Ministry: 
Panchayati Raj
  • The Constitution (One Hundred and Tenth Amendment) Bill, 2009 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on November 26, 2009 by the Minister of Panchayati Raj, Shri C.P. Joshi.  The Bill was referred to the Department related Standing Committee on Rural Development (Chairperson: Smt Sumitra Mahajan), which is expected to submit its report within three months.
  • Article 243D of the Constitution provides that a minimum of one-third of the total number of seats filled by direct elections in the Panchayats shall be reserved for women.  The seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat.
  • Offices of Chairpersons in Panchayats shall be reserved for SC/STs and women in a manner to be prescribed the state legislatures.  The reservation shall be in proportion to the population of SC/STs in the state.  Also, a minimum of one-third seats shall be reserved for women among the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats. 
  • The Bill seeks to amend the article to enhance the quantum of reservation for women from one-third to one-half of the total seats in the Panchayats.  Similar reservation shall be provided among the total number of offices of Chairpersons.