President Droupadi Murmu Engages with Scheduled Tribe Women Leaders to Strengthen Panchayati Raj Governance

A group of Scheduled Tribe women representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre today (January 6, 2025). The group is in Delhi under the ‘Panchayat se Parliament’ initiative organised by the National Commission for Women in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Addressing the gathering, the President said that Panchayati Raj Institutions have been the cornerstone of our democracy. They provide a platform for governance and community development at the grassroots level. These institutions have played an important role in the empowerment of women. She noted that about 14 lakh women are serving as elected members of Panchayati Raj Institutions and rural local bodies across the country, which is 46 percent of the total elected representatives. She said that to strengthen this participation further, most states have increased the reservation limit to 50 percent.

The President said that the Government of India is working for the overall development of the country and its citizens. Many schemes are being run for the welfare of the citizens. She urged representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to raise awareness among the eligible people to take advantage of welfare schemes so that they can become beneficiaries. She also urged them to ensure that children are vaccinated on time, pregnant women get proper nutrition, and children do not leave their studies midway. She said that they should run campaigns against social evils like dowry, domestic violence, and drug addiction.

The President advised women representatives to discharge their responsibilities fearlessly as elected representatives in the Panchayats. She said that as a Panchayat representative, they have the right to resolve mutual disputes among the villagers. They should use this right appropriately and try to resolve disputes among the villagers at the Panchayat level itself. This will not only save people’s resources and time but will also increase mutual harmony.