women in local government in india

Women in Gram Panchayats

Smt. Suparna Ganguly

STATE INSTITUTE OF PANCHAYATS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL

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Official Document not to be quoted

Survey & Research Team S

1. Smt. Suparna Ganguly, SFM, SIPRD, Kalyani [Principal Researcher]

2. Smt. Aparajita Mukhopadhyay, Professor of Economics and Politics, Visva-

Bharati.

3. Sri Biswanath Chakrabarty, Sr. Lecturer, Belur Ramakrishna Mission College.

4. Sri Arindam Roy, Lecturer of Political science, Arambag College.

5. Smt. Basumitra Singh, Lecturer of Political Science, Bankura Christian College.

6. Sri Dipak Banerjee, Lecturer of Political Science, Burdwan University

7. Sri Partha Sarkar, Lecturer of Economics, Deptt. of HRD, Burdwan

University.

8. Dr. Purnendu Mandal, Researcher, Sarbamangala Pally, Maldaha

9. Sri Binoy Hazra, Part-time Lecturer of Political Science,

Vivekananda Mahavidyalaya, Burdwan.

10. Sri Vivek Majhila, Part-time Lecturer of History, Vivekananda

Mahavidyalaya, Burdwan.

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Team of Enumerators S

Sri Debashish Bhaduri, Library Assistant ,SIPRD

Sri Koushik Roy Chowdhury, Eneumerators

Sri Shankar Mukherjee, Eneumerators

Sri Sanjay Mandal, Eneumerators

Sri Tanmoy Sarkar, Eneumerators

Sri Sourav Mandal, Eneumerators

Sri Haradhan mal, Eneumerators

Smt. Jhuma Mukherjee, Eneumerators

Smt. Nupur Mandal, Eneumerators

Team of Data Classification, Compilation & Entry: S

1. Sri Sumit Gupta, Senior faculty member, SIPRD

2. Sri Aniruddha Bhattacharyya, Computer Operator, SIPRD

3. Sri Debashish Bhaduri, Library Assistant, SIPRD

4. Sri Himadri Chakrabarty, Project Assistant, SIPRD

5. Sri Nilanjan Jana, Project Assistant, SIPRD

Advisory Panel S

1. Prof. Apurba Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Professor of Political Science, Burdwan

University.

2. Sri Alok Kumar Mukhopadhyay, I.A.S.(Retd.), Ex-Director, S.I.P.R.D,

Kalyani, Nadia.

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CONTENTS S

Chapter 1 : Introduction 1.1 : History of Women’s participation in public arena in India 1.2 : History of Women’s participation in local government

(particularly in Panchayats) in West Bengal.1.3 : State’s interventions: The 73rd constitutional amendments in

the West Bengal Panchayats Act.1.4 : Survey of literature: With reference to both the pre-

amendment phase and the post amendment phase.1.5 : Research gaps.1.6 : Objectives and Hypotheses of the present project.

Chapter 2 : The Universe of the study2.1 : The methodology.2.2 : The locales .

Chapter 3 : Social and Political Background of the women members 3.1 : Age3.2 : Religion3.3 : Caste3.4 : Education3.5 : Occupational Distribution3.6 : Income Pattern 3.7 : Life style3.8 : Political background

Chapter 4 : Issues of Empowerment4.1 : Previous experience and exposure4.2 : Awareness : of self : of her gender : of women as a distinct group in the Panchayats4.3 : Perceptions : about the role : about the responsibility4.4 : Participation : in meetings : in scheme implmentation

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: in decision making4.5 : Capacity building : by self/group efforts : by institutional interventions from government / party

Chapter 5 : People’s Perception 5.1 : Of women about women in Panchayats 5.2 : Of others in the neighbourhood about these women

Chapter 6 : Experience with All Women Gram Panchayats.

Chapter 7 : Concluding Observations.

Tables

Charts

Boxes

Bibliography

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Tables:

Table No. Title Page No.1 District wise Women representation in three tiers of Panchayati Raj 11

2.1 Information pertaining to Universe 182.2 Informations on administrative set-up 212.3 District wise Gender indices and income 212.4 District wise available Health Services 222.5 The Basic Demographic data relating to studied districts 222.6 Profiles of the Gram Panchayats 24-25

3.1(a) District wise Sex-age distribution of Female members 283.1(b) District wise Sex-age distribution of Male members 293.1(c) Mean age of Female Representation 303.1(d) Mean age of Male Representation 303.2(a) Religion wise distribution of female members 313.2(b) Religion wise distribution of Male members 313.2(c) District wise Cross-section of Muslim representation 323.3(a) District wise Backward Caste Representation in Gram Panchayats 333.3(b) Caste pattern among Gram Panchayats Leaders (2003 - 08) 343.4(a) District wise Educational Status of Female Gram Panchayat members 353.4(b) District wise Educational Status of Male Gram Panchayat members 363.4(c) Sex-Education distribution among various Leaders of Gram Panchayats 363.5(a) District wise Occupation of female members of Gram Panchayts 383.5(b) District wise Occupation Male members of Gram Panchayats 393.5(c) Sex- Occupational distribution of various Panchayats’ Leaders 393.6(a) District wise Income distribution of Female members 413.6(b) District wise Income distribution of Male members 423.6(c) Income distribution of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan and Sanchalak 42

3.7 Standard of Living of Gram panchayats Leaders (2007) 443.8(a) District wise & Party wise distribution of Gram Panchayat members 453.8(b) Party wise distribution of Gram panchayats Leaders (2003) 453.8(c) District wise Political experience distribution of female members 463.8(d) District wise Political experience distribution of male members 463.8(e) Elected Seat wise Political experiences of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan and Sanchalak 464.1(a) Female members with political experiences 504.1(b) Co-relation between length of experiences and number of members 514.1(c) Distribution of Previous experiences as Panchayat representatives 514.1(d) District wise categorization of motivation of all female members 524.1(e) District wise exposure of the female members 544.1(f) District wise reflection of the position of the women members in the party 554.2(a) Reflection of family supports towards the female members performing their role 574.2(b) District wise reflection of the works done by the female members specially for the

women61

4.2(c) Gram Panchayat wise response of female members about their work-done beyond schemes

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4.2(d) District wise reflection of supporting Reservations by female members 634.2(e) Reflections of male members about the Reservation 644.2(f) District wise Scenario of Women Forums 674.2(g) Gram Panchayats wise Scenario of Women Forums 694.3(a) District wise reflections of Usage of Power by the female members 704.3(b) District wise reflection of knowing or not knowing the programmes of “Women 72

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and Child Development”4.3(c) District wise informations regarding functioning of Upasamity 734.3(d) District wise reflections of various procedures of making Planning of Gram

Panchayats76

4.4(a) District wise Reflection of Mode of communication 784.4(b) District wise Reflection of Implementing Schemes 804.4(c) Reflection of demand put before General Meeting of GP 824.5(a) District wise various Support Systems for the female members 884.5(b) Reflection of how does Party help the female members 894.5(c) Reflection of Constraints faced by the female members of 32 Gram Panchayats 914.5(d) Patriarchy Intervention: Actors of Decision making (In case of women members) 91-924.5(e) Suggestions given by the female members of 32 Gram Panchayats for making the

members more effective92

5.1 Female assertion by literacy and Religion 955.2(a) Female assertion by literacy and Religion 975.2(b) Association of the member with the people in All women GPs 975.3(a) District wise reflection of various mode of Contacts 985.3(b) Reflection of various mode of Contacts of all women Gram Panchayats 985.4(a) Frequency distribution on activities 1005.4(b) Frequency distribution on activities in all women Gram Panchayats 1005.5(a) Reflection of Supporters and Non-supporters in Female headed G.P.s 101

5.5(b) Reflection of Supporters and Non-supporters in all-women G.P.s 1015.6(a) District wise Impacts of Reservation 1015.6(b) Impact of Reservation in all women Gram panchayats 1025.7(a) District wise mode of Co-operation with Members 1035.7(b) Mode of Co-operation with Members in all women GPs 1035.7(c) Gram Panchayat wise percentage of Co-operation of the people with the members 1045.8(a) Distribution of dependency in sample districts 1055.8(b) Distribution of dependency in all women GPs 1055.9(a) Types of Dependency in sample Districts 1065.9(b) Types of dependency in all women GPs 1065.9(c) Types of dependency in sample Gram panchayats 1075.10(a) Source of Information 1075.10(b) Source of Information 1085.11(a) Support services from Member in sample districts 1085.11(b) Support services from Member in all women GPs 1086.1 (a) Profiles of the All Women Gram Panchayats 112

6.2 Reflection of Contest in All-Women Gram Panchayats 1146.3(a) 1206.3(b) 1206.3(c) 1206.3(d) 1206.3(e) 1216.3(f) 1216.3(g) 1216.3(h) 1216.3(i) 1226.3(j) 1226.3(k) 1226.3(l) 1236.3(m) 123

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6.3(n) 1236.3(o) 1236.3(p) 1246.3(q) 1246.3(r) 124

6.3(s) 124 6.3(t) 125 6.3(u) 125 6.3(v) 125 6.3(w) 125

Charts:

Table No. Title Page No.2.1 Detail of the Universe of this study 192.1 District wise population data (Census of India, 2001) 232.3 Gram Panchayat wise Health Set-up 262.4 Gram Panchayat wise Education Set-up 274.1 Flowchart of Women's Empowerment 495.1 District wise sample from various caste 96 6.1 Education Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats 1136.2 Health Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats 1136.3 Break –up of Contestant of all women GPs 1146.4 Suggestions for capacity building of women members given by the all-womenmembers 118

Boxes

Box No. Title Page No.1 Constitutional Provision 102 Women Problems 603 Works other than schemes done by the women 624 Harbour in the storm 685 Women Participation 876 Story of the stream 94

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Chapter – 1

“….. treat humanity , whether in their own person or in that of any other ,in every case as an end withal , never as means only”………. Kant

As Kant dreamt, in very recent years an emerging approach in developmental theory is “people-centricity” which focuses on “human well being” and “social opportunity”. Most probably this is the reflection of the learning of French Revolution, which has taken 300 years to germinate. (Arrow, 1963) (Sen, 1999). This approach is inspiring the local government to officiate as an actor of “Development” as well as “human development” for the establishment of the equity, equality and justice. It is, however, very tough to exercise the democratic rights in this sphere due to the existing configurations of power, influence and gender. This has been reflected in the Human Development Report, 1995, with a statement: “ Development, if not engendered is endangered.”

1.1 : History of Women’s participation in public arena in India

“Is there any thing better in a state than that both women and men be rendered the very best? There is not”…………………. Plato In a society with uneven distribution of resources both the access and control of any opportunity are in hands of the “Haves” but not in the hands of “have-nots”. Same picture of deprivation and inequality is true between men and women. In a country like India where social orientation is based on class, caste and gender, the picture of deprivation and inequality is appalling. So long the women were not considered as a social group in their own right, rather they were either included with men or totally ignored. In British India, social reformers like Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Raja Rammohon Roy, and Swami Dayananda Saraswati etc. first raised their voices for oppressed and suppressed women. Iswarchandra Vidyasagar espoused the cause of women-education and widow remarriage, Raja Rammohan Roy championed for the abolition of Sati and Dayananda Saraswati, resolutely opposed the child marriage. Behram Malabari and Ranade had given a new dimension to the struggle of women in India. After the First World War, 1914, Indian women joined the freedom struggle. Women’s organizations at all India level began to emerge in the early twentieth century with the agendas of advocacy of women’s sufferings, protest against child-marriage and reforming the personal laws. The Madras Legislature first provided women the voting rights in 1920. In 1928 Child Marriage Restraint Act was passed. In 1946, demands for equal rights and political representation by women were drafted in the Fundamental Rights of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly (1946). In post-independent India, Sarada Act provided an impetus to the battle for rights of Women. The passing of the Hindu Code Bill, 1955 and the provision of equal rights for women in the Constitution of India improved the status of women. In June 1954, the first post-war all-India organization of women, the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) was formed in view of at the impending socio-political issues.). In 1992, the National Women’s Commission followed by the state women’s commission was formed.

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1.2: History of Women’s participation in local government (particularly in Panchayats) in West Bengal.

The fact that women were denied knowledge of the existence of Women’s History decisively and negatively affected their intellectual development as a group ……………..Gerda Lerner, Historian

Just like any other state of India W.B. too has a partriarchal set-up characterized by subjugation of females. Though this subordination was glorified in the name of “Dem” or “Mother” and though the strength of women was recognized by the nationalist leaders; very few women could break free from social shackles owing to the pressure to conform to convention. The reforms of the 19th century encouraged the women to establish their identity through the formation of Mahila Samitees and Smt. Sarala Devi chowdhuri (1910) and Saroj Nalini Dutta (1913) were trailblazers in this respect. Subsequently, women participation increased during the non-co-operation movement (1921); Civil Disobedience movement (1931) & Quit India movememnt (1942). Both the Swadeshi movement & Gandhi-led Congress party inspired women of Bengal to play an active part in the freedom movement. The names of Bengali Girls like Kalpana Dutta, Kanaklata Barua, Preetilata Wadeddar have been immortalized in the Chittagong Armoury raid chapter of the Indian Freedom movement. The Tebhaga movement (1946-50) of Bengal witnessed significant contribution of women who formed brigades to make their presence felt.

In post-independence period, first two decades witnessed the web in women activities or movement in Bengal.Though the women’s involvement in politics suddenly increased between 1930 and 1947 particularly in Congress party but in 1952 they were not at all entertained at top political bodies. Women participation was an average 3.4 % in West Bengal State legislatures within 1952-97 (Seminar, September, 1997). After Independence, the Constitution of India provided the equal rights for men and women. In 1957, the Balwant Rai Mehta committee first prescribed women participation at grass-root democracy. In 1974, a report on the status of women (under the chairpersonship of Phulrenu Guha) entitled “Towards Equality” also called for removal of disparities against women. This report recommended the following three policy prescriptions:

A. Political parties should set a quota for women candidates,B. The establishment of women panchayats as a transitional measure and C. Alloting a block of seats to women in municipal councils.

It was in the sixth year plan (1980-85) when a separate section on Women’s development was included. The Committee on Panchayati Raj Structures (1977-78) emphasized the need for village level women’s organizations to influence both the implementing and monitoring aspects of development planning. In 1978, Ashok Mehta committee also recommended women’s participation not only in development but also in the direct decision-making process.

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BOX - 1 : Constitutional Provision1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee suggested provision for the co-option of two women

members in panchayats.2. Ashok Mehta Committee recommended two women securing the highest number of

votes among the women candidates take the seats reserved for them in panchayats.3. Only one or two women were co-opted in panchayats before 1992 in a group of 15 to

19 members.4. 33 percent reservation in all the three tiers of panchayati raj institutions for women.

1.3 : State’s interventions : The 73rd constitutional amendments in the West Bengal Panchayats Act.

For the interests of the weaker sections of the population, notably women, SCs and STs, an ammendment in the Constitution of India took place in the year 1993. This 73rd and 74th

Constitutional Amendments made it obligatory that one-third of the seats for women must be reserved for women. Not only that, in all the offices of the local governments, both in rural and urban areas, one-third of total seats should be reserved for the women. This ensures the participation of women in local decision-making process. Accordingly, through the amendment (1993) this reservation policy was incorporated in the West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973,. Not only that all the Gram Panchayats have constituted five (5) Upa-Samitis (introduced in the Act in 2003) among which “Nari O Sishu Unnayan O Samaj Kalyan” would look after the women and children. Participation of grassroot women at gram panchayats level has been also ensured by the amendment (1992) of West Bengal Panchayat Act putting the provision of Gram-sansad compulsory twice in a year. In 1993 election, it was found that at three tiers out of total seats 59.13 % were reserved out of which 35% seats were reserved for the women. But no reservation was allowed against the office-bearer post. This barrier was withdrawn in 1998.

Now it is already 14 years past after the amendments. This state has also witnessed the election of 2003. Present scenario of women participation in local governments has been depicted in the following table 1. This table shows that more than 33% seats are occupied by the women in 15 districts at gram panchayat level , in 11 districts at panchayat samiti level and in 11 districts at zilla parishad level . It is quite interesting that in Howrah zilla-parishad 38.23 % seats have been reserved whereas at panchayat samiti level there is less than 33% reservation for women. Women seats are also high in Purba-Medinipore (38.46 %). This table also reflects an interesting picture that two backward districts Malda (37.63 %) and Purulia (36.26 %) have witnessed highest number of seats reserved for the women. It has been seen from this table that on an average in all the districts 34.23 % seats at Zilla Parishad level , 33.64 % at Panchayat Samiti level and 34.94 % seats at Gram –Panchayat level have been reserved for women .

Table 1 : District wise Women representation in three tiers of Panchayati Raj

Districts Zilla- Parishad Panchayat Samiti Gram PanchayatTotalMembers

WomenMembers(%)

TotalMembers

WomenMembers(%)

TotalMembers

WomenMembers ( % )

Bankura 42 14(33.33)

496 172(34.68)

2742 978(35.7 )

Birbhum 35 12(34.28)

422 141( 33.41)

2361 844 (35.8)

Burdwan 68 23(33.82)

743 251(33.78)

4460 1580(35.43)

Cooch Behar 27 9(33.33)

339 118(34.80)

1880 667( 35.48 )

Dakshin Dinajpur 15 5(33.33)

178 62(34.83)

1009 354(35.08)

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Uttar Dinajpur 23 8(34.78)

272 93(34.19)

1595 568( 35.61)

Hooghly 47 16(34.04)

577 196( 33.97)

3418 1211( 35.43)

Howrah 34 13( 38.23)

433 142( 32.79)

2572 906( 35.23)

Jalpaiguri 32 11( 34.37)

388 136( 35.05)

2342 836( 35.7)

Malda 33 11(33.33)

385 131( 34.02)

2195 826(37.63 )

Murshidabad 60 20(33.33)

700 240(34.28)

4159 1479(35.56)

Nadia 41 14(34.14)

504 173(34.33)

3052 1080( 35.39)

Purulia 34 12(35.29)

391 135( 34.53)

2115 767( 36.26)

Purba Midnapore 52 20( 38.46)

604 203(33.61)

3480 1161( 33.36)

Paschim Midnapore 62 22( 35.48)

733 245( 33.42)

4073 1358(33.34)

North 24 Parganas 50 17(34.0)

549 190(34.61)

3233 1147( 35.48)

South 24 Parganas 67 23( 34.33)

843 290(34.40)

4904 1736 (35.4 )

Source: Tathya O Samiksha, 2003.

1.4 : Survey of Literature

. Now it is already 15 years past after Reservation. So many pros and cons of women participation in local governance as well as in rural development have been identified; so many arguments for and against women contribution have been stirred up through some research works. We have gone through some research works which can be classified as i) some dealing with the profile of the women members; ii) some dealing with their performance problem and empowerment, iii) Some dealing with the reservation and iv) some dealing with the identification of constraints and strengths of women members. Some works regarding women participation in West-Bengal are as follows:

G.K. Lieten, “Caste, Gender and Class in Panchayats: Case of Bardhaman, West Bengal”, Economic and Political Weekly, July 18, 1992, studied the women members in the district of Bardhaman. He had choosen purposively Memari block as the research field. His research question was about the background of the women members and about their mode of participation. His study reflected that most of the women members had contact with the public either socially or politically before their election. They were mostly from poor peasant-families and not with much education but very active in awareness generation amog rural women and against gender differences.

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Lieten also carried another study on women representatives at Ramnagar block of Midnapore which was reflected in “Rural Development In West Bengal: Views from below”, Journal of Contemporary Asia, Vol. 24, No. 4, 1994. In this study he covered 20 women members through interviews. Main Research question was about their socio-economic profile and advantages and disadvsntages of their public life. This study showed that most of the Women members were direct from the kitchen. They had no experience with politics. But most of them were with class VIII education level. They recognized the improvement of educational achievement and also about their liberty and free movement and access with the people after being elected.

Development Dialogue conducted one study in 1994, namely “Women in Panchayati Raj: A Study in West-Bengal” (unpublished), Kolkata. This study covered four districts purposively in Birbhum, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Murshidabad. They interviewed only 50 members, among which 4 were Pradhans and 7 were Upa-pradhans. The main research questions were whether the women representatives could perform smoothly or not; what were the impediments to their empowerment; what were the constraints against proper functioning etc. According to this study, women’s participation was not from the within. Lack of education, lack of awareness and information, traditional rural system etc were the primary constraints towards their proper functioning. Women members also confessed that non-co-operation of men folk outside the family and inside the family and their household responsibilities made them incapable of performing their roles in panchayats. According to general public women members were better from the view point of time management, capability, understanding, leadership but they were the prey of gender sensitivity.

Ashim Mukhopadhyay, “Kultikri: West Bengal’s only All-Women Gram Panchayat”, Economic and Political Weekly, June 3, 1995, did this case-study covering 13 members of Kultikri Gram Panchayat of Sankrail Panchayat Samiti of Paschim Midnapore. His research question was about the profile of the members and the performance of this all women gram-panchayat. This study showed that all the members were from the peasant –families having no significant academic background and without any experience of serving in any panchayat. But all the women functionaries were “articulate, active and effectively participating in decision making”.

Aurobindo Ghosh,”Inside-Outside Dichotomy in Panchayati Raj Institutions in West Bengal”, The Administrator, October-December 1997, showed the various contradictions towards women participation. He studied all the Panchayat Samitis of all the districts of West-Bengal except South 24 Parganas , Malda and Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad .The main research question was to find out the women representation in different standing – committees of the Panchayat Samiti and their assigned tasks . The study revealed that the women members were the prey of gender-biasness. Though the total strength of women members was 33.65 % , but the district-wise representation of women against the post of Karmadhyakshas was only 16.55 %. Regarding assignments it was found that women chairpersons were given the functions like, health, education, sports, social work etc. They were not given any tasks like, infrastructure development, land, forest, agriculture etc.

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Satyabrata Dutta , “ Impact of Women Empowermwnt : A pilot study of West Bengal Panchayats”,1998, ( Unpublished ) , Joshi-Adhikari Institute of Social Studies , Kolkata also showed how far women members are effectively participating in the local governance. This study covered three Panchayat Samities of three districts, namely, Murshidabad, Midnapore and North 24 Parganas as field. The main research question of this study was about the Impact and Incidence of women empowerment. This study showed that women were playing their roles properly though they were marginalized in some panchayats due to political opposition .The incidence of attending panchayat meetings and initiating proposals of development works was high. Due to exposure and empowerment the potentials of women functionaries were accelerated. This study showed that 75 % of the voters approached with the women functionaries directly and others got contacted with the political parties or any others. This study observed an attitudinal change towards the women’s role in the society but at the same time women problems (dowry, torture and violence against women etc.) were ignored.

Bhola Nath Ghosh ,”Women Leadership in Gram Panchayats : Prospects and Constraints” , Socialist Perspective , June-September 1999 , conducted the study in the district of Birbhum and Midnapore. The researcher selected three gram panchayats purposively from each of the districts and covered all the memers. The leading question was about the constraints faced by the women members and their prospects. This study portrayed that the women members were very active in identification of problems in their locality and capable enough to pursue any programme . Women were very much conscious about their legal rights ( property related or matrimonial cases ) and also making aware the village women regarding this . Women members identified constraints like, their financial dependence on other and lack of attitude towards life.

Nirmala Buch , conducted a study namely ,“Women’s experience in New Panchayats : The emerging leadership of Rural Women” , Occasional Paper no. 35, Centre for Women’s Development Studies , New Delhi ,2000 . The researcher covered three states, namely, Madhyapradsh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The National Commission on Women conducted a study in 2001 covering 100 women from each of the six states , namely ,Haryana , Madhyapradesh ,Orissa , Rajasthan ,Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh . This study also caught the voice of few male members of gram panchayats. The main research question was about the Men’s reaction to the Women participation in politics and in decision making . This report showed that women participation in politics had elevated the status of women inside and outside the family. Elected women representatives got weightage in the community.

Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee , has done a study , namely , “Social Background of Panchayat Leaders in West Bengal “, April ,2002 , Dasgupta & Co. Kolkata , mainly on socio-economic profile of the elected representatives of three-tier panchayats. The researcher had chosen the ditrict of Hooghly as the research field and covered leaders of 201 gram-panchayats , 17 Panchayat Samitis and Zilla-Parishad. Her research question was about the social and political background of the panchayat leaders . She compared the profiles of the Panchayat leaders elected in 1983 with that

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of 1988. This study showed that the average and typical leaders in West-Bengal are rather young and reasonably well-educated. Most of the leaders are from low-income group. It has been seen in this study that the panchayati raj is no monolith. Though this study covered little on women issues but it reflected an important feature of gender differences in this sector that is in leadership position women were still unnoticed .

Prabhat Dutta & Panchali Sen, have done an exploratory study named “ Women in Panchayats in West Bengal ” ,2003. They had chosen purposively Ausgram II block in the district of Burdwan as field because this block was matched with the research design. They carried the survey of 42 women members covering general caste , schedule caste , schedule tribes and Muslims , through some structured questionnaire and interviews and also by focus group discussions. The major research questions of this study were about the socio-economic and political background of the women members ; their perception about the panchayati raj and about their role ; problems identified by them towards performing their roles and the impact of the training on their role performance . This study identified that political intervention was one of the strong constraints towards the proper functioning of the women participants in panchayats. The issue of empowerment of the lady members should be tackled both at political and administrative levels. Not only that , it should be coupled with other issues ,like, economic independence etc. This study had also discussed the cross-state situation of women representatives . This work is very exemplatory but an indepth study based on stratified sampling could be done . Sampling was done covering all the communities but no reflection was there about different castes or communities .

Jasodhara Bagchi ,in“The Changing Status of Women in West Bengal, 1970-2000….. The Challenge ahead” (2005), a collection of articles , has illuminated women from various context as education,health and nutrition, demography, caste,ceconomic empowerment, political participation, culture, law and violence etc.

1.5 : Research Gaps

This brief review of existing literature portrays that all these works done by the eminent researchers have elevated our understanding about the background and strength and weaknesses of the women members but also reveals that there is a scope of indepth study regarding the women participation in politics and in rural development . Inspite of valuable contribution by researchers and scholars in this field,still there are some gaps as follows :

A. Active political participation means not only using the voting rights or contesting the vote but also performing duties and responsibilities towards people. How far the members are imparting their roles or responsibilities ,that has not been assessed yet.

B. Most of the studies have concentrated on women members , not assessed their counter part in panchayats or rural development . There has been very little efforts to compare and contrast the background of women members with that of male folk .

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C. After reservation women participation in panchayats has been increased .But whether they (women) are properly groomed or not or whether they (women) have their role clarity or not, there is no clear picture about this.

D . Very few studies in this field have caught the voice of the people to account the performance of the women members. People’s opinion regarding this issue has not been addressed.

1.6. In view of the overall discussion made above it has been felt that after fifteen years of implementing reservation it is time to see how women members are functioning in rural areas; whether they are cared and supported enough or not to serve for the people; whether the philosophy behind the reservation is established or not.

With this background, this study “Women at Gram Panchayats” has been taken by the State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development, Kalyani. supported by P & RD department and its SRD cell . Out of three tiers of Panchayati Raj , this study has focused only on Gram Panchayat level, with the following objectives :

to understand the social , political and economic background of the women members at Gram-Panchayat level.

To identify the perception of women members at G.P. about their roles and responsibilities.

to understand the familial , social ,political and administrative support for the performance of the roles

to enquire possible areas of natural strength & efficiency as well as limitations and constraints of women in performing their roles in the decision –making bodies.

To trace out the external factors faced by the women while functioning in the GPs. To elicit out the prescriptions done by the women members regarding the measures

improving their functioning.

Hypotheses

On the basis of these objectives following hypotheses can be formulated for empirical testing :

1. The socio-economic status is a significant factor towards discharging the responsibilities and effective part in decision making process of GP level .

2. For functioning in a political body, political facilitation is important.

3. Despite their natural strength and efficiency, some women functionaries can not properly perceive their roles and responsibilities.

4. Adequate administrative support from the official functionaries or any other support (training support, knowledge support, consultancy etc.) for capacity building are contributory factors in execution of entrusted roles and responsibilities.

16

Chapter 2

2.1 The present chapter attempts to discuss about the universe of the study i,e, the studied

areas where these hypotheses would be empirically tested at Gram Panchayat level. The study was designed and carried out according to the plan of SIPRD. Target was to cover at least 1% of the total GP in West Bengal. Though the task was very difficult, but multi-stage cluster sampling has been followed. The sampling was done in following stages :

A. Purposive selection of the Districts from the State.B. Random selection of Gram Panchayats.C. Random selection of individual respondants and covering all the

members. Out of 18 districts 8 districts namely, Jalpaiguri, Uttar Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Purulia, South 24 Parganas, Birbhum, Paschim Midnapore and Burdwan have been selected on the basis of following reasons :

1. Different types of ecological conditions have been covered ,2. Welfare measures taken up by the government differ to some extent.,3. Level of socio-economic empowerment of rural women also varies ,4. Different culture and political practice are there.5. A comparison is also possible.

Out of 3354 Gram Panchayats, target was to cover at least 33 Gram Panchayats (1% of total) as representative sample.. Therefore 4 Gram Panchayats ( 2 male headed GPs and 2 female headed GPs ) from each district have been chosen randomly. With these 32 Gram Panchayats 7 all women Gram Panchayats ------(Karishunda GP of Bankura, Shyambazar of Hooghly, Jenkapore, Jogardanga, Kultikari, Andari and Benachapra of Paschim Midnapore) have also been taken. As a result 39 GPs in total are universe of this study. Strategy has been taken for third stage sample i,e, about respondants that 100 villagers from each GP would be asked at random for this study and members of Gram Panchayats would be covered as maximum as possible. In this study more than 80 % of members have been covered. Therefore 3900 villagers ( both male and female ) and 526 members have been interviewed by the survey team .Attempts were made to select approximately an equal number of representatives of both sexes. Besides this some political leaders have also been covered. Field survey was done in two modes …….. A Villagers were met through questionnaires as they are in numbers and

B. Members of Gram Panchayats have been covered through ethnographic mode as they are few in number.

The uniqueness of the study lies in following the Ethnographic mode. Ethnography is very helpful to study a group or culture.This task is like an investigative reporter ….. Interviewing, reviewing records, weighing the credibility of different opinions, looking for special dimension and writing the report. This method has been chosen because through any traditional method respondants become very conscious and formal which may hide some

17

facts. But through ethnography more predictable patterns of human thought and behaviour can be explored. Some secondary data have also been used in this study to have an idea about the profile of the selected Gram Panchayats.

2.2 This part of this chapter attempts to describe the locales. The districts and the selected GPs have been portrayed in the following table:

Table 2.1: Information pertaining to Universe

Sl.No. Districts GP, female headed GP, male headed1. Jalpaiguri

Lankapara (Madarihat- Birpara block)

Falakata-I (Falakata)Madhabdanga I (Mainaguri)

Madarihat (Madarihat – Birpara block)

2 Uttar Dinajpur Goalpokhar (GoalpokharI)

Itahar (Itahar)

Panjipara

(Goalpokhar –1) Durgapur (Itahar)

3 MurshidabadNiallishpara Goaljan

(Baharampore)Salar (Bharatpur II)

Doulatabad

(Baharampore)Gurudaspur(Baharampore)

4 Bardhaman Baghar – II (Bardhaman) Salanpur (Salanpur)

Ryan (Bardhaman)Raina-1 (Raina)

5 Purulia Sonathali (Kashipur)Dhelatbamu (Barabazar)

Monihara (Kashipur)Majhidih (Jhalda II)

6 Birbhum Raipur-Supur (Bolpur)Kaitha – I (Nalhati –I)

Bautia (Nalhati-I)Hasan (Rampurhat –I)

7 South 24 Parganas

Moukhali (Bishnupur II)Na-hazari (Bishnupur –II)

Raidighi (Mathurapur –II)Gangasagar (Sagar)

8 Paschim Midnapore

Rani Sarai (Narayangarh)Talda (Dantan-II)

Binpur (Binpur-I)Shalbani (Narayangarh)

9. Bankura Karisunda (Indus block) -10. Hooghly Shyambazar -11. Paschim

MidnaporeAndhariKultikariBenachapraJenkapurJogardanga

18

Chart 2.1: Detail of the Universe of this study

67.04%

20.65%

5.68%7%

Pradhans

Upapradhans

sanchalaks

Members

2.2.1 District Profile

The district of Jalpaiguri is situated in the Northern part of West-Bengal, surrounded by Coochbehar in the South, Uttar Dinajpur in south -western part, Darjeeling in the North –west and Bhutan in North. This district belongs to the humid zone and is divided into 3 sub-divisions 1. Sadar 2. Mal and 3. Alipurduar

The district of Uttar Dinajpur is situated in the Northern part of West-Bengal at the south-west corner of Jalpaiguri and surrounded by Dakshin Dinajpur and part of Maldaha in the South, Darjeeling in the North . This district belongs to the humid zone and is divided into 2 sub-divisions 1. Raiganj and 2. Islampur

The district of Murshidabad is situated in the eastern part of West-Bengal, surrounded by Bardhaman and Nadia in the South, Birbhum in south -western part, and Maldaha in North. This district belongs to the plain zone and is divided into 5 sub-divisions 1. Sadar 2. Kandi3. Jangipur4. Lalbagh5. Domkal

19

The district of Birbhum is situated in the Northern central part of West-Bengal, surrounded by Bardhaman in the South, Murshidabad in the east and Bihar in the North –west . This district belongs to the dry zone and is divided into 3 sub-divisions 1. Sadar 2. Bolpur and3. Rampurhat

The district of Bardhaman is situated in the central part of West-Bengal, surrounded by Hugli in the South, Bankura in south -western part, Birbhum in North and Nadia in the east. This district belongs to the rain fed zone and is divided into 6 sub-divisions 1. Asansol2. Durgapur3. Burdwan North4. Burdwan South5. Katwa and6. Kalna The district of Purulia is situated in the western part of West-Bengal, surrounded by Orissa in the South , Jharkhand in the North , and part of Burdwan and Bankura in the East. This district belongs to the dry zone and is divided into 3 sub-divisions 1. Sadar (East) 2. Sadar (West) and3. Raghunathpur

The district of Paschim Medinipur is situated in the Southern part of West-Bengal, surrounded by Orissa in the South, Bankura and part of Purulia in North , Howrah and South 24 Parganas in the East and Hugli in the North-east. This district belongs to the dry zone and is divided into 4 sub-divisions 1. Sadar 2. Jhargram3. Kharagpur and 4. Ghatal The district of South 24 Parganas is situated in the southern part of West-Bengal, surrounded by bay of Bengal in the South, part of North 24 parganas in the East , part of Purba Medinipur is in West, Kolkata and Howrah in North. This district belongs to the saline zone and is divided into 5 sub-divisions 1. Alipur,2. Baruipur, 3. Canning ,4. Diamond Harbour and5. Kakdwip

Basic informations about the administrative set-up of the districts have been presented in the following table :

20

Table 2.2: Informations on administrative set-up

Name of Districts Area (Sq.K.M.)

No.of GP

No. of GS

No.of Blocks

No.of Mouza

No. of Villages

Jalpaiguri 6227 146 2075 13 756 742Uttar Dinajpur 3140 99 1422 9 1504 1477Murshidabad 5324 254 3633 26 2210 1925Birbhum 4545 167 2138 19 2473 2256Burdwan 7024 277 3857 31 2529 2438Purulia 6259 170 1913 20 2683 2468Paschim Medinipur 9786 290 3491 29 8701 7580South 24 Parganas 9960 312 4324 29 2139 2086

Source : District Statistical Handbooks ,2005

District wise informations regarding income and gender indices have been portrayed in the table no. 2.3. Column 8 states the per capita income and accordingly the rank has been shown in column 9. Column 6 states gender development index of the districts and its rank has been presented in column 7. From the income context Burdwan is on the top but from the gender view Paschim Medinipur occupies the crown and Burdwan becomes the second topper. In the context of gender development lowest performer is Purulia which has same rank (16) in Per capita income. From income context among our universe Uttar Dinajpur occupies the last position.

Table 2.3 : District wise Gender indices and income.

Name of Districts

IMR CBR’98-‘99

Literacy rate

School enrollment rate

GenderDevelopment Index

Rank Per capita income(Rs.)

2000-01

Rank in

2000-01

Jalpaiguri 62 27.4 63.62 51.9 0.4512

16749.07 4

Uttar Dinajpur 62 34.6 48.63 49.6 0.4610

11182.86 18

Murshidabad 62.8 29.9 55.0549.8

0.4115

13392.39 15

Birbhum 57 22.8 62.1657.5

0.4214

12791.72 17

Burdwan 69.4 23.8 7160.8

0.547

17537.98 3

Purulia 61.5 26.0 56.14 54.1 0.416

13044.67 16

Paschim Medinipur

66 24.8 75.17 70.7 0.555

15526.01 9

South 24 Parganas

67.4 23.6 70.16 63 0.518

13630.22 14

Source: Census of India, 2001.

21

Table 2.4 presents Health access and services.

Table 2.4 : District wise available Health Services

Name of Districts

Population using adequate sanitation facilities

Population using improved water re sources

No. of Dis-trict Hospital

No. of referral

Hospital

No. Of P.H.C.

No.of Sub

centres

No. of dispensaries

No.offamily welfre centres

Jalpaiguri 17.7 98.1 1 114 38 537 68 527Uttar Dinajpur 9.3 99.5 1 5 22 344 3 355Murshidabad 13.5 99.4 1 19 70 832 50 31

Birbhum 13.9 99.3 1 10 58 484 123 428Burdwan 32.4 99.3 0 -- 103 765 1013 798Purulia 8.1 93.8 1 14 73 485 48 472Paschim

Medinipur9.1

(Undivided)99.0 0 -- 84 858 949 763

South 24 Parganas

11.3 99.2 1 -- 63 1068 271 40

Source : District Statistical Handbooks ,2005

Chart 2.2 has portrayed the informations on demography which is supported by the census data depicted in table 2.5 Among our sample districts South 24 pargana is the highest populated (6906689) district and Uttar Dinajpur is the least populated (2441794) district. Minority population is the highest in Murshidabad (63. 67 %) followed by Uttar Dinajpur (47.36%) and is least (5.25%) in the district of Purulia. Jaipaiguri is in the highest position at SC population (36.99%) followed by South 24 Parganas (32.12 %). Jalpaiguri is also in the front in case of ST population (18.87 %).

Table 2.5 : The Basic Demographic data relating to studied districts

Name of the Districts

Population(%) SC Population(%)

ST Population(%)

MinorityPopulation(%)

Jalpaiguri 3401173 (4.24) 1248577( 36.71 )

641688( 18.87 )

369195(10.85)

Uttar Dinajpur 2441794 (3.04) 676582( 27.71 )

124865( 5.11)

1156503(47.36)

Murshidabad 5866569 (7.31 ) 703786( 12.00)

75953( 1.29 )

3735380(63.67 )

Birbhum 3015422( 8.6 )

889894( 29.51 )

203127(6.74 )

1057861(35.08)

Burdwan 6895514( 3.7 )

1860754( 26.98 )

441832( 6.41 )

1364133(19.78)

Purulia 2536516( 2.84 )

408706( 16.11 )

456573( 18.00 )

180694(7.12)

Paschim Medinipur

4688434( 8.61 )

937340( 19.99 )

772177( 16.47 )

1088618(23.22)

South 24 Parganas

6906689( 6.47 )

2218376( 32.12 )

84766( 1.23 )

2295967(33.24)

Source : Census of India ,2001.

22

Chart 2.2 : District wise population data (Census of India, 2001 )

Population SC ST Minority

South 24 parganas

Paschim Midnapore

Purulia

Birbhum

Burdwan

Murshidabad

Uttar Dinajpur

Jalpaiguri

Source : Census of India ,2001 ; Statistical Abstract ,Govt. of W.B., 2005.

2.2.2 : Profiles of the Gram Panchayats

Profiles of the 32 Gram Panchayats have been depicted in table 2.6. It has been found that female literacy in all the Grampanchayats is more or less at the same level which is on an average 40 % except two Gram Panchayats, namely, Goalpokhar of Uttar Dinajpur (29.1 %) and Majhidih (21.1 %) of Purulia district. It is interesting that Lankapara GP of Jalpaiguri district has the quite high sex ratio (1009) where patriarchal values still hold sway and Salanpur GP of Burdwan district shows the lowest sex ratio (889) . ST dominated GPs are Goalpokhar (95 %) of Uttar Dinajpur and Baghar II (92%) of Burdwan District. Highest SC population is found in Madhabdanga –I (73.3 %) of Jalpaiguri district.

Basic amenities i, e, health and education of sample GPs have been portrayed in chart 2.3 and chart 2.4. All the GPs of Paschim Midnapur have stressed on education as we see 150 primary school, 35 SSK, 32 MSK and 31 secondary school are in Ranisarai, Binpur; Salbani and Talda. On the other hand three GPs of Jalpaiguri district are forward in Health. Highest number of ICDS centres (106) and subcentres (8) are in Madarihat, Falakata and Madhabdanga I. Lankapara only possess only 1 dispensary.

23

Table 2.6 : Profiles of the Gram Panchayats

Districts Gram Panchayats

Population (%) 0-6 population (%) SC (%) ST (%) Sex Ratio

Literates Area

Total M FTotal M F Total M F Total M F

Total M F

Jalpaiguri

Lankapara 17731 49.8 50.2 14.7 66.2 11.1 49.2 50.8 21.4 49.2 50.8 1009 43.4 63.1 36.9

Madarihat 21428 51.03 48.9 15.6 50.4 49.6 15.2 51.5 48.5 30.4 51.2 48.8 960 48.7 59.1 40.94401.3 A

Falakata-I 18801 51.1 48.9 -

- - 21.57 - - 1.144 - 955.2 1150 A

Madhabdanga-II 14708 51.6 48.4 15.9 51.6 48.4 73.3 51.7 48.3 0.2 53.6 46.4 939 58.7 59.2 40.8

Uttar Dinajpur

Panjipara29946 52.6 47.4 21.9 51.2 48.8 18.1 51.2 48.8 3.8 49.3 50.7 901 36.2 65.6 34.4

38sq. K.m.

Goalpokhar 19540 51.3 48.7 23.8 49.6 50.4 6.2 51.9 48.1 9.5 49.2 50.8 949 21.8 70.9 29.1 Durgapur

25398 51.9 48.1 19.1 50.8 49.2 38.6 51.4 48.6 3.9 53.3 46.7 927 45.3 62.8 37.23862.3 H

Itahar31959 51 49 19 50.8 49.2 35.3 51.2 48.8 5.3 48.7 51.3 961 42.8 61.7 38.3

3472.6 H

Murshidabad

Daulatabad23404 51.4 48.6 16.6 49.9 50.1 3.2 50 50 1.8 49 51 946 46.2 53.5 46.5

2173.6 A

Gurudaspur 22232 51 49 16.8 50.8 49.2 3.3 52.8 47.2 3.9 48.9 51.1 946 43.9 54.2 45.8 2588 HNiallisahpara-Goaljan

17679 50.7 49.3 16.9 50.6 49.4 19.1 49.7 50.3 0.9 47.8 52.2 970 54.2 56.9 43.1 Salar 27218 50.7 49.3 16.1 51.2 48.8 11.3 50.1 49.9 0.5 52.2 47.8 971 47.9 56.9 43.1 1588 H

Burdwan

Rayan-I31350 50.9 49.1 13.3 50 50 24.1 51.1 48.9 4.2 49.7 50.3 961 60.1 57.1 42.9

30.96sq.km

Baghar-II12660 51.9 48.1

--

-- -- 37.04 52.9 47.1 9.2 49.9 50.1 924.9

Salanpur 9260 52.9 47.1 12.9 49.6 50.4 38.1 51.3 48.7 2.2 51.5 48.5 889 57.5 62.5 37.5 Raina

14967 51.1 48.9 12.2 50.7 49.3 35.2 50.4 49.6 4.5 48.2 51.8 955 65.5 57.1 42.920.8sq.km

24

Districts Gram Panchayats

Population (%) 0-6 population (%) SC (%) ST (%) Sex Rati

o

Literates Area

Total M FTotal M F

Total M F

Total M F

Total M F

Purulia

Manihara9752 50.8 49.2 18.6 50.2 49.8 21 49.8 50.2 8.2 50.3 49.7 971 61.9 61.1 38.9 --

Sonathali12424 51.3 48.7 15.6 51.1 48.9 27.7 51.4 48.6 20.5 50.9 49.1 951 47.7 68.2 31.8 --

Majhidih10291 51.7 48.3 17.5 52.5 47.5 7.1 52.3 47.7 25.8 52.7 47.3 933 38 78.9 21.1 --

Dhelatbamu 12623 49.8 50.2 17.7 51.8 48.2 7.5 50.8 49.2 14.8 50.1 49.9 1009 38.4 69.5 30.5 --

Birbhum

Bautia 17052 51.6 48.4 17.1 50.2 49.8 42.7 51.8 48.2 6.9 51.9 48.1 938 54.7 60.5 39.5 29sq.km.Kaitha-1 16589 51.4 48.6 16.8 49.8 50.2 35.2 51.4 48.6 0.01 100 0 947 52.3 59.2 40.8 --Hasan-II

1263952.0

4 47.96 18.3 52.8 47.2 31.5 52.9 47.1 0.01 100 0 921 54.9 59.9 40.1 --Raipur- Supur

21679 51.4 48.6 13.8 52.4 47.4 31.3 51.6 48.4 15.6 50.4 49.6 946 56.6 58.6 41.4 --

Paschim Midnapore

Ranisarai 14375 51.7 48.3 15.4 50.5 49.5 13.8 51.7 48.3 38.1 51.6 48.4 932 56.7 61.7 38.3 3047.3 HTalda 15016 50.7 49.3 15.1 51.4 48.6 4.2 51.5 48.5 12.2 50.7 49.3 973 63.5 58.1 41.9 2681.4 HBinpur 15607 50.7 49.3 15.2 51.5 48.5 26.5 50.6 49.4 25.4 49.5 50.5 925 56.5 60.7 39.3 --Salbani

20620 50.8 49.2 13.7 49.9 50.1 21.5 49.4 50.6 13.6 51.1 48.9 970 59.6 58.6 41.4 13.06sqkm

South 24 Parganas

Moukhali13903 50.3 49.7 9.8 48.6 51.4 3.9 52.1 47.9 0.39 51.9 48.1

987.4 71.8 55.7 44.3 -

Nahazari20423 50.9 49.1 17.1 50.8 49.2 31.3 51.5 48.5 0

961.2 52.5 58.7 41.3 --

Raidighi24957 51.9 48.1 15.4 50.2 49.8 32.7 52.4 47.6 1.2 51.3 48.7

923.6 57.5 61.8 38.2 --

Ganga Sagar27602 51.4 48.6 16.3 16.3 49.2 34.9 50.9 49.1 0.72 54.5 45.5

946.6 63.3 59.1 40.9 -- -

Total

Source : Census , 2000 ; Panchayat Chalchitra ; Secondary Records from GPs.

Chart 2.3 : Gram Panchayat wise Health Set-up

25

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

LankaparaMadarihatFalakata-I

Madhabdanga-II

PanjiparaGoalpokhar

DurgapurItahar

DaulatabadGurudaspur

Niallisahpara-Goaljan

SalarRayan-IBaghar-IISalanpur

RainaManiharaSonathali

Majhidih

Dhelatbamu

BautiaKaitha-1Hasan-II

Raipur- Supur

Ranisarai

TaldaBinpurSalbaniMoukhaliNahazariRaidighi

Ganga Sagar

PHC

Sub Centre

FWC

CHW

MCW

ICDS

Dispensary

Others

Chart 2.4 : Gram Panchayat wise Education Set-up

26

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

LankaparaMadarihatFalakata-I

Madhabdanga-II

PanjiparaGoalpokhar

DurgapurItahar

DaulatabadGurudaspur

Niallisahpara-Goaljan

SalarRayan-IBaghar-IISalanpur

RainaManiharaSonathaliMajhidih

Dhelatbamu

BautiaKaitha-1Hasan-II

Raipur- Supur

RanisaraiTaldaBinpurSalbaniMoukhaliNahazariRaidighi

Ganga Sagar

SSK

Primary School

MSK

Secondary School

H.S. School

Madrasa

CEC

College

Library

Others

27

Chapter – 3

Any human being is guided by his own attitudes and beliefs based on his or her grooming. Though attitudes and beliefs are not constant over time, but they influence the activities, empowerment or capacity, power of assimilation or conception. Therefore we consider the socio –economic parameters to know the profile of the sample. Political background also may be considered with it because it reflects the attitude towards life which guides any person on positive or negative track. Otherwise the study may be considered as inconsistent and irrelevant. So, we have taken the following parameters to judge the orientation of the sample :

1. : Age2. : Religion3. : Caste4. : Marital Status5. : Education6. : Occupational Distribution7. : Income Pattern 8. : Life Style9. : Political background

3.1 AGE Age is one of the determinates of examining the panchayts elected functionaries. In our traditional society control & access of any decision making lie in the hands of the elder people. By the study of age we would try to find out whether in this variant society batton of the relay race of Panchayat leadership has been handed over to the younger group by the elder group or not. Trends and patterns of the age of the women member have been reflected in the following table:

Table: 3.1(a) District wise age distribution of Female members.

Name of the District

No. of Female

Member

18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 Above 65

Jalpaiguri 13 0 2 6 2 3 0Uttar Dinajpur 27 1 13 11 2 0 0

Birbhum 21 2 14 4 1 0 0Burdwan 22 3 11 7 1 0 0

Murshidabad 28 0 10 15 3 0 0Purulia 18 1 8 5 3 1 0

Paschim Medinipur 26 3 10 7 6 0 0South 24-Parganas 26 3 11 7 5 0 0

Total 181 13 79 62 23 4 0

% 100 7.18 43.64 34.25 12.70 2.20 0Source : Field Survey,2007

28

Table: 3.1(b) District wise age distribution of Male members.


No. of Male Member

18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 Above 65


Birbhum 27 0 8 8 8 1 2Burdwan 26 1 5 11 6 1 2


Paschim Medinipur 35 0 7 12 13 3 0South 24-Parganas 45 1 5 17 13 2 7

Total ( %) 266 2(0.8%)

52(19.5%)

95(35.7%)

81(30.5%)

16(6.02%)

20(7.5%)

Source : Field Survey,2007

From table 3.1(a) it is very clear that concentration of age is 26-35. Maximum female candidate (43.64 %) of this age group has joined in the politics. Next high-frequency category is the age group 36-45. 34.25 % women members are from this group. Number of younger (18-25) girls participating in Panchayat is lesser. In this context the women representatives expressed their views that from 2003 election, relatively young women in the village had not shown their interest in the electoral politics at Gram Panchayat level. The reasons behind this attitude are – (a) educated young women are more interested in involving in the job outside of the village than serving as a Panchayat member at the GP level. (b) Women in general do not want to contest the election because they don’t want to get involved in the day-to-day party politics.

29

HMe Bl NË¡jl EµQ¢n¢ra jul¡ NË¡jl f’¡ual ¢ehÑ¡Qe fË¡bÑ£ qa Q¡ue¡ z Jl¡ NË¡jl L¡Sl bL ¢eSl L¡SL …l¦aÆ cu hn£ z f’¡ual pcpÉ¡ qJu¡l bL h¡Cl ¢Nu Q¡Ll£ Ll¡L hn£ fË¡d¡eÉ cu zfËbj ¢cL ¢n¢racl jdÉ f’¡ual ¢ehÑ¡Qe cy¡s¡e¡l Ty¡L ¢Rm z HMe HLV¥ hn£ fs¡öe¡ S¡e¡ jul¡ f’¡ual L¡SL pkaÀ H¢su Qm zAeL j¢qm¡ Bh¡l NË¡jl cm£u l¡Se£¢aa k¤š² qa Q¡e e¡ zNËj Hje ¢n¢ra j¢qm¡ BRe k¡l¡ ¢nrLa¡ h¡ AeÉ L¡e¡ L¡S LlRez a¡l¡ f’¡ual L¡SL H¢su Qme zf’¡ual Bb k¤š² qJu¡ j¡eC a¡ L¡e¡ e¡ L¡e i¡h cm£u l¡Se£¢aa S¢su fs¡ je Lle a¡l¡ z Now-a-days educated young girls of the village don’t want to be the candidate at Gram Panchayats. They give more importance on their own works rather than village-works. Taking any jobs outside the village is their prority rather than to be the member of village panchayats. Initially there was an intention among the educated people to stand in the panchayat election. Now highly educated women carefully avoid the works of Panchayats. Even some ladies do not want to join the village party politics. Some women of this village are so much educated that they are engaged in teaching or other jobs but they avoid panchayats. They think that joining panchayats means involvement with party politics.

Sri Joydeb Moule ; Member ;

Same picture is found in case of female older people i.e. above 65. Older women are less participating in Panchayats as they have been discarded by the family as well as party. At the same time elder male members (above 65) participate more in panchayat rather than elder female. Here lies also gender biasness.

Besides 26-35 age-group concentration is also found in 36-45 age group for female. In case of male member highest concentration is on (36-45) age group and next is 46-55 years. Participation of 18-25 age group is too few in case of male.

All Women Gram Panchayats also reflect the same results that of women members (see chapter 6). Taking the age of all the women respondants [both table 3.1(a) and 6.2] the mean age of female representation has been reflected in table 3.1(c) and that of male has been depicted in table 3.1(d).

Table: 3.1(c) Mean age of Female Representation.

Age-Group

Class boundary

Frequency(Fi)

Mid-point of class width(Xi)

(FiXi) Mean-age

18-25 17.5-25.5 18 21.5 387

X =ΣFiXi/Σfi =36.10769

26-35 25.5-35.5 120 30.5 366036-45 35.5-45.5 88 40.5 3564.046-55 45.5-55.5 29 50.5 1464.556-65 55.5-65.5 4 60.5 242.0

Above 65 65.5> 1 70.5 70.5Total 260 9388


Table: 3.1(d) Mean age of Male Representation.

Age-Group

Class boundary

Frequency(Fi)

Mid-point of class width (Xi)

(FiXi) Mean-age

18-25 17.5-25.5 2 21.5 43

X =ΣfiXi/Σfi =44.90602

26-35 25.5-35.5 52 30.5 158636-45 35.5-45.5 95 40.5 3847.546-55 45.5-55.5 81 50.5 4090.556-65 55.5-65.5 16 60.5 968

Above 65 65.5> 20 70.5 1410Total 266 11945


Comparative Discussion

Our study clearly leads to the conclusion about the age of Panchayat leadership as follows:-

It has been reflected in table 3.1(d). Average age of female members is 36.10 i.e. 36 years.Comparatively the average age of male representatives is 44.91 i.e. 45 years. This implies that male leadership enters into panchayats at later age after getting three e’s i.e., experience, exposure and efficiency. Comparatively due to reservation female members are chosen at earlier age without three e’s.

30

It has been found that maximum span of leadership qualities in female sustain from 26 years to 45 years that is 20 years. Beyond 45 years number declines. But in case of male members maximum leaders are chosen from the age group 26-55 years. This implies that male leaders are getting more chance since 30 years.

Older women have limited scope to represent in panchayats rather than male member. 6% elder male (56-65 years) and 7.5% of older male (above 65) participate in panchayats. But comparatively less than 1% from elderly age group (56-65) and no women from above 65 years represent in panchayats. Our finding of lion’s share of young participants imply that yoke of development has been transferred from the shoulder of older to younger.

3.2 Religion

Religion is an important parameter, which illuminates the religious communal composition of leadership and its reflection on the political preference of the society. It is very pertinent in our state where multi-communal plural society exists. In our rural Bengal other minorities except Muslims are too few to represent leadership. Therefore minority represents only. The Muslims religious composition of women representation and that of male representation are depicted in the table 3.2(a) and 3.2(b).

Table 3.2(a): Religion wise distribution of female members.

Name of the District Total Female Member

Hindu Muslim % of Muslim members

Others

Jalpaiguri 13 13 0 0 0Uttar Dinajpur 27 17 10 37.04 0

Birbhum 21 15 6 28.57 0Burdwan 22 17 5 22.73 0

Murshidabad 28 12 16 57.14 0Purulia 18 18 0 0 0

Paschim Medinipur 26 26 0 0 0South 24-Parganas 26 23 3 11.54 0

Total 181 141 (77.90%) 40 22.10Source : Field Survey ,2007

Table 3.2(b): Religion wise distribution of Male members.

Name of the District Total Male Member


Others

Jalpaiguri 22 22 0 0 0Uttar Dinajpur 49 27 22 44.90 0

Birbhum 27 17 10 37.03 0Burdwan 26 21 5 19.23 0

Murshidabad 38 12 26 68.42 0Purulia 24 24 0 0 0

Paschim Medinipur 35 37 0 0 0South 24-Parganas 45 38 7 15.55 0

Total 266 198 70 26.31 0Source : Field Survey ,2007

31

From these tables it is clear that no Muslim has occupied any leadership position in Jalpaiguri, Purulia and Paschim Medinipur. Maximum Muslim both male and female members are found in Murshidabad where Muslim population is the highest in West Bengal.(Table2.5 ) More than 50% female representation is in Murshidabad, whereas Muslim male leaders of panchayts are 68.42%. Next highest representation of Muslim women is in Uttar Dinajpur (37.04 %) where 44.89% male muslims participate in panchayats. In the district of Birbhum where Muslim population is 35.02 %, there 37% male representation and 28.57% female representation are Muslim.

3.2(c): District wise Cross-section of Muslim representation.

Name of the District Muslim population (%)

Muslim Male Representation (%)

Muslim Female Representation (%)

Jalpaiguri 10.85 0 0Uttar Dinajpur 47.36 44.90 37.04

Birbhum 35.08 37.03 28.57Burdwan 19.78 19.23 22.73

Murshidabad 63.67 68.42 57.14Purulia 7.12 0 0

Paschim Medinipur 23.22 0 0South 24-Parganas 33.24 15.55 11.54Source : Census,2000 & Field Survey ,2007.

According to the Muslim population in four districts namely Murshidabad ,Uttar Dinajpur ,Burdwan and Birbhum (Table 3.2(c)) the minority community has contributed a proportionate representation in Panchayats. But in South 24-Parganas Muslims are not well-represented (Table 3.2(d)) and surprisingly minority community remains totally unrepresentative in Jalpaiguri, Purulia and Paschim Midnapur.

Comparative discussion

.From the above tables we can conclude that -------------

Out of 8 districts, only in 4 districts (Birbhum,Burdwan , Murshidabad & Uttar Dinajpur) the minority Muslim community is adequately and proportionately represented at the lowest tier of PRIs. In other 4 districts the Hindus have enjoyed unchallenged and unqualified supremacy at GP level. This Hindu majority can be explained as follows:-

(1) Hindu monopoly has been carried over historically as the Indian Independence movement was dominated by the Hindu community.

(2) Educational & occupational lackings of Muslim community is another cause.

Muslim candidates are chosen more proportionately in 4 districts namely Burdwan ,Birbhum, Murshidabad & Uttar Dinajpur in order to capture the muslims vote-bank.

32

Muslim female representation is comparatively low in proportion in the districts of Birbhum and Murshidabad and proportionately higher in Burdwan also due to high minority population.

Muslim leadership is disproportionately low in South 24-Parganas due to consolidated Hindu strength.

3.3 Caste

Caste is another important parameter to guess the type of leadership according to social stratification in West Bengal. It denotes the members’ placement, access and control in panchayats. Though in West Bengal is still there which can be realized in case of marriage or any rituals. In our sample GPs we have got three types of castes – General, SC, ST and Others. District-wise caste distribution has been presented in table 3.3(a) and 3.3(b).

3.3(a): District wise Backward Caste Representation in Gram Panchayats.


SCPopulation

(%)

SC female representation

& %-age

SC male representation

& %-age

STPopulation

(%)

ST female representation

& %-age

ST male representation

& %-ageJalpaiguri 36.71 4

(30.76)7

( 31.8 )18.87 3

(23.07)3

(13.63 )Uttar Dinajpur 27.71 9

( 33.33)17

(34.69 )5.11 1

(3.70 )2 ( 4.08)

Birbhum 29.51 10( 47.61)

11( 40.74)

6.74 2( 9.52)

1 ( 3.70)

Burdwan 26.98 5( 22.72)

9( 34.61 )

6.41 0 1 (3.84 )

Murshidabad 12.00 4( 14.28)

9(23.68 )

1.29 3( 10.71)

1 ( 2.63)

Purulia 16.11 4( 22.22)

2(8.33 )

18.00 4(22.22 )

7 ( 29.16 )

Paschim Medinipur

19.99 9(34.61 )

8(21.62 )

16.47 6(23.07 )

9 ( 24.32)

South 24-Parganas 32.12 12(46.15 )

16( 35.55) 1.23

0 0 ( 0 )

Source : Census of India ,2000 & Field Survey ,2007

Character of the caste system has been changed by the modern politics putting emphasis on the demand for special privileges in Education, Jobs and legislative opportunities for interest groups.

From the table 3.3(a) it is seen that the caste distribution of GP leaders is disproportionate. SC & ST population having highest in Jalpaiguri (57.94%) has given female representation is (53.84%). Female high caste representation exists in Burdwan,

33

Bj¡cl HM¡e LÉ¡¢äXV ¢WL qu i¡V¡l …e z k¡l ka hs¡ f¢lh¡l,a¡l Q¡¾p aa hn£z Ol …Z …Z fË¡b£ ¢WL quz

Here candidate gets nomination according to his / her voters. The more voter, there is more chance of getting nomination. Sri Kalam Sk. ; Member ; Niallishpara-Goaljan, Baharampur, Murshidabad

Uttar Dinajpur and Murshidabad, having highest backward class population (54.94%). Jalpaiguri has contributed 53.84% female SC-ST representation. But having next highest SC-ST population (38.46%) Purulia has low scorer about her caste (SC/ST) female leaders (44.44%). This may be because of low female literacy rate (37.15%) in Purulia. Burdwan being third topper in SC/ST population has failed to contribute in panchayats providing lower caste female leadership (22.73%). Comparatively SC female representation is higher in South 24-Parganas (46.15%) where SC population is only 17.01%. A major percentage of female leaders have joined GPs in Birbhum (57.14%) & Paschim Medinipur (57.69%).

It is quite surprising that backward male members (Table 3.3(a)) participate lesser in panchayats than female SC/ST members. In 8 districts average 43% backward women represent in gram panchayats whereas only 40% male representation on behalf of backward class is possible. Lowest SC-ST male representation is in Murshidabad (26.32%) and highest is in Paschim Medinipur (45.95%).

..3.3 (b) : Caste pattern among Gram Panchayats Leaders (2003 - 08)

Designation Sex Total No.

SC (%) ST (%) Gen upper

caste(%)

Gen Minority(%)

Others

Pradhan F 21 7 (33.33)

2 (9.52) 10(47.62) 2 (9.52) 0

M 16 4 (25) 1 (6.25) 9 (56.25) 2 (12.5) 0Upa-

PradhanF 13 4(30.77) 3 (23.07) 5 (38.46) 1 (7.69) 0M 17 5(29.41) 2 (11.76) 9 (52.94) 1(5.88) 0

Sanchalak F 52 13 (25) 14(26.92) 23(44.23) 2(3.85) 0M 55 15

( 27.27)4 (7.27) 29(52.73) 5(9.09) 0

Source : Field Survey , 2007

Table 3.3 (b ) reflects the male and female representation of various caste in 39 GPs . Among 21 female pradhans 10 are from upper caste, 2 are Muslims, 7 are SCs and 2 are STs. This indicates that upper caste representation (47.62%) is very close to that of backward caste (42.86 %). Concentration of lower castes is found in case of female Upa-pradhans and Sanchalaks .But in case of 16 male Pradhans ,17 Upa-pradhans and 55 Sanchalaks uppercaste representation is found .

Comparative discussions :

Depending on the above analysis of field data, we have the following findings :

(1) High castes female members have been enjoying privileged position in the district of Burdwan, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Purulia and South 24-Parganas.

(2) Male representation from Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes in all the districts is less than 50% and comparatively lesser than female representation.

(3 ) Lower castes are possessing the lion’s share against office-bearer posts among women and the opposite scenario is found in case of male members.

34

3.4 Education

In 1911, Lenin pointed out : “The first aim of our party at the forthcoming Fourth Duma elections is to educate the masses….”. Education is such a powerful parameter, which is necessary for any value judgement, any political participation or any decision making. Our sample shows [ the table 3.4(a) ] that most of the female members of Paschim Medinipur (38.46%) and Burdwan (50%) have education of Madhyamik level Educational attainment of majority of the female members of Jalpaiguri (76.92%) & Uttar Dinajpur (66.66%) are either upto class VIII or Madhyamik. Most of the members of South 24-Parganas (38.46%), Murshidabad (57.14%), Birbhum (47.62%) and Purulia (50%) are of the level of class VIII.

3.4(a): District wise Educational Status of Female Gram Panchayat members.


Illiterate(%)

Neo-literate(%

)

Primary(%)

Upto Class-VIII (%)

Madhya-mik(%)

Higher Secondary

(%)

Graduate(%)

Post Graduate

(%)

Jalpaiguri 0 1(7.69)

2(15.38)

5(38.46)

5(38.46)

0 0 0

Uttar Dinajpur

1(3.70)

3(11.11)

4(14.81)

9(33.33)

9(33.33)

1(3.70)

0 0

Birbhum 3(14.29)

1(4.76)

2(9.52)

10(47.62)

4(19.05)

0 1(4.76)

0

Burdwan 0 1(4.55)

1(4.55)

5(22.73)

11(50.00)

2(9.09)

2(9.09)

0

Murshidabad 2(7.14)

2(7.14)

1(3.57)

16(57.14)

5(17.86)

1(3.57)

0 1(3.57)

Purulia 2(11.11)

2(11.11)

0 9(50.00)

2(11.11)

3(16.67)

0 0

Paschim Medinipur

0 0 3(11.54)

7(26.92)

10(38.46)

4(15.38)

2(7.69)

0

South 24-Parganas

1(3.85)

0 1(3.85)

10(38.46)

9(34.62)

3(11.54)

2(7.69)

0

Total 9(4.9 )

10(5.52)

14(7.73)

71(39.23)

55(30.39)

14(7.73)

7(3.86)

1(0.55)

Source : Field Survey ,2007

35

3.4(b): District wise Educational Status of Male Gram Panchayat members.


Illiterate Neo-literate

Primary Upto Class-VIII

Madhyamik Higher Secondary

Graduate Post Graduate

Jalpaiguri 0 0 2(9.09)

4(18.18)

8(36.36)

5(22.73)

2(9.09)

1(4.55)

Uttar Dinajpur

1(2.04)

1(2.04)

4(8.16)

17(34.69)

13(26.53)

6(12.24)

7(14.29)

0

Birbhum 1(3.70)

1(3.70)

2(7.41)

5(18.52)

11(40.74)

3(11.11)

3(11.11)

1(3.70)

Burdwan 0 1(3.85)

2(7.69)

6(23.08)

7(26.92)

4(15.38)

6(23.08)

0

Murshidabad 0 3(7.89)

3(7.89)

14(36.84)

8(21.05)

3(7.89)

7(18.42)

0

Purulia 0 0 6(25.00)

11(45.83)

1(4.17)

1(4.17)

5(20.83)

0

Paschim Medinipur

1(2.78)

2(5.56)

0 9(25.00)

13(36.11)

7(19.44)

3(8.33)

1(2.78)

South 24-Parganas

0 0 4(8.89)

14(31.11)

13(28.89)

5(11.11)

8(17.78)

1(2.22)


Table 3.4 (c ) : Sex-Education distribution among various Leaders of GramPanchayats

Designation Sex Total Number

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X

Pradhan F 21 0 0 3 2 8 6 2 0 0 0

M 16 0 0 0 4 3 4 5 0 0 0

Upa-pradhan

F 13 1 1 1 5 4 1 0 0 0 0

M 17 0 0 0 1 10 0 6 0 0 0

Sanchalak F 52 3 1 2 20 17 5 2 1 0 1

M 55 1 1 0 15 20 9 8 0 0 1

Source : Field Survey ,2007 [N.B.- I-Neo-literate; II- Literate without formal schooling; III- Primary IV- Upto class VIII; V- Madhyamik; VI- Higher Secondary; VII- Graduation VIII- Post Graduation; IX - Vocational Diploma; X - Illiterate]

36

Highest number of illiterate female members is found in Birbhum (14.29%) which is followed by Purulia (11.11%). There are no illiterate female members in the district of Paschim Medinipur, Jalpaiguri and Burdwan.

Out of 8 districts there is only 1 female member possessing post-graduate degree in Murshidabad. She is only 1 among 181 female members i.e. a nominal percentage (0.55) of female members attain post graduation. Same picture is about graduate members. They are very few (3.87%). Table 3.4(c) implies that out of 7 all women GPs 6 GPs have maximum 6 GPs members (38%) with education upto class VIII. Post-graduate members (3) are more. Taking into consideration of all the female members (Table 3.4(a) and 6.6) concentration is found on the educational level upto Class VIII. Average 37.69% members are of this category.

Next concentration is found on Madhyamik level (29.23%). Comparatively educational attainment is better in case of male members ( table 3.4 (b) ). The educational ranges in case of male members are bigger than that of female. Most of them (85.77%) are in the range of class VIII standard to Graduation. 1.5% Postgraduate male members are also found. Table 3.4 (c) represents the educational attainment of various panchayats’ leaders. Out of 21 female pradhans 8 have education of madhyamik standard i,e, 38.09 % pradhans qualify madhyamik . 6 Pradhans (28.57 %) have passed higher secondary and 2 pradhans (9.52%) are graduate. At the same time 3 pradhans (1 4.28%) have qualified the Primary education. Comparatively male Pradhans are qualified more than the female. They have covered the range from class VIII to Graduation. Few illiterate or Neo-literate or literate without formal schooling are found in case of female and male Upa-pradhan or Sanchalaks. Our field experience suggests that women representatives are lacking in “Quality” education. Most of them are below Madhyamik standard. During interview they confessed that they couldn’t read & write well to discharge their duty. Pradhan of Kaitha-I Gram Panchayat, Jahanara Bibi told that she would never participate in election because she had to depend on Upa-pradhan solely due to lack of education. Or, Neo-literate member Taslima Bibi, of Salar GP, Murshidabad disclosed her wish to go through any government order or notice or any official letter herself instead of office-staffs.

37

"Bj¡l c¤:M qu ¢WLja¡ fs¡öe¡ L¢l¢e hmz fs¡öe¡l Ai¡h f’¡ual L¡NSfœ…-m¡ ¢WLja¡ fsa f¡¢le¡z h¤Ta f¡¢le¡ plL¡l£ Bcnz ph pjuC ka qu f’¡ua LjÑ£, fËd¡e h¡ cml AeÉ L¡e¡ pcpÉl L¡R zLMe¡ LMe¡ a¡l¡ AeÉ L¡S hÉÙ ¹ b¡Lez Bj¡L Afr¡ Lla quzL¡e¡ ¢LR¥ mM¡a ¢Nu AeÉl à¡lÙÛ qa m‹¡ quz fs¡öe¡l Ai¡hC f’¡ual L¡S Lla ¢N-u e¡e¡ lLj Ap¤¤¢hd¡l pÇj¥M£e qa quz fs¡öe¡V¡ M¤h Sl¦l£ f’¡ual L¡S ¢pWLi¡h S¡e¡, h¡T¡l SeÉz"I regret, as I could not study well. I can’t read the papers of panchayats or can’t understand the GO due to lack of education. Everytime, I have to depend on any panchayat staff or pradhan or any member of my party. Sometimes they are also busy in other works; in that case I have to wait. I am ashamed of depending others to write something. I have to face so many difficulties in panchayats due to lack of education. Education is very much necessary to perform the panchayat works effectively and to understand the works.

Anawara Bibi, Member, Na-hazari G.P.

But Mukti Mandal, Pradhan of Niallishpara-Goaljan of Baharampur, Tripti Dey, Pradhan of Falakata, Ramu Mandal, Pradhan of Moukhali or Nupur Ghosh, member of Karisunda are exceptional in this regard. Table 3.4 (c) denotes that out of 21 female pradhans 3 are primary standard ,2 ( 9.52 % ) are from Class VII standards , 8 (38.09 %) are Madhyamik pass , 6 ( 28.57 % ) have qualified Higher Secondary level and 2 (9.52 %) are Graduate. No Male Pradhan is of Primary standard. They have covered from class VIII to Graduate. Most of female Upa-pradhans are of VIII class standard and most of male Upa-pradhans are of Madhyamik standard. Most of Sanchalaks, either male or female are either Madhyamik or class VIII standard.

Comparative discussion :

From the above analysis summary can be drawn as follows –(1) Most of the female members (39.23%) possess educational level upto class

VIII.(2) Majority of Female members (85.08%) cover the educational range from

Primary to Higher Secondary. Whereas majority of male members (85.77%) have covered the education level from VIII to Graduation. Hence quality of Education of male members is better than that of female.

(3) Leadership of illiterate female members in Gram Panchayats (4.97%) is more than that of male (1.12%).

(4) There are very few leaders, both male and female, who can be described as exceptionally well qualified.

3.5 Occupation

Occupation is a vital parameter for measuring social background of the leaders because it build up one’s attitude, preference pattern and political outlook. It indicates the class in which the leader belongs to. Occupational pattern of female male leaders & all women GP representatives has been portrayed in the following tables.

Table 3.5 (a): District wise Occupation of female members of Gram Panchayts

OccupationDistricts

Jalpaiguri

Uttar Dinajpur

Murshidabad

Birbhum Burdwan Purulia Paschim Medinipur

South 24-Pgs

Total

Agricultural Labour 1 1 0 4 1 2 5 5 19 (10.5)Bargadar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Farmer 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4Rural Artisan 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 5Small Business 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1Grocery Shop 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2Other Kind of Shop 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1Teacher 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 4Service 0 2 6 0 5 2 5 0 20 (11.1)Working in Voluntary Organization 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1No definite profession 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 6Whole time party worker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Day labour 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1House wife 8 22 20 13 12 7 12 15 109 (60.2)Others 2 0 1 0 1 2 1 1 8Total 13 27 28 21 22 18 26 26 181


38

Table: 3.5(b) :District wise Occupation of Male members of Gram Panchayats

OccupationDistricts

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajp

ur

Murshidabad

Birbhum Burdwan Purulia Paschim Medinipur

South 24-

Parganas

Total

Agricultural Labour

2 26 19 13 10 12 16 15 113 (42.5)

Bargadar 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1Farmer 0 4 0 2 0 9 7 1 23 (8.6)Rural Artisan 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 4Small Business

6 7 10 2 3 0 3 15 46 (17.3)

Grocery Shop 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1Other Kind of Shop

0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3

Teacher 2 5 2 3 1 2 3 8 26 (9.8)Service 3 2 2 1 1 0 2 1 12 (4.5)Working in Voluntary Organization

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

No definite profession

3 2 0 0 6 0 0 2 13 (4.9)

Whole time party worker

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2

Day labour 2 0 1 1 3 0 0 1 8House wife 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1Others 3 1 3 1 1 0 2 1 12 (4.5)Total 22 49 38 27 26 24 35 45 266


Table 3.5(c): Sex- Occupational distribution of various Panchayats’ Leaders

OccupationGPs

Female Pradhan

Male Pradhan

Female Upapradhan

Male Upapradhan

Female Sanchalak

Male Sanchalak

Agricultural Labour 1 6 2 3 7 26Bargadar 0 0 0 0 0 0Farmer 1 2 0 2 1 4Rural Artisan 1 0 0 0 3 3Small Business 0 2 0 4 1 11Grocery Shop 0 0 0 0 0 0Other Kind of Shop 0 0 0 0 1 0Teacher 2 2 0 2 0 6Service 4 0 2 1 3 1Working in Voluntary Organization

0 0 0 0 0 0

No definite profession 1 2 1 4 0 2Whole time party worker

0 1 0 0 0 0

Day labour 1 0 0 0 0 0House wife 10 0 7 0 34 0Others 0 1 1 0 2 2Total 21 16 13 17 52 55


Table 3.5(a) clearly indicates that most of the female members are “Housewife”. 34.4% female in all women GPs and 60.2% female in other GPs are without any occupation except “Housewife”. Next popular occupation is service where 11% women members are engaged. Our survey denotes that three women render their services as

39

ICDS worker, Health Worker, Sahayika etc. But in all women GPs second option is agriculture where 17.7% women members are engaged. Rural artisan is also another occupation, which very few members have taken as their occupation.

Male members’ choice (Table 3.5 (b)) is agricultural labour. 42.5% male members are engaged in this profession. Second option is small business where 17.3% concentration is found. Third occupation found according to concentration (9.8%) of male members is Teachership. Teaching as a profession of female members is very low rated (2.2%). 8.6% male representatives are farmer by profession.

Our study makes it evident that most of the leaders come from few definite occupational groups. They are from agriculture or small business or service or housewife. Teachers have weak presence in the leadership in panchayats.

It is very interesting that though very few whole-time party workers have come in leadership of gram panchayats, but none is there from this occupation among female members. No definite profession is of 3.3% female members and 4.9% of male members. Among 21 female pradhans there are significant representation of housewife (10), teachers (2) and Service holder (4). Most of the male Pradhans are agricultural labours. There are also representation from Teacher and Small Businessmen. Most of the female Upa-pradhans are housewife and agricultural labour whereas majority of male upa-pradhans are businessman. A large portion of Sanchalaks is Housewife and that of male sanchalaks is agricultural labours and small businessman.


Our study on occupational pattern shows that –

1. there is a major representation of unemployed among the female leaders. Most of them are housewife, dependant on husband on male member of her family. But no unemployed among male members is seen.

2. A significant representation of employed female members (either engaged in primary sector or in service sector) are found in panchayat leadership. Among them few members are principal earners of household.

3. There is a significant representation of farmer groups as agricultural labour or cultivator among panchayat leaders.

4. Political whole-timers have a very negligible presence in the panchayat leadership and it is quite absent among female leaders.

5. though very insignificant but some panchayat members at GP are working in voluntary organization.

6. No other profession or vocation noticeable presence in the panchayat’s leadership.

7. Our field experience indicates that a new source of earning has been emerged recently. Most of the female members are the Secretary of the Self-Help Groups in their constituencies. This type of activity is providing some

independent earning to women representatives; which is directly encouraging them to remain in the Panchayat Activity.

40

3.6 Income

Income is an important indices which reflects economic status of a respondent. Though a true picture may not come as it solely depends on leader’s true response, which is not always forthcoming or reliable.

Our data regarding income of the elected functionaries of gram panchayats have been presented through table 3.6(a), table 3.6(b) and table 3.6(c).

3.6(a): District wise Income distrubution of Female members.


Upto Rs. 1000/-

Rs. 1001-2000/-

Rs. 2001-4000/-

Rs. 4001-10000/-

Above 10,000/-

Total Seat

Jalpaiguri 11 1 1 0 0 13Uttar Dinajpur 10 9 5 2 1 27

Birbhum 10 3 8 0 0 21Burdwan 8 6 3 5 0 22

Murshidabad 18 4 3 3 0 28Purulia 10 2 3 0 3 18

Paschim Medinipur 9 10 4 3 0 26South 24-Parganas 12 7 3 4 0 26

Total 88(48.6%)

7(23.2%)

30(16.6%)

17(9.4%)

4(2.4%)

181


41

""..... ü¢eiÑlN¡ù£l NWe Bjl¡ j¢qm¡ pcpÉl¡ p¢œ²uz Bjl¡ BeL j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡l¡C ü¢eiÑl N¡ù£l p¢Qh ¢qp¡h L¡S Ll¢Rz N¡ù£l AbÑ°e¢aL L¡Sl p¡b k¤š² qJu¡u Bj¡l ja¡ c¢lâ pcpÉ¡l¡ ¢LR¥ l¡SN¡l Ll¡l p¤¤k¡N f¡µRz gm f’¡ual L¡SLjÑ pÇfLÑ Bj¡cl BNËq b¡LRz Bj¡l ja¡ c¢lâ f¢lh¡ll pcpÉ¡cl f’¡ual L¡S k¤š² qJu¡ ¢hm¡¢pa¡ R¡s¡ ¢LR¥C euz ¢L¿¹¥ ü¢eiÑl N¡ù£l L¡S k¤š² qJu¡u ¢LR¥ BbÑ°e¢aL p¤¤¢hd¡ f¡¢µRz gm BN¡j£ ¢ceJ f’¡ual L¡Sl fË¢a BNËq bL k¡hz....''“…….We, the female members are very active in formation of SHGs. Many of us are acting as secretary of self-help groups. Poor members like me have got an opportunity to earn something through the economic activities of the group. As a result we find interest in panchayat activities. To the poor members like me, it is a foppery to be engaged in panchayat works. But due to the economic opportunities from self-help groups we will be still interested about pancayat works in ensuing days ………” Smt. Rina Gayen , Upa-pradhan ,

3.6(b): District wise Income distribution of Male members.


Upto Rs. 1000/-

Rs. 1001-2000/-

Rs. 2001-4000/-

Rs. 4001-10000/-

Above 10,000/-

Total Seat


Birbhum 9 9 5 3 1 27Burdwan 10 10 4 2 0 26



Total 87(32.7%)

73(27.4%)

53(19.9%)

36(13.5%)

17(6.4%)

266


These tables have classified the members’ in terms of certain income groups . Upto Rs. 4000/- people belongs to lower income group, Rs. 4000-10,000/- middle income group and above Rs. 10,000 is high income group. A scrutiny of table 3.6(a) indicates that all over 8 districts 48.6% members’ monthly income is upto Rs. 1000/-, 23.2% members earn per month within Rs. 1001 & Rs. 2000/-, 16.6% member’s income is in third range i.e. Rs. 2001/- to Rs. 4000/-; 9.4% members belong to income group Rs. 4001- Rs. 10,000 per month. Very few (2.2%) earn more than Rs. 10,000/- per month.

Comparatively male members (Table 3.6(b)) belong to better economic status than that of female members. 6.4% male leaders earn more than 3.5% male members have monthly income less than Rs. 10,000/- and above Rs. 4000/-. 32.7% male members have income less than Rs. 1000/- per month. That means in a family per capital monthly income is less than or equal to Rs. 2000/-. 27.4% male members possess monthly income less than Rs. 2000/- and above Rs. 1000/-.

3.6(c): Income distrubution of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan and Sanchalak.

Income Group Pradhans Upa-Pradhans SanchalaksFemale Male Female Male Female Male

Less than Rs. 1000

5 (23.81) 3 (18.75) 6 (50.0) 2 (9.52) 18 (34.62)

15 (27.27)

Rs. 1001- Rs. 2000

6 (28.57) 3 (18.75) 4 (33.33) 3 (14.29) 16 (30.77)

21 (38.18)

Rs. 4001- Rs. 6000

2 (9.52) 1 (6.25) 0 1 (4.76) 8 (15.38) 4 (7.27)

Rs. 6001 – Rs. 8000

0 1 (6.25) 1 (8.33) 0 0 2 (3.64)

Rs. 8001 – Rs. 10000

1 (4.76) 0 0 2 (9.52) 1 (1.92) 3 5.45)

Above Rs. 10000 2 (9.52) 4 (25.0) 0 7 (33.33) 0 1 (1.82)Total 21 16 12 21 52 55


42

In the table 3.6(c) it has been shown that out of 21 female pradhans, 16 members (76.19%) belong to lower income group. 3 (14.28%) pradhans belong to middle income group and only 2 members (9.52%) are in higher income group.

Out of 16 male Pradhans 10 pradhans (62.50%) are in lower income group; 2 (12.50%) pradhans (one in middle-income group and 4 pradhans (25%) belong to higher income group.

Out of 12 female upa-pradhans most of them (91.66%) are in lower income group. Only 8.33% of femjale Upa-pradhans are in middle-income group. Male Upa-pradhans are in better situation than female. 52.32% male Upa-pradhans are in lower income group; 14.28% male upa-pradhans are in middle-income group and 33.33% upa-pradhans belong to higher income group.

Out of 52 female Sanchalaks 82.70% members belong to lower income group, 17.30% are in middle-income group and there is non in higher income group.

81.81% of male Sanchalaks have emerged from lower income group, 10.91% Sanchalaks are in middle incomke group and 1.82% members belong to higher income group.

It is found from this table that representation of middle and higher income group is higher income group is highest in the seats of Pradhan (30.65%), then in seats of Upa-pradhan (28.0 %) and lowest in seats of Sanchalak (17.75%).


From the above discussion we have the following findings about income pattern of elected representatives of Gram Panchayats

1. Most of the female members (88.4%) are from lower income groups. More distressing picture in all women gram panchayats where 93.71% members are from lower income group.

2. Quite distressing condition is in Birbhum and Jalpaiguri where are no female representations from higher or middle-income groups.

3. Financial conditions of male members are comparatively better than that of female irrespective of elected posts.

4. There is a clear correlation between political hierarchy and income hierarchy.

3.7 Life-style

To study the class differentiation of the leaders, occupational data or income are not sufficient. With occupation & income , life-style of the leaders must be considered. In this context we put the questions about their possession of house, sanitation, water, education of children etc.

Most of the members at the GP level told that they have their own house and own latrine. Out of 528 members, 220 members own pucca house, and 301 members own kuccha house and 7 members dwell in rented house. Table 3.7 have presented the data about quality of life of gram panchayat representatives. 57% elected representatives dwell in kutcha house and 41.67% members have own pucca house. Opposite picture in case of Pradhans. 54% of Pradhans dwell in own pucca house and 43% dwell in kutchha house.

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Table 3.7 : Standard of Living of Gram panchayats Leaders (2007)

Particulars Members Pradhans Upa-Pradhans

Sanchalaks Total

House Own pucca 148 20 (54.05) 14 38 220Own kuccha 202 16 (43.24) 16 67 301

Rented 4 1 0 2 7Sanitation Sanitary Latrine 289 34 (91.89) 29 (96.67) 86 (80.37) 438

No Sanitary Latrine

65 3 1 21 90

Drinking Water

Own Tubewell 128 17 (45.95) 15 241Community Tubewell

124 10 8 37 179

Community Well 19 3 0 9 31Tap Water 52 7 6 14 77

Child Education

Provide Child Education

318 32 24 95 469

No Child Education

35 0 0 12 59


But in this context it may be remember that ownership in rural area doesn’t imply personal or 82.95% of panchayat leaders have sanitary latrine and 17% members do not have their own latrine. 8% Pradhans and 20% Sanchanlaks have not yet any latrine.

45.64% Members have their own tube well. 33.90% members use community tube well and 14.58% members use tap water of “Swajaldhara”. 5.87% members (mostly from Bankura, Purulia and Birbhum) depend on community well. Majority of the members of Murshidabad and South 24-Pargans have arsenic-free drinking water system in their houses.

About children’s education most of the representatives (88.83%) informed that their children are involved in Education. 14.58% members’ children are not involved in Education. In this context there is no clear data about the members having no children or having quite older children.


From the above discussion it is clear that -Though most of the female members are house wife and of lower income group and though their standard of living is not above average but they have fulfilled their minimum needs, i.e., a roof on their heads, sanitary latrine and portable drinking water. Above all, they are also in search of better future rendering education to their children. This proves that inspite of abject poverty attitude of the members towards life has been changed. In this context it may be added that most of the elected female members pointed out that their involvements in panchayats’ activity have deprived them of taking care of their children.

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3.8 Political Background

In order to understand the status of our women representatives political and ideological planes must be searched out. Political background is a complementary factor with Social background to get a complete picture of the actors of the field. In our study it has been seen that most of the women representatives joined politics particularly in time of Panchayat election. Our experiences clearly indicate that majority of the women members contested in the election in 1998 and 2003 due to the reservation of seats, which were represented previously either by their husbands or fathers –in-law or brothers or any male family members. 55.38% women members contested the election, 2003 without any political experience.

The Panchayati Raj leadership in our universe is characterized by an overwhelming dominance enjoyed by the CPI(M) and other left parties. Party affiliations of 8 districts have been described in the following table 3.8(a).

3.8(a): District wise & Party wise distribution of Gram Panchayat members.


Total Seat

AIFB AITC BJP CPI(M) INC JMM RSP CPI IND

Jalpaiguri 35 6 0 0 25 0 0 4 0 0Uttar Dinajpur 73 3 2 3 25 31 0 1 3 5

Birbhum 55 2 0 2 31 14 0 3 1 2Burdwan 64 1 1 0 62 0 0 0 0 0

Murshidabad 76 0 0 0 33 36 0 3 3 1Purulia 41 1 11 1 24 3 0 0 0 1

Paschim Medinipur 59 0 1 0 48 0 0 0 1 9South 24-Parganas 72 0 24 4 40 3 0 0 0 1


Table 3.8(b) : Party wise distribution of Gram panchayats Leaders (2003)

Political Party

Pradhan Upa-Pradhan Sanchalak MemberFemale Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

CPI(M) 14 7 7 8 32 28 106 75AIFB 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1AITC 2 0 0 1 1 0 6 14BJP 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2INC 1 2 2 2 4 7 9 20JMM 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0RSP 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 4CPI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0IND 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1


45

3.8(c): District wise Political experience distribution of female members.


Total 0-5 yrs 5-10 yrs 10-15 yrs 15-20 yrs 20-25 yrs 25-30 yrs Above 30 yrs

Jalpaiguri 13 7 0 3 0 1 1 1Uttar Dinajpur 27 20 4 1 0 0 1 1

Birbhum 21 11 7 2 1 0 0 0Burdwan 22 13 3 2 2 0 2 0

Murshidabad 28 25 0 1 1 1 0 0Purulia 18 11 3 3 1 0 0 0

Paschim Medinipur 74 39 18 7 5 2 2 1South 24-Parganas 26 18 6 2 0 0 0 0

% of members 55.38 15.77 8.08 3.85 1.54 2.31 1.15Source : Field Survey , 2007

3.8(d): District wise Political experience distribution of male members.


Total 0-5 yrs 5-10 yrs 10-15 yrs 15-20 yrs 20-25 yrs 25-30 yrs Above 30 yrs


Birbhum 27 4 8 2 3 4 2 4Burdwan 27 1 5 4 6 3 3 4

Murshidabad 38 7 2 3 0 0 2 4Purulia 24 11 6 0 1 3 1 2

Paschim Medinipur 37 15 4 4 2 2 3 7South 24-Parganas 45 9 12 4 3 6 2 9

% of members 32.84 18.28 8.58 10.07 9.70 6.72 13.81Source : Field Survey , 2007

3.8(e): Elected Seat wise Political experiences of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan and Sanchalak.

Terms Pradhans Upa-Pradhans SanchalaksFemale Male Female Male Female Male

Less than 5 years 10 4 6 4 36 185 yrs – 10 yrs 4 3 4 4 8 410 yrs – 15 yrs 3 1 2 2 5 1115 yrs – 20 yrs 3 1 1 0 2 420 yrs – 25 yrs 0 2 0 4 1 525 yrs – 30 yrs 0 2 0 0 0 4Above 30 yrs 1 3 0 3 0 9

Total 21 16 13 17 52 55Source : Field Survey , 2007

46

From Table 3.8(b) it is clear that most of the pradhans upa-predhans, Sanchalaks & Members are from CPI(M) party. Next party is Indian National Congress (INC) from which a large number of members have joined in Gram Panchayats. Next concentration is found in AITC, BJP has no contribution except 4 members. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is found only in Binpur, Paschim Medinipur.

Table 3.8(c) and table 3.8(d) denote that the distribution of political experiences among male members is more distributive rather than that of female members. Most of the members both male & female have joined recently in 2003. Experienced members are less in female category rather than male. 15.77% of members having experiences of 5-10 years and 8.08% female members with 10-15 years are found at Gram Panchayat levels. Very few have the experiences more than 15 years. Especially Birbhum, Purulia and South 24-Parganas are lacking experienced members more than 20 years.

But in male category 13.81% members are quite experienced with more than 30 years and 10.07% members have the experience of 15-20 years. Table 3.8 (e) denotes that most of the Pradhans (47.61%) have experience of less than 5 years. 19.04 % of female Pradhans have experience of 5- 10 years. 14.28% female with experience of 10-15 years and 14.28 % female with experience of 15-20 years are officiating as Pradhans. There is only one Pradhan having experience of more than 30 years.


From the above discussion we can say that –1. CPI (M) Party and the left parties had been enjoying practically unchallenged

authority at the GP level.2. At GP level besides INC there are also other political presence in the opposition.3. Our experiences clearly indicate that majority of female members contested in the

election 2003 GP election due to the reservation of seats, which were represented previously either by their husbandes or in-laws.

4. Comparatively male members have more experience rather than female and therefore aged people are found any male leaders.

47

Conclusion

Our experience regarding the socio-economic and political profile of elected representatives in the GPs under consideration is mixed.

Our survey indicates that younger women have come to bear the risk and responsibility of panchayats instead of older though they are coming due to reservation at the earlier age without any experience and exposure. They also are lacking Education due to which their performance are not upto the mark.

There is lower caste representation in GP level among female members. Though the minority representation varies from district to district, overall Hindu dominance is there.

Most of the women members are both socially and economically impoverished, they have to live their life in a state of utter penury. Problems are even more acute if we take a look at the tea-garden based GPs, or drought-prone GPs of Purulia or remotest GPs at the border area of Uttar Dinajpur where the minimum standard of decent living are conspicuous by their absence. Consequently women have to bear the hardship. For example in Lankapara of Jalpaiguri, or in village Bahara of Murshidabad or in Majhidih or Purulia, women have to traverse a long distance to fetch drinking water. They have to come GP office after serving for all the members of her family. Most of them are housewife and financially dependent on the male and hence prey of their whims. Not only have that majority members belonged to lower income group.

In spite of all odds and hardships women members have participated in the community work, which was out of their reach so long, and their attitudes towards the life have been changed. This is by and large quite inspiring, baring a few exceptions.

48

Ch apter-4

In a Bulletin of National plan of Education Government of India (1986) term 'empowerment' has been defined as ,"Women become empowered through collective reflection & decision making. Its parameters are building a positive self-image and self confidence, developing the ability to think critically, building up group cohesion and fostering decision making and action; ensuring equal participation in the process of bringing about social change; encouraging group action in order to bring about change in the society; providing the where withal for economic independence". According to Gitte Sorensen and Helle Poulsen, “Empowerment means gaining autonomy and control over one's life. The empowered become agents of their own development are able to exercise choices, set their own development, are able to exercise choices, set their own agenda and are capable of challenging and changing their subordinated position in society. The several components are economic, social and Political empowerment". In another report of Institute of Socio-Economic Development (1991) named "Tenets of Women's learning empowerment has been defined as"...... a process to participate effectively in decisions that affect women's lives at the family, community and higher levels of the political process". There are hundreds of definitions of "Empowerment" whatever be the empowerment two terms "power" and “authority" are connected with empowerment. Power has been defined as by Max Weber (1922) as "Power is the probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his own will despite resistance, regardless of the basis on which this probability rests”. On the other hand authority derives from "legitimacy". Hence Empowerment depends on some objective factors (laws and Institutional rules, Economic status, Informal norms etc) and some subjective factors (education awareness, Political background experiences perceptions etc).

Chrt 4:1. Flowchart of Women's Empowerment.

Subjective Factors Objective Factors Education Laws Experience Internal rules Awareness Informal

norms Perceptions Financial

status Political base Supports

Outcome of Consolidation

49

Power & Authority

These two types of factors subjective and objective, determine the empowerment, which results in consolidation of women's position in the society. But degree of consolidation depends on the quality of empowerment. In this chapter we have tried to assess the quality of empowerment of the female representatives of our sample taking into consideration of both subjective and objective factors. Some of subjective factors (Education, political base etc.) and some objective factors (Income and occupations) have been examined in the chapter 3 under socio-economic profile. Let us discuss other factors.

4.1: Previous Experience and Exposure

Most of the women representatives came to politics particular in time of Panchayat Election, 2003. From table 3.8 (c) we find that there are 8 women (30%) in South 24-Parganas, 34 women (45.14%) in Paschim Medinipur, 7 women (38.88%) in Purulia, 3 women (10.71%) in Murshidabad, 9 Women (40.90%) in Burdwan, 10 women (47.61%) in Birbhum, 7 women (25.92%) in Uttar Dinajpur, 8 women (47%) in Bankura and 4 women (28.5%) in Hoogly had political experience before contesting the GP election.

Table 4.1 (a) : Female members with political experiences.

Name of Dist. Total Seats

Members with previous experience

Members with no experience

Jalpaiguri 13 6 (46.95%) 7 (53.84)Uttar Dinajpur 27 7 (25.92%) 20 (74.07)

Birbhum 21 10(47.61%) 11 (52.38)Burdwan 22 9 (40.90%) 13(59.09)

Murshidabad 28 3 (10.71%) 25(89.28)Purulia 18 7(38.88%) 11 (61.11)

Paschim Medinipur 74 35(47.29%) 39(52.70)South 24 Parganas 26 8 (30%) 18 (69.23)

Hooghly 14 4 (28.57%) 10(71.42)Bankura 17 8(28.5%) 9 (52.94)

Total 260 117 (45%) 143 (55%)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 4.1 (a) shows that most of the female members (55%) came to the election without any previous experience. our experiences clearly indicate that majority of the women members contested the election due to the reservation of seats, which were represented previously either by their husbands or fathers-in-law or brothers or any male family members.

Table 4.1(a) also represents that highest female candidates without any experience contested the election, 2003 is in Murshidabad (89.28%) which is followed by Uttar Dinajpur (74.07%) and Hooghly (71.42%) districts. Maximum experienced female members are found in Birbhum (47.61%), in Paschim Medinipur (47.29%), in Bankura (47%) and Jalpaiguri (46.95%). It is found that there is an inverse relation between number of women members and length of experience. As length of experience increases,

50

the number of members decreases (Table 4.1(b)). The co-relation between length of experience and the number of members is -0.777.

Table 4.1(b) : Co-relation between length of experiences and number of members.

Length of Experience Mid value Number of members Co-relation0-5 years 2.5 163

= -0.777

5-10 years 7.5 4910-15 years 12.5 2315-20 years 17.5 1020-25 years 22.5 525-30 years 27.5 7

Above 30 years 32.5 3Source : Field Survey ,2007

Table 4.1(c) Distribution of Previous experiences as Panchayat representatives.

District Total Seat

Previous experience 1 term in PRI

Previous experience 2 term in PRI

No experience of PRI

Member with experience

Jalpaiguri 13 3 0 10 3 (23.07)Uttar Dinajpur 27 2 0 25 2 (7.40)

Birbhum 21 2 0 19 2 (9.52)Burdwan 22 - - - -

Murshidabad 28 8 2 18 10 (36.63)Purulia 18 1 0 17 1 (5.55)

Paschim Medinipur 74 12 7 55 19 (25.67)South 24-Parganas 26 1 0 25 1 (3.84)

Hooghly 14 0 2 12 2 (14.28)Bankura 17 1 0 16 1 (5.88)

Total 260 30 11 219 (84.23) 41 (15.77)Source : Field Survey ,2007

51

"".... Bj¡l ¢ehÑ¡Qel rœ¢V ü¡j£l ¢Rmz ¢L¿¹¥ 2003 p¡ml ¢ehÑ¡Qe p¢V j¢qm¡cl SeÉ pwl¢ra qu k¡uz ü¡j£ hmm¡ i¡V cy¡s¡az HLV¥ Aja ¢Rm Bj¡lz ¢L¿¹¥ f¡s¡ fË¢a-hn£l¡ hma l¡S£ qu k¡Cz je¡eue fœ Sj¡ cJu¡ bL öl¦ Ll ¢hSu ¢j¢Rm phrœC ü¡j£ j§m c¡¢uaÆ f¡me Lle, gm L¡e Ap¤¤¢hd¡ qu¢ez h¡¢sl pcÉpl¡ k l¡S°e¢aL cm Ll a¡aC Bj¡l ja ¢Rmz Jl¡ a¡ ih ¢Q¿¹C cm Llez AeÉcm k¡Nc¡e L¡e fËnÀC Bj¡l je Bp¢ez.....''- “…. My constituency was previously of my husband. But in 2003 election it was reserved for the women. My husband told me to be candidate. At first I didn’t agree. But when my neighbours requested me, I agreed with the proposal. I felt no trouble as my husband took the main role right from the very beginning of submission of nomination form to the victory procession. I joined that party of which my family members were followers. Certainly they have logic for supporting this party. I didn’t have any question about participating other parties……..”

Mumtaj Begum Mallik , Member , Na-Hazari GP , Bishnupur –II, South 24 Parganas

It is clear from table 4.1(c) that Murshidabad has the highest number of women members at Gram Panchayat level who have the previous exposure of working as Gram Panchayat Members. This indicates that 36.63% members have exposure. Next district is Paschim Medinipur (23.07%) where highest numbers of female members have the enough exposure.

Out of 21 Pradhans only 3 Pradhans, Tapati Singh of Kultikari GP, Paschim Medinipur, and Madhabi Digar of Shyambazar GP, Hooghly and Mukti Mandal of Niallishpara-Goalzan GP, Murshidabad have the exposure of working as panchayat members. Mukti Mandal was elected as member in 1998-2003. Tapati Singh worked as member in 1993-1998 and as Upa-Pradhan in 1998-2003. Now she is applying her experience since 2003 as Pradhan. Now she is applying her experience since 2003 as Pradhan.

Madhabi Digar worked two times as member in 1993-1998 and 1998-2003. Remaining 18 female Pradhans are working first time as office-bearer at Gram

Panchayats level though 11 Pradhans have political experiences more than 5 years.

Motivation of Joining PoliticsWe do not find a single women representative whose family members belong to the different political party. Most of them clearly expressed their views that political background of family was the determining factor in joining the political party. This opinion has come from 46.15% female members.

Table 4.1(d) : District wise categorization of motivation of all female members.

Name of the Districts Total Seat Own choice

Political leader

Local influence

Family Influenced by an incident


Birbhum 21 3 4 5 9 0Burdwan 22 6 5 0 11 0



Hooghly 14 4 1 2 7 0Bankura 17 2 0 0 15 0

Total 260 56 38 44 120 1%-age 100 21.53 14.61 16.92 46.15 0.38


Some of them (21.53%) expressed their views that they have come by her own choice.Some members (14.61%) have been influenced by the ideology or behaviour of Political leaders. 16.92% members told that they have joined politics due to local situation or atmosphere. It is interesting to note that few members have confessed that they had joined politics because without involvement in any political party, it is difficult to live in the village.

52

It is quite interesting that majority women representatives were elected as GP members without past experiences either in politics or in panchayats. Some women members told us that as the political parties have no women party cadres or workers, they were chosen by the political party against reserved seat in the name of the villager’s choice. They also clearly pointed out that before submission of nomination papers in the BDO office, the political party concerned arranged a meeting with the villagers and announced their names as their candidates.

Some of them also told in another way that they were not the natural choice of their political parties. They were selected, as the party needed some “new faces”.

Political parties were compelled to give nomination because the seats were reserved for women candidates. Being wife or sister-in-law of the Panchayat member or his close relatives they had some sort of interaction with the villagers before they were selected by their respective political parties as candidates in the GP election. During election time, their party workers and their family members work hard in election campaign.

53

"".... cM¤e Bj¡l ¢ehÑ¡Qe£ rœ AeÉ L¡e j¢qm¡L cm f¡u¢ez h¡dÉ quC Bj¡L cm fË¡bÑ£ Ll¢Rmz k¢c HC Bpe¢V Rmcl qa ah b¡l¡C Bj¡l e¡j EWa¡z cm ¢h. ¢X. J. A¢gp je¡eue fœ Sj¡ cJu¡l BN f¡s¡u HL¢V ¢j¢Vw Ll Hhw NË¡jh¡p£l p¡je Bj¡l e¡j -O¡oZ¡ Ll fË¡bÑ£ ¢qp¡hz ....'' “…In my constituency Party didn’t get any women participant. As a result party was compelled to nominate me as a candidate. If this seat was for the male candidate, then my name was never uttered. Before submission of nomination in B.D.O office, Party called for a meeting and announced my name before the villagers …..”

Smt. Sumita Chatterjee , Member Moukhali GP , Bishnupur –II , South 24 Parganas

Bpm B¢j ¢eu¡¢õnf¡s¡V¡C f¤l¡V¡ ¢Q¢ee¡ ---- Hl¡ S¡l Ll cy¡s Ll¡m z Bpm Jcl HLV¡ ea¥e j¤Ml clL¡l ¢Rm z Truly speaking I do not know the whole constituency of Niallishpara. They forced me to compete the election. In fact they needed new face.

Smt. Kalpana Sarkar , Member , Niallishpara-Goaljan GP, Baharampur , Murshidabad

"".... NË¡j b¡Lm L¡e e¡ L¡e l¡S°e¢aL cm k¡N ¢caC qhz cm£u l¡Se£¢al h¡Cl h¡p Ll¡ L¢Wez a¡C ¢eSl ü¡bÑC Bjl¡ l¡Se£¢a L¢lz Bj¡l cm k¡Nc¡el ¢fRe pV¡C L¡lZz.....''“….. In the village we are to join in either parties. It is very tough to live in the village without participating any party politics. This is the only reason behind my joining ……” Smt. Rina Gayen , Upa-Pradhan , Mathurapur –II , South 24 Parganas

Honour or Recognition

To assess the level of exposure got by the female members we asked them whether they are honoured enough by the villagers or not. Table 4.1(e) depicts their answers.

Table 4.1 (e) : District wise exposure of the female members.

Name of Districts Total Seats

Yes Honoured No Not honoured

Jalpaiguri 13 13 0Uttar Dinajpur 27 22 5

Birbhum 21 21 0Burdwan 22 16 6

Murshidabad 28 27 1Purulia 18 18 0

Paschim Medinipur 26 26 0South 24 Parganas 26 25 1

Total 181 168 (92.81%) 13 (7.19%)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 4.1(e) states that majority of women members expressed their views that they are honoured more after elected as members. There are very few members who opine the opposite.

54

.""....... ¢ehÑ¡Qel fËQ¡l k¤š² ¢Rm¡jz ¢ehÑ¡¢Qa qJu¡l jdÉ ¢cu p¡j¡¢SL pÇj¡e h-sR hm je L¢l e¡z NË¡jl AeL j¡ea f¡lR e¡ Bj¡uz l¡a hl¡m ¢e¾cQQÑ¡l pÇj¥M£e q-a qu f¢lh¡l h¡ BaÈ£ucl alg bLz'' “ …… I was in the campaign of the election. After being elected I don’t think that my prestige in the society has been increased. Many people of the village can not stand me. I am criticized by the neighbours or by the relatives when I have to go outside at night obviously for a reason. Smt. Shukla Banu , Member , Moukhali GP, South 24 Parganas

""....NË¡jf’¡ua ¢ehÑ¡¢Qa qJu¡u pÇj¡e hsRz BN LE f¡š¡C ¢ca e¡z HMe l¡Ù¹¡O¡V cM¡ qm XL Lb¡ hmz B¢j Lje B¢R ¢S‘p Llz NË¡jl k L¡e ¢hou pjpÉ¡ cM¡ ¢cm Bj¡l ja¡ja Q¡uz p¡j¡¢SL J p¡wú«¢aL Ae¤ù¡e X¡Lz ¢hul ejaæ Ma Ma a¡ jlm¡jz kMe HLV¡ ú¥m L¡e pi¡ h¡ f¡s¡u L¡e Sepi¡ qm Bj¡L XL pi¡f¢al fc Amˆ«a Llh¡l Lb¡ hm aMe Ae¤ih L¢l k, Bj¡l pÇj¡e hsRz....'' “…..I have honoured more after being elected at grampanchayat. Previously people didn’t bother me. Now they talk to me while passing by road. They asked about my well-being. They want my opinion in any problem of the village. They call me at any social and cultural programme. I am done up with the marriage – invitations. When they request me foe presiding over the meeting of any school or any public meeting , I can feel that my honour has been increased”…….

Nupur Bhandari , Member , Raidighi GP, Mathurapur –II . South 24 Parganas

Position in the Party

In order to know their political exposures all the women members were asked their position in their respective parties. Except members of the CPI(M) party none was able to expose their existence in their parties. Table 4.1(f) has reflected their position in the respective parties.

Table 4.1 (f) :District wise reflection of the position of the women members in the party.

Name of Districts Total Seats Not member Yes memberJalpaiguri 13 6 7

Uttar Dinajpur 27 25 2Birbhum 21 13 8Burdwan 22 22 0



Total 181 115 (63.53 % ) 66 (34.46 %)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Summary of above analysis

From the above analysis of data our findings are as follows.

(1) Most of the women members have joined Panchayat very recently without any political views, experience or any exposure of panchayat works.

(2) Majority of the members are influenced by the family-views about politics.

(3) As we have seen in case of male members that they have been in politics since his student life or have some exposure due to farmers’s movement or land reform etc., we have not seen such exposure among the female members. Very few like Hasi Das, Pradhan of Shalbani, or Hara Bagdi, member of Karishuda or Taslima Bibi, member of Salar GP are exceptional.

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""............ pÇj¡e fu¢R, a¡l bL N¡m Ma qµR hn£z Hm¡L¡u L¡e¡ T¡jm¡ jV¡a Nm ""juRm'' hm Lb¡ öea quz "" jð¡l Mu ¢mm''- Hph Lb¡ f¡h¢mL hmz NË¡j Hm¡L¡l m¡LL h¤T¡e¡ L¢Wez'' “… Yes, I have got honour but at the same time am also censured by the people. When I go to solve any local problem or disputes I am abused as “woman”. “Member is plundering” …..said by the public.It is very tough to make the village people understand.”

Rupatan Bibi , Member , Doulatabad GP ,Murshidabad.

Hasi Das had entered in politics from student life. According to her, as they were too poor to bear the cost of education, she joined in local party with the hope that she can get financial help from the party. Taslima Bibi, member of Salar GP, joined in politics in 1985 due to movement of bidi-worker. Hara Bagdi, joined the party politics before 20-30 years ago, due to land movement.

(4) As most of the female members are chosen by their parties and as they have no voice or choice they become the puppet in the hands of their parties. This is also true because most of them do not possess any position in the party. Therefore no voice they have.

4.2: Awareness

Apropos of the objectives of the present study, which have already been outlined, we want to measure the awareness of the women as an index of empowerment. Awareness in thes case is being defined as knowledge among the women about herself, about her world, about her neighbour and about her sex as a distinct group in the Panchayats.

Awareness of Self –

It is a common assumption that education dispels ignorance. Education plays a vital role in keeping persons abreast with the day-to-day development of his or her world and those women who have more education are more aware of her status and existence.

To judge her consciousness about her position in the family & in the society, we put two questions that “do you think that you are more honoured now after being elected”? And “How do you get family support performing the role”?

Supports by the Family

In answer of first question 92.81% of women members of 8 districts and 100% of women members of all women GPs (Table 4.1(g) & (h)) considered that their social status has been enhanced after being elected as GP member. All of them told that now

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""........... Hi¡h l¡Se£¢a Lla Q¡C e¡z L¡lZ Bjl¡ e¡j f’¡ua pcpÉ¡, ph L¡S Ll f¡¢VÑz Bj¡cl L¡e¡ rja¡ eCz B¢j Lhm f¡¢VÑ jð¡l eCz cm Bj¡L S¡e¡u, öd¤j¡œ pC ¢cmC Qmh AeÉ L¡e L¡S Bjl¡C Llhz a¡C HC l¡Se£¢a Lla Q¡C e¡z''“…… I don’t want to do the party politics in this manner. Because party is doing all the things, we are member by name. I am not a member of the party. Hence party has told me that I am only for the signature, other works would be handled by the party. So I don’t want to continue this party politics.” ………

Smt. Khukumani Das , Member Talda GP, Dantan –II , Paschim Medinipur

villagers often come to them for getting suggestion on different aspects of the village life and benefits from Panchayats. They are also asked by the villagers to attend different social and cultural programmes in the village.

At the family level they are also getting more recognition and importance from the relatives. Table 4.2(a) depicts the answer of second question.

Table 4.2 (a) : Reflection of family supports towards the female members performing their role.


Full support

Husband dominates

Husband helps

Husband full performs

No support from family


Birbhum 21 18 1 2 0 0Burdwan 22 4 6 7 0 5


Paschim Medinipur 26 20 1 2 0 3South 24 Parganas 26 12 4 10 0 0

Total 181 94 (51.93)

12 (6.62)

44 (24.30)

16 (8.83)

15 (8.28)

Source : Field Survey, 2007

From the table 4.2(a), it is clear that full support has been rendered by the family towards 51.93% women members and 8.28% women members do not get any support from her family.

A significant portion of the women members (24.30%) are getting help from their husbands without any interference.

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Bj¡l ü¡j£l p¡q¡kÉ R¡s¡ B¢j f’¡ua pcpÉ ¢qp¡h L¡S Lla f¡la¡j e¡ z NË¡jh¡p£cl pjpÉ¡ pj¡d¡el SeÉ B¢j pwp¡l gm ka f¡¢l e¡ z Bj¡l ü¡j£C Bj¡l qu pM¡e k¡e Hhw ¢h¢iæ pjpÉ¡ pj¡d¡e Lle z I could not continue as member without help of my husband. I can not go to solve any problem of the villagers due to my household work. On behalf of me, my husband present there and solve the various problems. Purnima Pandit , Sanchalak ( Health)

f’¡ua Bp¡l hÉ¡f¡l Bj¡l ü¡j£ J f¢lh¡ll AeÉ¡eÉl¡ fËQä h¡d¡ cu ah¤J B¢j f’¡ua B¢p z Bj¡l ü¡j£ hme B¢j Lm L¡W Wm Wm jl¢R Bl Bj¡l fup¡ ¢eu a¡l¡ gL¢Vu¡ Seph¡ Ll¢Rp z I meet with obstruction by my husband and other family members regarding Panchayat, still I come to gram panchayat. My husband says ,” I am exhausted with the toil of wood-cutting and you are serving for the people without any gain spending my money.

Smt. Krishna Sheeth , Member Kultikri , Sankrail , Paschim Medinipur

But at the same time 6.62% members confess that their husbands always dominate them.

Majority members who are getting family supports told that the attitude of their family members is positive in order to discharge their function as GP members. Their family member takes initiative so that they can play effective role in the panchayat. While they are engaged in domestic works, their husband or family members take responsibility to talk members take responsibility to talk with the visitors and try to meet their requirements.

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f¢lh¡ll LaÑ¡C Bj¡l qu ph L¡S Lle z E¢e Bj¡l qu jð¡l zHead of the family does all the functions on behalf of me. He is the member in stead of me. Parbati Devi Singha , Member , Panjipara GP, Uttar Dinajpur

""...... h¡¢sa aje Evp¡q f¡C e¡z M¤h Ap¤¤¢hd¡u L¡S Ll¢Rz ü¡j£ ki¡h hm pi¡h Qma quz Bj¡l ü¡d£ea¡ hm ¢LR¥ eCz ph¢LR¥aC ü¡j£ e¡L Nm¡uz ¢a¢e k¢c ph Lle ah Bj¡l i¡V cy¡s¡e¡l AbÑ L£ ? .....'' “ … I am not encouraged by my family. I am working amidst of so many difficulties. I am to get on in order of my husband. I have no liberty. My husband always pokes his nose in every thing . If he does all the things, then what is the meaning of being elected? Latika Haldar , Member ,

f¢lh¡l p¡q¡kÉ Llez nÄöl, nÄ¡ö¢s hyQ b¡L¡L¡m£e Bj¡L ¢ehÑ¡Qe Awn ¢ea pq¡ua¡ LlRez ay¡l¡ j¡l¡ NRez HMe ü¡j£ BRe ¢a¢e Bj¡l L¡S QL Bf Lle, p¡q¡kÉ a¡ Lle Cz ¢a¢e a¡ Bh¡l ¢p.¢f.BC.(Hj) Hl n¡M¡ pÇf¡cLz My family helps me a lot. When my father –in-law and mother-in-law were alive, they helped me in contesting elections. They died. Now my husband check up my duties and obviously helps in my works. He is local Committee Secretary of C.P.I.(M).

Smt. Kanchan Dey , Sanchalak Karishunda , Indus , Bankura

ü¡j£ SeNel p¡b k¡N¡k¡N l¡Me z ¢a¢e p¡¢VÑ¢gLVJ mMez pC B¢j L¢l z R¡V f¢lh¡l hm ü¡j£ p¡q¡kÉ Llez jul fs¡öe¡, pm¡C-Hl L¡S, Ol cM¡n¡e¡, Hje¢L fË¢a¢ce f’¡ua A¢gpJ ¢a¢e Bpez My husband contacts with public. He also writes certificates, signed by me. As my family is small, my husband helps me a lot. Study of my daughter, sewing, looking after the household etc. are done by him and even he comes daily at GP office.

Ranu Mandal , Pradhan , Moukhali GP, South 24 Paqrganas

Liberty and Control over the Family

Member’s liberty and their control in the family have been assessed through another few questions like,

“When the marriage of your son or daughter is settled who takes the leading role” or

“Who keeps the fund for day-to-day expectation?“Can you go to your father’s house as your wish? Or“Who raises first at home and who goes to bed last?”To answer the first one most of the women members respond that husbands or any

male members take the leading role. Though they have the mother-hood, but they have no liberty for choosing the best for their offsprings.

Majority of women members confessed that their husbands have the sole rights to keep the funds with them because they are the main earners of the family.

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Rml ¢hul pju B¢j ju cMa k¡C¢e , Rm J Jl h¡h¡ NR z Bj¡l M¤h CµR qu¢Rm z ¢L¿¹¥ NË¡jl l£¢a k¡ qu z I didn’t go to choose the bride of my son. My son and his father went then. I longed for it. But it was the village custom. Smt. Madhabi Digar , Pradhan, Shyambazar , Hooghly.

pwp¡l MlQl V¡L¡ Bj¡l ü¡j£l L¡RC b¡L z B¢j k¡ Bea h¢m , a¡ E¢e He ce z Fund for the household expenditure lies with my husband. He brings the goods what I suggest. Smt. Madhabi Digar , Pradhan Shyambazar , Hooghly

Bj¡cl pj¡S jul¡ L¡e Lb¡ hm e¡z Rml¡C ph Lb¡ hmz ah LMe¡ LMe¡ Bm¡Qe¡ Llz ¢hu cJu¡ fZ eJu¡ Hph a¡cl-C ¢pÜ¡¿¹z In our society women do not speak out, male are used to say always .But sometimes they discuss. Arranging marriage, taking dowry, etc. are their jurisdiction.

Smt. Purnima Pandit , Sanchalak ( Health) Shyam bazaar , Hooghly

MlQ MlQ¡ bL Blñ Ll pjÙ¹ ¢pÜ¡¿¹C Bj¡l ü¡j£ eu zAhnÉ B¢j f’¡ua Bp¡l fl bL Bj¡l ü¡j£ Bj¡L HLV¥ pj£q Ll Qm z HMe Bj¡l p‰ ¢LR¥ ¢LR¥ Lb¡ Bm¡Qe¡ Ll z Right from the expenditures to all other things my husband takes decision about. But now my husband somehow regards me after joining the panchayat. Now he discusses some matters with me.

Smt. Krishna Sheeth , Member Kultikri , Sankrail , Paschim Medinipur

Answer of the third and fourth questions are also same as before. Majority members confessed that they have to work hard or spent more time for domestic works rather than their husbands and very few women members can enjoy their liberty.

Awareness of her gender –

We put some questions to the female member to know their level of awareness regarding other women. They were asked “What are the problems of the women of your area?”.

Very few answer the question properly: Most of them informed us that the women have no problem at all. It proves that they are not so aware of their gender. Then we facilitate them to think over the questions and thereafter they focus some problems as follows:

Next question which they faced was “What have you done specially for the women?” Very few could answer this. Question

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""ph¡C hmR jul¡ ü¡d£e qµRz ¢L¿¹¥ B¢j-C f¤l¡f¤¢l ü¡d£e qa f¡l¢R e¡- L¡b¡J ka Nm hma qu, ¢LR¥ ¢Lea Nm hma qu- ü¡j£ J Rml Efl ¢eiÑl Lla quz Bj¡l Efl E¢e (ü¡j£) HC d¡lZ¡V¡ L¡S Llz f¡s¡NË¡j hm Bl¡J h¡d¡ bLC k¡uz'' People say that women are now free. But still I have no liberty fully. To go somewhere or to buy something I have to depend on my husband or on my son. He (husband) is boss, this notion plays with me. Besides this, there are more hindrances in the village. Smt. Madhabi Digar, Pradhan, Shyambazar , Hooghly.

Box-2 : Women problems : Child marriage Infant mortality due to malnutrition Dowry problem Migrated child labour Drinking Alcohal Witch system Insecurity problem Girl Trafficking Left by husband Poverty Lack of earning of women Oppressed women by husband or by in-laws.

Table 4.2 (b) : District wise reflection of the works done by the female members specially for the women.

Name of Districts

Total Seats

Nothing

JSY NOAPS Immunization

SSK MSK SHG Sanitation

IAY

Jalpaiguri 13 2 0 1 1 0 0 10 2 0Uttar Dinajpur 27 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 1 0

Birbhum 21 3 3 4 6 2 1 16 0 2Burdwan 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Murshidabad 28 5 5 7 6 2 0 21 8 6Purulia 18 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 1 0Paschim

Medinipur26 0 15 13 6 2 0 15 10 3

South 24 Parganas

26 2 4 6 4 7 0 22 3 4

Total 181 12 28 32 24 13 1 91 25 15Source : Field Survey, 2007

From the frequencies of the table 4.2(b) it is clear that most of the members have concentrated on the formation of Self-Help Groups, Second priority of members of all women GPs is Sanitation, where as members of other GPs emphasize on NOAPS as second option and Janani Suraksha Yojana as third option. Women were also asked “Beyond schemes what have you done for women?” Answer of this question has been reflected in the following tables.

Table 4.2 (c) : Gram Panchayat wise response of female membersabout their work-done beyond schemes.

Name of Districts Total Seats No work done Work done Jalpaiguri 13 8 5




Total 181 123 (67.95) 58 (32.04)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 4.2(c) reflects that most of the women members from other GPs (67.95%) have done nothing for the women beyond schemes. Only 32.04% members have done works other than schemes which is contrary to the scenario of all-women GPs ( chapter -.6)

Various types of works which have done by 49.23% of all female members together have been depicted in the following box:

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Box – 3 : Works other than Schemes done by the Women for the Women

Awareness generation against early marriage Awareness generation against child labour Awareness generation against dowry Awareness generation against Alcohol Breaking the Wine-shops. Working against girl-trafficking Health Camp Birth control and family planning camp Handicapped camp Arranging school sports Conservation of Echo system Eye-camp Nutrition-camp Plantation Health Service Legal aids


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B¢j ü¢eiÑl cm L¢le¡ ------ pju f¡Ce¡ z L¡lZ ¢h¢s pwNWZ, j¢qm¡ p¢j¢a, f’¡ual L¡S Lla Lla pju f¡Ce¡z ¢L¿¹¥ im¡¾V¡¢l qmb N¡CX ¢qph jucl SeÉ NiÑ¢el¡dL He ¢cC, p¡hp¾V¡l bL Jo¤d He ¢cC, h¡µQ¡cl V£L¡ Ll¡Cz jucl m¡CNne L¢lu¢R 80V¡ zI do not participate in SHGs due to lack of time. Because I have no time after attending “Bidi Sangathan”, “Mahila Samity” and Panchayats. But as a voluntary health guide I bring contraceptives for women, medicines from sub-centres and immunize the children. I have made ligation for 80 women. Smt. Taslima Bibi , Member, Salar , Murshidabad

Lj hupl jucl ¢hu M¡¢eLV¡ LjR h¤¢Tu h¤¢Tu, Lb¡ hm hm z ü¡j£ - Ù»£l j¡l¢fV -WL¡a B¢j ¢eS k¡CzIncidence of early marriage has been decreased after discussion and making the people aware. I, myself go to the household to combat the flogging of husband-wife. Smt. Shanta Singh , Member,Andhari Sankrail , Paschim Medinipur

Bj¡l Hm¡L¡u AeL f¤l¦o j¡e¤o en¡ i¡e Ll jucl Efl AaÉ¡Q¡l Ll z a¡l fË¢ah¡c L¢l z HL¢V OVe¡l Lb¡ h¢m - Bj¡l pwpc HL¢V m¡L en¡ Ll a¡l hEul Efl AaÉ¡Q¡l Ll¡l Mhl fu B¢j Hhw Bj¡l f¡s¡ fË¢ahn£ j¢qm¡cl L XL ¢eu I m¡LV¡L p¡l¡¢ce N¡Rl p¡b hyd lM ¢cm¡j z ¢eSl c¡o ü£L¡l Ll¡l fl Rs ¢cm¡j z HMe i¡m¡ BR z In my locality some men torture the women being intoxicated with wine. I protest that. Let me say an incident ----- in my sansad, being informed that one drunk fellow was bitting his wife, I went there with all the women neighbours and tied the men with a tree and put off there wholeday. He was set free when he confessed all his guilts. Now they are staying happily.

Smt. Shrabanti Mahakur, Sanchalika (Siksha O Janaswasthya) Kultikri All –Women GP , Paschim Medinipur

Awareness of women as a distinct group in the panchayats:

It is very striking observation that majority members are very much aware about the status of women as a distinct group in the panchayats. They do not know about the 73rd Amendment but are aware about the reservation of seats especially for women.

Reservation When they are asked whether they support reservation or not., 88.4% of total female members of 8 districts convey their positive consensus, whereas 10.5% do not support the reservation [Table 4.2 (d)].

Table 4.2 (d) : District wise reflection of supporting Reservations by female members

Name of Districts Total Seats Yes - support reservation

No- Not support reservation





Total 181 160 (88.40 %) 21 (11.60%)Source : Field Survey, 2007

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j¢qm¡ pwlre BCe i¡m¡ quR- e¡ qm jul¡ Lb¡ hmh ¢L Ll? a¡cl HLV¡ fÔÉ¡VgjÑ Q¡Cz f¤l¦on¡¢pa pj¡Sl f¢lhaÑe HC BCe clL¡lz Rmcl bL jucl q¡a rja¡ b¡Lm euRu qh¡l L¡e pñhe¡ b¡L e¡zWomen Reservation is good ---- otherwise how do the women speak? They need a platform. This act is necessary for changing this male-dominated society. There is less possibility of misuse of power if it lies in the hands of women rather than men. Smt. Shaktirani Pal , Member ,Binpur GPReservation no Lb¡ eu z Hl p‰ Health Education, Awarness b¡L¡ clL¡l z Health e¡ b¡Lm L L¡S Llh, Edcucation e¡ b¡Lm L¡S h¤Th L, L¡S Llh L z Resevation is not enough. Health , Education, Awareness etc. should be entangled with it. Without power of Health, who will work ; without education, who will understand the task and who will perform ? Smt. Anjali Pandit , Karmadhyaksha Shyammbazar , Hooghy.

It is very interesting that from our field survey it is seen that a large portion of male members [Table 4.2 (e)] does not support “reservation” at all. They are 68.42 %. 31.57% members support the reservation but among them some members give conditional support. But there is no single woman who tells against reservation.

Table 4.2 (e) : Reflections of male members about the Reservation

Name of Districts Total Seats Yes - Support reservation




Murshidabad 38 24 14Purulia 24 0 24Paschim

Medinipur35 0 35

South 24 Parganas 45 22 23Total 266 84 (31.57%) 182 (68.42%)


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f’¡ual Bpe pwlre ¢WL eu, L¡le j¢qm¡cl pcpÉ ¢qp¡h aje i¥¢jL¡ eC z h¡s£-aC a¡l¡ pjpÉ¡ pj¡d¡e Lla f¡le¡ z h¡s£l h¡Cll T¡jm¡ L£i¡h jV¡h ? Bpm j¢qm¡cl c¡ys L¢lu f¡¢VÑ L¡S Ll z HC pwlrZl L¡e¡ j§mÉ eC z B¢j je L¢l e¡ j¢qm¡cl Bpe pwlrZl gm f’¡ual L¡S L¡e f¢lhaÑe HpR z j¢qm¡l¡ L¡e L¡S p¢WLi¡h Lla f¡le¡ z L¡le a¡l¡ ¢n¢ra eu Hhw p¡hm£mJ eu zReservation of seats in Panchayats is not good as there is no role of women as member. They cannot solve their problem even in their family. Then how they can solve the problem outside the home? In fact on behalf of women, Party works. This reservation has no value. I do not think that due to the reservation of seats for women, a change has come in panchayats. Women cannot perform any work properly. Because they are not educated and smart. Mozammel Haque Mollah , Sanchalak Raidighi GP , South 24 Parganas.

jul¡ f’¡ual L¡S Bp¡u e¡l£-¢nö ¢hL¡n ab¡ ü¡ÙÛÉ J ¢nr¡u …l¦aÆ hsR z ¢nr¡l Ai¡h ¢L¿¹¥ j¢qm¡l¡ p¢œ²u i¥¢jL¡ ¢ea f¡lR e¡ f’¡ual L¡S z ¢eiÑl b¡La qµR f¤l¦ol Jfl z fËu¡Se Efk¤š² ¢n¢rL¡l z B¢j je L¢l NË¡j f’¡ual fËd¡e qJu¡l SeÉ 1 Se j¢qm¡l pÀ¡aL qJu¡ E¢Qv zAs women have participated in the panchayat works, importance of women and child development as well as health and education has been increased. Due to lack of education, women cannot take part actively at panchayat works. They have to depend on the male. It needs teacher. I think that to be a Pradhan of a gram-panchayat, one woman should be graduate. Ranu Mandal , Pradhan , Moukhali GP , South 24 Parganas

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j¢qm¡ pwlrel hÉ¡f¡l Bj¡l ja eCz L¡le ph L¡S j¢qm¡l¡ Lla f¡l e¡ z b¡e¡ f¤¢mnl hÉf¡lJ iu j¢qm¡l¡ k¡h e¡ a¡C j¢qm¡cl pwlrel L¡e fËu¡Se eCz f¤l¦ol¡ HmC Bj¡l ja p¤¤¢hd¡ hn£zj¢qm¡l¡ j¢qm¡cl pjpÉ¡C jV¡a f¡l e¡z f¤l¦o j¡e¤o pC pjpÉ¡l pj¡d¡e Llz pC rœ j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡cl f’¡ua AwnNËqe ea¥e L¡e f¢lhaÑe HpR hm je qu e¡z f’¡ua j¢qm¡cl L¡e clL¡l eCzI do not support the women reservation. Because every women cannot work. Being feared, women cannot go in case of police related issues. So there is no need of women reservation. I think that male performers are better. Women cannot solve even the women matters. Men solve those. So I think participation of women in Panchayats has not brought any new horizon. There is no need of women in Panchayats. Noor Hossain , Member

f’¡ual j¢qm¡cl Bpe pwlrel ¢hou¢V HLV¥ N¡mjmz hn£li¡N j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡C L¡SLjÑ -aje h¡Te e¡z j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡l¡ pwp¡l p¡jm¡aC hÉÙ¹, a¡cl fr f’¡ual L¡S kbø f¢lj¡e pju -cJu¡ pñh euz pwp¡ll T¡jm¡ ¢j¢Vu f’¡uaC Mhl¡Mhl l¡M¡J a¡cl fr L¢WezThe issue of women reservation in Panchayats is quite perplexing. Most of the women members do not understand the task so well. They are very much busy in handling their household; they cannot give time to perform the works of panchayats. It is very tough for them to keep informations regarding panchayats beyond their household works.

Sri Gobinda Mistri , Sanchalak , Raidighi GP , South 24 Parganas.

Reservation pjbÑe L¢l z ¢L¿¹¥ HV¡ Strategy Na i¡h ¢WL eu z L¡le Bj¡l HM¡e j¢qm¡ pcpÉl¡ quota l L¡le ü¡j£cl p¡q¡kÉ Lla HpRe z pwNWel L¡le Bp¢e z ¢L¿¹¥ f¡¢Vl ja¡cnÑ Bjl¡ Hje candidate h¡Ra h¡dÉ qC k ¢n¢ra J pwNWel L¡S S¡e¡ j¢qm¡l¡ h¡c fsRe z L¡le L¡l La i¡V¡l La …¢ø HV¡l Efl ¢eiÑl Ll candidate ¢WL Lla qu z Bjl¡J c¤:M Ll h¢m i¨u¡ ¢hRe f¤ya¢R gml Bn¡ Llh ¢L z fËd¡el ja¡ fc ¢k¢eC b¡L¥e e¡ Le a¡l HLV¡ minimum qualification (j¡dÉ¢jL) f¡n b¡L¡ clL¡l eCm Ha qÉ¡f¡ z Ha L¡Sl i¡l hqe Ll¡ k¡u e¡zI support reservation. But strategically, this is not right. Because most of the women members have come here to help their husbands due to “quota”. They have not come for the sake of the organization. But following our party ideology, we are compelled to select such candidates for whom educated and equipped women are kept aside. Because candidates are nominated according to the voters, according to the family members. We also regret that how we can expect better result when useless seeds have been reaped? He or she must have minimum qualification of Madhyamik level, who occupies the seat of Pradhan. Otherwise this work-pressure, these botherations cannot be borne. Sri Prakash Kr. Ojha ,Member

In this context some opinions of political party leaders may be noted here.

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Reservation pjbÑe L¢l L¡lZ HV¡ e¡ b¡Lm Bj¡cl ja¡ j¢qm¡l¡ fËn¡pe Bpa f¡la¡j e¡ z rœ ¢hno A¢i‘a¡l ¢el£M B¢j k¡ cM¢R a¡a pwlrZl gm hn ¢LR SC/ST Oll jul¡ BpR -- f¡n¡f¡¢n kM¡e f¡¢VÑl guidance LjS¡l£ pM¡e f’¡ual L¡S Lla Ap¤¤¢hd¡ qµR zI support reservation because without this women like me could not come in administration. From my experience I have seen that due to reservation, women from SC/ST family are coming in panchayats. On the other hand panchayats are suffering where party guidance is weak. Smt. Aparna Saha , Sabhapati, Bardhaman -1 Panchayat Samiti , Bardhaman

pwlre kje HLV¡ ¢hl¡V pñ¡he¡ HeR -- ¢h¢iæ pÇfËc¡ul m¡L S¡N¡e¡ NR, aj¢e HV¡ HLV¡ L¡m qu NR z Ha f’¡ua hÉhÙÛ¡ j§M b¤hs fsR z i¡Vl compulsion Bl cra¡ HL eu z Hje candidate ¢ca qµR, a¡l¡ a¡ l¡S°e¢aL LjÑ£ eu - Ae¢i‘J , gm Hl¡ captive qu fsR LjÑQ¡l£cl z gm f¡¢VÑl Lb¡ e¡ öe LjÑQ¡l£ ¢eiÑl qu fsR z p Hp hmRJ e¡ f¡¢VÑL k p f¡lRe¡, L¡lZ rja¡, peÈ¡e CaÉ¡¢cl fËm¡ie BR z HV¡ a¡l feudal character. Reservation öl¦ quR i¡m¡, ¢L¿¹¥ HV¡l gm fa pju m¡Nh zAs reservation has brought a possibility ---- people of different rung have been woke up, likewise this has become a curse also. Due to this panchayat system has been shattered. Compulsion of vote and capability is not same. Such candidates are to be nominated who are not political workers or experienced. As a result they have become the captives of the panchayat staffs. So they depend on the staffs ignoring the Party. She does not say anything to Party about her inability because she has also allurement of power, honour etc. This is his or her feudal character. Reservation has been implemented. It is good but it needs time to bear the fruits. Sri Suhas Sarkar, Member District Committee,, Birbhum district , (C.P.I.(M)

Women Forums

Women members’ conciousness about the importance of women group can be guessed when they are asked “How far the women forums in your locality are active?” Table 4.2(f) represents their reactions about the effectiveness of women forums.

Table 4.2 ( f ) : District wise Scenario of Women Forums

Name of Districts Total Response Active InactiveJalpaiguri 13 9 4





In case of 8 districts 58.01% members told that women forums are very active. They always protest any injustice. These women forums have the wine shop to demolish

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plL¡l Reservation Ll ¢cm, AbQ j¢qm¡ fË¢a¢e¢dcl j¡e¤o Ll¡l L¡e¡ Q¡l eCz Lje ke …¢Vu l-uRz L¢söä¡ All Women GPl pcpÉl¡ qua¡ fËaÉ¡¢na L¡S Lla f¡lR e¡ ah f¤l¦ocl a¥me¡u LaÑhÉ J c¡¢uaÆ fl¡uez j¢qm¡cl jdÉ c¤eÑ£¢al fËhea¡ Ljz Hcl fË¢nrZl c¡¢uaÆ ¢Rm plL¡ll ab¡ f’¡ua cçllz f¡¢VÑ ¢L Llhz a¡l ¢eSlC a¡ fË¢nrZ e¡Cz HC S Efp¢j¢a °al£ qm -- HLh¡lJ ¢L ¢h.¢X.J HpR cMa k ¢j¢Vw ¢WL qµR ¢Le¡, Efp¢j¢al A¢gp¡l¡ BpRe ¢Le¡z plL¡ll fËQä O¡V¢a luRzGovernment has implemented reservation, but has no interest to make the women members capable. It seems that government has been crouched. All women members of Karisuda may not perform upto the mark, but they are more dutiful and responsible than the male members. Trend of corruption is less among the women. Responsibility of their training lies in the hands of government as well as Panchayat department. How can Party do? Party itself has no training. Recently Upasamitis have been formed …. But has B.D.O ever come to monitor whether meetings have been done or not, whether nodal officers are coming or not? Governmental initiatives are falling off.

Abdur Rauf Local Committee Secretary [C.P.I.(M)]

Reservation p¡bÑL quR z HLpju k Hm¡L¡u jul¡ h¡Cll m¡L Hm clS¡l Bs¡m bL Lb¡ hmae, a¥m¢p am¡u fËc£f ¢cae, a¡l¡ HMe Qu¡l hpRe, ú¥m f¢lcnÑe k¡µRe, NREGA- Hl L¡S -cMRe z HV¡Ca¡ AeLzReservation has been successful. Onceupon a time women used to talk with the people behind the door, set on fire under the sacred basil. They are now sitting on the chair, going outside to inspect the schools, to monitor the works under NREGS. This is much. Tarapada Giri , Sabhapati Dantan –II , Paschim Medinipur

the alcoholism and organize the awareness generation camp regarding women’s rights, universalisation of education, health, services, legal aids etc.

Inactivity of women forums is supported by large number of members in Purulia, Birbhum and Uttar Dinajpur. The situation is worse in all women GPs (chapter -6) where 60.75% told that the women forums are inactive. This denotes that women participation in panchayats in backward districts like Purulia, Birbhum, and Paschim Medinipur & Uttar Dinajpur is possible due to Reservation. There are no actual waking among the women. Otherwise we can get the voices.

The Inactivity of women in these backward districts can be analysed with the caste barrier. If the correlation between number of backward caste and the frequency of inactivity over the districts & GPs are measured then we find that [ in Table 4.2(g) ]

Co-relation is 0.16158. This denotes that in the districts where SC-ST population is higher, inactivity of women forums is also higher.

Table 4.2 (g) : Co-relation between the backward population and the activeness of the women forum.

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Box – 4 : Harbour in the Storm

Rural women of Murshidabad always suffered from the storm regarding dowry, divorce, autracity, girl- trafficking etc. For these they were trapped by legal- hands. In the year 2000, a committee was formed consisting women of various fields like teachers, doctors, elected representatives, anganwadi workers, N.G.O. workers, political activists etc. This committee is rendering justice towards the affected rural women. Police Station is also assisting them towards imparting their duties. This committee is also functioning to motivate the rural women for education. Chandradeep Ashraya committee formed by women in the district of Murshidabad now become the harbour in the Storm for the women.

Source : Field Visit ,2007

Bj¡cl HM¡eL¡l ü¢eiÑl cm…¢m ¢jm ju f¡Q¡l qJu¡ l¦M ¢cm zBj¡cl HC NË¡jl BeL j-ul ¢hu quR L¡nÈ£l z a¡lfl bL Bl Jcl cM¡ f¡Ju¡ k¡ue¡ zBj¡cl p¾cq ¢RmC z Hh¡l HLV¡ jul Bh¡l L¡nÈ£l ¢hu ¢WL qm z cml jul¡ Jl h¡h¡ j¡L h¤T¡a f¡lme¡ z aMe ¢hul ¢ce Hje T¡jm¡ L¡¢Su¡ hy¡d¡m k ¢hu hå qu Nm zAll the SHGs of our locality have put up a bold front against girl trafficking. Many girls of this village had been married in Kashmir. After marriage they had not been found.. We had doubt. Then one girl was proposed to be married again in Kashmir. Ladies of SHGs failed to make the parent of that girl understand . Then they created such a mess that marriage was stopped. Jahara Bibi , Member Doulatabad GP , Murshidabad

Name of Districts Total Response

Inactive frequency

Percentage of SC/ST population

Co-relation

Jalpaiguri 13 4 27.79

0.16158Uttar Dinajpur 27 14 16.41

Birbhum 21 11 18.12Burdwan 22 6 16.69

Murshidabad 28 6 6.64Purulia 18 14 17.05

Paschim Medinipur 26 8 18.23South 24 Parganas 26 13 16.67

Total 181 76 17.2Source : Field Survey, 2007

Some members of South 24 Parganas, Birbhum and Murshidabad told that inspite of the existence of women organization in the village; they work not as ateam but in fragmented way. As a result women organization cannot uphold women issues in a holistic manner.

Conclusion:

From the above analysis of data we reach to some points as follows:-(1) Majority women members have no clear self-identity. Most of them in the

family have no say as they have lower income, low education and have a traditional thinking that “Meyechhele” must follow her male members of the family. This reflects India’s family tradition of “vertical” hierarchical interdependence.

(2) Very few female members are aware of the women problem. They are habituated in conceiving any incident, as “this is quite natural in rural area”.

(3) Though they are few in numbers but some women have gained courages being regarded and honoured by the people and coming out of their restricted area “home”.

(4) The scenarios of Women forums are quite distressing. Women forums are not so active in all women GPs.

(5) Regarding Reservation many male voices have been roused against reservation and few female members have expressed their views that reservation is necessary but not sufficient. Education is complementary to it.

(6) So far the awareness of elected women member is concerned; we find that women who belong to SC & ST category are still tagging behind the general category.

4.3: Perceptions Perception of something is the way that anybody conceives about it or recognizes it using own senses. Perception has been considered as the phenomenon understanding the Personel autonomy which refers here to a member’s sense of self-determination., of being able to make choices regarding the directon of his or her actions. In this study we have considered two types of perceptions, which can fulfill our purpose. They are –

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Perceptions about her Role and Perceptions about her Responsibility

“Role” means the behavioural patterns of human beings, which appear in a particular social context.

Use of Power

Perceptions of the female members about her “Role” are judged putting one probing question that, “How do you want to use your power”? Answers to this question have been presented through the Table 4.3(a)

Table 4.3 (a) : District wise reflections of Usage of Power by the female members.


Nothing

Development work

Social development

Women development

Supply basic min.

Economic development


Birbhum 21 5 6 6 3 2 5Burdwan 22 6 0 12 3 0 1


Paschim Medinipur 26 1 13 13 4 0 2South 24 Parganas 26 1 1 8 3 14 5

Total 181 43 32 57 28 24 18Percentage 100 23.75 17.67 31.49 15.46 13.25 9.94


Table 4.3(a) denotes that 76.25% women in 8 districts want to use their power in positive direction. Some of them want to do developmental work or Social development. They also want to use their power in supplying basic minimum needs for the poor and also in Economic development of the women. Most of them have chosen multiple options. Majority members of the 8 districts have exposed their wish to use their power for social development i.e. working for Education, Health etc. But the maximum vote from all women GPs is for developmental works.

Remaining 23.75% female members from 8 districts told that they don’t want to use their power. From this group some members told that “Usage of Power” depends on the actor and the organization in which she belongs to.

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rja¡ j¡e¤ol L¡S m¡Na QuJ f¡l¢R e¡, l¡S°e¢aL ¢hl¡¢da¡l L¡le z ¢hl¡¢da¡ BpR, NË¡j f’¡-ua J fU¡ua p¢j¢al ¢hl¡d£ pcpÉcl L¡R bL z f’¡ua J f’¡ua p¢j¢a ¢jm ¢hl¡d£ frl pcpÉ pwMÉ¡ A¢dL b¡L¡u f’¡ual k¡ha£u Planning a¡lC Lla Q¡CRe z HC l¡S°e¢aL ¢hl¡¢da¡l L¡le ¢hNa 2/3 hvpl f’¡ual L¡eJ L¡SC qu¢e, Eæuel N¢a Ù¹ìz I want to use my power for the sake of the people, but I cannot due to political rivalry. Hihdrances are being put by the opposition of gram-panchayat and panchayat samiti. As there are more opposition at GP level and PS level, they want to do all the plannings of gram-pancayats. For this political opposition, no work has been done since last 2-3 years at gram panchayat; development has been stagnant. Smt. Rita Goswami , Pradhan Dhelatbamu GP , Purulia

Most of the members have no clear idea about their role ……..this view has been refleted from the answers of male members against a question that “What is the functions of your female members?”According to them female members except few have no clear conception about their participation in Panchayats? They can’t realize the importance of their representation as well as their role. Most of the members have been brought against the seats, which were formerly occupied by their male family members.

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e¡ , B¢j NË¡jh¡p£cl SeÉ L¡e¡ L¡SC Lla f¡¢l¢e z B¢j Lhm pC (ü¡rl) L¢l p¡c¡ L¡NS z ¢hl¡d£ qJu¡u f’¡ua L¡e¡ L¡S f¡C ¢e z kqa¥ L¡e¡ L¡SC Lla f¡Él ¢e, a¡C Bh¡l i¡V c¡ys¡-m NË¡jh¡p£l¡ Le Bj¡L i¡V ch ? zNo, I could not do anything for the villagers. I can sign only in white papers. As I am the opposition -member, I did not have any work from gram panchayat. As I could not do anything, then why the villagers will vote for me? Smt. Gayali Burman , Itahar GP, Uttar Dinajpur

j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡l¡ L¡S Lle, ah Hcl pjpÉ¡ Hl¡ HM¡eL¡l Bm¡Qe¡ h¢nli¡N h¡Te¡ z k¡ h¡-Te a¡J i¥m k¡u zWomen members perform their tasks but the problem is that they can not understand most of the discussions. If they understand something, they forget that also. Hazrat Ali Biswas , Member Doulatabad GP, Murshidabad

j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡l¡ L¡S Lla f¡le e¡ L¡le f¡¢VÑ bL Hje j¢qm¡L h¡R¡ qu a¡l Bc± k¡NÉ fË¡bÑ£ qu e¡ z plL¡ll BCel L¡le pwlrel L¡le Hje fË¡bÑ£ h¡R¡ qu k h¡¢ql SNal ¢LR¥C S¡ee¡ z p¤¤a£-2 hÔLl ü¡ÙÛÉL¾cÊ ü¡ÙÛÉLjÑ£, X¡š²¡l LE k¡u e¡ z HMe Nl¦ R¡Nm b¡L z fËd¡e j¢qm¡ - ¢a¢e ¢LR¤ hma f¡le e¡ za¡l qu f¡n bL AeÉ LE Q¡m¡u z Jl qu Q¡m¡e EffËd¡ez Women members cannot work because party has chosen such ladies, who are not at all suitable candidates. Due to reservation act, such candidates have been chosen who do not know about the outer world. Neither the doctor nor the healthstaff goes to the health centre of Suti –II block. Now cattles stay there. Pradhan is women there ----- she cannot say anything. On behalf of her, other fellow is managing all. Upa-pradhan is managing office instead of her. Ranjan Sarkar , Member Niallishpara-Goaljan GP, Murshidabadj¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡l Bh¡l L¡S ¢L ? Bpa qu BpR z ¢LR¥ Hm¡L¡¢i¢šL c¡h£ Ll ¢LR¥ hÉ¢š²L¢¾cÊL c¡h£ l¡M, f¡lm a¡l HLV¡ IAY Ol quz nÄ¡ös£l h¡dÑLÉi¡a¡ qu, a¡¢mL¡u Bj¡l f¢lh¡l k¡a b¡Lz HC c¡h£ a¥me¡j¤mLi¡h f¤l¦ocl jdÉ LjzWhat works for women members are there? They are coming, as they have to come. She sometimes demands for her locality, sometimes puts demand for her own if she can get one IAY home or old-age pension for her mother-in-law. This type of demand comes less from male members. Pradip Dutta , Upa-pradhan, Niallishpara-Goaljan GP, Murshidabad

Programmes regarding Women & Child development

To judge their sense of responsibility female members are also asked “Do you know the programmes regarding Women & Child development”? Answer of this question is presented in table 4.3(c) and 4.3(d). In 8 districts 66.85% female members know the programmes regarding women & child development and remaining 33.15% members do not know the programmes. Same scenario is in all women gram panchayats. Their 65.82% members are aware about the women & child development programmes.

Table 4.3 (b): District wise reflection of knowing or not knowing the Programmes of “Women and Child Developmnt”

Name of Districts Total Response Yes NoJalpaiguri 13 13 0




Total 181 (100%) 121 (66.85%) 60 (33.15%)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Upasamiti.

Regarding responsibility, female members were asked two questions: “Are your Upa-samity functioning? If not, why? ” And “How do you make your plan for GP?”

Table 4.3 (c ): District wise informations regarding functioning of Upasamity

Name of Districts Total Yes,functioning No, not Not Known

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Response functioningJalpaiguri 13 9 1 3

Uttar Dinajpur 27 0 19 8Birbhum 21 11 2 8Burdwan 22 8 6 8

Murshidabad 28 19 5 4Purulia 18 6 1 11

Paschim Medinipur 26 14 7 5South 24 Parganas 26 19 7 0

Total 181 86 (47.51) 48 (26.52) 47 (25.97)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Answers of first question are reflected in Table 4.3(c). It is clear from this table that less than half of the total members (47.51%) respond that upasamiti is functioning in 8 districts and 26.52% of members claimed that upasamities are not functioning. Out of 181 female members 25.97% are unaware about the functioning of upasamiti showing the cause that as they are not within the upsamiti, it is out of their knowledge.

Out of 260 female respondents 30.35 % members confessed that upasamities are not functioning due to several reasons. They are as follows:

Suitable energetic candidates for Sanchalaks who can motivate others or can take initiatives have not been chosen.

Most of the members have no interest about the upasamiti. Members can’t follow the importance of Upasamity. Members have not trained enough to perform as Sanchalak of Upasamiti Officials from the line department related to Upasamities are very much non-

cooperative or reluctant. Honararium is too low to work hard. Distance is one of the constraints. Party-will is not behind Upasamiti. As the decision taken in upasamities are not taken into consideration by Gram

Panchayats. No monitoring system from the end of the Government.

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Efp¢j¢al pi¡ qu ah a¡ A¢eu¢jaz Staff Hl pjpÉ¡l SeÉ pi¡ X¡L¡ k¡u e¡z Secretary eC, Job Assistant J ¢ejÑ¡Z pq¡uL eC, E.A. eC, NË¡j f’¡ua LjÑ£ eCz Efp¢j¢a e¡ qJu¡l L¡lZ Efk¤š² p’¡mL e¡ qJu¡z p’¡mL ¢WL Lle pjeÄu L¢j¢Vz AeÉ HL¢V L¡lZ qm, Efp¢j¢al ¢pÜ¡¿¹…¢m l©f¡¢ua e¡ qJu¡z Meeting of Upasamitis takes place but very irregularly. Meeting can not be called due to lack of staffs. Here is neither secretary, nor Job-assistant or Nirman Sahayak. Even no E.A or gram-panchayat karmee is at gram panchayat office. Reason behind the non-functioning of Upasamiti is non-implementation of the decisions taken in the meeting of Upa Samiti. Jayanti Pradhan , Pradhan Andhari GP, Paschim MedinipurplL¡l£ LjÑQ¡l£l¡ Efp¢j¢aa Bpe e¡z e¡l£ J ¢nöl LjÑ¡dÉr¡ j¢qm¡ e¡Nl£ j¡m -

mM¡fs¡ S¡ee e¡ ¢LR¥ h¡Te e¡z Efp¢j¢al ¢j¢Vw qh ¢L Ll? ¢L¿¹¥ é¾Vl L¡le Je¡-L p’¡mL Ll¡ quRz AbQ ¢LR¥C Lla f¡lRe e¡zGovernment officials do not come to Upasamiti meeting. Nagari Mal is the Sanchalika of “Nari O Sishu” upasamiti who neither knows anything nor understands something. How the meeting would take place? But due to front sha has been chosen as sanchalika. She can’t do anything. Md. Sahajahan Ali , Pradhan Hasan –II GP , Birbhum

Not only the members disclosed the causes behind the failure of Upasamities or criticized the Governmental policies, they also placed some suggestions and examples as follows:

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Efp¢j¢a ¢eu¢ja hpR e¡z ""L«¢o pQl'' ¢eu¢ja qu e¡ z "" e¡l£ ¢nöl Efp¢j¢a qu e¡ zEfp¢j¢al p’¡mL, pcpÉ¡l¡ L¡NS Lmj quRe - Hcl fË¢nre qu ¢ez gm L¡SV¡ h¤T EWa f¡lRe e¡zUpasamiti does not function regularly. Upasamiti of “Krishi O Sech” is irregular. Upasamiti of “Nari O Sishu” is also irregular. Sanchalaks of all the upasamitis are only in papers ---- they are not at all trained. Thus they cannot understand their tasks.

Narayan Das , Pradhan

Efp¢j¢al design ¢WLC BR z ¢L¿¹¥ Efp¢j¢al fË¢nre qmJ ¢L ¢L L¡S fkÑ¡-m¡Qe¡ qu¢ez gm O¡V¢a lu NRzDesign of Upasamiti is good but their tasks have not been discussed though they have got the training. As a result there is a gap. Uttam Ghosh , Member Talda GP , Paschim Medinipur

Efp¢j¢al p‰ k¤š² kph Line deptt. Hl LjÑ£l¡ BRe, kje Bl.BC., L.¢f.Hp., ¢p.¢X.¢f.J. CaÉ¡¢c Hcl k¢c h¡dÉa¡j§mL i¡h Efp¢j¢al ¢j¢Vw H Be¡ k¡u ah Efp¢j¢a Q¡‰¡ qhzIf the staffs of the line-department attached with each upasamiti, are brought compulsorily, then the upasamiti can gain strength. Mahasin Khan, Panchayat Samiti member, Jogardanga GP ; Paschim Medinipur

e¡l£ J ¢nö -l p’¡¢mL¡l rja¡ M¤h Lj - phV¡C cmea¡l Efl ¢eiÑln£m - i¡a¡ j¡œ 200 V¡L¡ z Hl jdÉ 100 V¡L¡ LV eu f¡¢VÑ z gm k¡a¡u¡a i¡s¡ S¡V e¡z a¡C ¢eu¢ja ka f¡¢l e¡z Power of Sanchalika of “Nari O Sishu” upasamiti is very limited. Everything depends on Dalaneta. Honararium is only Rs 200. Out of this Party takes Rs. 100. As a result I cannot

have even traveling costs. Thus I cannot attend GP regularly. Latifa Bibi ; Sanchalika

There should be some monitoring process from official end , There must be some financial power in the hands of Upasamiti. There should be a clear cut direction regarding the linkage between decisions of

Gram Sansad, Gram Unnayan Samiti, Upasamiti and Gram Panchayat. Regular Training for Sanchalaks should be confirmed.

Gram Panchayat Planning

Answers of the second question regarding GP Planning [“How do you make your plan for GP?”] have been depicted in table 4.3(d). It is clear from this table that 45.30% female representatives in 8 districts and 18.99% of the female members of all women GPs either kept mum or avoided this question. Remaining of the members disclosed the various sources of actors of GP Plan.

Table 4.3 (d) : District wise reflections of various procedures of making Planning of Gram Panchayats.

Name of Districts Total Response

No Response

Through GS & with the

With the help of samannay

With the help of Party

Only through the people

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Bj¡cl HM¡e Efp¢j¢al functioning p¤¤¾cl i¡h qµRz dl¦e hÔL ¢nr¡ ¢eu ¢j¢Vw qh -- aMe p’¡mL pq fËd¡eL X¡L¡ quz ¢eu¢ja ¢j¢Vw quz hdÑj¡el Sm¡ f¢locl ¢pÜ¡¿¹ -- NË¡j f’¡ua fË¢a¢V Efp¢j¢al q¡a hRl 20,000 V¡L¡ fkÑ¿¹ h¡SV hl¡Ÿ BRz gm Ha Efp¢j¢al p’¡mLl¡ Evp¡q£ quRez Hl¡ L¡S LlRez Implementation- Hl c¡¢uaÆ BRe pcpÉ Bl NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢a z Here functioning of Upasamiti is done nicely. Suppose, there would be a meeting on Education at block, then Pradhan with Sanchalak are called for. Meeting also takes place regularly. It is the decision of Bardhaman Zilla-Parishad that each upasamiti will budget for Rs. 20,000/- per year. As a result sanchalaks become enthusiastic. They are doing their work. Implementation of the scheme is in the hands of member and Gram Unnayan Samiti. Smt. Aparna Saha , Sabhapati Bardhaman –I PS , Bardhaman.

Efp¢j¢al hs function BRz f’¡ua p¢j¢aa ÙÛ¡u£ p¢j¢al resolution R¡s¡ kje ¢LR¥ L¡kÑLl£ Ll¡ k¡µR e¡z Hcl liberty ¢cm L¡S i¡m¡ qhz ¢WL pClLj Efp¢j¢alJ qJu¡ E¢Qaz ¢L¿¹¥ Efp¢j¢al L¡S p’¡mLL h¤Ta qhz ¢e¢cÑø pju ¢e¢cÑø BCe Ae¤k¡u£ L¡S Llm L¡S EWh, Efp¢j¢aJ i¡m¡ Qmhz HC L¡S Lla Nm social work-Hl attitude l¡Ma qhz HM¡e L¡eJ B¢bÑL j§mÉ Q¡Cm qu e¡z Ha¢ce a¡ Efp¢j¢a ¢Rm e¡z fËd¡e HLµRœ A¢df¢a ¢Rmz ¢L¿¹¥ a¡l p¡q¡kÉ¡bÑ m¡L HpRz Function of Upasamiti is very important. As without resolution of the standing committee panchayat samiti cannot function, they need liberty. Same is true for upasamiti. But Sanchalak must realize the function of Upasamiti. If works are done within the time following the rules, then the works would be complete and Upasamiti will run properly. Attitude of doing social work must be adopted. No money can be demanded. So long no upasamiti was there. Pradhan was all in all. Now people have come to assist him or her. Tarapada Giri , Sabhapati , Dantan –II Block , Paschim Medinipur

help of party committee leader participation in GSJalpaiguri 13 3 3 0 0 7

Uttar Dinajpur 27 25 2 0 0 0Birbhum 21 4 8 3 0 8Burdwan 22 21 0 0 1 0


Paschim Medinipur 26 7 9 0 1 10South 24 Parganas 26 3 15 1 3 7

Total 181 82 (45.30) 46 (25.41) 9 (4.97) 11 (6.09) 33 (18.23)Source : Field Survey, 2007

According to them various sources are as follows:

25.41% of the general gram panchayats female members of 8 district and 35.44% of female members of all women GPs told that they make their plan through Gram Sansad and with the help of Party.

4.97% female members of general GPs and 6.33% members of all women GPs disclosed that they make the plan for GP “with the help of Samannay Committee”.

6.09% of general female members and 1.27% members of all women GPs told that they make the plan “with the party leaders”.

But 18.23% general female members and 37.97% of all women members claimed that they prepare the plan “only through the people participation in Gram Sansad”.

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Bjl¡ pjeÄu L¢j¢Va hp ¢WL Ll ¢eC NË¡j f’¡ua f¢lLÒfe¡z Ha BRe LCM, LCS,

Branch Secretary, fËd¡e, EffËd¡e, f’¡ua pcpÉ pcpÉzWe prepare our plan sitting with Samannay Committee. This committee consists of LCM, LCS, Branch Secretary, Pradhan, Upa-pradhan, and Panchayat Members. Jayanti Pradhan , Pradhan Andhari GP, Paschim Medinipur

f¢lLÒfe¡ Ll¡l pju NË¡j pwpc bL ¢mØV EW Hmz a¡lfl pV¡ pjeÄu L¢j¢Vl p-‰ hp f¤l¡ fÔÉ¡eV¡ ¢WL Ll¡ quz pjeÄu L¢j¢V R¡s¡ ¢LR¥C qh e¡zAt the time of planning , lists are gathered from Gram Sansads. Then we prepare the complete plan siiting with the Samannay Committee. Nothing will be done without Samannay Committee. Sd. Manoar Jahan Begum , Pradhan Karisunda , Indus , Bankura

NË¡j f’¡ua f¢lLÒfe¡ qu HCi¡h ---- pwpc pi¡ bL Q¡¢qc¡ EW Hm zp…-m¡ ¢mØV Ll¡ qmz pcpÉcl p‰ Lb¡ hm ¢eu pjeÄu L¢j¢Va Bm¡Qe¡ Ll g¡Ce¡m fÔÉ¡e quz a¡lfl p¡d¡lZ pi¡u Bm¡Qe¡ Ll ¢eu NË¡j pi¡u fn L¢l z Bl ¢h-l¡d£ e¡ b¡L¡u L¡e¡ T¡jm¡ que¡zPlanning of Gram Panchayat is done in this way ----- demands are collected from Sansad meeting. Those are listed out. Then talking with the members and with the Samannay Committee final plan is chalked out. Then it is placed in general meeting of GP. We face no problem, as there is no opposition. Smt. Tapati Singh , Pradhan Kultikri GP, Paschim Medinipur

Women’s pereception regarding the democratic governance at the cutting edge level among 21 female pradhans are by and large inspiring, arring a few exceptions of “Pradhan Patis”,where patriarchal values still hold sway. One of those few is Lankapara, gram Panchayat of Madarihat-Birpara panchayat Samiti of Jalpaiguri district.The Panchayat Pradhan of Lankapara, Smt. Ram Munna Devi Barwah virtually has nothing to say on governance. It has been ably managed by her husband, an ex-Panchayat Pradhan and now a member of Panchayat Samiti, ever since she took over as Pradhan after the seat was declared reserved for women. Another example is Jahanara Bibi, pradhan of Kaitha – I gram panchayat of Birbhum district. She is completely dependant on the Upa-pradhan. She has a hasy idea about her role. She is always ready to sign on the papers and this signature was taught just after election in the shortest form as J.B. by the contemporary Job- Assistant .But she has a grief of not coping with the system. Smt. Radharani Rana, pradhan of Binpur G.P. of Paschim Medinipur is completely in the dark about her role and responsibility. Here proxy actor is Secretary of gram panchayat. Besides these stray instances, women office-bearer’s perceptions regarding the functioning of Panchayats’ Rules and Regulations etc are fairly adequate. For example Tripti Dey of Falakata, Mukti Mandal of Niallishpara Goaljan, Tapati Singh of Kultikri, Hasi Das of Shalbani G.P., Namleswari Roy of Madhabdanga – II, Jayanti Pradhan of Andhari G.P. etc. Are quite familiar with the tasks what they are entrusted with and they are very much expert in performing their duties.

Summary

From the above discussion we can say that –(1) Though 22.69% female members are not conscious about their power or

responsibility, majority is very much conscious about their power or responsibility.

(2) Though majority of female members know the various programmes of women and child development, there are still a large number of female membes (33.6%) who do not know these programmes.

(3) A significant number of female members are unaware of upa-samity , its importance, its functioning etc. (Resolution).

(4) Most of the women members have pointed out that they are involved in all sorts of activities of the GP like their male counterparts. They have given more efforts to the formation of self-help groups, Health Programmes, ICDS Old-age Pension scheme, IAY, Pulse-polio Programme etc.

(5) All of the male representatives considered that female members worked very hard in implementing some programmes like SHGs, various Health Programmes, etc.

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4.4. Participation:

Participation has been taken as a vital index for the women members to assess their empowerment in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Participation of women members has been examined in four fields –

Communication with the people in meetings, in scheme implement, in decision making.

Communication

They were firstly asked that “How do you communicate with the people in your locality”? Their answers have been reflected in table 4.4(a) & 4.4(b). From these tables we find that 72.9% general female members and 78.5% members of all women GPs told that they communicate the people talking with each household. 13.9% of all women GPs and 27.07% female members from general gram panchayats confessed that they communicate with the village people through party workers. 10.49% female members from 8 districts and 13.9% members of all women GPs also informed that they communicate the people through participation in GS. Some female members (11.1%) from general gram panchayats and from all women GPs (10.12%) confessed that they communicate with the people through husband or any male family member.

Table 4.4 (a):District wise Reflection of Mode of communications .

Name of Districts Total Respo-nse Do notcommunicate

Talking With Each

Household

At weeklymeeting

At GramSansad

Throu-ghParty

worker

Through husband orAny familymembers


Birbhum 21 0 13 1 1 2 5Burdwan 22 0 13 0 0 9 0


Paschim Medinipur 26 0 24 7 8 2 0South 24 Parganas 26 0 26 4 0 4 6

Total 181 10 (5.52 %) 132 (72.9%) 21 (11.6%) 19 (10.49%)

49(27.07%)

20 (11.1%)


Participation in meetings

Most of the members informed us that they always try to attend General meeting and other meeting called by Gram Panchayats but it becomes very difficult for them due to their household activity. Time is another factor. A large number of female members

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also told that as there are transport cost and other cost of refreshment, they can’t attend the meeting regularly.

Some of them (who are daily labour) informed that if they come regularly in the meeting then they would be deprived of daily wages.

Some of the female members have shown the interference of Party as the cause for not attending meeting.

Some male members told that as the female members are over-burdened by the household duties, their non-attendance in the meeting is permissible. After the meeting they are informed about the decisions or resolutions of the meeting.

Implementing Schemes

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Meeting Attend Lla f¡¢l e¡ z h¡¢sa HL¡ a¡C ka f¡¢l e¡ zI cannot attend meeting, as I am alone in the home. Paleza Begum , Member , Raipur-Supur GP , Birbhum

pi¡l pju h¢nli¡N rœ c¤f¤l b¡L z BN k¡Ju¡ Ap¤¤¢hd¡SeL qa¡ z HMe Bl pi¡u k¡C e¡ zMost of the meetings occur at noon. It was unusual time. Now I do not attend the meeting. Chandana Dutta , Member Itahar GP, Uttar Dinajpur

B¢j j¡R ¢h¢œ² Ll M¡Cz HL¢ce e¡ NmC pwp¡l AQmz j¡p 40 V¡L¡ f¡C pi¡u k¡h¡l SeÉz Hac§l bL h¡p MlQ¡ ch e¡ Oll MlQ¡ cMhz M¤h clL¡l e¡ fsm pi¡u k¡C e¡zI live on selling fish .If I do not go oneday, family can not run. If I attend meeting, I get Rs. 40/- per month. Out of this how can I meet up the transport cost of long distance journey or the transaction cost of the family? I do not attend meeting unless it is emergency. Smt. Bana Majhi , Member Salar GP , Murshidabad

¢h¢s hyd 1000 H 30V¡L¡ jS¥l£ f¡Cz fËQä n¡oe z B¢bÑL AhÙÛ¡ i¡a¡ 1500 V¡L¡ qm i¡m¡ quz qyÉ¡ a¡qm fË¢a¢ce A¢gp BphzI get Rs 30/- per 1000 bidi. Too much exploitation is there. If our honorarium becomes Rs. 1500/-, then we get benefited. Yes, then I can come to the office regularly. Hasena Khan , Sanchalak , Jogardanga , Paschim Medinipur

Eæuej§mL L¡Sl k ¢j¢Vw qu pM¡e B¢j k¡C ¢L¿¹¥ hn£ j¡e¤o k¡u e¡z j¡e¤o e¡ Bp¡l AeÉaj fËd¡e L¡lZ -- fË¡u pjÙ¹ ¢pÜ¡¿¹C f¡¢VÑ A¢gp eJu¡ qu z p…¢m j¡e¤ol jdÉ bL EW Bp e¡z ah f’¡ua p¢j¢a h¡ f’¡ua ¢L¿¹¥ p¡d¡lZ j¡e¤o k¡µRzI attend the developmental meeting but very few people go there. Most of the decisions have been taken by the Party, that is why the people do not attend the meeting. Those decisions do not emerge from the people. Still few people are going to the GP or PS. Baby Bhattacharya , Member Baghar –II , Bardha

In case of scheme implementations women members are very serious and active. There are few candidates who depend on their husbands for implementing schemes. We have seen in the field that female members are very much engaged in implementing SHGs, NREGA and Sanitation. Specially, women are now very much NREGS. In the table 4.4 (b) women member’s tendency towards implementing schemes has been depicted.

Table 4.4 (b ):District wise Reflection of Implementing Schemes

Name of Districts

Total Response

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Jalpaiguri 13 1 0 0 0 3 3 2 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 4 0 0Uttar

Dinajpur27 0 0 0 0 9 5 8 0 1 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 7 0 0 0

Birbhum 21 4 3 1 1 12

11

8 1 6 1 4 11

7 6 4 2 11

3 1 1

Burdwan 22 0 0 0 0 15

3 10

1 10

0 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 1

Murshidabad 28 14 5 2 5 18

10

10

2 10

10

9 14

4 5 5 1 13

2 0 2

Purulia 18 0 0 0 1 4 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0Paschim

Medinipur26 6 8 5 5 1

34 1

31 1

211

8 16

5 3 5 0 15

1 0 2

South 24 Parganas

26 11 6 0 2 15

10

12

2 9 1 7 8 0 2 7 0 17

2 0 0

Total 181 36 22 8 14

89

47

64

7 55

28

31

50

18

17

25

4 68

14

1 6


Most of the female members are very much active regarding Health. The fourth Saturday meeting at every Gram Panchayats has stired their senses. Male members also agree that women members have brought an impetus in the field of Health. Another reason is the Government order of bringing Sub-centre at Gram Panchayat office.

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NREGA l L¡S HC A’m qµR e¡ L¡le SC/ST l¡ S¢j pjam Ll¡ CaÉ¡¢c Q¡CR e¡ z iu plL¡l S¢j ¢eu ehzNo NREGA scheme is running in this area because SC/ ST people do not want to fill up or leveling their lands. They fear that government will take up their lands. Shantilata Mardi , Member, Bautia GP , Birbhum

Jl¡ h¡s£ bL h¢su Hp ü¡d£ei¡h L¡S Lla f¡lRe z ØL£jl L¡S Lla f¡lRe z Ha pwNW-el EfL¡l qµR, L¡le jucl OVe¡ jucl L¡R hmR J HN¤m¡ jV¡a f¡¢VÑ Jcl AfhÉhq¡l Ll e¡ z jucl L¡S ¢eù¡ BR z ¢WLW¡L ¢qp¡h l¡M z a¡C f’¡ual L¡S jul¡ k¡NÉzThey a can perform their duties coming out from their homes. They can implement schemes. As a result organization gets benefited because women can speak out their problems to the women members and Party cannot misuse the women members to solve these issues. Yhey have the persevearence. They can keep accounts properly. Thus women are suitable for panchayat works. Sk. Yasin , Member Rayan –I GP , Bardhaman

N.B : 1 = Integrated Child Development Scheme, 2= Shishu Siksha Karmasuchi, 3 = Madhyamik Siksha Karmasuchi, 4 = Sub-centre, 5= Roads, 6= IAY, 7= Drinking water, 8 = Drainage, 9= Sanitation, 10= Old age Pension, 11= Janani Suraksha Yojana, 12= National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 13= Annapurna Yojana, 14= Antyodaya Yojana, 15= Immunisation Programme, 16= Forestry, 17= Self Help Group Formation, 18 =Swajaldhara 19= Disaster Management, 20= Electricity.

Decision Making

Decision-making is a vital parameter indicating the degree of participation. We have tried to capture whether female members have firstly access in the process of decision-making and secondly control over the process. In this context they are asked that what demand they have put before General Meeting of Gram Panchayats. To our surprise, it is found that [Table 4.4(c)] 67.95 %

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e¡l£ J ¢nö LjÑp¤¤¢Q pÇfÑL hý ¢LR¥C AS¡e¡ z M¡¢eLV¡ S¡e¡ BR z d£l d£l S¡e¡ f¢lf§eÑa¡ f¡h z Naj¡p Hm¡L¡u 5¢V ¢nöl jªa¥É Bj¡cl i¡¢huR z Bj¡l pcpÉcl ¢eu ¢j¢Vw Ll¢R, ¢eu¢ja Health Awareness Programme Hl j¡dÉj e¡l£cl ü¡ÙÛÉ p-Qae Ll a¡m¡l Qø¡ Ll¡ qµR zMost of the programmes regarding “Nari o Sishu” are unknown to me. I know little. Gradually I would come to know completely. Last month, death of five babies had made me thinking about it. I have done the meetings with my members and am trying to make the women aware through the regular Health Awareness Programme. Smt. Ila Deshmukh , Pradhan Sonathali GP , Purulia

j¢qm¡ jð¡ll¡ hn active z Scheme-Hl V¡L¡ Hm j¢qm¡l¡ a¡cl pwpcl V¡L¡l hÉ¡f¡l Bc¡u Ll eez L¡S Lle a¡cl ü¡j£l¡ zBN jul¡ Ahm¡ ¢Rm- Ol bL h¡l qa e¡z ¢L¿¹¥ HMe a¡l¡ h¡Cl h¢lu HpRz Hl gm f¢lú¡l, f¢lµRæa¡, h¡bl¦j, f¡uM¡e¡ quR, ú¥m h¡µQ¡l¡ k¡µR- AeLV¡ H¢Nu HpRz Women members are very active. Women members can realize the money allotted for their sansads against a scheme. Works are done by their husbands. Initially , they were unsmart and could not come out of the home .But Now they have come out of the home. As a result they can follow the cleanliness; Latrinr and bathrooms have been constructed and children are going to the school ---- they become forward. Sirajul Islam, Member, Gurudaspur GP, Murshidabad .

n±Q¡N¡ll L¡S HM¡e M¤h C i¡m¡i¡h quRz Bj¡cl pcpÉl¡ fËaÉL i¡l ¢aeV bL hy¡¢n h¡¢Su m¡L a¡¢su¢Rz p¡iÑ Ll NR pÉ¡¢eVnel hÉ¡f¡lz ¢L¿¹¥ ¢ejÑm NË¡j f¤lú¡l bL Bjl¡ h¢’azWorks of sanitation have been done well here. Our members have driven away the people playing the whistle early in the morning. Survey has been done on this. But we are deprived of “Nirmal Gram” award. Sd. Manoar Jahan Begum , Pradhan Karisunda , Indus , Bankura

female members in 8 districts and put no demands before general meeting because they did not know the process. They were made understand that they have nothing to say but to obey and carry out the duties, which are handed over to them.

Table 4.4 (c): Reflection of demand put before General Meeting of GP.

Name of Districts Total Response No demand placed Demand placedJalpaiguri 13 13 0





Majority of the women members considered that their opinions in the GP meetings or outside of the GP get due importance only by hearing. However, opposition women representatives considered that their opinions are not even heared and often neglected by the Pradhan & other members of the ruling party of the GP concerned. They also pointed out that Pradhans ignore them about the activities of their constituencies.

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f’¡ua pi¡u Bj¡cl ö¨d¤ pC Ll¡l SeÉ X¡L¡ qu z Bj¡cl L¡e Lb¡C NË¡qÉ qu e¡ z a¡l Bj¡-cl pwpc pcpÉ eu HjeC HLSe p¡d¡le j¡e¤o ¢k¢e T¡sMä f¡¢VÑl pcpÉ ah q¡a ¢cu ph L¡S Ll¡ qu z NË¡j¡æue p¢j¢al ¢j¢Vw-H öd¤j¡œ HL¢V hÉ¡wL AÉ¡L¡E¾V -M¡m¡ quR j¡œ Bl L¡e L¡S qu e¡ zWe are called for in the GP meeting only for signature. None cares for our opinion. In my sansad all the works have been done by a fellow who is the member of Jharkhand Party but not elected representatives. No works has been done by Gram Unnayan Samiti except the opening of a bank account. Smt. Lina Panda, Member, Binpur Gram Panchayat, Paschim Medinipur

p¡d¡le pi¡u j¢qm¡ hm NË¡qÉ Ll e¡z fËd¡e p¡qh hme a¥¢j j¤M m¡s¡h e¡z BN -a¡ Lb¡C hma e¡z HMe 100 ¢cel L¡S qJu¡a ah¤ f¡š¡ ¢cµRzNone is there in GP meeting to recognize me as I am a woman. Pradhan says that do not open your mouth. Previously she did not talk. Now, she cares me as the NREGA works are going on. Smt. Kunti Mal , member, Kaitha , Birbhum

j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡ qJu¡u Bj¡l ja¡ja Efr¡ Ll¡ qu z p¡j¢NËLi¡h jucl ja M¤h HLV¡ f¡š¡ f¡u e¡ z L¡le f¤l¦oa¿» HMeJ hS¡u BRzMy opinion is always ignored as I am women member.Over all scenario is that, opinion of the women are ignored because the male dominance is still there. Sumita Chatterjee , member, Moukhali GP, South 24 Parganas

B¢j j§MÑ hm Bj¡L p¡je lM L¡S Llz ¢fRe cm Q¡m¡uz B¢j Q¡C j¢qm¡clJ pwlre h¡s¥Lz Ha j¢qm¡cl A¢dL¡l fË¢a¢ùa qhz a¡ e¡ qm Bjl¡ ¢pÜ¡¿¹ ¢emJ JM¡e Jl¡C h¡ f¤l¦ol¡ L¡S Llz Bj¡cl L¡e¡ S¡uN¡ eCz Bj¡L p¡je lM J L¡S Ll Bj¡L m¡e ¢hou S¡e¡u¢ez B¢j j§MÑ hm HC AhÙÛ¡z Bj¡l ja¡ AeLl HC AhÙÛ¡ qhz As I am illiterate, others surrogate me. Party controls me. I want that reservation of women seats should increase more. As a result women rights would be established. Otherwise men will dominate though we take the decision. We have no status. ON behalf of me doing all the works I am kept unaware of a Loan. This is because of my ignorance. Other women also will be suffere like me. Smt. Amba Bag , Member Na-hazari GP, South 24 Parganas

Majority of the female members and as well as male members confessed that decision has not been taken openly in the meeting rather it is placed in the meeting being previously decided by the ruling party. But it is always conveyed to the Gram Panchayat members.

Regarding this we again can consider the table 4.3(d). From this table it is observed that regarding preparing the plan of Gram Panchayats 37.30% of total female members is completely silent. Another 30.38% female member told that plan for GP has been made through people’s participation in Gram Sansad. Remaining 32.32% female members considered that plan has been made with the help of somewhere by “Samannay Committee”, somewhere by “Core committee”, somewhere by “Central Committee”, somewhere by “Check-up Committee” etc. These are various form of decision-making body of different political parties. This statement has also been supported by Male members.

83

HM¡eL¡l fËd¡e, jð¡l ph f¤a¥m qu hp luRe z ¢pÜ¡¿¹ ¢eµR f¡¢VÑ z l¦f¡ue LlR f’¡-ua LjÑ£ zPradhan, members of this GP are like dolls. The Party takes decision. Implementation part is in the hands of Panchayat- Karmee. Smt. Radharani Rana , Pradhan Binpur GP , Paschim Medinipur

NË¡j f’¡ual bLJ hs HLV¡ A¢gp BR kM¡e ph ¢LR¥l HLV¡ lay-out qu z jð¡l h¡ fËd¡e-Hl fr pñh eu f¡¢VÑ p¡f¡VÑ R¡s¡ f¤l¡ L¡S a¥m Be¡ z ah I A¢gpl ph¡CL VÊ¢ew ¢cm i¡m quzThere is another office bigger than G.P. where layout of everything is done. It is not possible for Pradhans & members to complete any work without the help of the party. It is better to train up all the people of that office. Shri Goutam Mallik, Pradhan Ranisarai G.P., Paschim Medinipur

NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢al ¢j¢Vw ¢eu¢ja qu e¡ z fËu¡Se, L¡e plL¡l£ p¤¤k¡N p¤¤¢hd¡ H-m ¢j¢Vw X¡L¡ qu, L¡e ¢pÜ¡¿¹ eh¡l rœ pjeÄu L¢j¢Vl ¢j¢Vw-H f¡¢VÑa BN ¢pÜ¡¿¹ qu fl vdc- a f¡n L¢lu eJu¡ quzMeeting of Gram Unnayan samiti does not take place regularly. If any governmental scheme comes, then meeting is called for. Decisions are taken by Samannay Committee and after that this has been passed in VDC. Smt. Khukumani dalal, Member Talda GP, Paschim Medinipur

Due to decentralization Gram Unnayan Samiti, now has been playing a pivotal role in decision-making. Ideologically it should be a forum of the people of each sansad. In stead of that, it becomes the power centre centering which we have observed in the field, literally an unannounced war between ruling party and the oppositions. Most of the female members (male members also) of different political parties claimed that either no Gram Unnayan Samiti has been formed or ignoring them Pradhans and Secretaries have constituted Gram Unnyan Samiti in their Constituencies. In the formation of Gram Unnyan Samiti, the Secretary incorporated the entire ruling party supporter in the open category.

84

Bj¡l Hm¡L¡u NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢al NWe fË¢œ²u¡u pjpÉ¡ ¢Rm z NË¡j f’¡ual p-œ²V¡l£ Bj¡cl Ah‘¡ Ll ¢eSl jae Ll NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢a NWe LlR z NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢a HMe j¤ma x ¢p.¢f.Hj cm à¡l¡ f¢lQ¡¢ma zThere was problem in formation of Gram Unnyan Samity in my Sansad. Secretary has formed GUS ignoring me. GUS is now directed and managed by the CPI(M) party. Madhabi Manna, Sanchalak, Moukhali G.P., South 24-Pgs.

HLV¡ ú£jl ¢i¢ša Efi¡š²¡l e¡j ¢WL Ll cu f¡¢VÑl pjeÄu L¢j¢V z a¡lfl NË¡j Eæue pwpcl p‰ hp Bf¡p Ll¡ qu z Q¡¢fu cJu¡ qu e¡zNames of the beneficiaries are selected by the Samannay Committee of the party. Then it is compromised with the Gram Unnyan Samity. But it is not put force from the top. Azfar Sekh Hossein, Member Salar G.P., Murshidabad

j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡l¡ Lhm pC Ll - a¡cl ¢pÜ¡¿¹ f§hÑC f¡¢VÑNa i¡h -eJu¡ b¡L z pcpÉ¡l¡ Lhm pC Ll Hhw peÈ¢a S¡e¡u z Bl k c¤-HLSe ¢hl¡d£ pcpÉ¡ hm¡l Qø¡ Lle, a¡cl ja¡ja …l¦aÆ f¡u e¡ z HlLji¡h ¢hlš² qu HLSe pcpÉ¡ f’¡ua k¡Ju¡ hÜ LlRe Hhw haÑj¡e n¡e¡ k¡µR ¢a¢e n¡pLcm k¡N ¢cuRezWomen members only signed- there decisions are fixed previously by the party. Members only support this and sign it. Those opposition members who tried to say something are ignored. Being annoyed with this practice, one member has stopped owing to panchayats. Now it it is heard that she has joined in the rulling party.

pjeÄu L¢j¢Va priority Ll¡l pju fËbj fËd¡el ja n¡ee f¡¢VÑl convenor z a¡lfl k¢c L¡eJ f¢lhaÑel clL¡l qu a¡ convenor Lle z HV¡ BN qa e¡ -- gm Bj¡cl l¡SÉ f¡¢VÑ ¢ecÑ¢nL¡, 2003 H hm¡ qm L¡b¡J L¡b¡J pcpÉl¡ f¡¢VÑl cmea¡l rubber stamp ¢qp¡h hÉhq©a qµR --gm HC hcm Hm z HMe convenor- l¡ S¡ea Q¡e fËd¡e h¡ pcpÉcl ja¡ja z In the time of making priority list in Samannay Committee, the convenor of the party at first listens to Pradhan. Then if any change is needed, that has been done by the convenor. This practice was not followed previously. But in the State Party Guideline, 2003 it was mentioned that somewhere members are used as the rubber stamps of the party. Thus now the convenor hears to Pradhan at first. Tarapada Giri, Savapati Dantan-II P.S., Paschim Medinipur

In case of decision making by Gram Unnayan Samiti elected representatives both female and male have identified two points that

voting system in GUS is defective and Sachib of GUS becomes more powerful than the member chairperson.

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¢LR¥ m¡L suport cu z ¢L¿¹¥ ¢LR¥ m¡L f¡¢VÑlC q¡js¡Q¡js¡ Bj¡l L¡S h¡d¡ cu- ApeÈ¡e Ll z L¡S Lla CµR eC z n¡M¡ pÇf¡cLC Bj¡l NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢al p¢Qh z Je¡l L¡R NmJ E¢e avoid Llez E¢e hup Hhw fcjkÑ¡c¡u hsz gm Bj¡l L¡S Lla Ap¤¤¢hd¡ quz Some people give supports to me. But some of the party leaders always oppose me, dishonour me. I have no interest to do all this works. Because LCS is the Secretary of my GUS. He avoids me. He is older than me and senior in party. Thus I am facing obstructions to do something.

Arati Chakraborty, Member

¢hl¡d£ qJu¡l SeÉ pcpÉl¡ Bj¡L aje …l¦aÆ ¢ca Q¡u e¡z f’¡ual L¡SLjÑ cm£u fËi¡h luRz Bj¡L h¡c ¢cuC NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢a N¢Wa quRz ¢hl¡d£ pjbÑLl à¡l¡ N¢Wa NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢aa B¢j …l¦aÆq£ez a¡l¡ HLLi¡h ¢pÜ¡¿¹ ¢eµRz ah f’¡ual L¡SLjÑl rœ cml f¤l¡e¡ ¢LR¥ j¡e¤o p¡q¡kÉ Llz HC NË¡j f’¡ua Bj¡l Lb¡l L¡e j§mÉ eCz Being an opposition member, I am ignored by other members. Panchayats works are influenced by the party. GUS has been formed without me. I am least important in GUS formed by the supporters of the opposite party. They are taking decision their own. But some old leaders also help the works of panchayat. My opinion is less valued in this GP. Minati Bikram, Member, Roydighi G.P., South 24-Pgs.

NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢a NWe ¢eÜ¡¢la pjul c¤O¾V¡ fl pœ²V¡l£ Hmez Bj¡l pjbÑLl¡ A°dkÑ qu Qm Nmez ¢a¢e ¢ehÑ¡Qe p¡la Q¡Cmez Bjl¡ ea¥e Ll ¢ce -O¡oe¡l c¡h£ S¡e¡m¡jz ¢L¿¹¥ ¢p.¢f.BC.(Hj)-Hl pjbÑLl¡ pC ¢ceC ¢ehÑ¡Qe Lla Q¡Cmz h¡ydm ¢hl¡dz fËd¡e fl f’¡ua A¢gp hp L¢j¢V NWe Llme Bj¡L e¡ S¡¢euz L¢j¢Vl p¢Qh ¢p.¢f.BCz(Hj) cml HLSe ea¡L °al£ Llmez In the formation of GUS, Secretary of GP came after two hours of scheduled time. My supporters went away being impatient. Then he wanted to elect the GUS. We demanded for the announcement of another day of election. But the supporters of CPI(M) wanted to operate election on that day. Then hue and cry started. After that pradhan formed GUS sitting at GP office without informing me. The secretary of GUS is the leader of CPI(M) party.

Kanchan Mandal, Member

Summary:

From the above analysis we can have following verdicts ---- Most of the female members reach at door steps of the people Some female members communicate with the people through Husbands or Party

workers. Most of the female members try to attend meeting regularly with highest

attendance of Pradhans and Upa-pradhans and lower among members. The proxy attendance for women members by husband or family members has

been null and void. Most of the female members are alert about the schemes but in most cases in

implementing schemes they have to depend on either Secretary of Gram Unnayan Samiti or Party workers or Husband.

The exclusion of women representatives from effective decision making in panchayats is still there.

Most of the time female members have to obey the whip of either Secretary or Executive Assistant of Gram Panchayat office or Sachib of Gram Unnayan Samiti or Party Leaders or Pradhan or at least husband. It is also true for all women Gram Panchayats.

Some women members have access in decision-making but no control. Very few (they are Pradhans and having position in the Party) have both access and control in Decision making

In case of Participation we have found contradictory role of Party Politics. All the parties are working as a catalyser towards the participation of women in PRIs.

86

fËn¡p¢eL i¡h h¡ L¡kÑ¢i¢ša ¢hL¢¾cÊLlZl Lb¡ hm¢Rz ¢L¿¹¥ Bpm SefË¢a¢e¢d-cl rœ HC h¡aÑ¡ f±yRµRe¡z Hrœ l¡S°e¢aL ea¡ bL a«Zj§m Ù¹ll LjÑ£ Ah¢d O¡V¢a BRz HclL pÇj¡e cJu¡ h¡ …l¦aÆ cJu¡ - H…m¡ L¡kÑrœ qµRe¡z jð¡l Hl bL a¡l Gus- Hl p¢Qh C pîÑph¡z jð¡L e¡ S¡¢eu p¢Qh C ph LlRez Hcl jkÑ¡c¡ e¡ ¢cm Hl¡ L¡S Llhe ¢L i¡h?The message of decentralization has been discenimated through administration. But this has not been reached to the representatives. This happens right from the political leader to the grass-root level workers. Members are not given there due respect or importance. Secretary of GUS is more powerful than the members. He is doing everything ignoring the member. How then members will work if they are not honoured.

Mohosin Khan, MemberJogardanga, Garhbeta, Paschim Medinipur

NË¡j Eæue p¢j¢a Ù¹l pi¡f¢al a¥me¡u p¢Qh AeL rœC powerfull -- Ha pju ¢hno Ap¤¤¢hd¡J qu z ah a¡ ¢j¢Vu cJu¡ qu z Secretary of GUS is more powerful than the President. This creates problem, but it can be resolved.

Aparna Saha Member of P.S. & Savapati, Burdwan-I P.S., Burdwan

But they are also working as hindrances in the path of decision-making by women.

Source : Field Survey

4.5 Capacity Building:

Capacity building can be judged from the viewpoint of “Power within” and “Power outside” of the female representatives. “Power within” of women representatives can be assessed through education, exposure and political experiences. As a result Table 3.4(a), table 3.8(c) may be considered again. According to these tables 88.08% female members are literate and 36.92% are experienced. They also admitted that they had initial hesitancy in speaking in front of public gathering particularly in Gram Sansad meeting. However now a days they do not feel hesitant in speaking in public meeting. All the Pradhans of our sample GPs view that in GP meeting they provide time to all the women members to speak on the agenda of the meeting, However it has been noticed that a large number of members are ordained to speak within party guideline. It has also been found that members belonging to relatively higher party leadership speak. To assess “Power outside” we would consider the institutional supports either from government or party or the villagers or any NGOs. For this reason they are asked the following questions –

What supports have you got after being elected ? How does your party help you ? What are the constraints faced by you in performing your work ? What are your suggestions to make the members more active ?

Supports

The answer of first question has been reflected in the following table 4.5(a) .

87

Box – 5 : Women’s Participation : Field observations

Women members are very reluctant in attending meetings due to lack of time, family pressure and for traveling –cost.

Most of the women representatives are dependant on male, husband or family members or secretary.

Women members are more participative in their oirganisational work rather than their panchayats’ work.

Women members who are educated or groomed in a political background are more vocal than others at gram panchayat level.

Still today significant number of the female members have to obey the whip of male actors.

The proxy attendance for women members by husband or family members has been null and void.

Table 4.5 (a) :District wise various Support Systems for the female members


No support

Trg. by

Govt.

Trg. by

NGO

Trg. by Party

Guidance by Ex-

mem

Reading material

s

Field visit

Support by husband/fa

mily

Support by

Secretary

Support by party to

perform the work

Support by Dalaneta to perform the

work

Support from

villagers

Support from

officers

Jalpaiguri 13 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5 1Uttar Dinajpur 27 20 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Birbhum 21 1 20 0 4 1 11 1 1 2 1 1 0 0Burdwan 22 2 20 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Murshidabad 28 0 28 0 2 0 18 0 0 2 0 0 0 0Purulia 18 6 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Paschim

Medinipur26 7 16 1 2 1 10 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

South 24 Pagans 26 0 19 0 2 0 5 0 5 5 2 0 9 4Total 181 36 119 1 30 2 44 2 7 10 3 1 15 5

Percentage 100 19.89 65.74 0.55 16.57 1.1 24.31 1.1 3.87 5.52 1.66 0.55 8.29 2.76


From these tables it is clear that 19.88% general female members have not got any support and remaining 80.12% of general female members considered that they have got the supports. According to them they have got supports like training by govt., training by NGO, training by party, Guidance by Ex-member, Reading materials, field visit, support by husband/family, support by secretary, support by party to perform the work, support by Dalaneta to perform the work, support from villagers, support from officers etc.

Among 260 female members 157 (60.38%) female members have got the training. And remaining 39.62 % have not got training. This denotes that a significant number of female representatives are uncovered by the knowledge and skill support. But surprisingly 32.91 % of members of all women gram panchayats and 24.31 % female members of 32-gram panchayts have got the reading materials. In the time of our survey we are informed that members are not happy with the quality of Training and they demand for timely and regular training. Most of the members both male & female also admitted that the quality of training by govt. is not up to the mark.

.

88

Bpm pjpÉ¡ qm f’¡ual VÊ¢ew-Hl Ai¡h z 3 ¢cel fË¢nrel hÉhÙÛ¡ qu¢Rm z fËbj¢ce Eà¡de, M¡Ju¡ c¡Ju¡ Nm z Bl nol ¢ce Qm k¡Ju¡l a¡¢Nc ¢Rm z j¡T kaV¥L¥ pju f¡Ju¡ Nm a¡a h¤¢s R¡u¡l jae HLV¥ HLV¥ Bm¡Qe¡ qm z AeLl Lb¡C h¤¢T¢e z clL¡l ¢eu¢ja fË¢nrZl z The main problem is the lack of training of Panchayat. There was a training of 3 days. The first day was spent with the inaugaration and with the lunch and dinner. And last day was covered with the tension of leaving the place. In the mean time, we got little time to discuss few matters just as routine. I could not follow most of the lectures. I need regular training.

Hasanuzzaman Mollah, Member, Na-hazari G.P., South 24-Pgs.

hÔLl fË¢nre M¤h ¢eeÈj¡el VÊ¢ewz jucl i¡m L¡S Lla Nm BCe-L¡e¤e S¡e¡ clL¡lz fË¢nre i¡m¡ Ll Hhw OeOe qm jul¡ i¡m L¡S Lla f¡lhzThe block level training is of very low quality. Women members need to know the rules and regulations in order to perform effectively. If the training is imparted in good quality and frequently then the women members can perform well.

Madhav Mandal, Pradhan Doulatabad G.P., Murshidabad

j¢qm¡ pcpÉ¡cl ¢hno fË¢nrZl clL¡l z c¤iÑ¡NÉ hna: Hcl A¢dL¡wnC fË¢nrZ f¡e¢e z pju pju fË¢nre ¢cm j¢qm¡l¡ BlJ hn£ pœ²£u qa f¡l, L¡S…m¡ h¤Ta f¡lh zj¢qm¡ abÉ fËk¤¢š²l fË¢nrZl fËu¡Se, fËu¡Se BlJ hn£ Ll ü¡ÙÛÉ, ¢nr¡ fËLÒf eSl cJu¡ zWomen members need training. It is bad luck that most of them have not got training. If the training can be imparted very often, women members can be active more and can understand the works. They need training of Information Technology. Especially they need training on health, education etc.

Hasibur Mollah, Upa-Pradhan,

Support from the PartyAnswer of the second question has been reflected in Table 4.5(b) . Out of 181

female members 54 members ( 14.9 %) told that they have not got any party support. Remaining 85.1% female members told that they have got support from party in various ways. Giving training, advising monitoring work of panchayats regularly, making the priority list of the names emerged from Gram Sansads, making annual plan and supplying party-workers for implementing any schemes.

Table 4.5 (b): Reflection of how does Party help the female members.

Name of Districts

Total Res-ponse

Nothing Training Advising

Monitoring

Works of Panchayats

Making Priority List of Names of beneficiaries

MakingAnnual

Plan

Supplying

Partyworkers


Birbhum 21 12 1 12 5 0 0 2Burdwan 22 5 3 11 7 4 1 7

Murshidabad 28 0 0 14 2 0 0 0Purulia 18 1 0 6 1 0 0 0Paschim

Medinipur26 2 5 23 3 1 0 0

South 24 Parganas

26 2 4 14 11 0 0 2

Total 181 27 13 104 36 5 1 11

Percentage 100 14.9 7.18 57.45 19.88 2.76 0.55 6.07Source : Field Survey, 2007

Out of 260 female members covering 39 Gram Panchayats 44 members (16.92 %) told that they get no help from their parties. Remaining 83. 08 % female members confessed that they get help in various ways. According to majority of the female members , 57.45 % from 32 Grampanchayats and 64.55 % from all women gram panchayats told that their Parties only help by advising in various matters. 16.45% members from all women gram panchayats and 7.18 % from 32 general gram panchayats have confessed that Party also gives training to them.

Constraints

89

Third question, “What are the constraints faced by you in performing your work?” was put to them to know their feelings towards hindrances. Table 4.5 (c) and 4.5 (d) depict their responses. It is clear from these two tables that Male intervention is the main problem as told by maximum respondants (49.72 %) in 32 gram panchayats, whereas maximum members (41.77%) of all women gram panchayats told that party intervention is the most prominent problem. Next constraint identified by the female representatives of 32 grampanchayats is Party conflict which is not so serious in all women gram panchayats but is mentioned by 11.39 % of the members. Lack of training and distant location and lack of communication are also vital constraint as told by significant number of members.

Table 4.5 (c ): Reflection of Constraints faced by the female members of 32 Gram Panchayats

Name of Districts

Total Res-ponse

No training

No monitori

ng & supervisi

on

Distant location and

lack of communicati

on

Male interventi

on

Party interventi

on

Low level of education

& knowledge

Partyconflict


Birbhum 21 3 5 3 11 4 3 3

90

Bl fËd¡e b¡La Q¡Ce¡ l¡S°e¢aL X¡j¡X¡ml L¡lZ z ¢eSl cml jdÉC Ha Mu¡M¢u k L¡S Lla f¡l¢R e¡ zI don’t want to be the pradhan due to political mess. There is so much intra-party conflict in my party that I can’t work.

Mukti Mandal, PradhanNiallishpara-Goaljan, Murshidabad

f’¡ua J f’¡ua p¢j¢a ¢jm ¢hl¡d£ frl pcpÉ pwMÉ¡ A¢dL b¡L¡u l¡S°e¢aL ¢h-l¡¢da¡l L¡le ¢hNa 2/3 hvpl f’¡ual L¡eJ L¡SC qu¢e, Eæuel N¢a Ù¹ì z As there are more opposition at GP level and PS level, no work has been done since last 2-3 years at GP- development has been stagnant.

Smt. Rita Goswami, Pradhan Dhelatbamu G.P., Purulia

l¡S°e¢aL L¡¾cm Hje AhÙÛ¡u k fb cM¡e¡l LE eC z pwpcC Bj¡l cml LE b¡L e¡z LwNËp jð¡l hma Bj¡l m‹¡ m¡N z h¡L£ 9V¡ j¡p L¡e œ²j L¡V¡a Q¡C zPolitical conflict has reached such a level that none can lead us. None of my party attempts gram sansad. I fell sorry to say myself as a member of Congress party. I have to spent rest of the days at any cost.

Kalpana Swarnakar, Sanchalak,Niallishpara-Goaljan, Murshidabad

Burdwan 22 0 0 6 12 0 3 4Murshidabad 28 10 5 4 10 2 3 22

Purulia 18 7 2 3 7 0 2 0Paschim

Medinipur26 1 1 7 16 6 2 10

South 24 Parganas

26 6 6 2 16 5 6 17

Total 181 33 26 28 90 20 32 56Percentage 100 18.23 14.36 15.46 49.72 11.04 17.67 30.93


Patriarchal intervention is still there. This societal problem stated by all the female members has been portrayed by the table 4.5 (d)

Table 4.5 (d) : Patriarchy Intervention : Actors of Decision making

(In case of women members )

Name of GPs Gram Sansad sabha

Gram unnayan Samiti

meeting

Upasamity meeting

Gram Panchayats

work

Gram Panchayats

meeting

Field work or Public dealing

Lankaparahusband GUS

Secretary--- Husband,

Secretary---- Husband

Madarihat---- Member Member Pradhan Secretary Members,

Party

Falakata-1People Member Member Pradhan Pradhan Members,

Party

Madhabdanga IIPeople Member Member Pradhan Pradhan Members,

Party

Panjipara---- GUS

SecretarySecretary Secretary,

DalanetaSecretary Husband

Goalpokhar---- GUS

Secretary---- Secretary,

DalanetaSecretary Husband

Durgapur---- GUS

Secretary---- Secretary,

Dalaneta----- Members,

Party

Itahar---- Member Pradhan Pradhan Pradhan,

Party

Doutalatabad

Party GUS Secretary

Secretary Pradhan , Secretary

Pradhan,Samannay Committee

Pradhan,Party

GurudaspurPradhan &

PartyGUS

SecretaryMember Ex pradhan,

SecretarySamannay Committee

Members,Party

Niallishpara Goaljan

People,Party Member Pradhan Pradhan Pradhan Members,Party

SalarParty Member Secretary Secretary Party Members,

PartyName of GPs Gram

Sansad sabha

Gram unnayan Samiti

meeting

Upasamity meeting

Gram Panchayats

work

Gram Panchayats

meeting

Field work or Public dealing

Rayan-IMember Member Pradhan Pradhan Members,

Party

Baghar-IIPeople ,Part

yGUS

SecretaryMember Member,

PartyPradhan Members,

Party

SalanpurGUS

SecretarySecretary Member,


Party

91

RainaPeople Member Member Member,


Party

Manihara---- GUS

SecretaryPradhan Pradhan, Members,

Party

Sonathali

People, Party

GUS Secretary

Member Pradhan, Member,

Party

Pradhan Members,Party

Majhidih---- GUS

SecretaryMember Member,


Party

Dhelatbamu----- -- --- Pradhan ---- Members,

Party

Rani SaraiParty GUS

SecretaryMember Pradhan,

SecretaryPradhan Members,

Party


Last question was put to them as we wanted to see the problem from their outlook. Table 4.5 (e) has portrayed their views.

Table 4.5 (e) : Suggestions given by the female members of 32 Gram Panchayats for making the members more effective.

Name of Districts

Total Res-ponse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Jalpaiguri 13 9 0 7 0 8 3 0 0 0 7Uttar Dinajpur 27 13 1 0 2 5 5 7 0 0 0

Birbhum 21 18 6 7 6 2 19 0 2 0 6Burdwan 22 13 9 1 8 0 7 0 0 1 8

Murshidabad 28 16 2 10 11 5 11 5 5 0 7Purulia 18 12 0 1 0 8 3 10 0 0 0Paschim

Medinipur26 14 10 5 3 2 16 9 4 0 12

South 24 Parganas

26 17 12 10 0 3 5 0 1 0 9

Total 181 112 40 41 30 33 69 31 12 1 49Percentage 100 61.8

722.09 22.6

516.5

718.2

338.1

217.1

26.62 0.55 27.0

7Source : Field Survey, 2007

N.B. : 1= Timely, Continuous and issue oriented good quality training, 2 = Follow-up Session, 3 = Regular administrative monitoring, 4= Mobile Training Team, 5 = G.O.s and circulars in local language, 6 = Honararium, 7= Daily food at gram panchayats, 8 = Vehicle, 9 = Quarters, 10 = Local forums of women members.From these tables we have got various suggestions from the elected representatives what they feel better.

Both in all women gram panchayats and also in general gram panchayats maximum female members ( 75.9 % and 61.87 % respectively ) voted for quality training which they need just after the election and very often . They also told that it would be helpful for them if they are trained up on various issues or schemes.

17.37 % total female members demanded for follow-up session after the training.

92

15.75 % of women members asked for regular administrative monitoring 17.14 % of female representatives suggested for mobile training team which can

facilitate the backbenchers. Some reported that all the G.O.s , circulars and any scheme guidelines should be

written or translated in local languages so that they can perform better. Not only that they also told that each member should get all these documents.

27.28 % female members demanded for better honorarium so that they can give time in panchayat works in stead of earning their bread.

To our surprise 12.99 % female members told that if there were any provision for daily food for members of gram panchayats , then members could devote more times for panchayats’ work.

Few members told about vehicle and quarters for Pradhan so that members or office bearers can give their best.

46.83 % of all women gram panchayats and 27.07 % members of general GPs suggested for local women forum of elected representatives so that they can exchange their views with the neighbouring gram panchayats or discuss any problem.

93

pcpÉ ¢qp¡h ¢eS LMeJ GO f¢s¢e L¡le HLV¡J f¡C¢e z S¡l Llm p¡d¡le pi¡u fs -cJu¡ quR z GO …m¡L Notice Board -H T¥¢mu cJu¡l c¡h£ ¢Rm z HC c¡h£a HL¢ce Bjl¡ Walk-out Ll¢R z ¢h.¢X.J, ¢ej¡C q¡mc¡lL S¡¢eu¢R ¢L¿¹¥ L¡S qu¢e z L¡le ¢h.¢X.J.S¡e¡me majority must be granted- majority hmm ahC GO hm¡ k¡h zAs a member I have read a single GO because I can’t get it. When we forcefully demand for that, then GOs are read out in general meeting of GP. Once we demanded that GOs should be put up in notice board. On this demand we also walked out one day. We also informed the BDO, Nemai Haldar, but all are in vein. Because BDO told us that majority must be granted. If majority allows, then GO can be given.

Ranjan Sarkar, Member, Niallishpara-Goaljan G.P., Murshidabad

40 V¡L¡ hae j¡p 2 h¡l Ll ¢j¢Vw Lla Bp¡ pñh eu z fLV bL Bl¡J fup¡ h¡l Lla qu zHl SeÉ i¡a¡ h¡s¡e¡ clL¡lzIt is not possible to attend the meeing twice in a month in lieu of Rs. 40. We have to spent more. It needs to increase honorarium.

Nasim Khan, Member Salar G.P., Murshidabad

B¢bÑL AhÙÛ¡ M¡l¡f qm a¡L ¢cu L¡S Ll¡e¡ k¡h e¡ - gm AbÑl pq¡ua¡ cJu¡ clL¡l- i¡a¡l hÉhÙÛ¡ Ll¡ z pj¡S ph¡l je¡i¡h ¢eu LSe Bl Bp!If financial condition is bad then the members can’t work. Thus financial assistance is necessary – it needs higher remuneration. How many people do come with the mentality of doing social work?

Nazrul Islam, MemberGurudaspur G.P., Murshidabad

Box 6 : Story of the Streams

Summary:

From the above analysis we have understood that, no doubt women members have the “Power within” ,but they are lacking

confidence due to low education and exposure. Still overcoming the initial hesitation they are participating gradually with the system.

Most of the office-bearers have confidence either due to knowledge power or due to working experience or political experience.

For capacity building they have got not very much support from the government except reading materials and training which is not so effective .

In the field they have got only support from the Party. There is no suo-moto help-line from the end of the officials. Women being outspoken infront of men are not allowed in the rural society. As a

result patriarchal intervention is there. Party intervention and Party conflict are two main constraints in the way of

capacity building of women members. There has been a powerful resistance to women’s empowerment from the existing

power structure. This form of resistance is more visible in tea gardens, coal-mines area and tribal belt.

Women as panchayat representatives are yet to penetrate into the areas of women’s vulnerability for their rights, legal literacy and gender justice.

Chapter - 5

This chapter attempts to portray the picture of the other side of the table.Through the eyes of the 3900 villagers covering 8 districts we have tried to measure the status of the women members .For this we have selected some fields from the context of which we can apprehend the actual situation. General people’s perception regarding the women members in panchayats also began to change as revealed from the study. Until recently

94

Tapati and Sandhya, two young village girls of lin and thin figure, dressed in simple cotton sarees, chappals in their feet, with uncombed hair are seen everyday morning coming to Gram Panchayat office by bicycle with a bundle of little rice and potatoes. They start their day at dawn going to the open field and bank of the ponds with sticks and whistles to forbade the open latrine. They spend the wholeday in the office to help the people by listening their problems, trying to solve the problems, writing their applications, dealing with the official works and so on. In a short gap they also cook their lunch and in the evening they go out in the hamlets to share people’s weal and woe. Spending whole day in outside they return their home late . At home none waits for them except their mothers with the plate of rice. They are the Pradhan and Upa-pradhan of Kultikari, all women Gram Panchayat of Sankrail-II block of Paschim Midnapore.

source : Researcher’s Field visit .

women as panchayat functionaries were looked down upon. But of late, situation began to change, thanks to 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

Coverage

Out of 3900 voices how many female voices we could catch that has been shown in Table 5.1. Among eight districts highest female voices have been obtained from Jalpaiguri district and lowest is in Murshidabad. We got highest male voices in Murshidabad (72%), South 24 Parganas (70%), and Uttar Dinajpur (69%) and Birbhum (68.75%). This sequence prompted us to find out the reasons and reached surprising views that those districts are dominated by Muslim populations and also marked by low female literacy. Column 4 shows that the female lirteracy rate of the said districts are less than or equal to 50% and column 5 shows the Minority population per cent in these four districts are on top. Low voice of female in Purulia is not due to minority (lowest 5.25%) but for low female literacy rate (33.9%). Position of Burdwan is quite good as there the female voice is to some extent about to be equal.

Table : 5.1 : Female assertion by literacy and Religion .

Name of the districts Sample coverage of

Male

Sample coverage of

Female

Female literacy

(%)

Minority (%)

Jalpaiguri 30% 70% 48 8.25Uttar Dinajpur 69 % 31 % 31.4 47.36Murshidabad 72% 28% 46.4 49.63

Burdwan 53.5% 46.5% 57.1 17.09Birbhum 68.75% 31.25% 50.4 28.04Purulia 62.75% 37.25% 33.9 5.25

Paschim Midnapore 51.67% 49.33% 63.6 9.32South 24 Parganas 70% 30% 36.9 24.76

Source : Field Survey ,2007 and Census Report ,2000

The correlation between voice of female and caste has been calculated as - 0.673 and that of male is +0.69. This means that the femal voice and caste have a very clearly established positive association. Similarly correlation between voice of female and female literacy rate is obtained as +0.166 which implies that there is only a tendency towards a positive relationship.

Chart 5.1 describes the combination of populations per cent among the sample i,e, general population , SC population , ST population , Minority and others. Comparing this chart with chart 2.1 it is clear that at random interview of the people has reflected almost the ratio of cast-wise population break-up except the districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Purulia and South 24 Parganas .

Chart 5.1 : District wise sample from various caste.

95

General SC ST Minority Others

Jalpaiguri 13 20 15.25 1.75 0

Uttar Dinajpur 7.75 64.5 10.5 17.25 0

Murshidabad 17.25 11.5 7 64 0.25

Burdwan 52.25 33 3.5 10.5 0.5

Birbhum 17.5 32.5 11 38 1

Purulia 54 19 20.5 5.25 1.25

Paschim Midnapur 53.22 34.33 7.77 1.11 3.55

General SC ST Minority Others

Identity

To understand the ground reality peoples were asked whether they know the member or not. Association of the member with the people has been reflected in the Table 5.2 (a), 5.2 (b). and 5.3. (a) ,5.3 (b). It has been found from table 5.2(a) that in the district of Jalpaiguri, South 24 Parganas and Birbhum more than 90% of the people know the member and can identify her or him. It is quite surprising that Burdwan, being one of the toppers according to district development index reflects that 15% of the population does not know their member and only 69.5% people know the member by name and by figure. This may happen as development creates some dissociation within the the community. Due to Media advertisement, postering etc .members does not need to contact door to door. In Uttar Dinajpur 16% people do not know the name of their member. It has been seen during our survey that in two members’ sansad male member is known to all but the lady is behind the veil. In case of female member villagers know her well but do not know her name. Instead of, she is known as someone’s wife. In some cases lady member’s husband is known as member in the locality. It proves that even women representatives also have still no voice.

Table 5.2 (a) : District wise Association of the member with the people

Name of the districts People not know the

member (%)

People know member only by

name (%)

People know member but don’t

know name (%)

People know the member by name & in figure (%)

Jalpaiguri 0 .5 .5 99Uttar Dinajpur 8 0.75 16 75.25Murshidabad 7.5 0 6.5 86

96

Burdwan 15 2 13.5 69.5Birbhum 5.25 0.25 2.25 92.25Purulia 13.25 1.25 7.75 77.75

Paschim Midnapore .75 .5 12.25 79.75South 24 Parganas 2.5 1.25 0.25 96

Total 6.53 0.81 7.37 84.43Source : Field Survey ,2007

Table 5.2 (b) : : Association of the member with the people in All women GPs

Name of Gram Panchayats

People not know the member (%)

People know member only by

name (%)

People know member but don’t

know name (%)

People know the member by name & in figure (%)

Kultikari 17 9 27 47Andhari 7 1 29 63

Benachapra 9 0 22 69Jogardanga 10 0 18 72Jenkapur 18 1 20 61

Shyambazar 28 4 11 57Karishunda 7 3 6 84

Total 13.71 2.57 19 64.71Source : Field Survey ,2007

Comparing with other Gram Panchayats, a modest alieniation of member from public has been observed in all women Gram Panchayats (Table 5.2(b)). When 84 % people in other gram panchayats know the members fully, only 64 % people know the women members fully in all women gram – panchayats. On an average 13.71 % people (col. 2) neither recognize member nor even know his or her name. 19 % members of all women GPs have no identity rather than a stamp. This situation is also present in other gram panchayats but in negligible magnitude. This data reveals that still after 15 years of Reservation question of identity of women vis-a-vis men is rather low or non-existent.

Communication5.3 (a) : District wise reflection of various mode of Contacts

Name of the districts

No contact

(%)

Contact at the

time of vote (%)

Regular personal visit (%)

Contact through husband

(%)

Contact by party member

(%)

Contact at Gram sansad

(%)

Contact through meeting

(%)Jalpaiguri 2.5 0.5 60.50 0 2.5 2 37.5

Uttar Dinajpur 38.75 8 48.50 1.5 1.5 2.25 2.5Murshidabad 14.75 29.25 52 .50 1 .25 2.25

Burdwan 29 8 53.75 1.25 1.75 .25 7Birbhum 16 21.25 57 0 .75 1 16.75Purulia 35.5 15.25 40 0 1.75 1.75 9.25Paschim

Midnapore17.25 7.25 69.75 .75 2 2.5 5.75

South 24 24.75 16 42.25 .75 4 4.75 10.25

97

ParganasTotal 22.31 13.18 52.96 0.59 1.90 1.84 11.40

Source : Field Survey ,20075.3 (b) : Reflection of various mode of Contacts of all women Gram Panchayats

Name of the Gram

Panchayats

No contact

(%)

Contact at the

time of vote (%)

Regular personal visit (%)

Contact through husband

(%)

Contact by party member

(%)

Contact at Gram sansad

(%)

Contact through meeting

(%)Kultikari 13 4 83 0 0 0 0Andhari 39 5 54 0 0 0 2

Benachapra 8 21 49 11 1 10 0Jogardanga 7 1 91 0 0 0 1Jenkapur 33 21 72 9 1 9 0

Shyambazar 21 19 44 0 1 0 15Karishunda 3 1 89 0 0 0 7

Total 17.71 10.28 68.85 2.85 0.42 2.71 3.57Source : Field Survey ,2007

Box 5 : Why she is Pradhan ?

98

Madhabi , called by the local people as “Pradhan didi” , was extremely vexed with the issue “ maintenance of tubewell”. Everyday there were average three cases of tubewell –mending . Major amount of own fund had been spent for the tubewell. Then Madhabi discussing with her members and secretary decided not to give any amount less than Rs 100/-for tubewell –mending. Then more and more cases demanding money above rupees hundred regarding tubewell started to come everyday with the broken handles or broken piston – brackets and so on. Then Madhabi became more insistent to resist this wastage of money. She was inspired by Tusharbabu, the secretary of Shyambazar Gram-panchayat and took a brave decision of not giving any money for tubewell –mending . Not only that , the gram-panchayat also took the decision that in case of sinking or resinking of tubewell , the peoples of the area have to deposite minimum Rs. 3000/- and have to bear the cost of food and lodging of the labours and then GP would take initiative . Local party opposed it . People also showed agitation against Pradhan. But Madhabi Digar , a simple village housewife of a farmer family where from accumulated the strength to overcome the party –opposition and was farm in her decision. She started to make the people understand that in lieu of this , GP could spend the money in some significant ways. Madhabi , backed by her fellow members distributed 6 wheel-chairs for handicapped people , footballs and other sports materials for boys and girls of the agricultural labours , book-grants for poor girl students and arranged handicapped – camp and family planning camp out of the ownfund. After few months , people acknowledged their defeat and in this way Madhabi Digar proved why she has been chosen third times as “ Pradhan” of Shyambazar , all women gram-panchayat of Hooghly district. -------------------------------source : Researcher’s Field visit .

Table 5.3(a) portrays the percentage reflection of how the members contact with the people. It has been seen that in most of the districts the most usual process of contacting members is regular personal visit. On an average 52.96 % people support that members contact them through regular personal visit. But at the same time average 22.31 % people also claimed that they have no contact with the members. 13.18 % people stated their views that members contact once before election.

A negligible percentage have said that on behalf of the member husband or party member communicate the public. But 11.40 % claim that member contact only through meeting. Better scenario has been observed in all women GPs where member’s regular visit is supported by 68.85 % people. Opposite pole was only 31.15 %. In regular personal

99

visit Karishunda is on the top and followed by Kultikri. In this regard statement of some people may be recalled:

100

HC A’m Bj¡L fËd¡e i¡h e¡ z h¡s£l ju i¡h z B¢j ph pju m¡LL XL Lb¡ h¢m - ¢c¢c, L¡L£ hm z HR¡s¡ L¡S Lla ¢Nu fË¢a¢V h¡s£a ®k®a qu z Jcl L¡R e¡ Nm Bjl¡C h¡ h¤Th ¢L Ll Bl Jl¡C h¡ S¡ehe ¢Li¡h?In this area people cannot think me as pradhan. They think me as their daughter. I always talked with the people addressing them as Didi, Kaki etc. Besides this I have to go every households. If I don’t go to them then how can I realize their nees or how can they know all the things.

Tapati Singh, PradhanKultikri, Sankrail, Howrah

pL¡m EWC B¢j ¢euj Ll c¤V¡ f¡s¡ O¤l ¢eC z HaC AdÑL L¡S qu k¡uzEvery morning it is my routine to wander at least two hamlets. Half of the work has been done with this.

Liaqat Ali Mandal, Opposition Member Niallishpara, Murshidabad

Activities

Table 5.4 (a) and 5.4 (b) reflect what activities, members have done .Maximum people (40.25 %) in Uttar Dinajpur claimed that nothing have been done by the members. Same has been said in Murshidabad by 38 % people followed by 32.25 % of the people in Burdwan. Works have been done by the members, told by the maximum people in Jalpaiguri and in Paschim Midnapore. In all women Gram panchayats (table 5.4 b) majority people support that works have been done. It is very interesting that works on health and education are still neglected by the members. But in all the 39 GPs maximum works are done on infrastructure development i,e, Roads, Water-supply and drainage. Next priority is N.R.E.G.A. In this field Birbhum is the topper. Murshidabad has given maximum priority on Health and Education .Women and child developmental works have been done maximum in Birbhum . Scenario is same in 7 all woen GPs. Other than shemes, few works have been done in Kultikari and Andhari like, campaign against dowry, awareness regarding child- marriage, rehabilitation of handicapped people etc.

Table 5.4 (a) : Frequency distribution on activities


Nothing done( % )

Frequency of ActivitiesSchemes

onInfra-

structure

Schemeson

Education

Schemes on

Health & Sani tation

Schemes onWomen & Child dev -elopment

N.R.E.G.A

OtherThan

schemes

Jalpaiguri 4.5 24 8 0 4 18 0Uttar

Dinajpur40.25 122 8 2 15 28 0

Murshidabad 38 36 14 18 6 17 0Burdwan 32.25 79 10 3 5 9 0Birbhum 15.5 80 3 3 18 52 0Purulia 19.5 104 9 2 4 36 0Paschim

Midnapore9.25 81 7 7 15 35 0

South 24 Parganas

25.5 71 13 3 11 15 0

Source : Field visit ,2007

101

¢h¢s hy¡da¡j HLpju z HMe Bl hy¡¢de¡ nl£ll L¡lez HMe m¡Ll h¡s£ h¡s£ h¡s£ k¡Cz HLV¤ BdV¤ L¡l¡e nl£g fs¡C Bl ph¡l p‰ Lb¡ h¢m, My¡SMhl ¢eCzOnce I worked with Bidi. Now I can’t due to ill health. Now I used to go door to door. Sometimes, I teach “Quran Sharif” and ask for the well beings of the people.

Taslima Bibi, Member,

Table 5.4 (b ) : Frequency distribution on activities in all women Gram Panchayats

Name of the Gram

Panchayats

Nothing done( % )

Frequency of ActivitiesSchemes

onInfra-

structure

SchemesOn

Educa-tion

Schemeson

Health & sani-tation

Schemes on

Women & Child dev -elopment

N.R.E.G.A

OtherThanschem

es

Kultikari 7 57 1 8 14 54 12Andhari 20 81 0 2 12 59 8

Benachapra 0 132 0 13 11 55 0Jogardanga 0 132 3 7 14 66 0Jenkapur 7 123 0 1 26 31 0

Shyambazar 8 137 7 5 3 19 0Karishunda 5 122 10 2 31 79 0

Source : Field visit , 2007

Reservation :-

People in general considered that women reservation was not only a welcome step but it has created direct positive impact on socio political life of the villagers at the grass-root level. Most of the people (85%) support the reservation. Among which 5% people want to add some conditions with reservation. According to them under reservation members should be chosen with minimum education (matriculation) and enough time.

Table 5.5(a) : Reflection of Supporters and Non-supporters in Female headed G.P.s

Name of the Districts Supports Reservation (%) Non Supporters (%)Jalpaiguri 99 1

Uttar Dinajpur 85.5 14.5Birbhum 87.5 12.5Burdwan 84 16

Murshidabad 79.5 20.5Purulia 70.5 29.5

Paschim Medinipur 88 12South 24-Parganas 92 8


Number of non-supporters is maximum in Purulia district (29.5%). These people told that they do not support the reservation for women became most of them are illiterate and less aware about the system, about the surroundings. Some of the told that as women have no enough time, behind reservation would not be meaningful. Some other claimed that as women have no power of decision-making or as they can’t give decision, no need of reserving seats for them. Notable Non-supporters of reservation are also found in Murshidabad (20.5%), in Burdwan (16%) and in Uttar Dinajpur (14.5%).

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Table 5.5(b) : Reflection of Supporters and Non-supporters in All Women G.P.s

Name of the Gram Panchayats

Results of ReservationSupport Reservation (%) Non Supporters (%)

Jenkapore 85 15Benachapra 94 6Jogardanga 98 2

Andhari 81 19Kultikri 89 11

Karisunda 90 10Shyambazar 81 19


Results of reservation people told have been presented through the table 5.6.

Table 5.6(a) : District wise Impacts of Reservation

Name of the Districts Results of ReservationNo improvement

(%)Positive Improvement

(%)Negative

Improvement (%)Jalpaiguri 2.5 93 4.5

Uttar Dinajpur 16.75 77 6.25Birbhum 11.75 70 18.25Burdwan 18 68.5 13.5

Murshidabad 20.75 55.25 24Purulia 17.5 55 27.5

Paschim Medinipur 15.25 82 2.75South 24-Parganas 17.5 70.75 11.75


Table 5.6(b) : Impact of Reservation in all women Gram panchayats.


Results of ReservationNo improvement

(%)Positive

Improvement (%)Negative

Improvement (%)Jenkapore 14 73 13

Benachapra 1 89 10Jogardanga 2 98 0

Andhari 43 53 4Kultikri 9 81 10

Karisunda 10 84 6Shyambazar 20 62 18

Source : Field Survey ,2007 From table 5.6 (a) reflects the same picture that of table 5.5 (b). In Murshidabad & Purulia only 55% people said that there are some positive improvements towards Panchayat due to reservation. 20.75% people in Murshidabad & 17.50% in Purulia and in South 24-Parganas supported that there are no improvement at all due to women reservation in their districts. Not only that 27.5% of people in Purulia, 24% in

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Murshidabad, 18.25% in Birbhum, 11.75% in South 24-Parganas told that due to entry of women in Panchayats because of reservation, some negative impacts have been created. For example husbands of member become powerful or behind the lady member party leader is dictating.

They have shown other negative impacts – lady member can not place properly the demand of Sansad; due to family pressure lady member can’t give time in panchayats & hence works

get Lady member can not supervise or monitor any developmental work.

Opposite scenario is in Jalpaiguri or in all women GPs except Andari or in Paschim Midnapore 93% of people in Jalpaiguri & 82% of Paschim Midnapore told about positive impacts of reservation as follows :

Due to entry of women political conflicts are lesser. Women access to Panchayats has been increased. General women can percolate their own problems to lady members. Women have now more information and are aware. More participation of women in Gram Sansad. Women forums (SHGs) are formed. Women programmes got impetus.

Co-operation :

The developmental works of panchayat is a both-way process. Therefore how do the people help the members in performing his/her duties, that is reflected in table 5.7(a) & 5.7(b).

Table 5.7(a) : District wise mode of Co-operation with Members


Helping MembersWhen

NeededAttending Meeting

Helping in work sights

Disseminating information

Total No help

Jalpaiguri 82 12.5 4 0.5 99 1Uttar Dinajpur 24 20 2.5 4.75 50.75 49.25

Birbhum 53.75 12.5 0.75 0.25 66.75 33.25Burdwan 16.25 23 5.25 0.75 45.25 54.75

Murshidabad 54 6.25 0.25 0 60.50 39.50Purulia 25.75 2 2 0.25 30 70

Paschim Medinipur 47.25 16.75 8.25 5.5 76.75 23.25

104

A¢n¢ra j¢qm¡ pcpÉcl hLmj ay¡cl h¡s£l f¤l¦ol¡C ph L¡S LlRz j¢qm¡ pcpÉ Lm¡N¡Rl ja¡ cy¡¢su b¡LRzOn behalf of illiterate women members their male members of the family are doing everything. Women members are standing like banana trees.

Sridam Bakshi,Boalmari, Panjipara, Uttar Dinajpur

South 24-Parganas 48.75 9.5 2.5 3 63.75 36.25 Source : Field Survey ,2007

Table 5.7(b) : Mode of Co-operation with Members in all women GPs


Co-operation with the members (%)

Non Co-operation (%)





5.7(a) states that Except Purulia & Burdwan in all the districts more than 50% of the people co-operate the members in various ways. Most of them help members when she / he needs. They attend meetings called by the members. Or they accompany the member in the work sight. They also disseminate his /her message among the people. Maximum people in Purulia (70%) and Burdwan (54.75%) do not know how they can help the member.

In all women GPs people fully co-operate with the members except Jenkapur. People are very reluctant in this issue. 49% people do not co-operate with the members. From table 5.7 (c), people’s non co-operations are found more in case of male-headed Gram Panchayats except Birbhum, Purulia and Uttar Dinajpur. In these districts

105

p¡q¡kÉ Q¡Cm Llhz Eæue L¢j¢V a¡ hp Je¡L p¡q¡kÉl SeÉz Bj¡l pju eCz If she wants help then I will help. Unnayan Committee sits to help her. I have no time.

Naskar Saha, Bodhor Para,Niallishpara, Baharampur, Murshidabad

L¡S C Lle e¡z a¡ ¢L p¡q¡kÉ Llh ?She never works. So how can I help her?

Chiranjit Malakar,Abhirampur, Murshidabad

B¢j ¢L p¡q¡kÉ Lla f¡¢l ? Je¡l Laa¡ m¡Lmúl!What can I do for her? She has so many people to assist her.

Maya De, PulbaniPaschim Medinipur

Bjl¡ MV M¡Ju¡ p¡j¡eÉ m¡L z Bjl¡ Bh¡l ¢L p¡q¡kÉ Llh ?We are the simple labour. What can we help?

Sandip Bag, Dhadika,Binpur, Paschim Medinipur

large number of people do not help or co-operate or obey the members of female-headed GPs. Reason may be low rate of litereacy for which people are not so permissive to co-operate with the female members. If we take both the percentage of non co-operation of all the sample districts and the rate of total literacy of those districts, then we get the correlation coefficient - 0.02216, which implies that as literacy rate decreases, non co-operation increases. Therefore this also supports our views regarding higher percentage of non co-operation in Birbhum, Purulia and Uttar Dinajpur.

Table 5.7 (c) : Gram Panchayat wise percentage of Co-operation of the people with the members

Name of the districts Types of GPs Co-operation ( %) Non – co-operation (%)Jalpaiguri Female headed 69.5 30.5

Male headed 86.5 13.5Uttar Dinajpur Female headed 100 0

Male headed 65 35Birbhum Female headed 99.33 0.67

Male headed 100 0Burdwan Female headed 85 15

Male headed 63.5 36.5Murshidabad Female headed 98.5 1.5

Male headed 98.5 1.5Purulia Female headed 42 58

Male headed 65 35Paschim Midnapore Female headed 97 3

Male headed 75.67 24.33South 24 Parganas Female headed 70.5 29.5

Male headed 85.5 14.5Source : Field Survey, 2007.Dependency :

Most of the people from all the GPs informed that they go to the member for any problem or for any information except Salanpur of Burdwan, Lankapara of Jalpaiguri and Ranisarai of Paschim Medinipur. At Ranisarai most of the people (59%) contact either NGO or with party leader for any problem. In Lankapara 75% people contact with party leader rather than the member. 55% people of coal area, Salanpur contact with party leader and 18% people go nowhere. In Uttar Dinajpur 24.3% people also go to party leader rather than member. Comparatively the picture of all women GPs is better. Average 89% people depend on members for any problem or information. Only in Kultikari Karisunda & Shyambazar few people depend on Party Leader.

Table 5.8(a) : Distribution of dependency in sample districts

Name of the Districts People go to member Go to NGO Go to Party Leader Nowhere Go

Jalpaiguri 78.5 0 21 0.5Uttar Dinajpur 71 0.25 24.3 0.8

106

Birbhum 87.3 0 4.5 5Burdwan 66.5 1 22.3 7

Murshidabad 92.5 0 0.75 4.3Purulia 71.75 3 9.25 14

Paschim Medinipur 80.75 9.5 4 6South 24-Parganas 78.8 2.25 9.25 11 Source : Field Survey ,2007

Table 5.8(b) : : Distribution of dependency in all women GPs


People go to member

Go to NGO Go to Party Leader Nowhere Go

Jenkapore 86 0 0 4Benachapra 100 0 0 0Jogardanga 99 0 0 1

Andhari 91 0 0 9Kultikri 78 0 16 5

Karisunda 81 0 14 5Shyambazar 78 0 19 2


Table 5.9(a) & 5.9(b) also reflects the dependency of the people.

Table 5.9(a) : Types of Dependency in sample Districts


Dependent on Female Member

Depends on male member

Depends on Political Leader

Depends on Pradhans

Not Dependent

Jalpaiguri 18.5 34 10.5 36 1Uttar Dinajpur 25.75 25.25 3.75 43.5 1.75

Birbhum 11.75 27.25 8.5 49.75 2.75Burdwan 12.5 23.25 16.5 40 7.75

Murshidabad 6.25 23 6.25 60.5 4Purulia 16.5 24.5 26.25 25.25 7

Paschim Medinipur 13.75 35 10 36 5.25South 24-Parganas 9 26 16.25 42.5 6.25


Table 5.9(b) :Types of dependency in all women GPs

107


Dependent on Female Member

Depends on male member

Depends on Political Leader

Depends on Pradhans

Not Dependent

Jenkapore 43 1 15 37 4Benachapra 57 2 18 22 1Jogardanga 66 3 8 22 1

Andhari 46 0 14 31 9Kultikri 54 1 12 27 6

Karisunda 56 0 23 19 2Shyambazar 32 0 47 13 2


It is seen from table 5.9(a) that people mostly are depending on the Pradhan. Comparing with male & female member, people have lack of confidence on female members rather than male members. Traditional concept of patriarchy still exists there.

In case of all women GPs (Table 5.9(b)) female members are the choice of the people they depend more on their members rather than the Pradhan. Here lies also the concept of patriarchy. On behalf of female members either husband or party leaders act effectively. Hence we get the result of first column of table 5.9(b). At the same time dependency on party leaders (19.5% on an average) in all women GPs is more than that of other GPs. same facts are reflected in table 5.9 (c). It is clear from the table that in all the districts people depend more on male pradhans rather than female pradhans. Purulia is an exception of this thumb rule because two female pradhans of Sonathali and Dhelatbamu are more educated, more active and have more exposure than other two male pradhans.

Dependency of people on Party leaders is higher in Burdwan (28.5 %) and in Purulia (29%) and lesser in Jalpaiguri and in Murshidabad. Both in female-headed GPs or Male headed GPs dependency on male members is higher than that of female members. This reflection of the field again proves that even elected female representatives still have no root or identity.

Table 5.9 (c) : Types of dependency in sample Gram panchayats

Name of the districts Types of GPs DependenceOn Pradhans

Dependenceon male members

Dependenceon Party leaders

Dependenceon female members

Jalpaiguri Female headed 15.3 18.3 4.3 11.3Male headed 26 13 8 3

Uttar Dinajpur Female headed 23 37 3.5 36Male headed 64 13.5 4 15.5

Birbhum Female headed 40.5 34.5 10 11.km,ljn 5Male headed 59 20 7 12

Burdwan Female headed 22.5 28 28.5 14Male headed 57.5 18.5 4.5 11

Murshidabad Female headed 52 30.5 8 5.5Male headed 69 15.5 4.5 7

Purulia Female headed 32 18.5 24.5 18.5Male headed 18.5 30.5 29 14.5

108

Paschim Midnapore Female headed 20.5 44.5 9 20.5Male headed 51.5 25.5 11 7

South 24 Parganas Female headed 33 39 17 5Male headed 45.6 56.3 16 10.3

Source : Field Survey, 2007.

Flow of information :

Whether the people get information from the member or panchayats or from other sources or not, that is depicted in Table 5. 10(a) & 5.10(b). It is fact that all the people except very few of Purulia (5.5%) and of South 24-Parganas (9.75%) considered that the informations have been disseminated through various sources. Most of the people get from the member.

Table 5.10(a) : Source of Information


SourceMember Panchayats ICDS Workers Health

workersSHG

MembersJalpaiguri 99 1 0 0 0

Uttar Dinajpur 74.5 15.5 2.25 4.75 3Birbhum 52.8 17.8 1.5 27 0Burdwan 58.8 4.5 26.8 7.25 0

Murshidabad 95.5 0.5 0.25 0.75 3Purulia 73.75 8 3 5.5 9.75

Paschim Medinipur 47.5 40.5 1.75 7 0South 24-Parganas 55 7 9 17.75 11.25


Table 5.10(b) : Source of Information


SourceMember Panchayats ICDS Workers Health

workersSHG

MembersJenkapore 97 0 3 0 0

Benachapra 59 0 41 0 0Jogardanga 12 85 0 3 0


Karisunda 90 5 2 0 3Shyambazar 49 39 1 9 3


Next source of information is Panchayat office. People also get information from ICDS workers & Health workers. In Burdwan ICDS workers play a crucial role in disseminating information. SHG plays a crucial role in South 24-Parganas.

109

Assistance :

People were asked whether they get assistance from member regarding rights of women or not. Table 5.10(a) & 5.10(b) show their reply.

Table 5.11(a) : Support services from Member in sample districts

Name of the Districts Yes get support (%) No don’t get support (%)Jalpaiguri 97.5 2.5

Uttar Dinajpur 51.5 48.5Birbhum 77.5 22.5Burdwan 51.5 48.5

Murshidabad 67.5 32.5Purulia 54.5 45.5

Paschim Medinipur 82.5 17.5South 24-Parganas 53.25 46.75


Table 5.11(b) : Support services from Member in all women GPs


Yes get support (%) No don’t get support (%)




Source : Field Survey , 2007The reality prompts us to understand that only in Jalpaiguri & Paschim Midnapore

people get the member at their distress. When it is necessary. In other districts, such as Burdwan, Purulia, Uttar Dinajpur or South 24-Parganas more than 45% people opine the opposite view. The same picture is also in Murshidabad (32.5%) Some of them told that they cannot get the member in such problem and some other told that they do not call the member but call the villagers or go to the Police Station.

110

HC pjÙ¹ ¢hou Bjl¡ jð¡lL X¡¢Le¡z NË¡jl m¡L HhÉ¡f¡l ANËe£ i¨¢jL¡ ¢eu b¡-LzWe do not call the member regarding this. The village people take initiative in this matter.

Shrabani Niogi.Abdullapur, Bankura

HC pLm ¢hou jð¡lL L¡e L¡e pju f¡Ju¡ k¡uz L¡jl bL EÒV¡ ¢hf¢š qu hn£zSometimes we can get member in this regard. But it makes mess rather than work.

Tarit Pal, Moukhali, South 24-Pgs.

The second case refers to the women members. These statements reflect the lack of trust or faith on the women members. In case of all women GPs, most of the people get support from members. But in Jenkapur and in Andhari 38.5% people either do not get support from member or do not call her.

Conclusion

The data presented above have shown that the statuses of women members are not so satisfactory. Over all performance have been measured through the third eye i,e, People’s eye in context of their Identity, Communication, Activities, Impact of reservation, Public Co-operation , Dependency , Flow of information and Assistance. From these context we see ……..

Identity crisis of women members is there as traditional male supremacy has been challenged.

Though there are some against voices but majority of the people said that Women members as well as male members communicate regularly with the people.

Most of the activities done by the women members as well as male members are scheme oriented. They are functioning as the agent of scheme implementation of the government. Women oriented programme other than the schemes have not been taken by the women members or the gram panchayats.

Impacts of reservation seen by the people are mixed. According to one group reservation has changed the vision of whole society. Developmental works get impetus. Another group has demanded due to entry of backbenchers work of development has been delayed. At the same time women members are used as rubber stamp in the hands of political party or “Husband”.

People’s co-operation again reflects the preference of the society regarding the sex composition of its leadership. Women members are the prey of non co-operation or disobey by the people, especially in backward districts.

Data on dependency again proves that in this patriarchal and male dominated society it will take time for women members to have the confidence of others in the neighbourhood.

111

Hph L¡S NË¡jl j¡dÉj qu h¡ f’¡ua A¢gp quz jð¡l L X¡¢Le¡z These types of works have been done either in panchayat office or in the village. We do not call member.

Alkumar Sekh, Bhimpur,Niallishpara, Berhampur, Murshidabad

Hph hÉ¡f¡l Bj¡cl b¡e¡ bL ¢jVj¡V quzRegarding this, usually case has been dissolved in police station.

Md. Golam Panjatan, Ghasipur, Doulatabad, Murshidabad

Regarding the flow of information women members play a crucial role. In women problems it is expected that women members would be communicated.

But in some backward districts women members are neither even informed about the issue nor called for. Assistance of women members in women issues are avoided due to the undercurrent of male supremacy.

Experience with All Women Gram Panchayats

Chapter - 6

Why does male dominance remain unbroken, inspite of women’s demonstrated capacity to organize, struggle and lead? Peter Custers , Women in the Tebhaga Uprising ,1987

According to social scientists, community-roles are shaped according to the demand of the community rather than that of social roles which are made much more consciously to influence the future citizens. Community roles are subject to negotiations between the role partners. Community role of women supported by her counter role –partner was introduced in West-Bengal long ago the 73rd Amendment. Women participation in

112

community action had been conceived in West-Bengal before reservation as a part of good-governance. Only reservation against office-bearer posts took places in the election of 1993. Later, a metamorphosis has been found in the formation of “All-Women” Gram Panchayats. 7 all women Gram Panchayats, namely Karishunda GP of Bankura, Shyambazar of Hooghly, Jenkapore, Jogardanga, Kultikari, Andari and Benachapra of Paschim Midnapore have been formed as a process of transfusion in the Panchayat election ,2003. 6.1 : Profiles of all – women- Gram Panchayats

As a part of experience let us start with the profiles of these gram-panchayats. Table 6.1 states that female population in these 7 all women GPs are 48-49 % and the literacy rate is average 37%. Female literacy rate is highest in Kultikri (43.1 %) followed by Jenkapur (41.3 %) and Benachapra (41.2 %). But sex ratio is not so satisfactory. Kultikri is shelter of the highest ST population (36.78 %) and Karisunda of Bankura district is prominent for its SC population (43.06 %). Jenkapore has been ornamented by highest 0-6 population (16 % ). Our next interest is about the socio-economic factors e,g. education ,health etc. Chart 6.1 and 6.2 depict the amenities of these Gram-Panchayats.

113

Table 6.1 (a) : Profiles of the All Women Gram PanchayatsName of the Gram Panchayats

Population (%)0-6 population (%) SC (%) ST (%)

Sex Ratio Literates

T M F T M F T M F T M F T M F

Karishunda

17056

51.32

48.7

15.2

49.6

50.4

43.06

50.6

49.4

1.008

48.3 51.7

948

56.99

59.7

40.3

Shyambazar

14721

51.48

48.5

15.3

51.3

48.7

27.46

51.2

48.8

9.884

49.3 50.7

942

55.34

60.2

39.8

Jenkapore

16788

50.72

49.3

16.0

50.1

49.9

7.809

51.8

48.2

8.905

50.3 49.7

971

60.06

58.7

41.3

Jogardanga

12435

51.35

48.6

15.8

49.9

50.1

30.73

51.1

48.9

13.68 51 49

947

49.59

62.2

37.8

Kultikari9627

50.58

49.4

15.2

52.8

47.2

10.15

49.8

50.2

36.78

49.4 50.6

977

62.78

56.9

43.1

Andari8462

51.08

48.9

15.0

50.2

49.8

35.1

50.8

49.2

21.9

49.8 50.2

957

53.14

62.4

32.6

Benachapra

13009

50.72

49.3

15.5

49.0

51.0

27.01

50.7

49.3

14.57

50.7 49.3

971

59.41

58.8

41.2

Source : Census ,2000. From the context of Education (chart 6.1), Jogardanga is on the top having 8 Sishu Siksha Kendra, 38 Primary School, 14 Madhyamik Siksha Kendra, 14 Secondary School and only 1 Higher Secondary School. All the gram-panchayats have formed SSKs except Andari and Benachapra. Only one-gram panchayat, Jenkapore has one Madrasa. Continuing Education Centres are found only in Shyambazar.

But the Health service is very poor in almost GPs. Only ICDS centres are in Karishunda, Jogardanga, Jenkapur and Kultikri. Among these seven only Kultikri possesses 1 PHC.

114

Chart 6.1 : Education Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

SSK

Primary School

MSK

Secondary School

H.S. School

Madrasa

CECSSK 1 2 5 8 14 0 0

Primary School 15 14 12 38 9 31 36

MSK 1 0 1 14 1 11 16

Secondary School 1 0 1 14 1 11 16

H.S. School 0 0 1 1 1 0 1

Madrasa 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

CEC 0 13 0 0 0 0 0

Karishu

Shya

Jenkap

Jogard

Kultikari

Andari

Benach

Source : Panchayat Chalchitra.

Chart 6. 2 : Health Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats

0

5

10

15

20

PHC

Sub Centre

FWC

CHW

MCW

ICDSPHC 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

Sub Centre 2 0 0 3 2 0 0

FWC 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

CHW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MCW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ICDS 15 0 17 18 9 0 0

Karis

Shya

Jenka

Jogar

Kultik

And

Ben

Source : Panchayat Chalchitra

115

6.2 : Formation of All-Women Gram Panchayats.

Among 7 All-Women GPs, five (5) are in the district of Paschim Medinipore. Other two are in Bankura and in Hooghly. Formation of maximum all women gram panchayats in Paschim Medinipore is caused by high literacy rate (75.14 %) and strong political conciousness (B.N. Ghosh, 1999). It was found very interesting that formations of all these all-women GPs were not natural rather it was decided and implemented by the party. Scenario of “Win of women members” in all women GPs irrespective of Reserved or Unreserved seat has been depicted in the following table 6.2 and in chart 4.2. Out of 7 all women GPs in 4 GPs (Jogardanga, Shyambazar Jenkapore and Karisunda) no contest took place at all. According to the members it was solely decided by the Party that these gram panchayats would be the all women Gram Panchayats. It is found that against 81 seats 85.18 % are uncontested and remaining 14.82 % seats are filled up through hard contest. It is quite interesting that against 12 contested seats 8 women of CPI (M) conteseted in unreserved seats against male candidates. It has been found that these 8 women have no special records (except Sandhya Paira of Kultikri who stood second times in the election.) for which they won the election. Therefore full credit of this WIN of 8 unreserved seats goes to CPI (M) Party. Their will and their organizing capability made the flight grounded.

Table 6.2 : Reflection of Contest in All-Women Gram Panchayats



Total Seats

Uncontestsed seats

Contested SeatsReserved Unreserved Total

Paschim Medinipur

Andhari 8 6 (75 %) 1 (12.5) 1 (12.5) 2Kultikri 9 2(22.2 %) 3 (33.3) 4 (44.4) 7Jenkapur 15 15(100%) - - -Jogardanga 11 11 (100%) - - -Benachapra 11 8 (72.73%) - 3 (27.27%) 3

Bankura Karisunda 14 14 (100%) - - -Hooghly Shyambazar 13 13 (100%) - - -Total 81 69 (85.18) 4 (4.93) 8 (9.89) 12 (14.82)


Chart 6.3 : Break –up of Contestant of all women GPs

1.23

85.18

2.479.89 1.23

Uncontested Contested unreserved

Contested SC Contested ST

Contested Women

6.3 : Profile of the members of all -women GP.

116

Bringing the women both in reserved seats and unreserved seats in all-women GPs through the political will is a step of positive discrimination. It is an outcome of pressure of reservation and the political obstinacy of winning election, which has given birth of new horizon of women empowerment. This study has tried to apprehend their consciousness and effectiveness in terms of Age, Religion, Caste, Education, Occupational Distribution, Income Pattern, Life style and Political background. Besides these parameters we have also considered their experience and exposure, level of awareness, perceptions, participation and capacity building. All these parameters have been shown in the series of tables. Age of the members of the all-women GPs has been portrayed in table 6.3(a). Maximum women (51.9 %) have come from the age group of 26-35. Next concentration is found in the age group 36-45. Least participation (6.3%) in panchayats is from the youngest group. Most of the members (84.81 %) are broadly from the age group of 26 – 45. More interesting observation is that beyond age 55, women participation was almost nil. Only exception is Arati Poira, 72 years old lady member of all women GP, Jenkapur of Paschim Medinipur. Who was also very senior in politics? As it was seen all of the all-women GPs are planted by the party, so we can say that most probably party also discard the participation of aged women. The table 6.3(b) reflects the religion that only 6.32 % participations in all-women gram panchayats are from Muslim community. Muslim leadership in 3-gram panchayats (Benachapra, Andhari and Kultikri) are completely nil. Female Muslim representations are found in 4 all-women GPs, namely, Jenkapur, Jogardanga, Karisunda and Shyambazar. Among them highest Muslim participation (14.28 %) has found in Shyambazar of Hooghly district. Besides this in all women GPs 8% representation of Muslim women are found in Paschim Midnapur in total and 5.88% female representation in Karisunda of Bankura. There is a Muslim pradhan named Mrs. Manoar Jahan Begum in Karisunda GP of Bankura. Castes are depicted in Table 6.3.(c ). In all women gram panchayats the schedule castes & schedule tribes got fairer deal at G.P. level in 2003. Scrutiny of the data reveals that as Jenkapore of Paschim Medinipur has minimum SC-ST population (16.82%), it has generated only 14.28% SC-ST female leadership. Backward caste dominated gram panchayat, Andari of Paschim Medinipur has highest SC-ST population (57.76%) and hence backward caste women participation is the highest (85.71%). In all women GPs high castes contribute lesser leadership and lower caste women Leaderships are of major share in lower tier of panchayats except 1 G.P. i.e. Jenkapore. The educational attainments of the all-women gram panchayats are presented in the table 6.3 (d ) . In all- women gram panchayats 15 .18 % members did not attend the school. Other 84.82 % members have educational level within the range from primary to post graduate. Concentration (60.76 %) has been found from class VIII level to Madhyamik level. Jogardanga, Kultikri and Karisunda have also post-graduate members. Very few (7.59%) are of higher secondary level and a nominal numbers (2.53%) are graduate. Among 7 all-women GPs there are no under-educated representation in Jenkapur and Benachapra. Occupation as an indicator of life style, status and class has been shown in all-women gram panchayats that most (54.4%) of the members are house-wife. That means most of them are dependant on others. Table 6.7 reflects that other than house -wives, a large portion of members is engaged in agriculture (17.7%) and services (15.2%). No

117

teacher or worker of voluntary organization or petty businesswoman has been seen in all women gram panchayats. There is only one member found who has small business. Our survey in all women GPs regarding income has brought out that all over 7 GPs, majority of the members (51.91 %) have the monthly income within the range from Rs.1001 – Rs. 4000. At the same time a large portion of members’ (41.8%) monthly income is below Rs. 1001 .00. In 5 all women GPs of Paschim Medinipur there is no member earning income more than Rs. 4000/- per month. Only in Karisunda of Bankura, there is only one member earning more than Rs. 10,000/- per month. 5.1% members of Karisunda and Shyambazar earn more than Rs. 4000/- and less than Rs. 10,000/- per month. Table 6.3 (g) depicts the political experience of the members. It reflects the same picture like female members of other GPs (chapter – 3). It shows that most of the members have joined the politics in the time of election, 2003. Therefore 55.69 % members of all-women GPs have the political experience less than 5 years. 29.11 % members are in politics since 5-10 years. Only three gram-panchayats (Jenkapore, Benachapra and Shyambazar) have some members with the 10-15 years’ experience and two-gram panchayats (Jogardanga and Kultikri) have few members with the experience of 15-20 years. There is no member in Paschim Medinipore or in Hooghly with more than 20 years’ experience. But to our surprise Karisunda of Bankura possesses 2 members having experience of 20-30 years. In this context members are also asked about the reason or motivation behind joining politics. This has been portrayed in table 6.3 (h). Majority members (40.50%) of all women GPs have confessed that they have come in politics being motivated by their family. Next concentration (35.44%) was on “own choice”. 16.45 % members told that reason behind their joining in politics as well as in panchayats was local influence. 7.59% members are motivated by the political leaders. Only one case has been observed in Kultikri being motivated by an incident of relative’s death due to accusation of “Dain” (Witch). To understand the political status of the members in party, they were also questioned. Situation is worse in all women gram panchayats rather than the other gram panchayats. Majority of the members (72.15%) of all women GPs have no membership and their respective parties recognize only 27.85% but 17.71% are not recognized as permanent member. This has been reflected in table 6.3 ( i). Table 6.3 (j) indicates that most of the members (78.48%) of all-women gram panchayats are new-entrants. They have no experience with panchayats. Only 21.52 % members have previous experiences of working in Panchayats. Among them 12.66 % members are elected second time and 8.86 % members are selected third time. Among 7 GPs Benachapra is only GP where majority members (77.78%) are experienced both politically and with panchayat works. At the same time Karisunda (94.11%) and Jogardanga (100%) has started with a new set of members. Some exceptional cases are found here. Here we meet Pradhan & Upa-Pradhan of Kultikri, who have political experiences of more than 20 years. Smt. Tapati Singh, Pradhan of Kultikri has been elected 3 times. Member of Jenkapur, Smt. Arati Poira (75) is most probably the oldest one among the members of both sexes who has the experience of more than 30 years. Regarding empowerment this study has focused the role of women functionaries in the family, in the village or community and in the gram panchayat.

118

In the family it has been found that they have no strong say in their family as most of them are from poor family and dependent on husband or male members of the family. Therefore their male family members often dominate them. In the village after being elected the people honour them. All of them (79 members) have confessed this truth.( table 6.3k). But at the same time it is also seen that [table 5.2 (b)] in all women gram panchayats, though 64.71% people know the member properly by name and also in figure. But 35.29 % people have no contact with the members and they neither know their name nor their face. A female member may be very active but she is still known as someone’s daughter, someone’s wife or someone’s mother. Majority of the people (68.85 %) have opined that all women members keep contact with public by regular visit in the sansad [table 5.3 (b), chapter 5]. Regarding the works done by the all women members it is seen [table 6.3 (l)] that most of them have concentrated on rearing the Self-help Groups. Their second priority is Sanitation and third priority is pro-poor service delivery [they have done both JSY and NOAPS as equal priority]. But people told [table 5.4 (b)] that community has got the service regarding infrastructure development and employment generation (NREGS). It is also found from table 6.3(m) that most of the members (88.60 %) of all women GPs have done works for the women beyond schemes like, ante dowry campaign, various types of awareness camp, ante alcohol movement etc. It is very interesting that where women are all in all, women forums are not so active there [table 6.3 (o)]. In all women Gram Panchayats 98.73 % members support the reservation [table 6.3 (n)]. But most of them opine that though this law has helped to get representation of all backward classes, still education must be coupled with it. Most of the members (about 85 %) like to do development work [Table 6.3 (p)]. In this context, it seems that most of the members are playing as the agent of implementing the Governmental Schemes rather than as the institution of self-government. Most of the members of all-women GPs are very much aware about their Role. From table 6.3 (p), 6.3 (q), and 6.3 (r) it is clear that they know the schemes, functioning of Upasamity and making plan. But regarding plan - preparation 37.97 % member have confessed that [table 6.3 (s)] plan has been done through gram sansad and other 62. 03 % have confessed that plan is done with the help of the party. Again it has been found that before planning in case of problem identification and accordingly placing the demand by members in GP meeting, 50 % of the members do not put any demand before the general meeting of the GP. This may happen either due to their lack of awareness about their duties and responsibilities or due to lack of education or due to political directives. To our surprise, all the parties are working as the motivator of women participation in one hand and they themselves are intervening in the duties and responsibilities of the member on the other. In all women GPs, as the members are nominated by the political party, they are too obliged to ignore the political intervention in GP matters. Though there are Upasamitis and Gram Unnayan Samitis to help the members functioning properly, still the power brokers are stretching their vice-like grip. These power relations often remain unchallenged because of the existing system of subordination.

Regarding capacity building of all-women members 48.10% members told that they are not getting any support and 51.90% of members of all women GPs confessed that they get support from the Party, from the family, from the villagers etc [table 6.3(u)]. A significant number of women of all women gram panchayats confessed that they get support from government officials. Most of them are not happy with the training strategy and 32.91 % members have got the training material, but not gone through these materials.

119

Members of all-women GPs have identified [table 6.3 (w)] various constraints. Highest number of members (41.77 %) told that due to party intervention, they cannot work with justice. 27.84 % members identified that distant location and lack of transport & communication are one of the constraints. They have also identified the male intervention and lack of monitoring and supervision system from the end of the government is also the constraints. 17.72 % members have not got any training. Some suggestions for capacity building of women members are given by the members themselves, which have been depicted in the following chart:

Chart 6.4 : Suggestions for capacity building of women members given by the All-women members.


Table: 6.3(a) : Gram Panchayats wise age distribution of All Women GPs.

¢ehÑ¡Qel fl flC Training qJu¡ clL¡l z Bl Training ke Bh¡¢pL Training

quz cu¡ Ll Computer Training Ab¡v j¢nel ja¡ Training ke e¡ qu z Training is necessary just after election. And training should be the residential training .This training should not be in hurry like computer. Smt. Tapati Singh , Pradhan Kultikri All-women GP, Sankrail , Paschim Medinipur

0 20 40 60 80

Local Women Forums

Quarter

Daily Food at GP

Honararium

Mobile Trg. Team

Adm. Monitoring

Follow up Session

Training

Local Women Forums 46.83

Quarter 2.53

Daily Food at GP 8.86

Honararium 16.45

Mobile Trg. Team 17.72

Adm. Monitoring 8.86

Follow up Session 12.6

120

Name of the GPs No. of Member 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 Above 65Jenkapur 14 0 6 6 1 0 1

Benachapra 9 0 4 4 1 0 0Jogardanga 10 0 7 2 1 0 0

Andhari 7 2 3 1 1 0 0Kultikri 8 0 4 4 0 0 0

Karisunda 17 1 9 6 1 0 0Shyambazar 14 2 8 3 1 0 0

Total 79 5 (6.3%) 41 (51.9%) 26 (32.9%) 6 (7.6%) 0 1 (1.3%)Source : Field Survey,2007

.Table 6. 3 (b) : Religion wise distribution of All Women GPs.

Name of the District Total Female Member


Others

Jenkapur 14 13 1 7.14 0Benachapra 9 9 0 0 0Jogardanga 10 9 1 10.0 0


Karisunda 17 16 1 5.88 0Shyambazar 14 12 2 14.28 0

Total 79 74 (93.68) 5 6.32 0 Source : Field Survey ,2007

Table 6.3 (c) : G.P. wise Backward Caste Representation of All Women GPs. Name of the Gram

PanchayatsSeats SC/ST

Population (%)

SCSeats(%)

STSeats(%)

GeneralSeats(%)

SC/STfemale

seat (%)Jenkapur 14 16.62 1 (7.14) 1(7.14) 12 (85.71) 2 (14.28)

Benachapra 9 41.57 1 ( 11.11) 4(44.44) 4 (44.44) 5 ( 55.56)Jogardanga 10 44.66 5 (50) 2 (20) 3 (30.0) 7 (70.0)

Andhari 7 57.76 1( 14.28) 5(71.42) 1 (14.28) 6 (85.71)Kultikri 8 47.99 1( 12.5) 4 (50.0) 3 (37.5) 5 (62.5)

Karisunda 17 44.76 9( 52.94) 0 (0) 8 (47.05) 9 ( 52.95)Shyambazar 14 37.95 7 ( 50.0) 2(14.28) 5 (35.72) 9 (64.28)

Total 79 41.61 25 (31.64) 18 (22.78) 36 (45.11) 43 (54.43 )Source : Field Survey , 2007

Table 6.3 ( d ) : Educational Status of members of All Women G.P.s.


Seats Illite-rate

Neo-literate Primary Upto Class-VIII

Madhyamik Higher Secondary

Graduate Post Graduate

Jenkapur 14 0 0 2(14.29)

7(50.00)

4(28.57)

0 1(7.14)

0

Benachapra 9 0 0 1(11.11)

4(44.44)

4(44.44)

0 0 0

Jogardanga 10 0 1(10.00)

220.00)

3(30.00)

1(10.00)

2(20.00)

0 1(10.00)

Andhari 7 0 1(14.29)

1(14.29)

3(42.86)

1(14.29)

1(14.29)

0 0

Kultikri 8 0 1(12.50)

0 3(37.50)

2(25.00)

1(12.50)

0 1(12.50)

Karisunda 17 0 5(29.41)

0 4(23.53)

4(23.53)

2(11.76)

1(5.88)

1(5.88)

Shyambazar 14 1(7.14) 3(21.43)

2(14.29)

3(21.43)

5(35.71)

0 0 0

Total 79 1 (1.26) 11(13.92)

8(10.13)

27(34.18)

21(26.58)

6(7.59)

2(2.53)

3(3.79)

Source : Field Survey ,2007Table 6.3 ( e ) : Gram Panchayats wise distribution of Occupation of all women members

121

OccupationGPs

Jenkapore Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karishunda Shyambazar Total

Agricultural Labour 0 3 4 1 0 5 1 14 (17.7)Bargadar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Farmer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Rural Artisan 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 (2.53)Small Business 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1(1.26)Grocery Shop 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Other Kind of Shop 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Teacher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Service 4 1 2 0 3 2 0 12 (15.2)Working in Voluntary Organization

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

No definite profession 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Whole time party worker

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Day labour 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 (2.53)House wife 6 5 3 6 2 10 11 43 (54.4)Others 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 (6.32)Total 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79

Source : Field Survey ,2007Table 6.3 ( f ) : District wise Income distrubution of All Women GP members.

Name of the District Upto Rs. 1000/-

Rs. 1001-2000/- Rs. 2001-4000/-

Rs. 4001-10000/-

Above 10,000/-

Total Seat

Jenkapur 6 6 2 0 0 14Benachapra 2 5 2 0 0 9Jogardanga 4 5 1 0 0 10

Andhari 4 2 1 0 0 7Kultikri 3 3 2 0 0 8

Karisunda 7 4 2 3 1 17Shyambazar 7 4 2 1 0 14

Total 33(41.8%)

29(36.71%)

12(15.2%)

4(5.1%)

1(1.3%)

79

Source : Field Survey ,2007Table 6.3 (g) : Reflection of Political experience of members of all-women gram panchayats

Name of the GPs No. of Member

0-5 5-10 10-15 15-20 20-25 25-30 Above30

Jenkapur 14 12 1 1 0 0 0 0Benachapra 9 1 5 3 0 0 0 0Jogardanga 10 9 0 0 1 0 0 0

Andhari 7 0 7 0 0 0 0 0Kultikri 8 3 2 0 3 0 0 0

Karisunda 17 9 6 0 0 1 1 0Shyambazar 14 10 2 2 0 0 0 0

Total(percentage)

79 44(55.6

9)

23(29.11)

6(7.59)

4(5.06)

1(1.26)

1(1.26)

0(0.0)


Table 6.3 (h ) : GP wise reflection of various types of motivation of all women GPs.

122

Name of the GPs Total Seat Own choice

Political leader

Local influence

Family Influenced by an incident

Jenkapur 14 6 0 2 6 0Benachapra 9 4 2 2 1 0Jogardanga 10 5 0 4 1 0



Total 79 28 6 13 32 1%-age 100 35.44 7.59 16.45 40.50 1.26


Table 6.3 ( i ) : Gram Panchayat wise reflection of the position of the women members in the respective Parties .

Name of Districts Total Seats Not member Yes, memberJenkapur 14 8 6




Total 79 57 (72.15) 22(27.85)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 ( j ) : Reflection of Panchayat Experience of the Members of the All-Women GPs

Name of the GPs No. of Member

1st time elected with no experience

2nd time elected with experiences

3rd time elected with experiences

Jenkapur 14 12 (85.71 ) 2 0Benachapra 9 2 (22.22) 4 3Jogardanga 10 10 (100.0) 0 0

Andhari 7 5(71.53) 2 0Kultikri 8 6(75.0) 0 2

Karisunda 17 16( 94.11) 1 0Shyambazar 14 11 1 2

Total (percentage) 79 62 (78.48) 10 (12.66) 7 (8.86)Source : Field Survey,2007

Table 6.3 ( k ) : Exposure of the female members of All Women GPs.

Name of Districts Total Seats Yes Honoured No Not honoured Jenkapur 14 14 0




Total 79 79(100%) 0Source : Field Survey, 2007

123

Table 6.3 (l) : Reflection of the works done by the members of all women Gram Panchayats.

Name of GPs Total Seats

Nothing JSY NOAPS Immunization SSK MSK SHG Sanitation IAY

Jenkapur 14 0 7 13 2 4 0 11 13 9

Benachapra 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jogardanga 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Andhari 7 0 2 0 3 0 0 2 2 1

Kultikri 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Karisunda 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Shyambazar 14 2 5 1 0 1 2 5 2 0Total 79 2 14 14 5 5 2 18 17 10

Source: Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (m) : Gram Panchayat wise response of female membersabout their work-done beyond schemes of All Women GPs.

Name of GPs Total Seats No work done Work done Jenkapur 14 0 14





Table 6.3 (n ) : Gram Panchayayts wise reflection of supporting Reservations by all women members

Name of GPs Total Seats Yes - support reservation


Jenkapur 14 14 0Benachapra 9 9 0Jogardanga 10 10 0



Total 79 78 (98.73 % ) 1 (1.27 %)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 6 .3 ( o ) : Gram Panchayats wise Scenario of Women Forums

Name of GPs Total Response Active InactiveJenkapur 14 12 2





124

Table 6.3 (p) : Gram Panchayat wise reflections of Usage of Power by the female members of all women Gram Panchayats.


Nothing Development work

Social development

Women development

Supply basic minimum

Economic development

Jenkapur 14 0 14 4 2 0 0

Benachapra 9 1 4 4 0 1 0

Jogardanga 10 10 0 0 0 0 0

Andhari 7 2 0 3 0 3 3

Kultikri 8 0 5 5 1 0 0

Karisunda 17 0 10 6 0 1 0

Shyambazar 14 3 0 6 5 0 1Total 79 16 69 64 8 5 4

Percentage 100 20.25 87.34 81.01 10.12 6.32 5.06Source: Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (q): G.P. wise reflection of knowing or not knowing the programmes of “Women and Child Developmnt”of All Women GPs.

Name of GPs Total Response Yes NoJenkapur 14 14 0




Total 79 (100 %) 52 (65.82%) 27 (34.17%)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (r) : Gram Panchayat wise informations regarding functioning of Upasamity in all Women GPs.

Name of GPs Total Response Yes, functioning No, not functioning Not KnownJenkapur 14 7 7 0

Benachapra 9 3 5 1Jogardanga 10 8 0 2

Andhari 7 7 0 0Kultikri 8 7 1 0

Karisunda 17 16 1 0Shyambazar 14 1 13 0

Total 79 49 (62.03) 27 (34.18) 3 (3.79)Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (s) : GP wise reflections of various procedures of making Planning of Gram Panchayats of all women GPs.

Name of Districts

Total Response

No Response

Through GS & with the help

of party

With the help of samannay committee

With the help of Party

leader

Only through the people participation in

GSJenkapur 14 0 13 1 0 0

Benachapra 9 1 2 1 0 5Jogardanga 10 1 3 0 0 6



Total 79 15 (18.99) 28 (35.44) 5 (6.33) 1 (1.27) 30 (37.97)Source : Field Survey, 2007

125

Table 6.3 (t): Reflection of demand put before General Meeting of All Women GPs.

Name of GPs Total Response No demand placed Demand placedJenkapur 14 4 10





Table 6.3 (u) : Gram Panchayat wise various Support Systems for the female members of all women gram panchayts.


No support

Trg. by

Govt.

Trg. by

NGO

Trg. by Party

Guidance by Ex-

mem

Reading material

s

Field visit

Support by husband/fa

mily

Support by

Secretary

Support by party to

perform the work

Support by Dalaneta to perform the

work

Support from

villagers

Support from

officers

Jenkapur 14 0 12 0 2 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 1 4Benachapra 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Jogardanga 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Andhari 7 2 4 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Kultikri 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Karisunda 17 7 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3Shyambazar 14 2 12 0 1 0 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 6

Total 79 38 38 0 6 0 26 0 1 0 0 0 1 13Percentage 100 48.10 48.10 0 7.59 0 32.91 0 1.27 0 0 0 1.27 16.45


Table 6.3 (v ) : Reflection of how does Party help the female members of all women gram panchayats

Name of Districts

Total Response

Nothing Training Advising MonitoringWorks of

Panchayats

Making Priority List of

Names of beneficiaries

MakingAnnual

Plan

Supplying Party

workers






Table 6.3 (w ) : Reflection of Constraints faced by the female members of all women gram panchayats

Name of Districts

Total Response

No training

No monitorig &

supervision

Distant location and lack of

communication

Male intervention

Party intervention

Low level of education & knowledge

Partyconflict






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CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

Chapter – 7

“The search for the correct viewpoints which is superior to all other viewpoints is an error in itself” ……. Akiro Kurosawa, Rashoman.

Our quest regarding the untold story of Women representatives at the grass root level of panchayati raj institutions has come to an end though it is an unending process. Due to small period of time we could not study this large sample in stratified manner rather than stiring the issues, but we have got some key-lessons from this .

Our journey started from the genesis of women’s participation in public arena upto their coping up with the reality in 2007 in order to explore answers for the questions hereunder :

1. How are the elected representatives at the grass-root level of Panchayati Raj institutions?

2. Whether they have come only by Reservation or otherwise.3. What are the public opinions about Reservation?4. Is the socio-economic status a significant factor towards discharging the

responsibilities and effective part in decision making process of GP level?5. Whether Political facilitation is important for functioning in a political body or not.6. Whether some women functionaries can properly perceive their roles and

responsibilities or not.7. How are they functioning at Gram Panchayat level?8. What supports (training support, knowledge support, consultancy etc) they have got

from the end of the government? Is there any gap or not?9. What are the main factors playing significant role to make the members effective?10. Whether they are facing any constraints or difficulties in playing their roles or not.11. Whether there is any Patriarchal interventions towards their functioning or not.12. What are their policy suggestions towards effective participation of members at

Gram Panchayats?The findings of this study can be analysed from two contexts ---- one is the

context of “women development” which is the function of socio-economic parameters and another is “women’s empowerment” which is the function of political awareness , participation and support services. Women development means “advancement of women” and “enhancement of women’s status in the society” (P.D.Koushik, 2005). On the other hand women’s empowerment deals with “the concept of equality” (Gita Sen & Caren Grown, 1987).

The first set of issues apprehends that how social and economic inequalities and inequities have made it very difficult for women representatives to cope up with the existing power structure and strategies . The same view was expressed by Mahbub ul Haq (1996) that equity and empowerment are essential components of human resource development . The second issue reflects that the political spaces for women through reservation , political participation etc are not sufficient conditions for women to challenge the task of governance.

Our findings about the women development have been recorded in detail in chapter 3. Issues of empowerment have been discussed in detail in chapter 4. Chapter 6

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also depicts the situation of All-women GPs. Besides this people’s judgement about members has been also captured in chapter 5. Covering all these chapters it has been found that at the lower tier of PRIs with some exceptions the over all performance of the women members are not upto the mark. Women development is so poor that empowerment part has been failed. This study has observed same as Kabeer and Subrahmaniam (1996) opined that Women’s powerlessness is due to lack of resources --- human ,material and intangible. Very few women members themselves have been managing GPs aptly. But a good percentage of women are serving very well for the community through pro-poor service delivery without knowing any institutional agendas. It has been identified that there are eight main causes behind this overall poor performance of women members:

1. Lack of Education,2. Lack of Money,3. Lack of experience or exposures,4. Lack of Political Will ,5. Gender Subordination,6. Social Constraints 7. Institutional Constraints and 8. Lack of Care and monitoring from administrative end. From the issue of Women’s development, this study observes that average age of

female members is 36 and and that of male is 45 years. It has been seen that educated, aware, eloquent smart young gyes are not coming in Politics as well as in Panchayats. Education is a vital indicator which denotes to what extent a woman member is equipped interms of general awareness of the different programmes, policies of the panchayat. Our experiences show that inspite of the presence of majority female members (85.08 %) with the education level from primary to higher secondary ,still large representatives have to sign or give consent to any matter of Gram Panchayat without knowimg and understanding detail of the programmes. There are 10.45 % illiterate or bare literate women entering the GPs still after 15 years of reservation. Most of the women representatives are lacking in “Quality” education. During interview most of the members with class VIII education confessed that they couldn’t read and write well to discharge their duty. Very few we could find out who know the West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973. Our suggestion in this regard is two fold --- (i) Lack of reading and writing skill is an important obstacle in role performance of women members. Therefore, in order to develop reading and writing skill, a functional course should be introduced for neo-literate and primary educated women membes, if possible, for all the women members of the GP. This course should be based on the rules, laws, regulations, orders, and programmes of the GP. This course should be conducted at the GP level for 10 to 15 weeks in the begining of the term. At least two days in a week (three hours in each day) should be alloted for this functional education programmes.ii) A news bulletin should be published on GP activities by the Panchayat Samiti in which the women members should be invited to write their opinions/ thinking/ problems. This will encourage them to develop their writing, reading skill, which according to us, is very important in performing their role as a Panchayat member at the grassroot level.

With this lack of education, it is found from the survey that most of the women members are the prey of abject poverty. Most of them are unemployed housewife from peasants’ family of lower income group. 78.51 % women members manage their domestics within Rs. 1000-2000 per month. More distressing picture is in all women

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gram panchayats where 93.71% members are from lower income group. This is another constraint for women to be successful performer of their role. In order to maintain the family they have to give maximum time in agriculture or in rearing cattle and hen-ducks or mowing grass or collecting wild food or vegetables. Some of them work in the unorganised sector and help their male counterparts in running the families. In some families, they are principal bread earners. In our sample GP, we have noticed that most of the women members from SC community are the principal bread earners in their family. Under such circumstances, women participation (particularly from poor family) in the Panchayat does not yield the desired result.

At the same time it has been found in the field that a new source of earning has been emerged recently. Some of the female members are the Secretary of the Self-Help Groups in their constituencies. This type of activity is providing some independent earning to women representatives; which is directly encouraging them to remain in the Panchayat Activity. From this point of view there should be monthly remuneration system for members in general and women members in particular.

The GPs, having majority Muslims population, the Panchayat is yet to relinquish its traditional image. In this Gram -panchayats, Muslim women are still playing insignificant role in Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation activities of GPs. It has been observed that awareness level of women members in these GPs is very poor. Their presence is very poor in GP monthly meetings as compared to other GPs. In these GPs, Self Help Group movement could not start properly due to lack of initiative from female members of the GP. Some are not aware of their membership. They are frequently substituted by their male members of the family. These surrogate representations are very much found in muslim belts . Even, some of the male members of the GP did not support the women reservation policy at the GP level during their record interview. Such social constraints also include illiteracy. Thus this problem should be addressed both by the political parties and administration introducing education , training and more care towards the women members .

Women empowerment in this study has been judged from four purviews, at home, at party, at office and at society. That means their performance in the family, in the political field , in the community and in the Grampanchayat have been tried to capture . It has been seen that 92 % members get full support from her family but most of them have no say or control in the family as they have low education and no money or assets. In the time of interviews women members are frequently interrupted by their husbands or kins. They are very much dependant on their husband or other male members of the family to resolve any problems. Lack of confidence among women has made them too shy and social rigidity also does not allow women to talk with others.In the Party, it has been seen that most of the women members have neither political status nor even political attachment. Majority of the women members have no experience about Panchayats. It is revealed from the study that majority (60.76 %) of the members even have no political choice. They are influenced by the family members or by political party. Few have been working in the women forum long before being elected but that experience cannot help them to perform effectively. Interviewing women members it has been explored that the parties which give nomination to them, do not guide them learning the theoretical part or the implementing part of their “Role”. The field study revealed that independent initiatives of the elected women representatives appeared to be frustrated due to over interference by the the political parties. Political parties leave little room for the elected representatives to function independently in the grassroot levels. The

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field study revealed that majority of the Women members agreed that the actual decisions in the functioning of the Panchayat are usually taken in the local branch of the ruling party of the GP concerned. Such politicisation in the functioning of the GP has led to the desertion of a large section of rural educated women. The experience of this study suggests that among other things, we cannot also avoid the basic theoretical questions i.e. whether the principles of democratic centralism or rigid party control in the name of party discipline really looms large as a threat to women participation in the functioning of the GP. It was also found that women organisation and grassroot community based organisation (Empowerment groups i.e. SHG formed by the NGOs) are politically divided. Therefore, these organisations cannot uphold the causes of the women in holistic manner. Previously due to rotation system in the Panchayat election, women representatives couldn’t work for a long period. They had to leave their constituency for male members. However, we learnt from the leaders of different political parties in the field that now- a- day the political parties do not fill up the seats of women members by putting male members, which become de-reserved. This is a positive trend that came to our notice.

In the community, most of the members are honoured . Though they are few in numbers but some women have gained courages being regarded and honoured by the people and coming out of their restricted area of “Home”.Most of the women members are eager to do the infrastructural development and also works for social development. It is found comparatively among men and women members , women are doing more work ( ante-alcohol campaign , ante-dowry campaign, birth –control & family planning etc.) other than the schemes. They also play an better role than the male in disceminating the information among the community. Though the reality prompts us to understand that women members are the prey of gender biasness of the society, but it is also true that some women members have gained the confidence of both sexes. It is very much seen in all-women gram-panchayats. In Gram Panchayats , we have seen that there are still large number of representatives who have to sign or give consent to any matter of Gram Panchayats without knowing and understanding details of the programmes. Education is a vital indicator, which denotes to what extent a woman member is equipped in terms of general awareness of the different programmes, policies of the panchayat. Of the women representatives interviewed during the study, about one tenth representatives were to found barely literate. Most of the female representatives in the GPs were not aware of rules and regulations of the GP, as they could not read Panchayat manuals or books. This situation clearly shows that educational status of the women members still lags behind in performing their role effectively. During the course of field visits, it was learnt that majority female members have sufficient knowledge on Health and Self- Help Group because on the last Saturday of every month, the women members have enough interaction with health workers. However, in case of GP, they could not develop sufficient knowledge for performing their role effectively. It is true that in respect of other programmes, women members of GP virtually have no role in implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities. We learnt that most of the women members are not well equipped to initiate programmes on their own. It is axiomatic that in most of the cases the male members initiate the programmes and then women members follow it. This situation suggests that there is need to introduce the leadership training for women at the GP level. In a double member constituency consisting of one male member and one female member, we have observed that the male member does not take care or share the responsibilities with his

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female counterpart. The male member dominates over the female member in discharging his role as a Panchayat member. It also reveals that women representatives get little space for discharging their role independently. Before GP meeting, they are directed about the programmes to be undertaken, beneficiaries to be covered, agendas to be discussed etc. by the leaders of political parties. Therefore,GP meetings are often considered by the elected representatives as formal and routine affairs. The presence of women members as party office bearers at local level is rare. As a result, they get little space to take part actively in the decision making process where actually decision takes place. Most of the women members who belong to SC community have to work either as the principal bread earner in their family or to help their male counterparts in running the families .Under such circumstances, women participation (particularly from poor family) in the gram panchayat does not yield the desired result. It is observed that most of the women members of GP lack in managerial techniques in conducting the meetings of Gram Sabha and Gram Sansad . Often meetings do not become a substitute for action. The issues of problems are not clearly defined. The participants are not really motivated to reach a solution. Panchayat functionaries do not know how to tackle some procedural roadblocks to reach a consensus decision in the meetings. They cannot use the meeting to solve those problems which can be solved through group decision only.They also do not have any skill to assess the needs and choices of the villagers. Given this situation, we strongly suggest that some of the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and group dynamics should be introduced for better management of these participatory institutions. Our study also indicates that all the Panchayat staff are not well equipped to perform their roles and also not impartial to all the members of the GP . The opposition members (including women members) claimed that ignoring them, the Panchayat Secretary had constituted the Gram Unnayan Samiti in their constituencies. In the formation of Gram Unnayan Samiti,.the Secretary incorporated all the ruling party supporters of the GP concerned in the open category. Though the women members have done the social works a lot But it has been found from the field that Gram Panchayat members are acting like agents of implementing the governmental schemes rather than the performer of local self-government. Actually this has been inherited among them through their male surrogates .But where there is less male domination ( all-women GPs) ,they have been found successful in dealing with social problems like , domestic violence , alcoholism, girl-trafficking etc. This overall weak performance of the women members have been addressed by themselves identifying so many constraints , social, economic, institutional and hierarchical( chapter 4 ). Women members at this century still are neglected by the male folk , by the hierarchical upline ,by the administrator and also by the party. Lack of care and monitoring from the governmental end or the Party end is one of the main constraints along with the other lacunae of social parameters . Ineffectiveness of the existing training programme is a major problem for women representatives in performing their role at the GP. The women representatives who attended the three days training programmes at block level could not follow the lecture of the trainers. All the representatives considered that only three days training programme is not sufficient for acquiring adequate knowledge in the subject. In some districts these training programmes could not be held due to various reasons.This problem should be addressed both by the administration and also by the party.

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Now we may test the hypotheses taken by this study (chapter 2). Those four hypotheseses may be evaluated in the light of the findings of this study.

The first hypothesis to be tested is that the socio-economic status is a significant factor towards discharging the responsibilities and effective part in decision making process of GP level . In context of our findings this is partly valid hypotheses . Because in terms of socio-economic parameters taken in this study (Age , Religion , Caste, ,Education, Occupational Distribution, Income Pattern , Life Style and Political background ) it has been found that majority of the female members have been failed to perform their role in gram-panchayats due to lack of education , lack of income of their own , lack of political experience or exposure and due to social system ,custom etc. It has been also found in this ethnographic study that women those are successful in performing their role, either have quality education or from well-to-do family, or have own income or from the family of political culture etc. But they have neither access nor control in decision making inspite of their own strength of education ,money or political establishment. This is mainly due to the political intervention and political whip. Someone may have the access in decision making but has no control over it. They are made understand that they have nothing to say but to obey and carry out the duties, which are handed over to them. In this perspective we can say that socio-economic status is no doubt a significant factor towards discharging the responsibilities in gram –panchayats but it is not sufficient to take effective part in decision making. Thus we can say that our first hypothesis is largely,though not wholly , valid.

The second hypothesis of this study was that for functioning in a political body, political facilitation is important. It is very much felt from this study that failure of women representatives of different political parties in performing effectively in gram-panchayats is due to lack of care of political parties. Primarily it is the duty of party to train the candidates according to chair . But it has been spelt by the majority that party does not take initiative to guide them learning either the theoretical part or the implementing part of their “Role”. Rather they are very much interested in bossing. It was reported by the members in the time of ethnographic study that they were fade up at the role of the political parties. Representatives of each party are more loyal to the party rather than the officials. Thus their expectation is more from the party than the administration. Members of some GPs ,those are getting the guidance of the party( though there are too much intervention) are better performer rather than the others . In this respect Karisunda of Bankura , Kultikri , Shalbani of Paschim Medinipur , Raina of Bardhaman etc. are worth-mentioning GPs.On the basis of these findings, the second hypothesis is valid.

Third Hypothesis to be tested states that despite of their natural strength and efficiency, some women functionaries can not properly perceive their roles and responsibilities. From the findings it has been come out that some of the women have quality education, political grooming , experience and exposure ,an insight within and also courage . But they can not perceive their role due to political mess and political intervention in excuse of discipline by Party. Independent initiatives of the elected women representatives appeared have been discarded by the Party. Nullifying the prayer for the tubewell repairing worth of Rs. 100/- by the pradhan of shyambazar of Hooghly or choosing the widow beneficiaries for widow –pension without consulting the party by pradhan of Andhari of Paschim Medinipur, or rejecting the prayer for Janani Suraksha

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Yojana of mothers below age 18, by the pradhan of Niallishpara-Goaljan of Murshidabad , or inspecting the works of NREGA herself by the pradhan of Nizampur –II GP of Uttar Dinajpur etc are the good example of individual initiatives which have been opposed by the parties. Along with this problem, women are also not getting proper administrative supports ( proper training , circulation of books, G.O.s , monitoring ,supervision and guidance of officers, field visit of best practices et.). As a result they can not perceive their roles and responsibilities. Thus third hypothesis is also true.

The fourth hypothesis under examination states that adequate administrative support from the official functionaries or any other support (training support, knowledge support, consultancy etc.) for capacity building are contributory factors in execution of entrusted roles and responsibilities of members. This hypothesis is fully vindicated by our observations. In gram panchayats, like Kultikri , sanitation programmes were highly promoted by official functionaries and thus the GP got the “NIrmal Gram” award. Block development officer of Bhagabangola panchayat samiti , has rendered full support to the pradhan and other members of Bhagabangola-I gram panchayat to implement the “Safai Avijan” and to recruit 9 safai-karmees for this programme . Pradhan has been successful in execution of this programme. Likewise , pradhan and upa-pradhan of Hanumantnagar GP ,of Bhagabangola block of Murshidabad district have been successful in opening a delivery room at gram panchayat office with the support of official functionaries of panchayat samiti. But where this type of support or guidance from official functionaries are not available, members have been failed to execute any roles or responsibilities. From this context we can say that the fourth hypothesis is totally valid.

The above problems perceived by this study have some possible remedies :

Lack of reading and writing skill is an important obstacle in role performance of women members. Therefore, in order to develop reading and writing skill, a functional course should be introduced for neo-literate and primary educated women membes, if possible, for all the women members of the GP. This course should be based on the rules, laws, regulations, orders, various programmes and officiating procedures of the GP. This course should be conducted at the GP level for 10 to 15 weeks in the begining of the term. At least two days in a week (three hours in each day) should be alloted for this functional education programmes.

A news bulletin should be published on GP activities by the Panchayat Samiti in which the women members should be invited to write their opinions/ thinking/ problems. This will encourage them to develop their writing, reading skill, which according to us, is very important in performing their role as a Panchayat member at the grassroot level.

Three days training programme should be redesigned keeping in view the needs of the elected members. The training programme should be based on issues and programmes relevant to their performance and covered in step by step .Skill part should be more than the knowledge part and this should Our field experience suggests that selection of trainers and their training are important aspects that should be taken into consideration while preparing for the training module for Panchayat

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members in general and women members in particular. It is better to give the training to the members at GP level at small package but in continuous manner. Continuous guidance and time-to-time training is much more useful for raising awareness of women representatives.

It is better to give training to the women members at there locality so that they can attend the training . It is also necessary to make the training programme obligatory for each women members.

There should be some Mobile Training as well as Advisory Team ( or can be said Counselling Team ) who can care after the members specially , of women members.

Some inputs on group dynamics , leadership quality , interpersonal relationship,

Gender Sensitivity , management techniques in conducting the meetings of Gram

Sabha and Gram Sansad and placing the demand etc. should be incorporated in the training course.

There must be some follow-up session after each training, which can recover the training gaps of the women members.

There should be regular and continuous training programme or Counselling programme for members ,especially for the women members by the Political parties they are from.

Exposure Visit and Exposure Speech can enhance the confidence level as well as the capability level of the women functionaries

Participation of women representatives in the Self Help Group activities is a welcome trend. This should be encouraged particularly for poor women representatives.

Panchayat staff should be well equipped to perform their roles Political neutrality of the Panchayat staff should be maintained while discharging their responsibilities. This aspect should be taken into consideration seriously during training of the Panchayat staff members.

Federation of women organisations of all the political parties at the GP level should be initiated for the sake of the women functionaries. If any association of elected women representatives at block level can be formed then it would be helpful for women representatives to interact on any issues or getting solutions ,

There should be some clear-cut directives spelt out by the government regarding the following issues :

i. linkage between Gram Unnayan Samiti , Gram Sansad, Upasamiti , and Gram Panchayat.

ii. Relation between Member of the GP and the Secretary of Gram Unnayan Samiti

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There must be some obligatory regular administrative monitoring and supervision system by the officials either of the block or of the district or of the state, so that the meetings and other functioning of various committees can be initiated & monitored and along with this women functionaries can be cared , corrected and supported by the government.

Government should rethink about the voting system of Gram Unnayan Samiti as it is found defective in the field.

All the G.O.s and circulars should be translated in local language , at least in Bengali and Hindi so that the women functionaries can read it. Especially the Panchayat Act should be published in Bengali version in simple format with annotation and explanation with examples.

Government should also think about the rotation system of the women representatives so that there should be some grading system of her performance on the basis of which they can contest the seats at least for consecutive two years .Otherwise the capability earned by the women in one term will be in vein.

There should be one Help-line or Help-desk either in the distrct level or in State level so that the representatives can contact them at their need .

There must be some assigned tasks for each member allotted by GP and accordingly members should submit their report in a monthly meeting , in presence of administrative officers.

Our experience also suggests that apart from the remuneration being paid to the Pradhan and Upa-Pradhan, there should be monthly remuneration system for members in general and women members in particular. Considering their pressing engagement in Panchayat activities and economic condition (some of the women members are economically very poor), we strongly recommend enhancement of TA/DA of the members of GP for attending GP meetings.

Monthly honorarium for Pradhan and Upa-Pradhan should be increased as their work-pressure has been increasing day by day. It is not possible for anyone to spend wholeday in office in stead of earning breads.

In many instances, the distance travelled has also been a barrier to the participation of women members in the GP meeting. In the field, some women members clearly pointed out that in order to reach the GP office, they had to spend not only time but also a sizable amount of money. For a poor woman member, it is difficult to spend money for travelling purpose. With the meagre amount of traveling allowance (Rs. 40/-), it is difficult for them to meet the travelling expenses. Therefore ,if there is any system of transport ( either van rickshaw or cycle or matador van etc) of GP to bring the members in GP ,it would be helpful to the poor women members.

Activities of women members other than the schemes should be encouraged by assessing the performance and awarding them in each year.

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Nominal pension should be introduced for those women members who were elected and completed two full terms successfully. This will encourage them to involve and work sincerely

Lastly there must be some political will empowering the women for which no such policy prescription is there .

Learning of this study reminds us the greatest truth : power is not something people give away .It has to be earned or snatched from the powerful . For that so many enabling factors are liable . The great ideology of Reservation has changed the atmosphere of Politics and scope for women functionaries. But the democracy has brought a challenge towards the women in one hand and also borne the cocktail of vested interests and mutual interests of women and the politicians. Government has tried to bring the women in power but has not cared about their strengths (to be used) and weaknesses ( to be overcomed ) . It is just like planting the tree without watering or fencing it .As a result women have to face the odds till today.This realization can be concluded with a story by Saint Exupery . This story tells us that a young boy from other planet used to visit this planet just to kill his loneliness. Oneday he saw a fox who requested him to tame him (fox). The little boy went back to his planet with the fox and looked after him very carefully. In return the fox told a secret : “What is essential is invisible to the eye”.

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APPENDIX - I

1(a) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District

Sl. No.

Name of members Name of GP / block Name of sansad

Available/Nonavailable

1 Rammunna Devi Bhaghwar

Lankapara / Madarihat-Birpara block

III-4 A

2. Karna Bahadur Thatal “ I-1 A3. Sidam Oraon “ II-2 A4. Sumitra Lohar “ II-3 A5. Deshraj Pradhan “ IV-5 N-A6. Domnic Topno “ V-6 N-A7. Santosh thapa “ VI-7 A8. Shanta Kullu (Lohar) “ VII-8 N-A9. Sushma Thapa “ VIII-9 N-A10. Kharka Bahadur Thapa “ IX-10 A11. Bhakta Bahadur Thapa “ X-11 A12. Bhagwani Agarwala “ XI-12 N-A13. Birsha Oraon “ XII-13 N-A14. Durga Gossai “ XIII-14 A15. Kamali Chhetri “ XIV-15 A

1(b) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District

Sl. No.

Name of members Name of GP Name of sansad


1. Koleshtina Oraon Madarihat / Madarihat-Birpara block

I-1 A

2. Bharat Keot “ II-2 A3. Deomait Mahali “ III-3 A4. Sadhana Saha “ IV-4 N-A5. Kanak Das (Shanti) “ V-5 A6. Shefali Deb “ VI-6 A7. Shyamal Guha Majumdar “ VII-7 A8. Jaharlal Saha “ VIII-8 A9. Nikhil Ch.Saha “ IX-9 N-A10 Saraswati Das “ X-10 N-A11. Jangibir Bahadur Chhetri “ XI-11 A12. Padam Oraon “ XII-12 N-A13. Kalyan Kumar Saiba “ XIII-13 A14. Fulo Oraon “ XIV-14 A

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15. Shyam Kami “ XV-15 A16. Suleman Oraon “ XVI-16 A

1(c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District

Sl. No. Name of members Name of GP / block

Name of sansad


1. Tripti Dey Falakata –I / Falakata block

VIII-10 A

2. Bani Das “ I-1 A3. Purnima Mandal “ II-2 A4. Roshan Lal Agarwal “ III-3 A5. Gopal Mandal “ IV-4 N-A6. Kamana Pal “ V-5 A7. Jamshed Ali “ VI-6 N-A8. Satya Narayan Sarkar “ VI-7 N-A9. Kajali Sarkar “ VII-8 N-A10. Arun Ch. Das “ VII-9 A11. Rira Das “ VIII-10 N-A12. Sunil Ch. Palul “ IX-11 N-A13. Pradip Muhuri “ X-12 A14. Iti Guha Niogi “ XI-13 A15. Manindra Sukla Baidya “ XII-14 A16. Madhab Barman “ XIII-15 N-A

1(d) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District

Sl. No.

Name of members Name of GP / block

Name of sansad


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2(a) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District

Sl. No. Name of members Name of GP / block Name of sansad


1 Madhab Ch. Mandal Daulatabad / Berhampore VII-72. Manoj Kr. Chandra ,, I-13. Dibakar Karmakar ,, II-24. Rijia Begum ,, III-35. Sudhir Kr. Ghosh ,, IV-46. Kaosar Ali Biswas ,, V-57. Bijli Bibi ,, VI-68. Hazrat Biswas ,, VIII-89. Najren Sk. ,, IX-910. Guhab Ali Sk. ,, X-1011. Eheram Ali ,, XI –1112. Mamtaj Bibi ,, XII-1213. Ali Mahammad Sk. ,, XII-1314. Jamiruddin Biswas ,, XIII-1415. Eliza Bibi ,, XIV-1516. Najrul Islam Sk. ,, XV-1617. Md. Shariful Mandal ,, XVI-1718. Jahura Bibi ,, XVII-18

2(b) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District

Sl. No.



1 Akhtarul Alam Som Gurudaspur / Berhampore XI-152. Khorsed Sk. ,, I-13. Shanti Kumar Ghosh ,, I-24. Jibanara Begum ,, II-35. Saifuddin Mandal ,, II-46. Sirajul Islam ,, III-57. Namita Paharia ,, III-68. Parbati Das ,, IV-79. Haidar Ali ,, V-810. Sanjoy Paharia ,, VI-911. Nazrul Islam ,, VI –1012. Latifa Bibi ,, VII-1113. Wahab Mandal ,, VIII-1214. Kalam Sk. ,, IX-1315. Saira Begam ,, X-1416. Ahasanuddin Sk. ,, XII-16

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17. Parula Bibi ,, XIII-1718. Ibrahim Sk. ,, XIV-18

2(c) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District

Sl. No.



1 Mukti Mandal Niallishpara-Goaljan / Berhampore X-112. Nazimul Molla ,, I-13. Kalam Sk. ,, II-24. Sumana Hazra ,, III-35. Chhabi Mandal ,, IV-46. Najimuddin Sk. ,, V-57. Liakat Ali ,, VI-68. Satya Das ,, VII-79. Akhtarunnesa Bibi ,, VIII-810. Ratan Kr. Sen ,, IX-911. Tarapada Das ,, IX –1012. Pranati Mandal ,, X-1213. Joydeb Mandal ,, XI-1314. Ranjan Sarkar ,, XI-1415. Kalpana Swarnakar ,, XII-1516. Balai Mandal ,, XIII-1617. Chanchal Banerjee ,, XIII-1718. Pradip Dutta ,, XIV-18

2(d) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District

Sl. No. Name of members Name of GP / block Name of sansad Available/Nonavailable

1 Sahina Yasmin Salar / Bharatpur-II III-3 A2. Rowshanara Begam ,, I-1 A3. Md. Tarakh Hossain ,, II-2 A4. Mostafa Sk. ,, IV-45. Rehima Bibi ,, V-5 A6. Sabitri Roy ,, VI-6 A7. Azfar Hossain Seikh ,, VII-7 A8. Nur Hossain ,, VIII-89. Ferdousi Begam ,, VIII-9 A10. Badrul Azam ,, IX –1011. Kazi Md. Nasiruddin ,, IX-1112. Bona Majhi ,, X-12 A13. Nasim (Hira) Khan ,, XI-13 A14. Khadem A. Dastegir ,, XII-1415. Mahamaya Hazra ,, XIII-15 A16. Taslima Bibi ,, XIII-16 A17. Aslem Ali Mohammed ,, XIV-1718. Kumari Bibi ,, XIV-18 A19. Kesta Pradhan ,, XV-19 A20. Tapati Dey ,, XVI-20 A

140

21. Nanda Dulal Saha ,, XVII-2122. Ram Krishna Ghosh ,, XVIII-22 A

3 (a ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District

Sl. No. Name of members

Name of GP / block Name of sansad


1 Kolega Begum Raipur-Surpur/Bolpur-Sriniketan I-12 Rafi Molla “ II-23 Lete Soren “ III-34 Sonali Dhibor “ III-45 Baha Tudu “ IV-56 Buddhadev Das “ V-67 Lalu Bauri “ VI-78 Sital Barman “ VII-89 Dilip Konra “ VIII-910 Madhabi Roy “ VIII-1011 Omar Ambia Sk. “ IX-1112 Bipul Mistri “ X-1213 Keshab Bagani “ XI-1314 Sayeda Bibi “ XII-1415 Zaker Ali Sk. “ XIII-1516 Purnima Mete “ XIV-1617 Rina Sen “ XV-17

3( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District

Sl. No.



1 Ajit Konai Hansan-II/ Rampurhat-II I-12. Md.Mainuruddin ,, II-23. Kalpana Saha ,, III-34. Chandana Mal ,, IV-45. Abhiram Mondal ,, V-56. Naren Mondal ,, VI-67. Md. Sahjahan Ali ,, VII-78. Nagori Mal ,, VII-89. Nasim Banu Bibi ,, VIII-910. Golam Kibria Mondal ,, IX-10

3 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District



1 Nandalal Banerjee Bautia/ Nalhati-I I-12. Nazimuddin Sk.(Najema) ,, II-23. Santila Mardi ,, III-34. Fakir Konai ,, IV-45. Bimala Let ,, V-5

141

6. Ashok Das ,, VI-67. Arun Kumar Let ,, VII-7



8. Parul Let ,, VIII-89. Jyostna Let ,, IX-910. Netai Chandra Mondal ,, X-1011. Nirmal Let ,, XI-1112. Harihar Let ,, XII-1213. Fazlima Khatun ,, XIII-1314. Salim Rejak ,, XIV-1415. Anath Kumar Let ,, XV-15

3 ( d) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District

Sl. No.



1 Kunti Mondal Kaitha-I/ Nalhati-I I-12. Rafejan Bibi (Chinta) ,, II-23. Jiner Momim ,, III-34. Lila Begam ,, IV-45. Golum Murtaza (Amar) ,, V-56. Sayed Mustafa Hossain (Babu Mia) ,, VI-67. Jahanara Bibi ,, VII-78. Nurezzaman Md.(Babul) ,, VIII-89. Aminul Ahasan(Tulu) ,, VIII-910. Fatik Ch. Konai ,, IX-1011. Latika Roy ,, X-1112. Babul Ch. Let ,, XI-1213. Kunti Mal (Hansi) ,, XI-13

4 ( a ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : South 24 Parganas District

Sl. No.



1 Goutam Das Moukhali/ Bishnupur-II I-12. Ranu Mondal ,, I-23. Madhabi Manna ,, II-34. Hasibur Molla ,, III-45. Sahansa Molla ,, III-56. Sukla Banu ,, IV-67. Biswanath Dey ,, V-78. Samar Adak ,, VI-89. Khokan Pramanick ,, VII-910. Alochana Shaw ,, VIII-1011. Ananda Kayal ,, IX-1112. Bapi Samanta ,, X-1213. Sumita Chatterjee ,, XI-13

142

14. Prabhakar Bag ,, XI-14

4 ( b) List of Gram Panchayats Member: South 24 Parganas District

Sl. No.



1 Tarani Bhuiya Nahazari/ Bishnupur-II I-12. Amba Bag ,, I-23. Mozammel Haque Molla ,, II-34. Bharati Mondal ,, III-45. Kamal Krishna Mondal ,, III-56. Gour Naskar ,, IV-67. Sudarsan Naskar ,, V-78. Taslima Bibi ,, V-89. Rinku Kayal ,, VI-910. Hasanujjaman Molla ,, VII-1011. Tajuddin Naskar ,, VIII-1112. Anawara Bibi ,, IX-1213. Surabuddin Dhali ,, X-1314. Sreekanta Sardar ,, XI-1415. Jayanta Kumar Baidya ,, XII-1516. Momotaj Bagum Mollick ,, XIII-1617. Bablu Beg ,, XIV-17

4 (c) List of Gram Panchayats Member : South 24 Parganas District

Sl. No.



1 Anadi Naskar Raidighi/ Mathurapur-II I-12. Joydeb Moule ,, II-23. Minati Bikram ,, III-34. Sahadeb Maity ,, IV-45. Latika Halder ,, V-56. Rina Gayen ,, VI-67. Abdul Khalil Gazi ,, VII-78. Manoranjan Das ,, VIII-89. Bichitra Baidya ,, VIII-910. Joydeb Sardar ,, IX-1011. Gobinda Mistri ,, X-1112. Idrich Purkait ,, XI-1213. Barnali Mandal ,, XII-1314. Balaram Shikari ,, XIII-1415. Badal Halder ,, XIV-1516. Sukumar Halder ,, XIV-1617. Nupur Bhandari ,, XV-1718. Papia Sipal ,, XVI-1819. Sanat Halder ,, XVII-19

143

4 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : South 24 Parganas District

Sl. No.



1 Sabita Das Gangasagar/ Sagar I-12. Madhumita Paria ,, I-23. Anup Jana ,, II-34. Achintya Mondal ,, II-45. Kalpana Mondal ,, III-56. Bimal Jana ,, IV-67. Chitta Pradhan ,, IV-78. Bithika Sahoo ,, V-89. Apurba Ranjan Giri ,, V-910. Abdul Karim Sk. ,, VI-1011. Dali Dakua ,, VI-1112. Susila Pramanik ,, VII-1213. Susital Das ,, VIII-1314. Majafar Sk. ,, IX-1415. Satish Ari ,, X-1516. Panda Sukdev ,, XI-1617. Pramila Das ,, XI-1718. Susanta Maity ,, XII-1819. Kanchan Mandal ,, XIII-1920. Sailendra Ranjit ,, XIV-2021. Byomkesh Paria ,, XV-2122. Tarun Mandal ,, XVI-22

5 (a )List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District

Sl. No.



1 Debibala Mahato Dhelatbamu/ Barabazar I-12. Bikal Chandra Mahato ,, II-23. Rita Goswami ,, III-34. Kiriti Bhusan Mahato ,, IV-45. Manikram Mahato ,, V-56. Lal Sardar ,, VI-67. Bangshidhar Mandal ,, VII-78. Krishna Goswami ,, VIII-89. Nagendra Mahato ,, IX-910. Ladhuram Tudu ,, X-1011. Sukuntala Majhi ,, XI-11

144

5 ( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District

Sl. No.



1 Motilal Majhi Sonathali/ Kashipur I-12. Baby Bandyopadhaya ,, II-23. Sabitri Mandal ,, III-34. Ila Deshmukh ,, IV-45. Namita Bouri ,, V-56. Paresh Nath Mandal ,, VI-67. Sadhmani Hembram ,, VII-78. Subhas Mandal ,, VIII-89. Janhabi Murmu ,, IX-910. Nityananda Mandal ,, X- 1011. Chittaranjan Mandal ,, XI-11

5 ( c) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District

Sl. No.



1 Sadhin Mahato Majhidi/ Jhalda-II I-12. Raman Ch. Mahato ,, II-23. Tilaka Mahato ,, III-34. Dayamoy Kumar ,, IV-45. Raboti Orang ,, V-56. Karam Chand Mahato ,, VI-67. Kamala Rani Mahato ,, VII-78. Jaylal Besra ,, VIII-89. Gagi Sahish ,, IX-910. Sunil Kr. Hembram ,, X- 10

5 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District

Sl. No.



1 Subhangkar Mahato Monihara/ Kashipur I-12. Ganesh Ch. Bouri ,, I-23. Mathan Singh “ II-34. Ranjit Ruhidas ,, III-45. Aroti Banerjee ,, IV-56. Alhadi Bouri ,, V-67. Alhad Mahato ,, VI-78. Fatik Karmakar ,, VII-89. Purnima Mishra ,, VIII-9

145

6 (a )List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim Medinipur District

Sl. No.



1 Srinath Murmu Ranisarai/ Narayangarh I-12. Rabindranath Payra ,, II-23. Nabin Sing ,, III-34. Bela Doloi ,, III-45. Mariam Sing ,, IV-56. Sharbari Maitra ,, V-67. Jagatpati Hansda ,, VI-78. Srikanta Pradhan ,, VII-89. Prasanta Dolai ,, VII-910. Rathikanta Patra ,, VIII-1011. Arati Das ,, IX-1112. Goutam Mallick ,, X-1213. Latika Mandi ,, XI-13

6 ( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim MedinipurDistrict

Sl. No.



1 Soumen Pandey Salbani/ Salboni I-12. Nepal Khamrai ,, I-23. Saktirani Pal ,, II-34. Sujit Rishi ,, III-45. Sarala Pujari ,, III-56. Rupasi Tudu ,, IV-67. Hasi Das ,, V-78. Shiblal Mandi ,, VI-89. Jagat Kumar Mahata ,, VII-910. Thakurdas Hembram ,, VIII-1011. Kajal Ahir ,, IX-1112. Krishna Saha ,, X-1213. Rajesh Saha ,, X-1314. Swapan Kumar Pal ,, XI-1415. Sushila Mistri ,, XII-1516. Alpana Choubey ,, XIII-1617. Lakshmikanta Khan ,, XIV-1718. Kartick Dandapat ,, XV-18

146

6 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim MedinipurDistrict

Sl. No.


Name of sansad


1 Priyalal Mandal Binpur/ Binpur-I I-12. Lina Panda ,, II-23. Bela Bag ,, III-34. Sephali Patra ,, IV-45. Krishna Chalak ,, IV-56. Mini Saren ,, V-67. Bibhas Baskey ,, VI-78. Sk. Mankhush ,, VII-89. Purna Saren ,, VIII-910. Radharani Rana ,, IX-1011. Gopal Mandi ,, X-1112. Asit Dolai ,, XI-1213. Manmatha Nayek ,, XII-1314. Archana Patra ,, XII-14

6 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim MedinipurDistrict

Sl. No.


Name of sansad


1 Arati Rani Chakraborty Talda / Dantan-II I-12. Ramchandra Das ,, II-23. Aparajita Shit ,, III-34. Narayan Das ,, IV-45. Umesh Chandra Hazra ,, V-56. Madan Moha Giri ,, VI-67. Nilima Bhunia ,, VI-78. Sudhangsu Khatua ,, VII-89. Narasingha Hembram ,, VII-910. Sasanka Giri ,, VIII-1011. Khukumoni Das ,, IX-1112. Asoke Dutta ,, X-1213. Bari Mandi ,, XI-1314. Anil Bera ,, XIII-14

147

7 (a )List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar DinajpurDistrict

Sl. No.



1 Tajjali Banu Panjipara/ Goalpokher-I I-12. Samiruddin ,, II-23. Masihar Begum ,, III-34. Md. Saliullah Khan ,, IV-45. Shankar Nath Bhowmick ,, V-56. Arjina Khatun ,, VI-67. Alab ,, VII-78. Sabir Alam ,, VIII-89. Jabira Begum ,, IX-910. Jamiruddin ,, X-1011. Sohrabb ,, XI-1112. Modan Modak ,, XII-1213. Azima Begum ,, XIII-1314. Santi Mridha ,, XIV-1415. Renu Tigga ,, XV-1516. Viswadeb Das ,, XVI-1617. Nijam Ali ,, XVII-1718. Ram Lal Singha ,, XVIII-1819. Habibur Rahaman ,, XIX-1920. Parbati Debi Singha ,, XX-20

7 ( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar DinajpurDistrict

Sl. No.



1 Musad Alam Goalpokher/ Goalpokher-I I-12. Mukter Alam ,, II-23. Mushtary Begum ,, III-34. Siten Kr. Paul ,, IV-45. Shamsul Huda ,, V-56. Jahana Begum ,, VI-67. Md. Ibrahim ,, VII-78. Motiur Rahaman ,, VIII-89. Rahima Khatun ,, IX-910. Jahiruddin ,, X-1011. Karalina Murmu ,, XI-1112. Noimuddin ,, XII-1213. Habulal Roy ,, XIII-1314. Kheteja Khatun ,, XIV-1415. Quasim ,, XV-15

148

7 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar DinajpurDistrict

Sl. No.



1 Fatik Sarkar Durgapur/ Itahar I-12. Chandana Dutta ,, II-23. Dhirendranath Rishi ,, III-34. Subodh Paul ,, IV-45. Gayali Barman ,, V-56. Pramila Mandal ,, VI-67. Dulul Chandra Barman ,, VII-78. Biswajit Saha ,, VII-89. Atul Sarkar ,, VIII-9

10. Kalidas Mitra ,, IX-1011. Madhumala Barman ,, IX-1112. Janaki Barman ,, X-1213. Narayan Dhar ,, XI-1314. Manindranath Barman ,, XII-1415. Nini Kisku ,, XIII-1516. Dipti Rani Barman ,, XIV-1617. Rahaman Ajijur ,, XIV-17

7 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar Dinajpur District

Sl. No.



1. Arati Rabidas Itahar/ Itahar I-12. Manabesh Lahiri ,, II-23. Dilip Rajbanshi ,, III-34. Minati Das ,, IV-45. Prasanta Sarkar ,, V-56. Sarathi Rajbanshi ,, VI-67. Ahammed Mafijuddin ,, VII-78. Ashok Roy ,, VIII-89. Suresh Chandra Barman ,, IX-910. Sandhya Barman ,, X-1011. Budhu Mardi ,, XI-1112. Samsul Haque ,, XII-1213. Kalpana Rajbanshi ,, XII-1314. Shibnath Sarkar ,, XIII-1415. Bablu Debsharma ,, XIII-1516. Tapashi Paul ,, XIV-1617. Rahaman Ali ,, XV-1718. Mohammad Israil ,, XVI-1819. Firoja Bibi ,, XVII-1920. Jagadish Chowdhury ,, XVIII-2021. Ahammed Khajimuddin ,, XIX-21

149

22. Juranu Das ,, XX-2223. Lipika Das ,, XXI-23

8 (a ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District

Sl. No.



1 Kanai Bouri Salanpur/ Salanpur I-12. Durga Prasad Banerjee ,, II-23. Biswajit Maji ,, III-34. Kalpana Namtirtha ,, IV-45. Naradhan Bouri ,, IV-56. Sasti Bouri ,, V-67. Ashoke Bouri ,, VI-78. Sumitra Ruidas ,, VII-89. Mukul Karmakar ,, VIII-9

8( b) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District

Sl. No.



1 Bamapada Mondal Baghar-II/ Burdwan-I I-1

2. Sudershan Chel ,, II-23. Madhusudan Majhi ,, III-34. Padmabati Santra ,, IV-45. Sima Thom ,, V-56. Nazama Begum Sk. ,, VI-67. Ah. Hafiz Chowdhury ,, VII-78. Nidhiram Kora ,, VII-89. Chinta Majhi ,, VIII-910. Tamal Behari Sarkar ,, IX-1011. Gulenur Sk. ,, X-1112. Tufan Bhattacharya ,, XI-1213. Ruma Roy ,, XII-13

8 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District

Sl. No.



1 Taru Sk. Rayan-I/ Burdwan-I I-12. Abul Hossain Sk. ,, II-23. Manjusri Mehara ,, III-34. Alauddin Mirja ,, III-45. Siraj Sk. ,, IV-56. Momtaz Sk. ,, IV-67. Ahad Mondal ,, V-78. Narayan Ghosh ,, VI-8

150

9. Monoara Sk. ,, VII-910. Anisur Sk. ,, VII-10Sl. No.



11. Yasin Sk. ,, VIII-1112. Gangamoni Som ,, IX-1213. Monoranjan Hazra ,, X-1314. Sisir Jash ,, XI-14

15. Rani Tudu ,, XII-1516. Mongal Mal ,, XIII-1617. Suprova Karfa ,, XIV-1718. Puspa santra ,, XV-1819. Asit Chandra Mondal ,, XVI-1920. Dulal Mondal ,, XVII-2021. Dipankar Dey ,, XVIII-2122. Ganapati Sarkar ,, XIX-2223. Lakshmi Mojumder ,, XX-2324. Lakshmi Mali ,, XX-2425. Mina Pal ,, XXI-2526. Shyamapada Mondal ,, XXII-2627. Kalpana Bag ,, XXIII-27

8 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District



1 Lakshmi Narayan Dhara Raina/ Raina-I I-12. Mayna Sk. ,, I-23. Asit Bag ,, II-34. Tapas Malik ,, III-45. Tapasi Som ,, IV-56. Anil Malik ,, IV-67. Abhoy Samanta ,, V-78. Anju Samanta ,, VI-89. Sabyasachi Dey ,, VII-910. Madhabilata Dhara ,, VIII-1011. Mohan Mukhapadhyay ,, IX-1112. Ansura Begam Middey ,, X-1213. Hopan Murmu ,, XI-1314. Sujit Malik ,, XII-14

15. Mantu Malik ,, XIII-15

151

APPENDIX - II

List of Leaders visited

1. Smt. Krishna Banerjee Sahbadhipati Hooghly2. Smt. Mithu Singh Sardar Sabhadhipati Purulia3. Smt. Rabiul Fatima Karmadhyaksha Birbhum4. Smt. Aparna Saha Sabhapati Burdwan5. Shri Tarapada Giri Sabhapati Paschim Medinipur6. Shri Raghu Nandi Sabhapati Murshidabad7. Shri Manoranjan Mal Sabhapati Birbhum8. Smt. Dipali Sabhapati South 24-Parganas9. Shri Suhas Sarkar Member, Dist. Birbhum

Committee, CPI (M)10. Allauddin Mollah Ex-Member Murshidabad

Dist. Committee, CPI (M)11. Anarul Islam Secretary, Zonal Committee

Krishak Sabha Murshidabad12. Sakhoat Hossain LCM, Doulatabad Murshidabad13. Asraful Alam Party Member, CPI(M) Murshidabad14. Shri Biswarup Kanthal Ex-Member, CPI(M) Birbhum15. Sri Dhanapati Mandal Party Member, CPI(M) Birbhum16. Sri Abdur Rauf LCS, CPI(M) Bankura

152

APPENDIX - III

Semi-Structured Questionaires for Ethnographic Study

1. What is your name?2. What is your age?3. What is your designation and the name of Sansad?4. How long you are in politics?5. How have you come in politics?6. How many times you are elected as member of PRIs?7. What was your position in previous period?8. After being elected what supports have your got?9. What functions women members perform in your panchayats?10. How do you help women members?11. What demand have you put before General Meeting of G.P.?12. How many female members are from your party?13. How does party help them?14. Do you support Reservation? Reasons.15. Has this reservation brought any change in the work style of PRI?16. Do you female members know about “Women & Child development

Programme”?17. Do you know the “Women & Child development Programme”?18. Do the panchayat staffs & govt. officials co-operate with the women

members?19. How the female members are incorporated in decision making?20. Is there any women oriented subject in your plan?21. What programmes for women have been taken by this panchayats?22. What is the future programmes?23. How far the women forums in your locality are active? 24. What are the constraints faced by you?25. What are your suggestions to overcome this?

153

APPENDIX - IV

Programming for Male Members

1. How many times you are elected as member of PRI?

Contested Elected 1st time 1 2nd time 2 3rd time 3 4th time 4 5th time 5 6th time 6

2. What was your position in previous preiod?

Year Position

1998-2003 Member 1993-1998 Pradhan 1988-1993 Upa-Pradhan 1983-1988 Member of PS 1978-1983 Member of ZP

KarmadhyakshaNone

3. After being elected what supports have your got?

1. Training by govt.2. Training by NGO3. Training by Party4. Guidance by Ex-member5. Reading materials6. Field visit7. Support by husband / family8. Support by Secretary9. Support by party to perform the work10. Support by Dalaneta to perform work 11. Support from villagers12. Support from other members

4. What functions women members perform in your panchayats?

1. Nothing.2. What they can do without our help?3. Well done

154

6. They have no urge to do something7. All the works for women development8. They do same work as male members do9. They do those work which panchayats think

fit for them

4. Not up to the mark5. They do not know their duty

5. How do you help women members?

1. Stating the schemes.2. Helping her understanding work3. Helping her implementing work4. Helping her in all aspect

6. What demand have you put before General Meeting of G.P.?

1. ICDS2. SSK3. MSK4. Health Sub-Centre5. Roads6. IAY7. Drinking Water8. Drainage9. Sanitation10. Old Age Pension11. JAY12. NREGA13. Annapurna14. Antyadaya15. Immunisation for pregnant mother and children16. Forestry

6(a). How many female members are from your party?

None, 1-8

6(b). How does party help them?

1. Nothing2. By giving training3. by giving advice4. by monitoring work regularly5. by making priority list of G.S.6. by making annual plan7. by supporting party workers for implementing

7(a). Do you support Reservation? Yes/No

7(b). Why?

1. Yes – but with education2. Yes but with enough time3. Yes but with education & enough time

155

17. SHG Formation18. Social Works19. All types of works20. Swajaldhara21. Rural Development22. Women and child development23. Others24. Primary School25. Electricity26. Disaster Management27. Nothing

6. No, because women are less aware7. No, because women have no time8. No, because women have no power9. No, because women can’t give

decision

4. Yes – No Option5. No, because women are illiterate

8. Has this reservation brought any change in the work style of PRI?

Yes/No

9. Do you female members know about “Women & Child development Programme”?

Yes Totally /No Nothing

10. Do you know the “Women & Child development Programme”?

Yes/No

11. Do the panchayat staffs & govt. officials co-operate with the women members?

Yes/No

12. How the female members are incorporated in decision making?

1. Hearing their opinion2. Taking into consideration their opinion

13. Is there any women oriented subject in your plan?

Yes/No

14. What programmes for women have been taken by this panchayats?

15. What is the future programmes?

16. How far the women forums in your locality are active?

1. Inactive2. Active – breaking the wine shop3. Active – Awareness generation4. Active – Conducting mother’s meeting5. Others

156

Programming for Female members

1. How many times you are elected as member of PRI ? Contested Elected

1 12 23 34 45 5 6 6

2. What was your position in previous period ?

Year Position

1998-2003 Member 1993-1998 Pradhan 1988- 1993 Upapradhan 1983 –1988 Member of PS 1978 – 1983 Member of ZP Karmadhyaksha None

3. After being elected what supports have you got ?

Training by govt. Training by NGO Training by Party Guidance by Ex-member Reading materials Field visit Support by husband / family Support by Secretary Support by party to perform the work Support by Dalaneta to perform work Support from villagers Support from other members

4. Do you think that you are more honoured after being elected ?

Yes / No

5. How do you want to use your power ?

for developmental work

157

for social development for women development To supply basic minimum needs for poor people for economic development of the women Nothing

6(a) What demands have you put before general meeting of Gram Panchayats? Roads Drinking water Drainage SSK MSK ICDS----- Infrastructure Health Subcentre Old age pension JSY NREGA Annapurna Antyedaya Sanitation

7. What works have you done in your sansad ?

All types of work related to Panchayats Roads Drinking water Drainage SSK MSK ICDS----- Infrastructure Health Subcentre Old age pension JSY NREGA Annapurna Antyedaya Sanitation Immunisation to pregnant mother and children Forestry SHG Swajaldhara Social works Women and child development

8. What have you done specially for the women ? Nothing JSY Old age pension Immunisation for pregnant mother and children SSK

158

MSK SHG Handloom Family planning Camp Sanitation

9. Beyond schemes what have you done for women or for community ?

Awareness generation against early marriage Awareness generation against chlid labour Awareness generation against dowry Working against girl-trafficking Working against drug / alcohol Birth control & family planning camp Eye-camp Nutrition camp Health camp Handicapped camp Arranging school-sports Conservation of Echo-system of Forest Women court Delivery room

10. Do you know the programmes regarding Women and child development ? No, not at all. Yes , partly Yes --------------------- 1. Monitoring ICDS

2. Monitoring Mid-day meal. 3. Subcentre 4. Old-age Pension 5. IAY 6. SHG 7. Sanitation 8. SSK 9.MSK

11. How do you get family support performing the role ?

Full support Husband supports me but also dominates Husband helps me when I need On behalf of me husband fully performs No support others

12(a). How does your party help you ?

Nothing by giving training

159

by advising by monitoring works of Panchayats regularly by making the priority list of the names emerging from Gram-

sansad by making Annual plan by supplying party-workers for implementing any scheme.

(b) What is your position in party ? Candidate member Permanent member Auxiliary Guide No member

13. Do you think that “the time” which is fixed for any meeting creates difficulty for you ?

Yes No

14.Do you feel that your opinion is overlooked / ignored as you are women ? Yes No

15.Do the Panchayats staffs or Govt. officials help you ? Yes

16. How do you communicate with the people in your locality ?

Talking with each household At weekly meeting At Gram Sansad Through party workers Through husband or any family members others

17. Do you feel insecured ever in your area while working ? Yes

No 18 . How far the women forums in your locality are active ?

Inactive Active --------- 1. breaking the wine shop 2.Awareness generation 3. Conducting mother’s meeting

4. Others 19. Do you want to continue your life as Panchayat worker ?

Yes, if party wants

160

Yes, if my family permits Yes, if my husband agrees Yes,ofcourse No, due to my family problem No , as I don’t have sufficient education No, as my children suffer No, due to my health No, due to political confrontation

20. How do you make your plan for GP ? through GramSansad and with the help of Party with the help of Samannay Committee With the help of Party leader Only through the people participation in Gram Sansad

21.(a) Are your Upasamity functioning ?

Yes No (b) If no , then why ?

members have no interest Honararium is low members can’t follow the importance of Upasamity Party-will is not behind Upasamity As the decision taken in upasamitys are not taken into

consideration by Gram Panchayats.

21. What are your suggestions to make the members more effective ? Timely and continuous Training There must be some follow-up session Honararium should be increased to get more service Daily Food at Gram Panchayat office like mid-day meal Vehicle should be provided to the members . Quarters to Pradhan Regular administrative monitoring and supervision Mobile training team

APPENDIX - V

References:

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Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, “Can the Subaltern Speak”? in Nelson and Grossberg (eds), Marxism and the Interpretation of Culture, Chicago, 1988.

Gerda Lerner, an American pioneer in the field of women’s history, had first uttered these celebrated words. Her words soon became a manifesto.

Geraldine Forbes, Women in Modern India, Cambridge University Press, 2004, p.1. Partha Chatterjee, “The Nationalist Resolution of the Women’s Question”, in Kumkum

Sangari and Sudesh Vaid (eds), Recasting Women, Kali for Women, New Delhi, 1989.Meredith Borthwick, The Changing role of women in Bengal : 1849-1905, Princeton

University Press, 1984. Sumit Sarkar, ‘The Women’s Question in Nineteenth Century Bengal’ in his A Critique of

Colonial India, Papyrus, Kolkata.Geraldine Forbes, Op cit, p. 155.Sushil K. Dey, ‘Community Projects in Action in India’, in Park and Tinker (eds), Leadership

and Political Institution in India, Princeton University Press, 1959, p. 356.Gram Panchayats in West Bengal and Their Activities : Survey and Evaluation, Government

of West Bengal, 1980, p. 12.G.K. Lieten, Continuity and Change in Rural West Bengal, New Delhi, 1992, p. 110.Neil Webster, Panchayati Raj and the Decentralisation of Development Planning in West

Bengal, Calcutta, 1992, p. 56.Nirmal Mukharji and D. Bandyopadhyay, New Horizons for West Bengal’s Panchayats : A

Report for the Government of West Bengal, 1993, p. 16.Sonali Chakrabarti Banerjee, Social Background of Panchayat Leaders in West Bengal,

Kolkata, 2002, p. 258.Ibid, p. 262.D: K. Ghosh, ‘Women Panchayat Members as Heads of Offices : A study in West Bengal’. In

Journal of Rural Development, Vol. 14(4) NIRD, Hyderabad. 1995, p. 366.Ashim Mukhopadhyay, ‘Kultikri : West Bengal’s only All-Women Gram Panchayat’, in

Economic and Political, Weekly, 1995, p. 1283.Aurabinda Ghosh, ‘Inside – Outside Dichotomy in Panchayati Raj Institutions in West

Bengal’, in The Administrator, October-December, 1997. Mary Wollstonecraft (1792) ,“The vindication of the Rights of Women” Engels, in his “Origin of Family, Private Property and the State” explained how the men got

the control over the surplus and the means of production with the growth of agriculture and in this way contribution to the society and dominance over the women.

Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen in their works “India Development and Participation” (2002) have presented the development of India and its various issues in a comparative perspective.

From a collection of articles edited by Vivian Gornick and Barbara K. Moran, named as “Women in sexist society. ……Studies in Power and Powerlessness” we come to know the issues behind the modern women’s political movement.

“Status of Indian Women” by Uma Shankar Jha, Arati Mehta and Latika Menon describes the status of women and its Political Identity, Female Exploitation and Women’s Emancipation. It also reflects Gender and Social Order of Women's Work and Economic Development; Education and Sexual Discrimination.

Sheila Rowbothan’s work “Women’s consciousness: Man’s World” has described how women lost her autonomy and control due to sexuality and economics.

“Where Women Are Leaders” by Kalima Rose (1992) reflects Women's Movement in India. It also describes genesis of Self- Employment, Women's Association and Indian Women's Co-operatives.

“Women and Political Empowerment” by Bidyut Mohanty” (1995). It states about Women in Politics and Economic Empowerment.

Leela Kasturi’s work “Development, Patriarchy, and Politics: Indian Women in the Political Process, 1947-1992” (1995) states about the role of Women Polities in India from the time period 1947 to 1992.

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“Women, Poverty, and Productivity in India” by Lynn Bennett” (1993) states about economic conditions of women in India and the status of Women-Employment in India. It also describes the scenario of the development.

“Status of Women in India” by The Indian council of Social science Reseach,(1975) has described the political status of women In India

“Women and Panchayati Raj” by Susheela Kaushik (1993) vividly describes the state of Women in Panchayati Raj.

“Political Empowerment of Women at the Grassroots” by K.C. Vidya (1997.) states about Women leadership and Women in Panchayayti Raj.

“From Independence Towards Freedom: Indian women since 1947” by Bharati Ray, Aparna Basu. 1999 states about Gender discrimtion towards the Second Freedom.

Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay, in an article “Women in Public life” stated that unless and until the women roused their voices demanding their rights as voter and public service from the elected representatives; democracy would remain out of reach.

“The Changing Status of Women in West Bengal, 1970-2000. The Challenge ahead” (2005), a collection of articles edited by Jasodhara Bagchi has illuminated women from various context as education, health and nutrition, demography, caste, economic empowerment, political participation, culture, law and violence etc.

A case study named “Women and politics: West Bengal ” by Sanghamitra Sen Chaudhuri has tried to get an answer: to what extent the legal declaration of equality of sexes has been accompanied by equality in real life.

“Politics India: The State-Society Interface”(2001), edited by Prof. Rakhahari Chatterji has presented a comprehensive view of India’s politics during the last fifty years.

Task Force Reports of UN Millennium Project, 2005 on Education and Health have identified the interventions and policy measures needed to meet the Millennium goals about education and health.

“Gender and Society in India”, a collection of Theme papers and Urban Studies edited by R. Indira and Deepak Kumar Behera has presented a new exploration and new types of analysis towards Gender.

“Women, Gender and Human Rights: A global perspective”, a collection of writings edited by Marjorie Agosin has presented various views regarding Human rights from the context of origin and development; from its historical, political and social context; from gender context; from the context of psychocultural factors etc.

Deepa Narayan, through her works “Voices of the Poor: Can anyone hear us?”

Has focused the poor men’s approach towards poverty. In this writing she has rightly arrested the situation of the women, the poorest of the poor.

“New Horizons for West Bengal’s Panchayats” by Nirmal Mukherjee and D. Bandyopadhyay has evaluated Panchayats of West Bengal: how far it is successful as self-government.

According to “Political awareness and political participation of women in rural areas” by Ram Ahuja (1985) political awareness and participation of rural women are very poor. But only through the political empowerment women can gain social and economic status. Hence this study prescribed for political reservation for women.

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women in local government in india

Documents

manoar jahan begum

princeton university press

paschim medinipurdistrict sl

gram unnayan samiti

uttar dinajpurdistrict sl

nirmal gram award

panchayati raj institutions

district statistical handbooks