WOMEN REPRESENTATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM IN INDIA- EMERGING TRENDS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

In our country, it has been an ancient and rich tradition of democratic decentralization through Panchayati institutions. Today, the independent India has completed 25 years on the path of democratic decentralization through the Panchayat Raj Act. During this period, more than 20 states have increased the number of seats reserved for women from 33% to 50%. In terms of number of women representatives -Jharkhand is on top in states like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, while Mizoram is at the bottom in this list. During the period of these 25 years, some new trends have emerged in Panchayati institutions like-Conversion of elite politics into mass politics, decline the concept of sarpanch pati, three-tier pressure on women in a three-tier Panchayati system, conflict status regarding the exercise of political rights, increase in percentage of women representatives and their political awareness, different role and different work culture of women representatives in urban and rural areas, efforts for economic self-reliance through self-help groups etc. .In this era of information revolution in 21st century,these women leaders will have to be technically equipped for the practical implementation of transparent schemes like e-governance and m-governance.Today,panchayati institutions are being entrusted with the important responsibility of connecting people through various schemes related to rural India like “Make in India” and “Digital India”. In such a situation, the success of the scheme like Digital Literacy Mission, Ayushyaman Bharat Yojana, Jal shakti Abhiyan, single use plastic ban and e-market plus depend to some extent on the working capacity of these representatives occupying more than half of the Panchayati posts. We can hope that maximum governance and minimum government based our Panchayati system will create immense possibilities in the female leadership, which will change the picture of rural India in the near future, it will also change destiny. KEYWORDS- Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Decentralization, Political Awareness, Information Technology, E-Panchayat, E-Governance,Women's Reservation.