Uttarakhand has become the first state to reserve 50 per cent of seats in panchayats for women for two succeeding terms. The Bill for increasing the reservation to 50 per cent in the panchayats was passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday.

Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh have 50 per cent seats reserved for women in the panchayats, but not for succeeding two terms. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu has reservation for women for two terms, but does not have 50 per cent reservation for women in the panchayats.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major General B C Khanduri (retd) introduced the Bill to provide better representation to women prior to the scheduled panchayat election in the state. Panchayat elections are due to be held in the state in May this year. Interestingly, in eight out of the total 13 districts of the state, particularly in the hills, women outnumber men. The BJP leaders feel that the move will help the party not only in the panchayat polls but also in the next Lok Sabha election.

Piloting the Bill, the CM said women of the state have played a stellar role in the formation of the state and 50 per cent reservation for two full terms will give women the opportunity to run Panchayati Raj institutions in a better way.

Various social groups have been exerting pressure on the Government for 50 per cent reservation for women. “It is a big step and women of Uttarakhand will now lead women across the country,” said Avdhash Kaushal, chairperson of Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, a Dehradun-based NGO working for women empowerment.