50% quota for women now in Punjab’s civic bodies

Chandigarh, June 13 

The Punjab Cabinet today decided to increase women reservation in urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions from the existing 33 per cent to 50 per cent.

A Bill to amend the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911, and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, will be tabled in the Budget Session beginning tomorrow.

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The decision, taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, will enhance reservation for women in direct elections for members of municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats, gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads. This was one of the promises made by the Congress before the Assembly elections.

Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat, said the decision would help empower women and give them greater role in governance. The representation of women in the PRI offices will also be enhanced accordingly. — TNS