Women's reservation in Panchayat bodies may be raised: Joshi

The government today said that it was for enhancing reservation for women to 50 per cent in Panchayati Raj institutions in the country, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Informing the Upper House about the government's intention, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj C P Joshi said in a written reply to a question "Government intends to take steps to enhance reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions to 50 per cent."

At present, women have 33 per cent reservation in these institutions and there has been a demand from various quarters to raise this to 50 per cent.

To another question whether government is going to bring some amendment in the legislation, Joshi said, "Details are under consideration".

To another question about financial powers given to District level Panchayats, Joshi said financial powers was assigned to district level Panchayats vary from state to state.

"In some states, district level Panchayats have been given powers to impose taxes and fees while in others, they are given powers to accord administrative sanction to expenditure within prescribed limits," he said.

"Detailed guidelines have been issued to the states for enhancing the financial powers and resource base of Panchayats," Joshi said replying to a question about the measures to be taken by government to bring parity among district level Panchayats and delegate more financial powers to them.