ZP allocates Rs 1 cr to train elected women leaders to speak up

State election commission's Kranti Jyoti Scheme will help them understand rules pertaining to different schemes

To help 3,000 women representatives elected to local self-government bodies in the Pune district become aware, competent to deal with political matters and speak on issues, the state Election Commission has launched the Kranti Jyoti Scheme. The Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) has earmarked Rs 1 crore for the training this year.

Pune ZP CEO Anil Kawade told Newsline that 2,979 women have been elected to local bodies, including gram panchayat and other committees, across the district and the training was required to ensure that women who have been elected for the first time understand the issues and rules and regulations pertaining to different schemes.

Seven other districts too are under the scheme which is being coordinated by Resource Centre for Support and Development and Nirmala Niketan's College of Social Work. The districts are Solapur, Kolhapur, Satara, Nashik, Wardha, Thane and Sindhudurg. Rani Patil, newly elected Sarpanch of Bhuyewadi village of Karveer tehsil, Kolhapur, who was in Pune to attend a training session told Newsline that it was vital to train women who were newly elected to these local bodies.

Patil, a commerce graduate with an MBA and diploma in costing and accounts, said first timers should not be misled by various department officials. "It is important that women elected as either gram panchayat members or village sarpanchs are aware about the documents they are signing and the funds they are releasing for developmental works," Patil said.

Bhim Raskar, Coordinator of the Resource Centre for Support and Development, said at least 20,000 women sarpanchs are being trained across all the eight districts.

There are four modules in the training that urges them to read the budget and understand the welfare schemes. Pune ZP Deputy CEO Nandini Ghanekar said it was an important scheme as it helped women understand their role as community leaders.

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