SHILLONG: Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Nihal Chand Meghwal, has stressed on equal participation of women in the Panchayati Raj system (read local governing bodies).
The issue of participation of women in local traditional institutions was discussed during the Union Minister’s meeting with MDCs of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) here on Wednesday. The MDCs, however, defended the practice of not allowing women to participate in the local bodies.
Expressing surprise at non participation of women in self-governing bodies in the State, Meghwal said, “On one hand lot of respect is being given to women in Meghalaya but on the other hand their right to participate in the local institutions is being curtailed.”
The Minister, meanwhile, asserted that the if the three-tier system is implemented in Meghalaya, then there will be more development, even as he said that the three-tier administration system was better than the two-tier system implemented in Meghalaya.
The State Government had submitted a proposal in this regard, the Minister recalled. He also assured full cooperation in terms of support and funds to Meghalaya for development of Panchayati Raj system (local bodies).
Reacting to a query about the recent ruling of the High Court of Meghalaya curtailing the power of local bodies, the minister said he was not aware of the matter and no one had informed him anything on the same.
