs to Rejeru village of Badangi mandal. She has been elected Sarpanch of village of Rejeru. She is of 38 years old. Even though she studied secondary educaiton. She succeed in politics. She is a Hindu by religion and belongs to Koppalavelama community. The source of income for her family is through cultivation. She owns nearly 5 acres of cultivable land. She has been in politics since August, 2006. When I asked of her motto behind her entrance into politics. She replied to for developing women reservation in active politics. She belongs to Congress. She expended nearly 55 thousand rupees in this election. When asked whether the conditions are favourable for women to enter into active politics. She opined that importance to women reservation seats in active politics is being in Badangi Mandal.
Many works in her village, Rejeru are being executed during her presidency. She was cause to lay CC Roads, drainages, individual lavatories, repairing street lights and also supported DWCRA groups and also supported village development activities. She got the best award through mandal developmental officer in Badangi Mandal for her leadership and dynamism in doing these works. She was underguidance of present M.L.A. – Tentu Jaya
Prakash.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 16.
Mekala Narayanamma is Sarpanch of P Venkampeta village of Badangi mandal. She was illiterate and entered into politics at her age of 55 years. She is
Hindu by religion and belongs to Scheduled Tribe community. Her family earn their livelihood through cultivating Labour. She entered politics in August, 2006.
When asked of the reason for entering politics, she replied that to serve the people. She is an active member of Congress party. Her election expenditure exceeded above 30 thousand rupees when asked whether the situation in the mandal are favorable for women in political empowerment.
In her village, cement concrete roads in the streets, individual lavatories, drinking water facilities, drainages cleaning and repair the street lights were done under her Presidency. She is encouraging the DWCRA groups by securing revolving funds by the Government through the Banks.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 17
Bonela Lakshmi belongs to Nemalam village of Therlam mandal. She has been the elected Sarpanch of Nemalam village. Even though she studied 10 th class, she succeed in politics. She is of 36 years age. She is a Hindu by religion and belongs to Scheduled Caste community. The source of income for her family is cultivation. She owns 2 acres of agricultural cultivable land. She has been in politics since August, 2006. When asked of her motto behind her entrance into politics she replied that to serve the people. She belongs to Congress party .
She expended nearly 35 thousand rupees in that elections Her husband
Simhachalam is an active participant in politics of his village. When asked whether the conditions are favourable for women to enter empowerment of politics she opined – yes.
In her village Nemalam, she has done some works under her leadership, they are cement concrete roads, individual lavatories, drainages cleaning, digging drinking water pumps, repairing the street lights and some development activities in her village. She is encouraging the DWCRA groups by securing the revolving funds by Government through the banks.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 18
Senapthi Ramanamma is Sarpanch of Rangappavalasa village of Therlam
Mandal. She is of 56 years age. She is belongs to TDP. She is Hindu by religion and belongs to backward class. Her family earn their livelihood through cultivation. She owns 2 acres of cultivable land. She entered in to politics in
August, 2006. when Asked of the reason for entering politics she replied to utilize women reservation. She is one of the unanimously elected Sarpanch in
Rangappavalasa village in Therlam mandal. Her accession to politics happened without any of her family members being in political empowerment.
In her village she has done some works that is extending water facilities, electricity facility and drainages cleaning, these works are done under her leadership. She was encouraged DWCRA groups.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in CCCaseCase Study 19:
Eedu Ammaji belongs to Arasa Balaga village of Therlam mandal. She studied upto 7 th class and entered into politics at the age of 42 years. She is a
Hindu by religion and belongs to Other community. She entered into politics in
August, 2006. She is house wife. She and her family earn their livelihood through cultivation. She owns 5 acres agricultural cultivable land. When asked of the reason for entering politics, she replied that to serve the people. She is an active member of Congress Party. Her accession to politics happened without any of her family members in politics. When asked whether the situation in to the mandal are favourable for political empowerment of women, she replied yes.
She done some works under her leadership in her village. These works are
Cement concrete roads, individual lavatories, drainages cleaning, digging drinking water pumps, electricity facilities and some developmental activities in her village. She is encouraging the DWCRA groups to secure the revolving funds by Government through the Banks. She undertook some developmental activities like CMEY and PMRY for some unemployed youth in her village.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 20:
Cheekati Savitri belongs to Cheekatipeta village of Therlam mandal she has been the elected the Sarpanch of Cheekatipeta village in Therlam mandal.
Even though she studied upto 10 th class she succeeded in politics. She is of 49 years age. She has been politics since August, 2006. She is a Hindu by religion and belongs to Backward community (Koppula velama). The source of Income for her family is cultivation. She owns 4 acres of land. She belongs to Congress party. She expended nearly 55 thousand rupees in elections. When asked to give her motto behind her entrance into politics. She replied that to serve the people. None of her family members are in political field.
In her village, some works are done under her leadership they are cement concrete roads, drinking water facilities, individual lavatories, drainage cleaning and repairs to street lights. She encourages to DWCRA groups in her village.
She undertook some developmental activities like CMEY and PMRY for some unemployed youth in her village.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 21:
Gedala Suramma is Sarpanch of Puligummi village of Merakamudidam
Mandal. She was illiterate. She is of 53 years age. She is belongs to TDP. She is Hindu by religion and belongs to Kapu community. Her family earn their livelihood through cultivation. She owns 3 acres of cultivable land. She entered in to politics in 2006. when Asked of the reason for entering politics she replied to utilize women reservation. She expended nearly 40 thousand rupees in elections.Her accession to politics happened without any of her family members being in political empowerment.
In her village she has done some works that is extending water facilities, electricity facility and drainages cleaning, these works are done under her leadership. She was encouraged DWCRA groups.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 22:
Baviri Lakshmi belongs to Bheemavaram village of Merakamudidam mandal. She studied upto 10 th class and entered into politics at the age of 33 years. She is a Hindu by religion and belongs to Other community. She entered into politics in August, 2006. She is house wife. She and her family earn their livelihood through Business. When asked of the reason for entering politics, she replied that to serve the people. She is an active member of Congress Party.
Her accession to politics happened without any of her family members in politics.
When asked whether the situation in to the mandal are favourable for political empowerment of women, she replied yes.
She done some works under her leadership in her village. These works are
Cement concrete roads, individual lavatories, drainages cleaning, digging drinking water pumps, electricity facilities and some developmental activities in her village. She is encouraging the DWCRA groups to secure the revolving funds by Government through the Banks. She undertook some developmental activities like CMEY and PMRY for some unemployed youth in her village.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Case Study 23.
Nidaganti Sarada is Sarpanch of Ramayyavalasa village of
Merakamudidam mandal. She studied Secondary Education and entered into politics at her age of 35 years. She is Hindu by religion and belongs to
Scheduled Caste. Her family earn their livelihood through cultivating Labour. She entered politics in August, 2006. When asked of the reason for entering politics, she replied that to serve the people. She is an active member of TDP. Her election expenditure exceeded above 30 thousand rupees when asked whether the situation in the mandal are favourable for women in political empowerment.
In her village, cement concrete roads in the streets, individual lavatories, drinking water facilities, drainages cleaning and repair the street lights were done under her Presidency. She is encouraging the DWCRA groups by securing revolving funds by the Government through the Banks.
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CHAPTER - VI CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
The aim of the present study is to make an empirical analysis of the process of political empowerment of women in Panchayat Raj Institutions of
Therlam Constituency of Vizianagaram District. As mentioned earlier the study is confined to the women of the reserved category who have entered into the process of political empowerment. Special attention is given to study the background of the women representatives in various aspects and the factors that influence their journey towards political empowerment. The study revealed that there developed a general trend among the women to improve their economic conditions, leading a life of more meaningful and useful to the community and society of exercising their rights that are guaranteed by the constitution of our country. Several schemes like DWCRA, TRYSM, DRDA and others that are implemented by the Government helped the women for a collective action towards better standards of living.
As a first step in the process of political empowerment, women were able to exercise their duties as heads of local political bodies. Some of the successful women representatives brought tremendous changes in their villages. In other words, the village Panchayats under the leadership of women were reconstructed through various developmental activities. Good roads were laid, bores were dug, schools have been started and temples have been renovated. As a result of the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in preventive measures adopted by the heads of the Panchayats the villages were able to minimize some of the communicable diseases. The honest nature of women Sarpanches minimized corruption and litigation. Aiming at the all round development of the Villages Community Development Programmes and National
Extension Service Schemes have been widely propagated and implemented.
The study also shows that women of the Therlam Constituency in their process of political empowerment are undergoing a transformation between tradition and modernity. Though they come forward to change their attitudes towards various customary practices that obstruct their development, they are not completely discarding some of their age old customs and traditions. As far as religion is concerned they did not discard their faith in religion. The women offers prayers to gods and goddesses for the welfare of the entire village community.
They observe auspicious time to launch any new schemes or laying foundations to any Panchayat building or any community hall, school, bore well and other important works that help the community of the village as a whole, old customs that differentiate one case from other are slowing fading away. Inter-dining inter- drinking free entry inside the temple have been spreading.
As a result of the political orientation, through political parties, non- governmental organizations and media, the process of political empowerment among the women of Therlam Constituency has been broadening the scope of women leadership at the gross root level. Findings of this study also reveal that
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in some of the women Sarpanches and ward members were able to bring a remarkable change in the functioning of the village Panchayats. They are able to utilize their level best the opportunity come to them as a result of the constitutional amendments of 73 rd and 74 th . The male group of these villages have been compelled to change their attitudes towards the hidden abilities of the women and willing to accept the changes in the village set up and coming forward to cooperate with the women Sarpanches.
The study also reveals that the leadership in the villages have been gradually shifting from the hands of upper caste to lower castes, order generation to younger generation, from higher income group to lower and middle income groups which is a sign of decentralization of leadership. Also the statutory provisions for reservation of seats of women of backward caste, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes have provided special opportunities to become formal leaders at the gross root level.
The study also reveals that although the women of Therlam Constituency exbit enthusiasm in the process of political empowerment their standard of education, level of participation, awareness about the Panchayat functions, organizational set up are certainly average and sometimes below average. Decision-making is one of the most important aspects of political participation. The Panchayat set is based on democratic procedure and therefore the decision making process is also based on democratic process at the Panchayat level also. Yet due to lack of education, lack of insight into the local problems, shyness being women result in the low degree of women’s participation at the local political bodies. Therefore, the hypothesis
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in that higher the level of education and awareness of the problems the greater the level of participation comes true in the case of women representatives of the area under study.
One of the findings of the study is that village secretaries though a few try to dominate the women Sarpanch which again an obstacle to women representatives in exercising their assigned duties. It is also observed that the
Indira kranthi Programmes that were introduced by the then Congress party in
Andhra Pradesh were mostly involved by the Officers, MPS and MLAs. No doubt their involvement was essential in obtaining funds from the Government and for various other technical reasons they bypassed the women Sarpanches which made the women Sarpanches to loose confidence among themselves,. In the case of successful women Sarpanches the 73 rd constitutional amendment had an empowering impact. Some of the women Sarpanches were often faced constraints of Physical mobility, as they had to visit Panchayat Samithi Offices at blockhead quarters. In some cases men and Government officials point out that as majority of the elected women representatives are illiterate and therefore the involvement of men and government officials becomes necessary for the smooth functioning of the Panchayat institutions. However, the women who were elected occupied constitutionally mandated public offices and while performing their roles they face several odds against them. Here comes the role of G.O.S and NGOS to address the constraints faced by the elected women representatives.
With the 73 rd and 74 th Amendments to the Constitution of India, many village women and backward classes people got opportunities to participate in POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 200
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the process of political empowerment of women. Before the advent of this reservation policy, some women participated in politics and got involved in the decision making process, but backward classes women participating in politics and gaining momentum was impossible. Many scholars, laymen experts, politicians and academicians doubted the capability of the women representatives elected to the decision making bodies through the reservation policy including elected to the local self government institutions. But many of the women elected though faced many hurdles worked very well and were honoured by the international civil organizations, and were a good inspiration for the newly elected women representatives. Although Therlam Constituency is a remote area, many women representatives, gave good administration and were rewarded for their performance. Vangapandu Vimala who is the Sarpanch of
Paltheru village served her village efficiently and under took developmental activities in the village. She was awarded in one of the meetings in the 2008.
The developmental works of Therlam Constituency became successful because of the close relations that the women politicians having with their party leaders which helped them in solving their problems. It was observed by the researcher in one of the `Grama Sabha’ that most of the problems discussed were relating to building of roads, street lights and digging of borings for drinking water. When these issues were taken up the husband of the lady Sarpanch stood behind her as he was having good and harmonious relations with the
Villagers and his relations with the local Congress M.L.A. Mr. Sujay Krishna
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Ranga Rao helped to reduce the differences of opinions among the villagers and therefore the `Grama Sabha’ was conducted in a peaceful manner. It was also found that some of the women who approached directly the Sarpanch and discussed their problems with regard to provide toilet facilities for ladies in the villages. One of the advantages of women Sarpanch to a village is perhaps the women of the village can approach her directly.
In many villages of India we still find the tradition of giving most respect to the women by men. Therlam Constituency is not an exception to this. Apart from the regular meetings the members of the village would approach the Sarpanch either at the village Panchayat office or at her residence to discuss their problems either with the women Sarpanch /her husband/or any of the male members of her family in an informal manner. When the researcher asked the villagers about this issue they explained that discussing the issues with the male members of her family actually helped her to understand the political issues better. As they are more familiar with the political issues. The male members of her family actually helps her get better acquainted and improve her knowledge about politics which enhance her in developing political skills that helps her to emerge as a successful women politician in the future and this leads to efficient administration. This is in no way leads to dishonour the women Sarpanch in the opinion of the villagers.
Although the women politicians are of backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribe, without surpassing the tradition and customs they are performing their roles in the decision making process. For example, as POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 202
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in agriculture is the main occupation of the people of this area, the Sarpanches and ward members also go to fields and actively involved in agricultural works. As mentioned earlier, women representatives belonging to Backward caste,
Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribe of the Therlam Constituency area are selected for the present study. The study revealed that although they belong to backward communities, the women of the area without communities, the women of the area without surpassing the traditional customs their traditional life styles, their occupations and their simple styles of living they are able to enter into the process of political empowerment. As an example to this finding, it is noticed by the researcher that the women Sarpanches and ward members go to fields along with their male members and work hard in the fields to earn their livelihood, This clearly shows that while entering to the local political bodies as representatives they did not give up their traditional works to earn their livelihood.
The women representatives of Therlam Constituency selected for the present study are of backward caste, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe. As agriculture is the main occupation of the people of this area, women along with men work hard in the fields to earn their livelihood. Depending on the economic status of the family women do participate in the agricultural fields. As mentioned earlier the 73 rd and 74 th constitutional amendments gave an opportunity even to the rural poor women to have their share of participation in the local administrative bodies. As a result of this facility some of the women of Therlam
Constituency who are working as daily wage agricultural labourers have also POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 203
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in been elected as ward members of Gram Panchayats. Some of them are also serving as Gram Sarpanches. Though the women under the present study belong to backward area without giving up their tradition bound customs without giving up their daily wage agricultural jobs and without changing their simple life styles they are able to perform their functions in the Panchayat Raj institutions.
Thus a combinations of tradition and modernity in the process of political empowerment of women in the Therlam Constituency is a novel feature.
Among the ward members, some of them have only primary school education and some of them are literate At the mandal level also a few women studied upto intermediate and at the Zilla Parishad level one women is a graduate. The unequal level of educational standards among the women members is due to various reasons. Many other research studies on the educational standards of women in the rural area reveal that economic background of the family, local environment, good opportunities one some of the factors that generally influence the level of educational standards of rural women.
As the above opportunities are more in the urban areas the level of literacy among urban women will be more when compared to the rural women. The same is the case with the Therlam Constituency women. The educational qualifications of the women at the mandal and Zilla Parishad level are more when compared to the women in the interior villages of Therlam Constituency.
But then some of the illiterate women exhibited more confidence about their capabilities to serve the local political bodies as a first step in the process of POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 204
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in political empowerment of women. Though they are not highly educated and are not familiar with the working of the local political bodies with the help of their male family members they are trying to get into the process of political empowerment.
Some of the studies conducted by the voluntary organizations on the performance of the elected women representatives found out that they were dominated by the male members of their family. When the researcher reminded of the some issues to the women representatives of the area under study 50 per cent of them openly disagreed to call it as male domination. They preferred to call it as `male support’. 25 per cent of them felt that it depends on the mutual understandings, affectionate relationship and work culture among the family members. Some of the families do not allow their women for the sake of family prestige to come out of their houses to participate in the process of political empowerment . Under such circumstances, women face opposition from the male members of their families. 12 per cent of the women were unable to express definite views on `male domination’, 13 per cent of them openly stated that without the concern of them their male family members will look after everything starting from the selection of the women members candidature to contest in the elections and exercising their functions after elections as representatives of local political bodies. “It is an open secret” as stated by some of the women.
To study more on the issues of `male domination’ the researcher had some informal conversation with some of the senior women citizens and some of POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 205
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the officials working in the Panchayat Raj institutions of Therlam Constituency.
Some of the elderly women expressed that it is a very good opportunity to the backward women, scheduled caste and scheduled tribes which was given by the
73 rd and 74 th amendments of the constitution to achieve political empowerment of women. They also felt that as the village life is tradition bound in some aspects and according to Hindu culture, without the interference of male family members the very first question of `women contesting in the elections’ does not arise.
Traditionally men are more familiar with the village affairs than women.
Therefore they opined that non-interference of male members with regard to the entry of village administration cannot be avoided. The situation is prevailing not only in Therlam Constituency but in many more Indian villages as is revealed by an elderly lady. The elderly women of the Therlam Constituency exhibited disinterest towards the political empowerment of women in their initial informal conversation with the researcher and though the researcher got discouragement and confusion his repeated informal conversations with the elderly women benefited him as some of the question that were raised by them to the researcher are thought provoking and interesting. The questions are narrated below:
1. Do you Expect any support from your family members in discharging your
duties as Z.P.T.C. / M.P.T.C. / Sarpanch?
2. Are you getting cooperation by the male officials when implementation of
Government Programmes or day by day administrative affaires? POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 206
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in 3. Do you get sufficient funds on time from the higher administrative
authorities with regard to the public requirements of your area?
4. Do you expect any support from local area leaders in your duties /
functions?
5. Do you attend any training programmes of PRI meetings organized by
Governmental Authorities?
6. In your opinion, does the training improve the efficiency of the women
political leaders?
7. Do you agree that the welfare schemes are reaching the needy or not ?
8. How do you feel about the role of ZPTC / MPTC/Sarpanch / Ward
Member?
The above questions raised by the elderly women of the Therlam
Constituency needs greater attention by those scholars who study on empowerment of women, Panchayat Raj institutions, political process and other aspects. Social scientists administrators, policy makers, voluntary organizations, governmental organizations and various other agencies also need to address the above issues raised by the women of the Therlam Constituency. While coming to the view expressed by officials working in the local political bodies, during their informal conversations with the researcher
Findings of the Study:
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 207
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in 1. Majority 84.54% (268) of the women leaders says that the women have 33
percent reservation of seats in the political bodies, 13.88% of women
leaders said that the women should be 50 percent and the rest of the
women leaders said that the women should have no need of reservation of
seats in the political bodies.
2. Nearly half of the women leaders (46.37%) are cultivation, 42.59 percent of
the women leaders are labourers, 7.89 percent of the women leaders are
housewives and the rest of the few women leaders are business..
3. Majority of the women leaders (50.79%) are serve the public, 42.59
percent of the women leaders rational behind entering into politics of their
political interest and the rest of the 6.62 percent of the women leaders
rational behind entering into politics of their heredity.
4. Majority 58.99% of the women leaders elected from Congress party and
the rest of the 41.01 percent of the women leaders elected from the Telugu
Desam Party.
5. Majority 59.94% of the women leaders expended below Rs. 25 000, 30.91
percent of the women leaders expended Rs. 25001 to 50000 and very few
women leaders expended above Rs. 50000 in their elected from Congress
party and the rest of the 41.01 percent of the women leaders elected from
the Telugu Desam Party.
6. Majority 74.76% of the women leaders are favourble opinion towards their
participation in mandal / district politics and the rest of the women leaders
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in have no favourble opinion towards their participation in mandal / district
politics.
7. Majority (89.59%) of the women leaders are positive response towards
their leadership and the rest of the 10.41 percent of the women leaders are
negative response towards their leadership in the politics.
8. Majority 84.86% of the women leaders are said need of hour towards direct
and indirections in Panchayat Raj Elections and the rest of the 15.14
percent of the women leaders said not necessary direct and indirect
elections in Panchayat Raj elections.
9. Majority 67.19% of the women leaders said that they serve the public and
the rest of the 32.81 percent of the women are listening the public
problems.
10. Majority 78.23% of the women leaders are expected support from their
family members in discharging of duties ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch and the
rest of the 21.77 percent of the women leaders are not expected support
from their family members in discharging of duties ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch.
11. Majority 67.51% of the women leaders are get cooperation from the male
officials when implementing the Government Programmes and the rest of
the 32.49 percent of women leaders are get non-cooperation from the male
officials when implementing the Government Programmes.
12. Majority 63.72% of the women leaders said they get sufficient funds from
the Higher Administrative Authorities on time and the rest of the 36.28
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 209
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in percent of the women leaders said they did not get sufficient funds on time
from the Higher Administrative Authorities.
13. Majority 82.65% of the women leaders excepted support of the local area
leaders in their duties / functions and the rest of the 17.35 percent of the
women leaders are not expected support from the local area leaders in
their duties / functions.
14. Majority 83.60% of the women leaders attended in the training
programmes of PRI meetings organiseed by Government Authorities and
the remaining 16.40 percent of the women leaders are not attended in the
training programmes of PRI meetings organized by the Government
Authorities.
15. Majority 78.86% of the women leaders are improved their efficiency after
getting the training and the rest of the 21.14 percent of women leaders are
not improved in their efficiency after getting the training.
16. Majority 61.83% of the women representatives said that they get welfare
schemes properly and the rest of the 38.17 percent of the women
representatives said they did not get some welfare schemes properly.
17. half of the 51.10% of the women representatives in their opinion towards
the role of the ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Members is good, 39.43
percent of the women representatives in their opinion towards the role of
the ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Members is Average and the rest of the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in 9.47 percent of women representatives in their opinion towards the role of
the ZPTC/MPTC/Sarpanch/Ward Members is poor.
The process of political empowerment of women in the Therlam
Constituency has certain unique features. Firstly the women of the area showed greater enthusiasm towards the various schemes that were introduced by the then congress party for the welfare of women. By joining in various developmental programmes as members they were able to understand the collective work of the women force and gained confidence about their abilities.
Secondly, the greatest propaganda that was carried out by the Congress party workers benefited the women of the area in their political awareness. This awareness is like the reading of their political empowerment. They were able to know the political scenario in the country with the help of the media, television, radio as a result of the technological development. Thirdly there was strong competition between the Congress party and the Telugu Desam party. As mentioned earlier out of the 317 elected women representatives 187 belong to
Congress party and 130 belong to Telugu Desam party. Thirdly the process of political empowerment of women in the Therlam Constituency , when compared to some other backward areas in other parts of the country is also something special. As mentioned earlier as a result of the 73 rd and 74 th constitutional amendments nearly 3 billion of women through out India had the chance of entering into Panchayat Raj institutions as representative of the people in their process of their political empowerment. About the performance of these women
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in representatives some voluntary organizations and individuals conducted studies in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and others.
These studies revealed certain facts about the challenges that women had to face in performing their functions as the representatives of people. For example, in Himachal Pradesh one Adivasi women was elected as Sarpanch to a village and faced a number of problems both from the family members and the members of the village. Many complaints were given by the villagers to the
Government stating that she was corrupt and she had illegal contacts with one of the Government officials. They went to the extend of moving a no confidence motion and their resulted in creating misunderstandings between herself, husband and other family members. In other study conducted in the same state
Jourlacies and personal grudges towards a women representative led to some violence activities. The women Sarpanch though sincere and hard working she was proved corrupt by the villagers and the went to the extent of burning the vehicle in which she was proceeding to the head quarters of her district. She by
God’s grace luckily escaped from the danger of death. Fortunately their type of violence on women representatives of Therlam Constituency did not take place.
In a study conducted in Madhya Pradesh one women Sarpanch was alleged on corruption and a no confidence motion was moved against her. The women representatives of Therlam Constituency have not faced this type of disrespect from the public. Another study conducted in Uttar Pradesh revealed that generally the male members of the family of the women representatives or the husband of
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in the women Sarpanch will look after the administration on behalf of his wife from A to Z. Therefore,, the usage of `Sarpanch pati’ (husband of Sarpanch) become very common. In this respect also the Therlam Constituency ranks highly.
Although the husbands of the women Sarpanches cooperate and extend their services in the administration of the village they never crossed their limits and they are trying to help the women to some extent of progress in the process of their political empowerment.
It is worth to mentmentionion here some of the directions made by a study for promotinpromotingg women’s political empowerment:
Women’s full participation in politics is a fundamental and non-negotiable right. The United Nations Secretary General’s report on Equality in political participation and Decision Making posed this question: “To what extent is the general advancement of women needed before it is possible to have full participation in politics?” or rather is it the case that full participation in politics is necessary to achieve the general advancement of women?” Each question presupposes a different strategy in addressing the problem of broadening women’s political participation. The first question makes as a precondition to women’s full participation in politics the satisfaction of their practical needs such as access to education, health care, livelihood and legal status. But if it has been women’s absence from position of power that occasioned their marginalization, the question is: How can they push for their practical needs to be prioritized in a situation where men still dominate in decision-making in government? The POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 213
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in second question underscores the need to promote women’s full and equal participation in decision-making positions to ensure that their needs are prioritized and addressed. This strategy further implies that women can and should take control of their future instead of being dependent on the action of others. Women can set and purse their own agenda. Increased political participation of women is, after all, not only an end in itself but also a means to address issues that are of importance to them.
Creating an enabling environment for women’s political empowermentempowerment::::
Fostering a more inclusive and transformative type of politics means creating a more generalized political participation. Politics is not simply the once- in-a-quadrennium exercise of choosing candidates. It is an entire cycle that begins with shared concerns espoused by an awakened constituency, holding officers accountable to addressing those concerns. Political participation is therefore a continuing process. It is necessary to create an environment that will facilitate the election, appointment or promotion of a sufficient number of women to decision-making positions. The goal of a “sufficient number” refers more to a situation where it is no longer remarkable for women to be put in positions of power rather than a specific target of say 20% or 30%. Yet this environment is not simply for producing women leaders but also to develop a new and active citizenry among women. A strong political will on the part of government and the
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in leadership of political parties, business, trade and labor unions, academe and other social institutions is critical in achieving an environment conducive to promoting women’s political participation. It is not enough that relevant legislation is passed, provisions of international conferences ratified, quotas instituted, or policies adopted. These kinds of commitments must be translated into action via implementation of specific strategies directed at increasing women’s access to power and their number in decision-making positions.
The Government :
The setting of quotas or targets for women’s representation in legislative bodies and the different leadership levels of the bureaucracy has been proven effective in increasing the percentage of women in decision-making positions in some countries. Here we issue a caveat: although quotas are useful to advocate women’s inclusion, governments must be careful to ensure that the quote percentage does not become a “glass ceiling” that pegs the proportion of women to a specific figure. Based on experience, the use of quotas for legislative seats is enhanced by the use of the proportional representation system of election.
Proportional representation facilitates the inclusion of more women because they need not get the majority vote in order to win a seat. Governments which provide special subsidies for political campaigns can also consider allocating incentives to parties that include a significant percentage of women in their list of
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in candidates; or to parties that secured women election into office. Fuller and more adequate statistics on women’s political participation is needed. The availability and use of sex-disaggregated statistics on decision-making bodies at all levels is necessary to convince government leaders to pursue changes favoring women’s increased representation in these structures. It can also be used by NGOs and national women’s machineries to monitoring and follow-up individual ministries with regard to increasing the proportion of women in higher level positions.
Governments can also include specific targets and goals for women’s political participation in their national development plan for woman.
Political partipartieseseses :::
Political parties play an important role in helping women get elected. But women will remain marginalized through their low representation in the party’s list of candidates, unless party members realize that women can be an electoral asset. Political parties can establish a committee on gender equality to review its policies and procedures for candidate selection and ascending to leadership positions in the party. Experience has shown that self-imposed quotas for the inclusion of women in a party’s list of candidates is more effective than one that is mandated by law. The committee on gender equality can also examine processes in a party such as the setting of schedules of meetings to ensure that it does not conflict with family time. It can also plan for the provision of free or
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in inexpensive childcare facilities. Parties can draw up a roster of women candidates interested in running for electoral office or nomination for appointive positions in government. They can help these women prepare for leadership positions by facilitating formal mentoring schemes. Seasoned politicians, senior party members and political advocates can coach potential women candidates on such topics as how to organize and work with a constituency as well as to advocate for issues. Political parties can likewise organize training on parliamentary procedures, understanding the government budgeting system, building an electoral image and using the media effectively. Finally, adequate financial and logistical support of political parties to women during the conduct of their campaign is very critical.
Media and Educational Institutions :::
Mass media and the formal education system are powerful means for conveying and transforming the values affirmed by a society. Their influence has so far been under-utilized in advocating for gender equality in general and women’s increased political participation and leadership in particular by encouraging girls to aspire to become leaders and not just followers. More women should be portrayed as leaders and in positions of power in television, movies, radio, literature and textbooks. Women in leadership roles should be depicted as the norm instead of the exception and popularized women leaders
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in as role models. Alternative leadership models should be studied and practiced in schools. This includes reinforcing leadership qualities in both sexes and providing them with equal opportunities to practice these.
Political organizing as a strategy for women to gain powerpower::::
In order to achieve women’s political empowerment, it is not enough that social institutions create an enabling environment for change. Women must come to their own decision to actively participate in politics and decision-making at all levels. Women’s organizations in the past two decades or more have scored significant gains in the struggle for gender equality. Through consciousness- raising, organizing, mobilizing, networking and lobbying, they have raised gender to the level of public discourse, pioneered creative programs and institutions, pushed the limits of advocacy and reform. All this they have done save one step: to sit at the table of power to make the decisions that matter in the life of people and community. Thus failing to translate their gains into political power, they have made those gains vulnerable to legislative whimsy, fiscal cutbacks, economic meltdown. Politics is viewed not just in terms of electoral politics but in the whole range of political processes in society such as an active citizenry serving at times as a lobby for legislative reform, at others as watchdog against environmental abuse. It is imperative that women, individually and in concert, decide to tackle the sphere of politics to secure the gains of the past decade and
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in to move the women’s agenda forward into the new millennium. Government can be supportive, men can become allies, even champions, funding agencies can help, but in the end, it will be the women and no one else who will tackle and push their political agenda, and sustain their foray into the brave new world of politics.
Increasing women’s self worthworth::::
Individual women need to raise their self-awareness, and examine their own values and attitudes towards gender equality. Women and men are brought up within a culture that espouses given roles and expectations of both genders.
In the process of becoming gender sensitive and politically empowered, women should examine these culturally defined roles and expectations to determine whether they promote or hinder their development. Christine pintat stresses that what has worked for women’s political empowerment is the resolve for change within women themselves that leads to action, continuous organized discussions and networking. The resolve for change is an effect of women’s self-acceptance and higher self-esteem.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Sharing of responsibilities and power between women and men :::
Women’s full participation in politics is not possible unless there is a sharing of power and responsibilities between women and men in both the public and private sphere. The multiple responsibilities borne by women including child rearing, family care, home maintenance, economic activity, and community and political involvement are also the full responsibility of men by virtue of their equality with women. Social institutions, beginning with the family, school, the church and media, which are primarily responsible for educating children, have a critical role to play in bringing this message across. The government, business sector, social movements and civil society as a whole must also reinforce this message through a review of their values, structures, policies and procedures to ensure that these are not biased against women and men fulfilling their rights and responsibilities in both the public and private spheres. On the personal level, women and men must examine their own values and attitudes to determine if they are biased have to be changed to make it possible for long term changes in the family and the larger social institutions to occur.
Support from nonnon----governmentgovernment organizatioorganizationsnsnsns :::
Social movements have been at the forefront of the struggle for women’s political empowerment. NGOs have also been a catalyst for organizing women
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in into constituency groups that can lobby for their issues in government as act as pressure groups vis-à-vis other sectors such as business. Beyond winning specific demands, women’s organizing should aim to penetrate leadership positions at various levels of political social institutions. Organized women can be a strong force in demanding their right to equal political representation. It is important however, that women’s groups remain autonomous, espousing their own agenda. Organized groups are a good training ground for women aspiring for higher positions of power in legislative bodies as well as in national and local governments. These groups likewise serve as a support network for members who run for elections or are already in leadership positions. Ideally, their constituency’s support should start when women decide to run, during the campaign period, and, if elected, throughout their term; or, if not elected, in planning out their next move. The relationship between a leader and her constituency should be one based on constant dialogue, feedback and joint action. A strong partnership particularly important in helping women leaders stay on track with the group’s agenda and providing moral support as these women try to penetrate male dominated ranks of power. Yet the political moment begins much earlier: when a self conscious community defines what it wants and decides on the track of politics to secure its needs. The community therefore yields up its representative whose leadership precisely rests on the community’s trust and confidence. The leader or politician represents his or her community and is accountable to it.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in
It is high time for women to claim their right to equal access to decision making and power. Substantial and sustained gains in other areas of concern such as violence against women, access to education and health care, and economic independence will not be possible unless women tackle the sphere of politics and all its ramifications: by lobbying to put in place appropriate legislation and support programs; by ensuring that these are properly implemented; and by running the entire gamut of the political challenge from electorate to candidate and power holder. This implies that concerted effort from women to push the political agenda at the local, national and regional levels must continue. This political suvvy must be matched by technological savvy: making use of the unprecedented opportunities offered by new communications technology to advocate, consult, discuss, draw feedback, and build consensus. Women and men also need to reflect on how their values and attitudes contribute to perpetuate traditional gender stereotypes; and reinforce as well as create institutional barriers to women’s political empowerment. A transformation of these valves and attitudes at the individual and societal level must take place as a precondition for achieving de facto gender equality. Women’s growing presence in decision making positions provides an alternative to the current leadership paradigm informed by male identified attributes. Women’s demand for representation is not replace men’s domination but to create spaces for both
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in women and men to develop their potentials and foster a synergy that can take on the challenges of the new millennium.
The following suggestions can be made to ensure adequate and effective participation of women in the Panchayat Raj system in the process of political empowerment of women.
a) As suggested by Mohini Giri, former Chairperson of the National
Commission for Women, Government of India, a Federation of
Women Panchayats should spread through out the length and
breadth of the country and this federation will be a platform to
advocate, lobby and bring about changes for gross root
empowerment,. A dedicated band of federation of working
Panchayat women who are newly entering local political structures to
ensure that they have the necessary training and resources to fully
participate in local affairs. It is hoped that this federation would be
prepared to work in partnership with India’s women leaders as they
create their vision and plans for a new future for their communities
and for their country.
b) Systematic efforts should be made by Government and non-
governmental organizations to address the constraints faced by the
elected women representative one of the most important draw back
of the rural women is illiteracy and a higher proportion of women
elected representatives in Panchayat Raj Institutions are illiterate. POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 223
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in Official machinery must make serve attempts to overcome the
constraints of illiteracy. In the words of AS Rajes Tandon, President
of Participatory Research in Asia “Women ‘s Participation and
Leadership in PRIS need to be taken up seriously by central and
State Governments if the vision of local self governance is to be
realized in India. Positive support from state governments can
contribute significantly towards engendering governance-Women’s
Panchayati Raj
c) To empower women politically training centres are to be established
where women are taught gender issues confidence building,
managing Panchayat institutions. Other women organizations need
to cooperate with these training centers so that there can be
exchange of information with regard to various issues related to
women. The women who have already served a term can extend
their services in giving suggestions and act as mentors.
d) Some of the members of the scheduled castes are not happy about
the current functioning of the Panchayat Raj institutions. According
to a study conducted by an NGO even till today the members of the
scheduled caste are not allowed to fetch the water from the common
well of the village. As suggested by Tapas Satpathy social
activities, media, academicians and NGOS can play an active role
on the issue of discrimination.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in e) Political parties are to make efforts to make the participation of
women in Panchayat Raj institutions more meaningful, support
Panchayats in their interference with Government funds should be
made easily available towards the development of villages. There
should not be any kind of discrimination towards women
representatives. Some of the NGOS are broad casting programmes
relating to local self-governments to create awareness among
women in different states of India. They must extend their services
to Andhra regions also so that women of Badangi Mandal would
also be benefited, while selecting women as candidate for election
there should not be any force or partiality or selfish motive on the
part of the party leaders and members of the family . Freedom must
be given to women in contesting for election.
f) Support from the family is more important for women’s entry into
political field. In the similar way women must take it a challenge to
exercise two roles as an important member of the family owned as
well wisher of the village community. She must be able to know the
problems of the villages and must be in a position to take right
decisions at the right time. In the process of political empowerment
women must first step from the enshrouding conditions that
characterize her life. The political empowerment of women through
the gross root administration is undoubtedly linked to a process by
POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 225
International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in which Indian society begins to break down the age old tradition and
customs that limits the freedom of women. Women must equip
themselves by increasing their awareness in the political process of
the country to achieve quantitative representation in the local
political bodies.
g) Under the present day circumstances there is a great need of
women’s representation in the local political bodies to achieve
political empowerment. They should not remain as dummies. They
must try to know what are their duties as representatives of the
people. They must be in a position to take quick and correct
decisions for the over all development of the villages. They must
also be in a position of pacify the conflicts among the members of
the village that arise often. There must be cooperation among the
women members in addressing and solving women’s issues.
Women representatives must make their presence regular in the
meetings. To strengthen the political empowerment of women
through Panchyat Raj institutions as desired by Rajiv Gandhi is the
need of the honour in order to bring moral character to the Gram
Panchayats which was also the dream of Mahathma Gandhi.
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International Science Congress Association www.isca.in , www.isca.co.in , www.isca.net.co , www.isca.net.in BIBLIOGRAPHY
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162. Andhra Bhoomi Telugu Daily Edition
163. Andhra Jyothi Telugu Daily Edition
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lviii District Gazetter of Vizianagaram, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. lix Ibid lx Ibid lxii Balwantrai Mehta Committee was the first committee that was formed I n 1957 with regard to the development of Panchayat Raj Institutions. It submitted its report in 1958. lxiii The Ashok Mehta committee submitted its report in 1967 3 Late Rajiv Gandhi the former Prime Minister of India made effective steps to strengthen the Panchayat Raj Institutions in order to empower the weaker sections and women to take part in the local administration.
4 Report of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee P. 45-52, 1957.
5The note of dissent was signed by Veena Mazumdar and Lotika Sankar.
6 G.V.K.Rao Committee, in 1985; the L.M. Singhvi Committee, 1986.
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7 Raj, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, the Former of Union Mister of Panchayat Raj addressing a public gathering discussed the provisions of the act in detail.
Reference 333rdrdrd chapter :::
1. District Gazette of Vizianagaram, Census of1991 Handbook.
2. Administrative Records that are available in the Badangi Mandal Development Office.
3. Face to face interviews with the officials of Panchayati Raj Institutions of Badangi Mandal.
ReferReferencesences 444ththth chchchach aaappppterter :::
lxix Hazel D’ Lama, `Women in Local Self-government’, New Delhi, 1983, p.37.
lxx P.Manikyamba, Participation of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (unpublished)
lxxi S.N.Misra, Politics and Society in Rural India.
lxxii K.Raghavendra Rao, `Caste Secularism and Democracy in India’ International Journal of Comparative Society, 1966, p.199. lxxiii S.N.Misra., op.cit. p.84
lxxiv Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, 1991.
lxxv K.Vijayalakshmi, “DAWRA schemes as means of empowering women, proceedings of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress, 1999, p.124.
lxxvi Ibid., P.126.
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References 5 ththth chapter :
1. Editorial, Journal of Rural Development, November, 2003, New Delhi.
2. Sudhir Krishna, Women and Panchayat Raj : The Law, Programmes and the Practices, Journal of Rural Development, Vol.16, 1997, NIRD, Hyderabad, p.660.
3. K.Subha, Women in Local Governance, p.55
4. Ibid., p.135.
5. Zenab Banu, Tribal Women Empowerment Gender Issues, Kanishka Publishers, New Delhi, 2001, p.68.
6. Hezel D’ Lima, Participation of Women in Local Self Government, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1993, p.121.
7. According to the Andhra Pradesh Mandal Praza Parishads, Zilla Abhiruddi Samkshenma Mandal Act of 1986 the Panchayat Samities are called as Mandals and Zilla Praja Parishad .
8. Zenab Banu, op.cit., p.92.
9. Ibid, p.93.
10. Panchayat Raj Compendium, Appar and Priaya, Hyderabad, 2005, pp.20- 21.
11. Krishnakothari, Dalit Leadership in Panchayats Participation and Governance, Vol.9, March 2003, New Delhi, p.35. POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PANCHAYATHI……….. 248
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12. G.Palanithurai, Dalit Leadershiplk in Panchayats – Particiaption and Governance, Op.cit, p.28.
13. Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act of 1994, Hyderabad.
14. S.P.Jain, Participation, Decentralised Planning and Panchayat Raj in India : A Review, Journal of Grss Root Governance, op.cit., p.76.
15. C.P.Yadev, , Empowering Women Through Local Self Governments, Empowerment of Women, Vol.1, New Delhi, 2000, p.195.
16. Panchayati Raj Compendium, op.cit, pp.16-17.
17. Ibid., p.18.
18. Ibid., p.19.
19. B.Devi Prasad and S.Harinath, Participation of Women and Dalits in Gram Panchayat, Journal of Rural Development, NIRD, Vol.23, No.3, July-Sept., 2004, Hyderabad, p.312.
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ABOUT AUTHOR
Dr. P . APPA RAO was born in small village named Mallampeta at Tadangi Mandalam Vijayanagarm District of Andhra Pradesh. He completed his study up to under graduation at same native place. And he completed PhD at Andhra University Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh India. He is presently working as a Lecturer in the Department of Politics in the S.V.V.P V.M.C. Degree and P.G. Centre, M.V.P. Colony Visakhapatnam.
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