Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, said on Saturday that despite all progress, political parties found it difficult to find women candidates to contest gram panchayat (GP) elections. He was speaking at the inaugural function of International Day for Women organised by the zilla panchayat, and the District Federation of Women’s Associations here .
Mr. Madhwaraj said that the State government had provided for 50 per cent reservation for women in zilla panchayats, taluk panchayats and gram panchayats. It was difficult to find women candidates for GP elections despite their not fought on party name or party symbols.
Most government programmes such as drinking water, sanitation and pension schemes were targeted at the gram panchayat level. “Women should take interest in the gram panchayat elections to be held in May,” he said.
The State government had increased the revolving fund to the women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and increase credit limit to them to Rs. 2 lakh. The government had doubled the honorariums given to anganwadi workers and assistants, Mr. Madhwaraj said.
