Issue of Pradhan Pati in Panchayats

Facts for UPSC Mains

Issue of Pradhan Pati in Panchayats

Tags: Quick Facts For Prelims, GS Paper - 2, GS Paper - 1, Issues Related to Women, Women's Issues, Inclusive Growth, Human Resource, Government Policies & Interventions
Why is this important?

A panel formed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2023 has released its report titled Transforming Women’s Representation and Roles in Panchayati Raj Systems and Institutions: Eliminating Efforts for Proxy Participation, which recommends the imposition of "exemplary penalties" to eliminate the practice of 'Pradhan Pati'.

The report advocates for policy reforms, training, and technology-driven approaches to empower women leaders.

Key Reforms Suggested by the Committee

1. Strict Penalties for Proxy Leadership: The panel proposes the implementation of stringent penalties for cases where male relatives act as proxies for elected female representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
2. Structural and Policy Reforms:
   • Gender-exclusive quotas in panchayat subject and ward-level committees, inspired by Kerala’s model.
   • Annual ‘Anti-Pradhan Pati’ awards to recognize efforts to combat proxy leadership.
   • The introduction of women’s ombudspersons to address complaints.
   • Public swearing-in ceremonies in Gram Sabhas to reinforce the authority of women pradhans.
   • Creation of a federation of women panchayat leaders to promote peer support and collective decision-making.
3. Technological Interventions:
   • Virtual reality (VR) simulation training to enhance governance skills.
   • AI-powered query-driven guidance in local languages for real-time legal and governance support.
   • WhatsApp groups to link Women Elected Representatives (WERs) with officials for quick issue resolution.
   • The Panchayat Nirnay Portal to track pradhans' participation, ensuring transparency and accountability.
   • Collaboration with leading educational institutions and international agencies for leadership programs.

The Issue of Pradhan Pati in PRIs

• Pradhan Pati (also known as ‘Sarpanch Pati’ or ‘Mukhiya Pati’) refers to the practice where the husbands of elected female panchayat leaders exercise authority on their behalf. As a result, many women elected as representatives become figureheads, undermining their leadership and autonomy. This practice strengthens patriarchy and contradicts the objectives of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
• Menace of Pradhan Pati: India has around 2.63 lakh panchayats at three levels—Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. Women represent 46.6% (15.03 lakh) of the 32.29 lakh elected panchayat members. However, their actual participation remains limited, especially in northern states like UP, Bihar, Haryana, and Rajasthan, where male relatives often dominate decision-making.
• Challenges in Addressing Pradhan Pati: Patriarchal norms and bureaucratic neglect undermine women’s authority, relegating them to symbolic roles. Social pressures, threats, and violence discourage active participation in governance. The committee warns that strict penalties might push the issue underground rather than addressing the root causes of patriarchy.

Governance of PRIs

• State Subject: Local governance is a matter for state governments, with PRIs operating under the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts.
• Constitutional Framework:
  • The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) established a three-tier Panchayat system and mandated 1/3rd reservation for women, later increased to 50% in 21 states and 2 Union Territories.
  • Article 243D ensures reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes in PRIs.
  • Article 40 of the Constitution, a Directive Principle of State Policy, directs the State to establish village panchayats and empower them to function as self-governing bodies.
  • The Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 provides Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas with special powers to manage resources and protect tribal culture and livelihoods.

Drishti Mains Question:

• How does the practice of ‘Pradhan Pati’ undermine the objectives of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment? Suggest measures to strengthen women’s leadership in PRIs.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (Mains):

1. What are the ongoing challenges faced by women in India in terms of time and space? (2019)
2. Discuss the importance of increasing the representation of women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. (2021)

Tags : UPSC 2025 current affairs preparation, UPSC current affairs January 2025, UPSC 2025 daily current affairs, Best sources for UPSC current affairs 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs for prelims, UPSC 2025 current affairs for mains, Important current affairs for UPSC 2025, UPSC current affairs strategy 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs notes, UPSC current affairs PDF 2025, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 preparation, UPSC 2025 current affairs online classes, UPSC current affairs quiz 2025, How to study current affairs for UPSC 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs magazines, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 prelims and mains, Current affairs updates for UPSC 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs analysis, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 PDF download, UPSC 2025 current affairs important topics, UPSC reading comprehension tips, UPSC reading comprehension practice papers,  UPSC reading comprehension strategy, UPSC reading comprehension questions,  UPSC reading comprehension exercises,  How to improve reading comprehension for UPSC, UPSC reading comprehension question papers PDF,  Important reading comprehension topics for UPSC, UPSC reading comprehension passage solutions, UPSC reading comprehension best books, UPSC GS reading comprehension examples, UPSC Prelims reading comprehension preparation,