Official Document not to be quoted

Women in Gram Panchayats

Smt. Suparna Ganguly

STATE INSTITUTE OF PANCHAYATS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL

Survey & Research Team

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

2. Smt. Aparajita Mukhopadhyay, Professor of Economics and Politics, VisvaBharati. 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 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. HRD, Burdwan

Team of Enumerators
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:

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
1. 2. University. Sri Alok Kumar Kalyani, Nadia.

Prof. Apurba Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Professor of Political Science, Burdwan Mukhopadhyay, I.A.S.(Retd.), Ex-Director, S.I.P.R.D,

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 : Introduction 1.1 : History of Womens participation in public arena in India 1.2 : History of Womens participation in local government (particularly in Panchayats) in West Bengal. 1.3 : States interventions: The 73rd constitutional amendments in the West Bengal Panchayats Act. 1.4 : Survey of literature: With reference to both the preamendment 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 study 2.1 : The methodology. 2.2 : The locales . 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Chapter 3 : Social and Political Background of the women members : Age : Religion : Caste : Education : Occupational Distribution : Income Pattern : Life style : Political background Chapter 4 : Issues of Empowerment 4.1 : Previous experience and exposure 4.2 : Awareness : of self : of her gender : of women as a distinct group in the Panchayats 4.3 : Perceptions : about the role : about the responsibility 4.4 : Participation : in meetings : in scheme implmentation : in decision making
4

4.5

: Capacity building : by self/group efforts : by institutional interventions from government / party

Chapter 5 : Peoples 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

Tables:
Table No. 1 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.1(a) 3.1(b) 3.1(c) 3.1(d) 3.2(a) 3.2(b) 3.2(c) 3.3(a) 3.3(b) 3.4(a) 3.4(b) 3.4(c) 3.5(a) 3.5(b) 3.5(c) 3.6(a) 3.6(b) 3.6(c) 3.7 3.8(a) 3.8(b) 3.8(c) 3.8(d) 3.8(e) 4.1(a) 4.1(b) 4.1(c) 4.1(d) 4.1(e) 4.1(f) 4.2(a) 4.2(b) 4.2(c) 4.2(d) 4.2(e) 4.2(f) 4.2(g) 4.3(a) 4.3(b) Title District wise Women representation in three tiers of Panchayati Raj Information pertaining to Universe Informations on administrative set-up District wise Gender indices and income District wise available Health Services The Basic Demographic data relating to studied districts Profiles of the Gram Panchayats District wise Sex-age distribution of Female members District wise Sex-age distribution of Male members Mean age of Female Representation Mean age of Male Representation Religion wise distribution of female members Religion wise distribution of Male members District wise Cross-section of Muslim representation District wise Backward Caste Representation in Gram Panchayats Caste pattern among Gram Panchayats Leaders (2003 - 08) District wise Educational Status of Female Gram Panchayat members District wise Educational Status of Male Gram Panchayat members Sex-Education distribution among various Leaders of Gram Panchayats District wise Occupation of female members of Gram Panchayts District wise Occupation Male members of Gram Panchayats Sex- Occupational distribution of various Panchayats Leaders District wise Income distribution of Female members District wise Income distribution of Male members Income distribution of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan and Sanchalak Standard of Living of Gram panchayats Leaders (2007) District wise & Party wise distribution of Gram Panchayat members Party wise distribution of Gram panchayats Leaders (2003) District wise Political experience distribution of female members District wise Political experience distribution of male members Elected Seat wise Political experiences of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan and Sanchalak Female members with political experiences Co-relation between length of experiences and number of members Distribution of Previous experiences as Panchayat representatives District wise categorization of motivation of all female members District wise exposure of the female members District wise reflection of the position of the women members in the party Reflection of family supports towards the female members performing their role District wise reflection of the works done by the female members specially for the women Gram Panchayat wise response of female members about their work-done beyond schemes District wise reflection of supporting Reservations by female members Reflections of male members about the Reservation District wise Scenario of Women Forums Gram Panchayats wise Scenario of Women Forums District wise reflections of Usage of Power by the female members District wise reflection of knowing or not knowing the programmes of Women Page No. 11 18 21 21 22 22 24-25 28 29 30 30 31 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 38 39 39 41 42 42 44 45 45 46 46 46 50 51 51 52 54 55 57 61 61 63 64 67 69 70 72

4.3(c) 4.3(d) 4.4(a) 4.4(b) 4.4(c) 4.5(a) 4.5(b) 4.5(c) 4.5(d) 4.5(e) 5.1 5.2(a) 5.2(b) 5.3(a) 5.3(b) 5.4(a) 5.4(b) 5.5(a) 5.5(b) 5.6(a) 5.6(b) 5.7(a) 5.7(b) 5.7(c) 5.8(a) 5.8(b) 5.9(a) 5.9(b) 5.9(c) 5.10(a) 5.10(b) 5.11(a) 5.11(b) 6.1 (a) 6.2 6.3(a) 6.3(b) 6.3(c) 6.3(d) 6.3(e) 6.3(f) 6.3(g) 6.3(h) 6.3(i) 6.3(j) 6.3(k) 6.3(l) 6.3(m)

and Child Development District wise informations regarding functioning of Upasamity District wise reflections of various procedures of making Planning of Gram Panchayats District wise Reflection of Mode of communication District wise Reflection of Implementing Schemes Reflection of demand put before General Meeting of GP District wise various Support Systems for the female members Reflection of how does Party help the female members Reflection of Constraints faced by the female members of 32 Gram Panchayats Patriarchy Intervention: Actors of Decision making (In case of women members) Suggestions given by the female members of 32 Gram Panchayats for making the members more effective Female assertion by literacy and Religion Female assertion by literacy and Religion Association of the member with the people in All women GPs District wise reflection of various mode of Contacts Reflection of various mode of Contacts of all women Gram Panchayats Frequency distribution on activities Frequency distribution on activities in all women Gram Panchayats Reflection of Supporters and Non-supporters in Female headed G.P.s Reflection of Supporters and Non-supporters in all-women G.P.s District wise Impacts of Reservation Impact of Reservation in all women Gram panchayats District wise mode of Co-operation with Members Mode of Co-operation with Members in all women GPs Gram Panchayat wise percentage of Co-operation of the people with the members Distribution of dependency in sample districts Distribution of dependency in all women GPs Types of Dependency in sample Districts Types of dependency in all women GPs Types of dependency in sample Gram panchayats Source of Information Source of Information Support services from Member in sample districts Support services from Member in all women GPs Profiles of the All Women Gram Panchayats

73 76 78 80 82 88 89 91 91-92 92 95 97 97 98 98 100 100 101 101 101 102 103 103 104 105 105 106 106 107 107 108 108 108 112 114 120 120 120 120 121 121 121 121 122 122 122 123 123

Reflection of Contest in All-Women Gram Panchayats

6.3(n) 6.3(o) 6.3(p) 6.3(q) 6.3(r) 6.3(s) 6.3(t) 6.3(u) 6.3(v) 6.3(w)

123 123 124 124 124

124 125 125 125 125

Charts:
Table No. 2.1 2.1 2.3 2.4 4.1 5.1 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Title Detail of the Universe of this study District wise population data (Census of India, 2001) Gram Panchayat wise Health Set-up Gram Panchayat wise Education Set-up Flowchart of Women's Empowerment District wise sample from various caste Education Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats Health Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats Break up of Contestant of all women GPs Page No. 19 23 26 27 49 96 113 113 114 118

Suggestions for capacity building of women members given by the all-womenmembers

Boxes
Box No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Title Constitutional Provision Women Problems Works other than schemes done by the women Harbour in the storm Women Participation Story of the stream Page No. 10 60 62 68 87 94

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 Womens 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. Womens organizations at all India level began to emerge in the early twentieth century with the agendas of advocacy of womens 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 Womens Commission followed by the state womens commission was formed. 9

1.2: History of Womens participation in local government (particularly in Panchayats) in West Bengal. The fact that women were denied knowledge of the existence of Womens 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 womens 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: Political parties should set a quota for women candidates, The establishment of women panchayats as a transitional measure and Alloting a block of seats to women in municipal councils. It was in the sixth year plan (1980-85) when a separate section on Womens development was included. The Committee on Panchayati Raj Structures (1977-78) emphasized the need for village level womens organizations to influence both the implementing and monitoring aspects of development planning. In 1978, Ashok Mehta committee also recommended womens participation not only in development but also in the direct decision-making process. BOX - 1 : Constitutional Provision 1. 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. 10

A. B. C.

1.3 : States 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 Total Women Members Members (%) 42 14 (33.33) 35 12 (34.28) 68 23 (33.82) 27 9 (33.33) 15 5 (33.33) Panchayat Samiti Total Women Members Members (%) 496 172 (34.68) 422 141 ( 33.41) 743 251 (33.78) 339 118 (34.80) 178 62 (34.83) Gram Panchayat Total Women Members Members ( %) 2742 978 (35.7 ) 2361 844 (35.8) 4460 1580 (35.43) 1880 667 ( 35.48 ) 1009 354 (35.08) 11

Bankura Birbhum Burdwan Cooch Behar Dakshin Dinajpur

Uttar Dinajpur

8 (34.78) Hooghly 47 16 (34.04) Howrah 34 13 ( 38.23) Jalpaiguri 32 11 ( 34.37) Malda 33 11 (33.33) Murshidabad 60 20 (33.33) Nadia 41 14 (34.14) Purulia 34 12 (35.29) Purba Midnapore 52 20 ( 38.46) Paschim Midnapore 62 22 ( 35.48) North 24 Parganas 50 17 (34.0) South 24 Parganas 67 23 ( 34.33) Source: Tathya O Samiksha, 2003. 1.4 : Survey of Literature

23

272 577 433 388 385 700 504 391 604 733 549 843

93 (34.19) 196 ( 33.97) 142 ( 32.79) 136 ( 35.05) 131 ( 34.02) 240 (34.28) 173 (34.33) 135 ( 34.53) 203 (33.61) 245 ( 33.42) 190 (34.61) 290 (34.40)

1595 3418 2572 2342 2195 4159 3052 2115 3480 4073 3233 4904

568 ( 35.61) 1211 ( 35.43) 906 ( 35.23) 836 ( 35.7) 826 (37.63 ) 1479 (35.56) 1080 ( 35.39) 767 ( 36.26) 1161 ( 33.36) 1358 (33.34) 1147 ( 35.48) 1736 (35.4 )

. 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.

12

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 Upapradhans. 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, womens 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 Bengals 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. 13

 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 womens 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 ,Womens experience in New Panchayats : The emerging leadership of Rural Women , Occasional Paper no. 35, Centre for Womens 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 Mens 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 14

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 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 ,inThe Changing Status of Women in West Bengal, 19702000.. 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 . 15

C.

There has been very little efforts to compare and contrast the background of women members with that of male folk . 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. Very few studies in this field have caught the voice of the people to account the performance of the women members. Peoples opinion regarding this issue has not been addressed.

D .

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 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. the

16

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.

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 : Different types of ecological conditions have been covered , Welfare measures taken up by the government differ to some extent., Level of socio-economic empowerment of rural women also varies , Different culture and political practice are there. 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 .. 17 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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 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. 1. Districts Jalpaiguri GP, female headed Lankapara (Madarihat- Birpara block) Falakata-I (Falakata) Madhabdanga I (Mainaguri) Goalpokhar (GoalpokharI) Itahar (Itahar) Niallishpara Goaljan (Baharampore) Salar (Bharatpur II) Baghar II (Bardhaman) Salanpur (Salanpur) Sonathali (Kashipur) Dhelatbamu (Barabazar) Raipur-Supur (Bolpur) Kaitha I (Nalhati I) Moukhali (Bishnupur II) Na-hazari (Bishnupur II) Rani Sarai (Narayangarh) Talda (Dantan-II) Karisunda (Indus block) Shyambazar Andhari Kultikari Benachapra Jenkapur Jogardanga GP, male headed Madarihat (Madarihat Birpara block)

Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad

Panjipara (Goalpokhar 1) Durgapur (Itahar) Doulatabad (Baharampore) Gurudaspur (Baharampore) Ryan (Bardhaman) Raina-1 (Raina) Monihara (Kashipur) Majhidih (Jhalda II) Bautia (Nalhati-I) Hasan (Rampurhat I) Raidighi (Mathurapur II) Gangasagar (Sagar) Binpur (Binpur-I) Shalbani (Narayangarh) -

4 5 6 7 8 9. 10. 11.

Bardhaman Purulia Birbhum South 24 Parganas Paschim Midnapore Bankura Hooghly Paschim Midnapore

18

Chart 2.1: Detail of the Universe of this study

7%

5.68%

20.65%

Pradhans Upapradhans sanchalaks Members

67.04%

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. Kandi 3. Jangipur 4. Lalbagh 19

5. Domkal 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 and 3. 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. Asansol 2. Durgapur 3. Burdwan North 4. Burdwan South 5. Katwa and 6. 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) and 3. 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. Jhargram 3. 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 and 5. 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 No.of No. of (Sq.K.M.) GP GS Jalpaiguri 6227 146 2075 Uttar Dinajpur 3140 99 1422 Murshidabad 5324 254 3633 Birbhum 4545 167 2138 Burdwan 7024 277 3857 Purulia 6259 170 1913 Paschim Medinipur 9786 290 3491 South 24 Parganas 9960 312 4324 Source : District Statistical Handbooks ,2005 No.of Blocks 13 9 26 19 31 20 29 29 No.of Mouza 756 1504 2210 2473 2529 2683 8701 2139 No. of Villages 742 1477 1925 2256 2438 2468 7580 2086

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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad Birbhum Burdwan Purulia IMR CBR 98-99 27.4 34.6 29.9 22.8 23.8 26.0 Literac y rate 63.62 48.63 55.05 49.8 57 69.4 61.5 62.16 57.5 71 56.14 60.8 54.1 70.7 63 0.54 7 0.4 16 Paschim 66 24.8 75.17 Medinipur South 24 67.4 23.6 70.16 Parganas Source: Census of India, 2001. 0.55 5 0.51 8 21 13630.22 14 15526.01 9 13044.67 16 0.42 14 17537.98 3 School enroll ment rate 51.9 49.6 Gender Developm ent Index 0.45 0.46 10 62.8 0.41 15 12791.72 17 13392.39 15 Rank Per capita income(Rs.) 2000-01 16749.07 11182.86 Rank in 200001 4 18

62 62

12

Table 2.4 presents Health access and services. Table 2.4 : District wise available Health Services Name of Districts Popula tion using adequate sanitation facilities 17.7 9.3 13.5 13.9 32.4 8.1 9.1 (Undivided) 11.3 Popula tion using improved water re sources 98.1 99.5 99.4 99.3 99.3 93.8 99.0 99.2 No. of Dis-trict Hospital 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 No. of refe rral Hospit al 114 5 19 10 -14 --No. Of P.H.C. No .of Sub centres 537 344 832 484 765 485 858 1068 No. of dispen saries 68 3 50 123 1013 48 949 271 No.of family welfre centres 527 355 31 428 798 472 763 40

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad Birbhum Burdwan Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas

38 22 70 58 103 73 84 63

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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad Birbhum Burdwan Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Population(%) 3401173 (4.24) 2441794 (3.04) 5866569 (7.31 ) 3015422 ( 8.6 ) 6895514 ( 3.7 ) 2536516 ( 2.84 ) 4688434 ( 8.61 ) 6906689 ( 6.47 ) SC Population(%) 1248577 ( 36.71 ) 676582 ( 27.71 ) 703786 ( 12.00) 889894 ( 29.51 ) 1860754 ( 26.98 ) 408706 ( 16.11 ) 937340 ( 19.99 ) 2218376 ( 32.12 ) ST Population (%) 641688 ( 18.87 ) 124865 ( 5.11) 75953 ( 1.29 ) 203127 (6.74 ) 441832 ( 6.41 ) 456573 ( 18.00 ) 772177 ( 16.47 ) 84766 ( 1.23 ) Minority Population(%) 369195 (10.85) 1156503 (47.36) 3735380 (63.67 ) 1057861 (35.08) 1364133 (19.78) 180694 (7.12) 1088618 (23.22) 2295967 (33.24)

22

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

South 24 parganas Paschim Midnapore Purulia Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Uttar Dinajpur Jalpaiguri

Population

SC

ST

Minority

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

24

Table 2.6 : Profiles of the Gram Panchayats

Districts Gram Panchayats Total Lankapara Jalpaiguri Madarihat Falakata-I Madhabdang a-II Panjipara Uttar Dinajpur Goalpokhar Durgapur 25398 Itahar 31959 Daulatabad 23404 Gurudaspur Murshidabad Niallisahpara -Goaljan 17679 Salar Rayan-I 31350 Baghar-II Burdwan 12660 Salanpur 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 42.9 9260 51.9 52.9 48.1 47.1 -12.9 -49.6 -50.4 37.04 38.1 52.9 51.3 47.1 48.7 9.2 2.2 49.9 51.5 50.1 48.5 924.9 889 57.5 62.5 37.5 20.8sq. km 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 27218 50.7 50.7 49.3 49.3 16.9 16.1 50.6 51.2 49.4 48.8 19.1 11.3 49.7 50.1 50.3 49.9 0.9 0.5 47.8 52.2 52.2 47.8 970 971 54.2 47.9 56.9 56.9 43.1 43.1 1588 H 30.96sq .km 22232 51.4 51 48.6 49 16.6 16.8 49.9 50.8 50.1 49.2 3.2 3.3 50 52.8 50 47.2 1.8 3.9 49 48.9 51 51.1 946 946 46.2 43.9 53.5 54.2 46.5 45.8 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 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 37.2 17731 21428 18801 14708 29946 19540 Population (%) M 49.8 51.03 51.1 51.6 52.6 51.3 F 50.2 48.9 48.9 48.4 47.4 48.7 0-6 population (%) Tota l M F 14.7 15.6 15.9 21.9 23.8 66.2 50.4 51.6 51.2 49.6 49.6 48.4 48.8 50.4 SC (%) Total 11.1 15.2 21.57 73.3 18.1 6.2 M 49.2 51.5 51.7 51.2 51.9 F 50.8 48.5 48.3 48.8 48.1 Total 21.4 30.4 1.144 0.2 3.8 9.5 ST (%) M 49.2 51.2 53.6 49.3 49.2 46.4 50.7 50.8 F 50.8 48.8 1009 960 955.2 939 901 949 58.7 36.2 21.8 59.2 65.6 70.9 40.8 34.4 29.1 3862.3 H 3472.6 H 2173.6 A 2588 H 38sq. K.m. Sex Ratio Literates Tota l 43.4 48.7 M 63.1 59.1 F 36.9 40.9 4401.3 A 1150 A Area

25

Districts

Gram Pancha yats Total Manihara

Population (%) M 50.8 51.3 51.7 49.8 51.6 51.4 52.0 4 51.4 51.7 50.7 50.7 50.8 50.3 50.9 51.9 51.4 F 49.2 48.7 48.3 50.2 48.4 48.6 47.96 48.6 48.3 49.3 49.3 49.2 49.7 49.1 48.1 48.6

0-6 population (%) Tota l M F 18.6 15.6 17.5 17.7 17.1 16.8 18.3 13.8 15.4 15.1 15.2 13.7 9.8 17.1 15.4 16.3 50.2 51.1 52.5 51.8 50.2 49.8 52.8 52.4 50.5 51.4 51.5 49.9 48.6 50.8 50.2 16.3 49.8 48.9 47.5 48.2 49.8 50.2 47.2 47.4 49.5 48.6 48.5 50.1 51.4 49.2 49.8 49.2

SC (%) Tota l 21 27.7 7.1 7.5 42.7 35.2 31.5 31.3 13.8 4.2 26.5 21.5 3.9 31.3 32.7 34.9 M 49.8 51.4 52.3 50.8 51.8 51.4 52.9 51.6 51.7 51.5 50.6 49.4 52.1 51.5 52.4 50.9 F 50.2 48.6 47.7 49.2 48.2 48.6 47.1 48.4 48.3 48.5 49.4 50.6 47.9 48.5 47.6 49.1 Tota l 8.2 20.5 25.8 14.8 6.9 0.01 0.01 15.6 38.1 12.2 25.4 13.6 0.39 0 1.2 0.72

ST (%) M 50.3 50.9 52.7 50.1 51.9 100 100 50.4 51.6 50.7 49.5 51.1 51.9 F 49.7 49.1 47.3 49.9 48.1 0 0 49.6 48.4 49.3 50.5 48.9 48.1

Sex Rati o 971 951 933 1009 938 947 921 946 932 973 925 970 987. 4 961. 2 923. 6 946. 6

Literates Tota l 61.9 47.7 38 38.4 54.7 52.3 54.9 56.6 56.7 63.5 56.5 59.6 71.8 52.5 57.5 63.3 M 61.1 68.2 78.9 69.5 60.5 59.2 59.9 58.6 61.7 58.1 60.7 58.6 55.7 58.7 61.8 59.1 F 38.9 31.8 21.1 30.5 39.5 40.8 40.1 41.4 38.3 41.9 39.3 41.4 44.3 41.3 38.2 40.9 -----

Area

9752 12424 10291 12623 17052 16589 12639

Purulia

Sonathali Majhidih Dhelatbamu Bautia Kaitha-1

29sq.km. ---3047.3 H 2681.4 H -13.06sqkm ---- -

Birbhum

Hasan-II Raipur- Supur Ranisarai Talda Binpur Salbani Moukhali 13903 Nahazari 21679 14375 15016 15607 20620

Paschim Midnapore

South 24 Parganas

20423 Raidighi 24957 Ganga Sagar 27602

51.3 54.5

48.7 45.5

Total

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

Chart 2.3 : Gram Panchayat wise Health Set-up

26

70

60

50

PHC Sub Centre

40

FWC CHW MCW

30

ICDS Dispensary

20

Others

10

0 Itahar Madarihat Lankapara Falakata-I Panjipara DurgapurDaulatabad Goalpokhar Gurudaspur Madhabdanga-II Salar Talda Raina Binpur Salbani Rayan-I Salanpur Majhidih Bautia Hasan-II Kaitha-1 Baghar-II Moukhali Raidighi Nahazari Manihara Sonathali Ranisarai Dhelatbamu Ganga Sagar Raipur- Supur

Niallisahpara-Goaljan

Chart 2.4 : Gram Panchayat wise Education Set-up

27

70 60

SSK Primary School

50 40

MSK Secondary School H.S. School Madrasa CEC College Library

30 20

10 0 S a la r Ita h a r R a in a T a ld a p u r B a u tia B in S a lb a n i R a yaa g S a r-II p uM a n S o n aM aajh id ih H -1 K a ith aa s a n -II a n is a ra i M o uN h a liR a id ig h i k a h a za ri P D B n -I la n r h ih a ra th li R Mp a F a laa ta ta -I a n jip a ra u rg a p u r a drarih k a Lanka G o a lp o k h a r D a uG u ru d a s p u r la ta b a d D h e la tb a m u Ganga Sagar R a ip u r- S u p u r M a d h a b d a n g a -II N ia llis a h p a ra -G o a lja n

Others

28

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. : Age 2. : Religion 3. : Caste 4. : Marital Status 5. : Education 6. : Occupational Distribution 7. : Income Pattern 8. : Life Style 9. : 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. No. of Female Member Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 26 South 24-Parganas 26 Total 181 % 100 Source : Field Survey,2007 Name of the District 18-25 0 1 2 3 0 1 3 3 13 7.18 26-35 2 13 14 11 10 8 10 11 79 43.64 36-45 6 11 4 7 15 5 7 7 62 34.25 46-55 2 2 1 1 3 3 6 5 23 12.70 56-65 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 2.20 Above 65 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

29

Table: 3.1(b) District wise age distribution of Male members. Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Total ( %) No. of Male Member 22 49 27 26 38 24 35 45 266 18-25 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 (0.8%) 26-35 6 7 8 5 4 10 7 5 52 (19.5%) 36-45 5 22 8 11 13 7 12 17 95 (35.7%) 46-55 5 14 8 6 17 5 13 13 81 (30.5%) 56-65 2 2 1 1 3 2 3 2 16 (6.02%) Above 65 4 4 2 2 1 0 0 7 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 dont want to get involved in the day-to-day party politics.

HMe Bl Njl EQnra jul Njl fual ehQe fb qa Que z Jl Njl LSl bL eSl LSL la cu hn z fual pcp qJul bL hCl Nu QLl LlL hn fde cu zfbj cL nracl jd fual ehQe cysel TyL Rm z HMe HLV hn fse Se jul fual LSL pka Hsu Qm zAeL jqm Bhl Njl cmu lSeaa k qa Qe e zNj Hje nra jqm BRe kl nrLa h Ae Le LS LlRez al fual LSL Hsu Qme zfual Bb k qJu jeC a Le e Le ih cmu lSeaa Ssu fs je Lle al z
Now-a-days educated young girls of the village dont 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 ; 30

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. Class Frequency boundary (Fi) 17.5-25.5 18 25.5-35.5 120 35.5-45.5 88 45.5-55.5 29 55.5-65.5 4 65.5> 1 Total 260 Source : Field Survey,2007 AgeGroup 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 Above 65 Mid-point of class width(Xi) 21.5 30.5 40.5 50.5 60.5 70.5 (FiXi) 387 3660 3564.0 1464.5 242.0 70.5 9388 Mean-age

X =FiXi/fi =36.1076 9

Table: 3.1(d) Mean age of Male Representation. Class boundary 17.5-25.5 25.5-35.5 35.5-45.5 45.5-55.5 55.5-65.5 65.5> Total Source : Field Survey,2007 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 es i.e., experience, exposure and efficiency. Comparatively due to reservation female members are chosen at earlier age without three es. 31 AgeGroup 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 Above 65 Frequency (Fi) 2 52 95 81 16 20 266 Mid-point of class width (Xi) 21.5 30.5 40.5 50.5 60.5 70.5 (FiXi) 43 1586 3847.5 4090.5 968 1410 11945 Mean-age

X =fiXi/fi =44.9060 2

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 lions 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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Total Total Female Member 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 Hindu 13 17 15 17 12 18 26 23 141 (77.90%) Muslim 0 10 6 5 16 0 0 3 40 % of Muslim members 0 37.04 28.57 22.73 57.14 0 0 11.54 22.10 Others 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 3.2(b): Religion wise distribution of Male members.
Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Total Total Male Member 22 49 27 26 38 24 35 45 266 Hindu 22 27 17 21 12 24 37 38 198 Muslim 0 22 10 5 26 0 0 7 70 % of Muslim members 0 44.90 37.03 19.23 68.42 0 0 15.55 26.31 Others 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

32

Source : Field Survey ,2007 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 (%) Jalpaiguri 10.85 0 Uttar Dinajpur 47.36 44.90 Birbhum 35.08 37.03 Burdwan 19.78 19.23 Murshidabad 63.67 68.42 Purulia 7.12 0 Paschim Medinipur 23.22 0 South 24-Parganas 33.24 15.55 Source : Census,2000 & Field Survey ,2007. Muslim Female Representation (%) 0 37.04 28.57 22.73 57.14 0 0 11.54

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.

33

Bjcl HMe LXV WL qu iVl e z kl ka hs flhl,al Qp aa hnz Ol Z Z fb 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 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.
Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas SC Population (%) 36.71 27.71 29.51 26.98 12.00 16.11 19.99 32.12 SC female representation & %-age 4 (30.76) 9 ( 33.33) 10 ( 47.61) 5 ( 22.72) 4 ( 14.28) 4 ( 22.22) 9 (34.61 ) 12 (46.15 ) SC male representation & %-age 7 ( 31.8 ) 17 (34.69 ) 11 ( 40.74) 9 ( 34.61 ) 9 (23.68 ) 2 (8.33 ) 8 (21.62 ) 16 ( 35.55) ST Population (%) 18.87 5.11 6.74 6.41 1.29 18.00 16.47 1.23 ST female representation & %-age 3 (23.07) 1 (3.70 ) 2 ( 9.52) 0 3 ( 10.71) 4 (22.22 ) 6 (23.07 ) 0 ST male representation & %-age 3 (13.63 ) 2 ( 4.08) 1 ( 3.70) 1 (3.84 ) 1 ( 2.63) 7 ( 29.16 ) 9 ( 24.32) 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 34

female representation is (53.84%). Female high caste representation exists in Burdwan, 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 Pradhan UpaPradhan Sanchalak F M F M F M Total No. 21 16 13 17 52 55 SC (%) 7 (33.33) 4 (25) 4(30.77) 5(29.41) 13 (25) 15 ( 27.27) ST (%) 2 (9.52) 1 (6.25) 3 (23.07) 2 (11.76) 14(26.92 ) 4 (7.27) Gen Gen upper Minority(%) caste(%) 10(47.62 2 (9.52) ) 9 (56.25) 2 (12.5) 5 (38.46) 1 (7.69) 9 (52.94) 1(5.88) 23(44.23 2(3.85) ) 29(52.73 5(9.09) ) Others 0 0 0 0 0 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) (2) High castes female members have been enjoying privileged position in the district of Burdwan, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Purulia and South 24Parganas. Male representation from Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes in all the districts is less than 50% and comparatively lesser than female representation. 35

Lower castes are possessing the lions share against office-bearer posts among women and the opposite scenario is found in case of male members. 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. Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24Parganas Total Illiterate (%) 0 1 (3.70) 3 (14.29) 0 2 (7.14) 2 (11.11) 0 1 (3.85) 9 (4.9 ) Neoliterate(% ) 1 (7.69) 3 (11.11) 1 (4.76) 1 (4.55) 2 (7.14) 2 (11.11) 0 0 10 (5.52) Primary (%) 2 (15.38) 4 (14.81) 2 (9.52) 1 (4.55) 1 (3.57) 0 3 (11.54) 1 (3.85) 14 (7.73) Upto ClassVIII (%) 5 (38.46 ) 9 (33.33 ) 10 (47.62 ) 5 (22.73 ) 16 (57.14 ) 9 (50.00 ) 7 (26.92 ) 10 (38.46 ) 71 (39.23 ) Madhya -mik (%) 5 (38.46) 9 (33.33) 4 (19.05) 11 (50.00) 5 (17.86) 2 (11.11) 10 (38.46) 9 (34.62) 55 (30.39) Higher Secondar y (%) 0 1 (3.70) 0 2 (9.09) 1 (3.57) 3 (16.67) 4 (15.38) 3 (11.54) 14 (7.73) Graduate Post (%) Graduate (%) 0 0 1 (4.76) 2 (9.09) 0 0 2 (7.69) 2 (7.69) 7 (3.86) 0 0 0 0 1 (3.57) 0 0 0 1 (0.55)

(3 )

Source : Field Survey ,2007 36

3.4(b): District wise Educational Status of Male Gram Panchayat members. Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24Parganas Illiterate 0 1 (2.04) 1 (3.70) 0 0 0 1 (2.78) 0 Neo- Primary literate 0 1 (2.04) 1 (3.70) 1 (3.85) 3 (7.89) 0 2 (5.56) 0 2 (9.09) 4 (8.16) 2 (7.41) 2 (7.69) 3 (7.89) 6 (25.00) 0 4 (8.89) Upto ClassVIII 4 (18.18 ) 17 (34.69 ) 5 (18.52 ) 6 (23.08 ) 14 (36.84 ) 11 (45.83 ) 9 (25.00 ) 14 (31.11 ) Madhyamik 8 (36.36) 13 (26.53) 11 (40.74) 7 (26.92) 8 (21.05) 1 (4.17) 13 (36.11) 13 (28.89) Higher Secondar y 5 (22.73) 6 (12.24) 3 (11.11) 4 (15.38) 3 (7.89) 1 (4.17) 7 (19.44) 5 (11.11) Graduate 2 (9.09) 7 (14.29) 3 (11.11) 6 (23.08) 7 (18.42) 5 (20.83) 3 (8.33) 8 (17.78) Post Graduate 1 (4.55) 0 1 (3.70) 0 0 0 1 (2.78) 1 (2.22)

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 3.4 (c ) : Sex-Education distribution among various Leaders of Gram Panchayats

37

Source : Field Survey ,2007

[N.B.- I-Neo-literate; II- Literate without formal schooling; III- Primary IV- Upto class VIII; VMadhyamik; VI- Higher Secondary; VII- Graduation VIII- Post Graduation; IX - Vocational Diploma; X - Illiterate]

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 Designation Sex Pradhan F M Upapradhan Sanchalak F M F M Total I Number 21 0 16 13 17 52 55 0 1 0 3 1 II 0 0 1 0 1 1 III 3 0 1 0 2 0 IV 2 4 5 1 20 15 V 8 3 4 10 17 20 VI 6 4 1 0 5 9 VII 2 5 0 6 2 8 VIII 0 0 0 0 1 0 IX 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 1 1

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 couldnt read & write well to discharge their duty. Pradhan of Kaitha38

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. "Bjl c:M qu WLja fse Lle hmz fsel Aih fual LNSfm WLja fsa flez hTa fle plLl Bcnz ph pjuC ka qu fua Lj, fde h cml Ae Le pcpl LR zLMe LMe al Ae LS h bLez BjL Afr Lla quz Le LR mMa Nu Ael l qa m quz fsel AihC fual LS Lla Nu ee lLj Aphdl pjMe qa quz fseV Mh Sll fual LS pWLih Se, hTl Sez" I regret, as I could not study well. I cant read the papers of panchayats or cant 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

39

Occupation is a vital parameter for measuring social background of the leaders because it build up ones 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
Occupation Districts Agricultural Labour Bargadar Farmer Rural Artisan Small Business Grocery Shop Other Kind of Shop Teacher Service
Working in Voluntary Organization

No definite profession Whole time party worker Day labour House wife Others Total

Jalpai guri 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8 2 13

Uttar Dinajpur 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 22 0 27

Murshid abad 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 20 1 28

Birbhum 4 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 13 0 21

Burdwan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 1 0 0 12 1 22

Purulia 2 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 7 2 18

Paschim Medinipur 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 5 0 1 0 0 12 1 26

South 24-Pgs 5 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 15 1 26

Total 19 (10.5) 0 4 5 1 2 1 4 20 (11.1) 1 6 0 1 109 (60.2) 8 181

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table: 3.5(b) :District wise Occupation of Male members of Gram Panchayats
Occupation Districts Agricultural Labour Bargadar Farmer Rural Artisan Small Business Grocery Shop Other Kind of Shop Teacher Service
Working in Voluntary Organization

Jalpaiguri 2 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 3 1 3 0 2 0 3 22

Uttar Dinajp ur 26 0 4 1 7 0 1 5 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 49

Murshid abad 19 0 0 0 10 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 38

Birbhum 13 0 2 0 2 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 27

Burdwan 10 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 6 1 3 0 1 26

Purulia 12 0 9 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24

Paschim Medinipur 16 0 7 1 3 0 0 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 35

South 24Parganas 15 0 1 0 15 0 0 8 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 45

Total 113 (42.5) 1 23 (8.6) 4 46 (17.3) 1 3 26 (9.8) 12 (4.5) 2 13 (4.9) 2 8 1 12 (4.5) 266

No definite profession Whole time party worker Day labour House wife Others Total

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 3.5(c): Sex- Occupational distribution of various Panchayats Leaders 40

Occupation GPs Agricultural Labour Bargadar Farmer Rural Artisan Small Business Grocery Shop Other Kind of Shop Teacher Service
Working in Voluntary Organization

Female Pradhan 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 4 0 1 0 1 10 0 21

Male Pradhan 6 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 16

Female Upapradhan 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 7 1 13

Male Upapradhan 3 0 2 0 4 0 0 2 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 17

Female Sanchalak 7 0 1 3 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 34 2 52

Male Sanchalak 26 0 4 3 11 0 0 6 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 55

No definite profession Whole time party worker Day labour House wife Others Total

Source : Field Survey ,2007 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 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 upapradhans are businessman. A large portion of Sanchalaks is Housewife and that of male sanchalaks is agricultural labours and small businessman. Comparative discussion : Our study on occupational pattern shows that

41

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 panchayats 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.

""..... eilNl NWe Bjl jqm pcpl puz Bjl BeL jqm pcplC eil Nl pQh qph LS LlRz Nl AbeaL LSl pb k qJuu Bjl ja c l pcpl LR lSNl Lll pkN fRz gm fual LSLj pfL Bjcl BNq bLRz Bjl ja cl flhll pcpcl fual LS k qJu hmpa Rs LRC euz L eil Nl LS k qJuu LR BbeaL phd fRz gm BNj ceJ fual LSl fa BNq bL khz....'' .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 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 leaders 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. 42

Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Total

Upto Rs. 1000/-

11 10 10 8 18 10 9 12 88 (48.6%) Source : Field Survey ,2007

Rs. 10012000/1 9 3 6 4 2 10 7 7 (23.2%)

Rs. 20014000/1 5 8 3 3 3 4 3 30 (16.6%)

Rs. 400110000/0 2 0 5 3 0 3 4 17 (9.4%)

Above 10,000/0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 (2.4%)

Total Seat 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181

3.6(b): District wise Income distribution of Male members. Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Total Upto Rs. 1000/Rs. 10012000/4 14 9 10 12 5 10 9 73 (27.4%) Rs. 20014000/6 12 5 4 11 1 5 9 53 (19.9%) Rs. 400110000/0 10 3 2 4 2 6 9 36 (13.5%) Above 10,000/2 5 1 0 1 2 3 3 17 (6.4%) Total Seat 22 49 27 26 38 24 35 45 266

10 8 9 10 10 14 11 15 87 (32.7%) Source : Field Survey ,2007

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% members 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. 43

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 Female Male 5 (23.81) 3 (18.75) 3 (18.75) 1 (6.25) 1 (6.25) 0 4 (25.0) 16 Upa-Pradhans Female Male 6 (50.0) 2 (9.52) 4 (33.33) 0 1 (8.33) 0 0 12 3 (14.29) 1 (4.76) 0 2 (9.52) 7 (33.33) 21 Sanchalaks Female Male 18 15 (34.62) (27.27) 16 21 (30.77) (38.18) 8 (15.38) 4 (7.27) 0 1 (1.92) 0 52 2 (3.64) 3 5.45) 1 (1.82) 55

Less than Rs. 1000 Rs. 1001- Rs. 6 (28.57) 2000 Rs. 4001- Rs. 2 (9.52) 6000 Rs. 6001 Rs. 0 8000 Rs. 8001 Rs. 1 (4.76) 10000 Above Rs. 10000 2 (9.52) Total 21 Source : Field Survey , 2007

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 Upapradhans 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% upapradhans 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 Upapradhan (28.0 %) and lowest in seats of Sanchalak (17.75%). Comparative discussion :

44

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. Table 3.7 : Standard of Living of Gram panchayats Leaders (2007)
Particulars House Sanitation Drinking Water Own pucca Own kuccha Rented Sanitary Latrine No Sanitary Latrine Own Tubewell Community Tubewell Community Well Tap Water Provide Child Education No Child Education Members 148 202 4 289 65 128 124 19 52 318 35 Pradhans 20 (54.05) 16 (43.24) 1 34 (91.89) 3 17 (45.95) 10 3 7 32 0 UpaPradhans 14 16 0 29 (96.67) 1 15 8 0 6 24 0 Sanchalaks 38 67 2 86 (80.37) 21 37 9 14 95 12 Total 220 301 7 438 90 241 179 31 77 469 59

Child Education

Source : Field Survey , 2007

45

But in this context it may be remember that ownership in rural area doesnt 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 childrens 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. Comparative discussion : 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.

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.
Name of the District Total Seat AIFB AITC BJP CPI(M) INC JMM RSP CPI IND

46

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas

35 73 55 64 76 41 59 72

6 3 2 1 0 1 0 0

0 2 0 1 0 11 1 24

0 3 2 0 0 1 0 4

25 25 31 62 33 24 48 40

0 31 14 0 36 3 0 3

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4 1 3 0 3 0 0 0

0 3 1 0 3 0 1 0

0 5 2 0 1 1 9 1

Source : Field Survey , 2007 Table 3.8(b) : Party wise distribution of Gram panchayats Leaders (2003) Political Pradhan Party Female Male CPI(M) 14 7 AIFB 0 1 AITC 2 0 BJP 0 0 INC 1 2 JMM 1 0 RSP 0 1 CPI 0 0 IND 0 0 Source : Field Survey , 2007 Upa-Pradhan Female Male 7 8 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Sanchalak Female Male 32 28 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 7 1 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 Member Female Male 106 75 1 1 6 14 2 2 9 20 0 0 1 4 0 0 1 1

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

Name of the District Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas % of members Total 13 27 21 22 28 18 74 26 0-5 yrs 7 20 11 13 25 11 39 18 55.38 5-10 yrs 0 4 7 3 0 3 18 6 15.77 10-15 yrs 3 1 2 2 1 3 7 2 8.08 15-20 yrs 0 0 1 2 1 1 5 0 3.85 20-25 yrs 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1.54 25-30 yrs 1 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 2.31 Above 30 yrs 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.15

Source : Field Survey , 2007 3.8(d): District wise Political experience distribution of male members.
Name of the District Total 0-5 yrs 5-10 yrs 10-15 yrs 15-20 yrs 20-25 yrs 25-30 yrs Above 30 yrs

47

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas % of members

22 49 27 27 38 24 37 45

8 13 4 1 7 11 15 9 32.84

3 9 8 5 2 6 4 12 18.28

4 2 2 4 3 0 4 4 8.58

1 11 3 6 0 1 2 3 10.07

1 7 4 3 0 3 2 6 9.70

2 3 2 3 2 1 3 2 6.72

3 4 4 4 4 2 7 9 13.81

Source : Field Survey , 2007 3.8(e): Elected Seat wise Political experiences of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan and Sanchalak. Pradhans Female Male Less than 5 years 10 4 5 yrs 10 yrs 4 3 10 yrs 15 yrs 3 1 15 yrs 20 yrs 3 1 20 yrs 25 yrs 0 2 25 yrs 30 yrs 0 2 Above 30 yrs 1 3 Total 21 16 Source : Field Survey , 2007 Terms Upa-Pradhans Female Male 6 4 4 4 2 2 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 13 17 Sanchalaks Female Male 36 18 8 4 5 11 2 4 1 5 0 4 0 9 52 55

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. Comparative discussion : 48

1. 2. 3. 4.

From the above discussion we can say that CPI (M) Party and the left parties had been enjoying practically unchallenged authority at the GP level. At GP level besides INC there are also other political presence in the opposition. 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. Comparatively male members have more experience rather than female and therefore aged people are found any male leaders.

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. 49

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.

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

50

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 Education Experience Awareness

Perceptions Political base Power & Authority

Objective Factors Laws Internal rules Informal norms Financial status Supports

Outcome of Consolidation 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 socioeconomic 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 Members with Members with no 51

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Hooghly Bankura Total Source : Field Survey, 2007

Seats 13 27 21 22 28 18 74 26 14 17 260

previous experience 6 (46.95%) 7 (25.92%) 10(47.61%) 9 (40.90%) 3 (10.71%) 7(38.88%) 35(47.29%) 8 (30%) 4 (28.57%) 8(28.5%) 117 (45%)

experience 7 (53.84) 20 (74.07) 11 (52.38) 13(59.09) 25(89.28) 11 (61.11) 39(52.70) 18 (69.23) 10(71.42) 9 (52.94) 143 (55%)

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, the number of members decreases (Table 4.1(b)). The co-relation between length of experience and the number of members is -0.777.
"".... Bjl ehQel rV jl Rmz L 2003 pml ehQe pV jqmcl Se

pwlra qu kuz j hmm iV cysaz HLV Aja Rm Bjlz L fs fahnl hma lS qu kCz jeeue f Sj cJu bL l Ll hSu jRm phrC j jm c ua fme Lle, gm Le Aphd quez hsl pcpl k lSeaL cm Ll aaC Bjl ja Rmz Jl a ih QC cm Llez Aecm kNce Le fnC Bjl je Bpez.....''. 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 didnt 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 didnt have any question about participating other parties.. Mumtaj Begum Mallik , Member , Na-Hazari GP , Bishnupur II, South 24 Parganas Table 4.1(b) : Co-relation between length of experiences and number of members. Length of Experience 0-5 years 5-10 years 10-15 years Mid value 2.5 7.5 12.5 Number of members 163 49 23 Co-relation

52

15-20 years 20-25 years 25-30 years Above 30 years Source : Field Survey ,2007

17.5 22.5 27.5 32.5

10 5 7 3

= -0.777

Table 4.1(c) Distribution of Previous experiences as Panchayat representatives. District Total Seat Previous experience 1 term in PRI 3 2 2 8 1 12 1 0 1 30 Previous No experience experience 2 of PRI term in PRI 0 10 0 25 0 19 2 18 0 17 7 55 0 25 2 12 0 16 11 219 (84.23) Member with experience 3 (23.07) 2 (7.40) 2 (9.52) 10 (36.63) 1 (5.55) 19 (25.67) 1 (3.84) 2 (14.28) 1 (5.88) 41 (15.77)

Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 74 South 24-Parganas 26 Hooghly 14 Bankura 17 Total 260 Source : Field Survey ,2007

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 Politics We 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. 53

Name of the Districts

Total Seat

Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 74 South 24-Parganas 26 Hooghly 14 Bankura 17 Total 260 %-age 100 Source : Field Survey ,2007

Own choice 2 0 3 6 1 1 32 5 4 2 56 21.53

Political leader 7 6 4 5 2 3 9 1 1 0 38 14.61

Local influence 1 9 5 0 4 3 19 1 2 0 44 16.92

Family Influenced by an incident 3 0 11 0 9 0 11 0 21 0 11 0 13 1 19 0 7 0 15 0 120 1 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. "".... Nj bLm Le e Le lSeaL cm kN caC qhz cmu lSeal hCl hp Ll LWez aC eSl bC Bjl lSea Llz Bjl cm kNcel fRe pVC LlZz.....'' .. 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 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 villagers 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. "".... cMe Bjl ehQe r Ae Le jqmL cm fuez hd quC BjL cm fb LlRmz kc HC BpeV Rmcl qa ah blC Bjl ej EWaz cm h. X. J. Agp jeeue f Sj cJul BN fsu HLV jVw Ll Hhw Njhpl pje Bjl ej OoZ Ll fb qphz ....'' In my constituency Party didnt 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 .. 54 Smt. Sumita Chatterjee , Member Moukhali GP , Bishnupur II , South 24 Parganas

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. Bpm Bj eunfsVC flV Qee ---- Hl Sl Ll cys Llm z Bpm Jcl HLV eae jMl clLl 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 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.

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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Source : Field Survey, 2007 Total Seats 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 Yes Honoured 13 22 21 16 27 18 26 25 168 (92.81%) No Not honoured 0 5 0 6 1 0 0 1 13 (7.19%)

55

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. ""....Njfua ehQa qJuu pje hsRz BN LE fC ca ez HMe lOV cM qm XL Lb hmz Bj Lje BR Sp Llz Njl k Le hou pjp cM cm Bjl jaja Quz pjSL J pwaL Aee XLz hul eja Ma Ma a jlmjz kMe HLV m Le pi h fsu Le Sepi qm BjL XL pifal fc Ama Llhl Lb hm aMe Aeih Ll k, Bjl pje hsRz....'' ..I have honoured more after being elected at grampanchayat. Previously people didnt 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 .""....... ehQel fQl k Rmjz ehQa qJul jd cu pjSL pje hsR hm je Ll ez Njl AeL jea flR e Bjuz la hlm ecQQl pjMe qa qu flhl h Baucl alg bLz'' I was in the campaign of the election. After being elected I dont 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 ""............ pje fuR, al bL Nm Ma qR hnz HmLu Le Tjm jVa Nm ""juRm'' hm Lb ea quz "" jl Mu mm''- Hph Lb fhmL hmz Nj HmLl mLL hTe LWez'' 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. 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 member 56

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Source : Field Survey, 2007 Summary of above analysis

13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181

6 25 13 22 10 16 9 14 115 (63.53 % )

7 2 8 0 18 2 17 12 66 (34.46 %)

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 farmerss 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. 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 bidiworker. 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. ""........... Hih lSea Lla QC ez LlZ Bjl ej fua pcp, ph LS Ll f Vz Bjcl Le rja eCz Bj Lhm fV jl eCz cm BjL Seu, dj pC cmC Qmh Ae Le LS BjlC Llhz aC HC lSea Lla QC ez'' I dont 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 dont want to continue this party politics. Smt. Khukumani Das , Member Talda GP, Dantan II , Paschim Medinipur 57

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 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. Name of Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Total Seats 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 Full support 12 7 18 4 18 3 20 12 94 Husband dominates 0 0 1 6 0 0 1 4 12 Husband helps 1 14 2 7 7 1 2 10 44 Husband full performs 0 1 0 0 1 14 0 0 16 No support from family 0 5 0 5 2 0 3 0 15 58

(51.93) Source : Field Survey, 2007

(6.62)

(24.30)

(8.83)

(8.28)

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. fua Bpl hfl Bjl j J flhll Aeel fQ hd cu ahJ Bj fua Bp z Bjl j hme Bj Lm LW Wm Wm jlR Bl Bjl fup eu al gLVu Seph LlRp 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 A significant portion of the women members (24.30%) are getting help from their husbands without any interference. Bjl jl pqk Rs Bj fua pcp qph LS Lla flaj e z Njhpcl pjp pjdel Se Bj pwpl gm ka fl e z Bjl jC Bjl qu pMe ke Hhw hi pjp pjde 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) flhl pqk Llez nl, ns hyQ bLLme BjL ehQe Awn ea pqua LlRez ayl jl NRez HMe j BRe ae Bjl LS QL Bf Lle, pqk a Lle Cz ae a Bhl p.f.BC.(Hj) Hl nM pfcLz 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 flhll LaC Bjl qu ph LS Lle z Ee Bjl qu jl z Head 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, pC Bj Ll z RV flhl j SeNel pb kNkN lMe z ae pVgLVJ mMez Uttar Dinajpur hm j pqk Llez jul fse, pmC-Hl LS, Ol cMne, HjeL face fua AgpJ ae 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. 59 Ranu Mandal , Pradhan , Moukhali GP,

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

""...... hsa aje Evpq fC ez Mh Aphdu LS LlRz j kih hm pih Qma quz Bjl dea hm LR eCz phLRaC j eL Nmuz ae kc ph Lle ah Bjl iV cysel Ab 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 ,

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. Liberty and Control over the Family

Members 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 fathers 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. Rml hul pju Bj ju cMa kCe , Rm J Jl hh NR z Bjl Mh CR quRm z L Njl la k qu z I didnt 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. Bjcl pjS jul Le Lb hm ez RmlC ph Lb hmz ah LMe LMe BmQe Llz hu cJu fZ eJu Hph acl-C pz 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. 60 Smt. Purnima Pandit , Sanchalak ( Health) Shyam bazaar , Hooghly

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. pwpl MlQl VL Bjl jl LRC bL z Bj k Bea hm , a Ee 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

MlQ MlQ bL Bl Ll pj pC Bjl j eu zAhn Bj fua Bpl fl bL Bjl j BjL HLV pjq Ll Qm z HMe Bjl p LR LR Lb BmQe 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. ""phC hmR jul de qRz L Bj-C flfl de qa flR e- LbJ ka Nm hma qu, LR Lea Nm hma qu- j J Rml Efl eil Lla quz Bjl Efl Ee (j) HC dlZV LS Llz fsNj hm BlJ hd bLC kuz'' 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.

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?. 61

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: 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.

Next question which they faced was What have you done specially for the women? Very few could answer this. Question Table 4.2 (b) : District wise reflection of the works done by the female members specially for the women.
Name of Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Total Seats 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 Nothin g 2 0 3 0 5 0 0 2 12 JSY 0 0 3 0 5 1 15 4 28 NOAPS 1 1 4 0 7 0 13 6 32 Immunizati on 1 1 6 0 6 0 6 4 24 SSK 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 7 13 MSK 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 SHG 10 3 16 0 21 4 15 22 91 Sanitatio n 2 1 0 0 8 1 10 3 25 IAY 0 0 2 0 6 0 3 4 15

Source : 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. 62

Table 4.2 (c) : Gram Panchayat wise response of female members about their work-done beyond schemes. Name of Districts Total Seats Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 26 South 24 Parganas 26 Total 181 Source : Field Survey, 2007 No work done 8 26 13 22 19 17 5 13 123 (67.95) Work done 5 1 8 0 9 1 21 13 58 (32.04)

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) Box 3 : Works other than Schemes done by the Women for the Women Various types of works which have done by 49.23% of all female members together have been depicted in the following box: 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

Source : Field Survey, 2007 63

Bj eil cm Lle ------ pju fCe z LlZ hs pwNWZ, jqm pja, fual LS Lla Lla pju fCez L imVl qmb NCX qph jucl Se NieldL He cC, phpVl bL Jod He cC, hQcl VL LlCz jucl mCNne LluR 80V z I 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 MeLV LjR hTu hTu, Lb hm hm z j - l jlfV WLa Bj eS kCz Incidence 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

Bjl HmLu AeL flo jeo en ie Ll jucl Efl AaQl Ll z al fahc Ll z HL V OVel Lb hm - Bjl pwpc HLV mL en Ll al hEul Efl AaQl Lll Mhl fu Bj Hhw Bjl fs fahn jqmcl L XL eu I mLVL plce NRl pb hyd lM cmj z eSl co Ll Lll fl Rs cmj z HMe im 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)]. 64

Table 4.2 (d) : District wise reflection of supporting Reservations by female members Name of Districts Total Seats 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 Yes - support reservation 13 22 21 16 28 8 26 26 160 (88.40 %) No- Not support reservation 0 5 0 6 0 10 0 0 21 (11.60%)

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Source : Field Survey, 2007

jqm pwlre BCe im quR- e qm jul Lb hmh L Ll? acl HLV fVgj QCz flonpa pjSl flhae HC BCe clLlz Rmcl bL jucl qa rja bLm euRu qhl Le phe bL ez Women 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 GP no Lb eu z Hl p Health Education, Awarness bL clLl z Health e bLm L LS Llh, Edcucation e bLm LS hTh L, LS 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.
Reservation

jul fual LS Bpu el-n hLn ab J nru la hsR z nrl Aih L jqml pu ijL ea flR e fual LS z eil bLa qR flol Jfl z fuSe Efk nrLl z Bj je Ll Nj fual fde qJul Se 1 Se jqml paL qJu EQv z As 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 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 %. 65

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 0 10 20 8 24 0 0 22 84 (31.57%) No- Not support reservation 22 39 7 18 14 24 35 23 182 (68.42%)

Jalpaiguri 22 Uttar Dinajpur 49 Birbhum 27 Burdwan 26 Murshidabad 38 Purulia 24 Paschim 35 Medinipur South 24 Parganas 45 Total 266 Source : Field Survey, 2007

fual Bpe pwlre WL eu, Lle jqmcl pcp qph aje ijL eC z hsaC al pjp pjde Lla fle z hsl hCll Tjm Lih jVh ? Bpm jqmcl cys Llu fV LS Ll z HC pwlrZl Le jm eC z Bj je Ll e jqmcl Bpe pwlrZl gm fual LS Le flhae HpR z j qml Le LS pWLih Lla fle z Lle al nra eu Hhw phmmJ eu z Reservation 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. jqm pwlrel hfl Bjl ja eCz Lle ph LS jqml Lla fl e z be fmnl hflJ iu jqml kh e aC jqmcl pwlrel Le fuSe eCz flol HmC Bjl ja phd hnz jqml jqmcl pjpC jVa fl ez flo jeo pC pjpl pjde Llz pC r jqm pcpcl fua AwnNqe eae Le flhae HpR hm je qu ez fua jqmcl Le clLl eCz I 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 66think I participation of women in Panchayats has not brought any new horizon. There is no need of women in Panchayats.

fual jqmcl Bpe pwlrel houV HLV Nmjmz hnliN jqm pcpC LSLj aje hTe ez jqm pcpl pwpl pjmaC h, acl fr fual LS kb flje pju cJu ph euz pwpll Tjm jVu fuaC MhlMhl lMJ acl fr LWez
The 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 pjbe Ll z L HV Strategy Na ih WL eu z Lle Bjl HMe jqm pcpl quota l Lle jcl pqk Lla HpRe z pwNWel Lle Bpe z L fVl jacn Bjl Hje candidate hRa hd qC k nra J pwNWel LS Se jqml hc fsRe z Lle Ll La iVl La HVl Efl eil Ll candidate WL Lla qu z BjlJ c:M Ll hm iu

hRe fyaR gml Bn Llh L z fdel ja fc keC bLe e Le al HLV minimum qualification (jdjL) fn bL clLl eCm Ha qf z Ha LSl il hqe Ll ku ez I 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 kje HLV hlV phe pwlre seeds have been reaped? HeR -- hi pfcul mL SNe NR, aje HV HLV He or she must have fsR z iVl compulsion Bl cra HL level, Hje Lm qu NR z Ha fua hh jM bhs minimum qualification of Madhyamik eu z who occupies the seat of Pradhan. Otherwise this work-pressure, these botherations cannot be borne. candidate ca qR, al a lSeaL Lj eu - AeiJ , gm Hl captive qu fsR LjQlcl z gm fVl Lb e e LjQl eil qu fsR z p Hp hmRJ e fVL k p flRe, LlZ Sri Prakash Kr. Ojha quR im, rja, pee Cacl fmie BR z HV al feudal character. Reservation l ,Member L HVl gm fa pju mNh z As reservation has brought a possibility ---- party leaders may be noted here. woke up, likewise this In this context some opinions of political people of different rung have been 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 67 implemented. It is good but it needs time to bear the fruits. Sri Suhas Sarkar, Member

pjbe Ll LlZ HV e bLm Bjcl ja jqml fnpe Bpa flaj e z r hno Aial elM Bj k cMR aa pwlrZl gm hn LR SC/ST Oll jul BpR -fnfn kMe fVl guidance LjSl pMe fual LS Lla Aphd qR z I 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
Reservation

plLl Reservation Ll cm, AbQ jqm faedcl jeo Lll Le Ql eCz Lje ke Vu luRz Ls All Women GPl pcpl qua fana LS Lla flR e ah flocl ameu Lah J cua fluez jqmcl jd ceal fhea Ljz Hcl fnrZl cua Rm plLll ab fua cllz fV L Llhz al eSlC a fnrZ eCz HC S Efpja al qm -HLhlJ L h.X.J HpR cMa k jVw WL qR Le, Efpjal Agpl BpRe Lez plLll fQ OVa luRz Government 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 pbL quR z HLpju k HmLu jul hCll mL Hm clSl Bsm bL Lb hmae, amp amu fcf cae, al HMe Qul hpRe, m flcne kRe, NREGA- Hl LS -

cMRe z HVCa AeLz Reservation 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. 68 Tarapada Giri , Sabhapati Dantan II , Paschim Medinipur

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 Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 26 South 24 Parganas 26 Total 181 Source : Field Survey, 2007 Active 9 13 10 16 22 4 18 13 105 (58.01%) Inactive 4 14 11 6 6 14 8 13 70 (41.99%)

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 the alcoholism and organize the awareness generation camp regarding womens rights, universalisation of education, health, services, legal aids etc. Bjcl HMeLl eil cmm jm ju fQl qJu lM cm zBjcl HC Njl BeL jul hu quR Lnl z alfl bL Bl Jcl cM fJu kue zBjcl pcq RmC z Hhl HLV jul Bhl Lnl hu WL qm z cml jul Jl hh jL hTa flme z aMe hul ce Hje Tjm LSu hydm k hu h qu Nm z All 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 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. 69

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

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.
Name of Districts Total Response Inactive frequency Percentage of SC/ST population Co-relation

Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 26 South 24 Parganas 26 Total 181 Source : Field Survey, 2007

4 14 11 6 6 14 8 13 76

27.79 16.41 18.12 16.69 6.64 17.05 18.23 16.67 17.2

0.16158

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:

70

(1)

(2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

From the above analysis of data we reach to some points as follows: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 Indias family tradition of vertical hierarchical interdependence. 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. 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. The scenarios of Women forums are quite distressing. Women forums are not so active in all women GPs. 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. 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 members 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 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.
Name of Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Total Seats 13 27 21 22 28 Nothi ng 2 11 5 6 7 Development work 3 3 6 0 4 Social development 4 2 6 12 7 Women development 3 9 3 3 2 Supply basic min. 0 2 2 0 6 Economic development 1 0 5 1 4

71

Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Percentage

18 26 26 181 100

10 1 1 43 23.75

2 13 1 32 17.67

5 13 8 57 31.49

1 4 3 28 15.46

0 0 14 24 13.25

0 2 5 18 9.94

Source : Field Survey, 2007 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 dont 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.

rja jeol LS mNa QuJ flR e, lSeaL hldal Lle z hlda BpR, Nj fua J fUua pjal hld pcpcl LR bL z fua J fua pja jm hld frl pcp pwM AdL bLu fual khau Planning alC Lla QCRe z HC lSeaL hldal Lle hNa 2/3 hvpl fual LeJ LSC que, Euel Na z 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 e , Bj Njhpcl Se Le LSC Lla fle z Bj Lhm pC (rl) Ll pc LNS z hld qJuu fua Le LS fC e z kqa Le LSC Lla fl e, aC Bhl iV cysm Njhpl Le BjL iV ch ? z
No, 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 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 72

female members?According to them female members except few have no clear conception about their participation in Panchayats? They cant 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. jqm pcpl LS Lle, ah Hcl pjp Hl HMeLl BmQe hnliN hTe z k hTe aJ im ku z Women 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 jqm pcpl LS Lla fle e Lle fV bL Hje jqmL hR qu al Bc kN fb qu e z plLll BCel Lle pwlrel Lle Hje fb hR qu k hql SNal LRC See z pa-2 hLl Lc Lj, Xl LE ku e z HMe Nl RNm bL z fde jqm - ae LR hma fle e zal qu fn bL Ae LE Qmu z Jl qu Qme Effdez 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, Murshidabad jqm pcpl Bhl LS L ? Bpa qu BpR z LR HmLiL ch Ll LR hLcL ch lM, flm al HLV IAY Ol quz nsl hdLia qu, amLu Bjl flhl ka bLz HC ch amejmLih flocl jd Ljz What 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.

73

Table 4.3 (b): District wise reflection of knowing or not knowing the Programmes of Women and Child Developmnt Name of Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Source : Field Survey, 2007 Total Response 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 (100%) Yes 13 11 15 8 22 7 19 26 121 (66.85%) No 0 16 6 14 6 11 7 0 60 (33.15%)

Upasamiti.

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

Table 4.3 (c ): District wise informations regarding functioning of Upasamity Total Response Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 26 South 24 Parganas 26 Total 181 Source : Field Survey, 2007 Name of Districts Yes,functioning 9 0 11 8 19 6 14 19 86 (47.51) No, not functioning 1 19 2 6 5 1 7 7 48 (26.52) Not Known 3 8 8 8 4 11 5 0 47 (25.97)

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.

74

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 cant 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 noncooperative 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.

Efpjal pi qu ah a Aeujaz Staff Hl pjpl Se pi XL ku ez Secretary eC, Job Assistant J ejZ pquL eC, E.A. eC, Nj fua Lj eCz Efpja e qJul LlZ Efk pmL e qJuz pmL WL Lle pjeu LjVz Ae HLV LlZ qm, Efpjal pm lfua e qJuz 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 Medinipur plLl LjQll Efpjaa Bpe ez el J nl Ljdr jqm eNl jm mMfs See e LR hTe ez Efpjal jVw qh L Ll? L Vl Lle JeL pmL Ll quRz AbQ LRC Lla flRe ez Government 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 cant do anything. Md. Sahajahan Ali , Pradhan Hasan II GP , Birbhum Efpja euja hpR ez ""Lo pQl'' euja qu e z "" el nl Efpja qu e z Efpjal pmL, pcpl LNS Lmj quRe - Hcl fnre qu ez gm LSV hT EWa flRe ez Upasamiti 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 Efpjal design WLC BR z L Efpjal fnre qmJ L L LS fkmQe quez gm OVa lu NRz Design of Upasamiti is good but their tasks have not been discussed though they have got the 75 training. As a result there is a gap. Uttam Ghosh , Member Talda GP , Paschim Medinipur

Efpjal p k kph Line deptt. Hl Ljl BRe, kje Bl.BC., L.f.Hp., p.X. f.J. Cac Hcl kc hdajmL ih Efpjal jVw H Be ku ah Efpja Q qhz If 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 el J n -l pmLl rja Mh Lj - phVC cmeal Efl eilnm - ia j 200 VL z Hl jd 100 VL LV eu fV z gm kaua is SV ez aC euja ka fl ez 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

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: 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.

Efpjal hs function BRz fua pjaa u pjal resolution Rs kje LR LkLl Ll kR ez Hcl liberty cm LS im qhz WL pClLj EfpjalJ qJu E Qaz L Efpjal LS pmLL hTa qhz ec pju ec BCe Aeku LS Llm LS EWh, EfpjaJ im Qmhz HC LS Lla Nm social work-Hl attitude lMa qhz HMe LeJ BbL jm QCm qu ez Hace a Efpja Rm ez fde HLR Adfa Rmz L al pqkb mL 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 , 76 Dantan II Block , Paschim Medinipur

Bjcl HMe Efpjal functioning pcl ih qRz dle hL nr eu jVw qh -aMe pmL pq fdeL XL quz euja jVw quz hdjel Sm flocl p -Nj fua faV Efpjal qa hRl 20,000 VL fk hSV hl BRz gm Ha Efpjal pmLl Evpq quRez Hl LS LlRez Implementation- Hl cua BRe pcp Bl Nj Eue pja 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. 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 help of party 3 2 8 0 9 0 9 15 46 (25.41) With the help of samannay committee 0 0 3 0 4 1 0 1 9 (4.97) With the help of Party leader 0 0 0 1 4 2 1 3 11 (6.09) Only through the people participation in GS 7 0 8 0 11 4 10 7 33 (18.23)

Jalpaiguri 13 3 Uttar Dinajpur 27 25 Birbhum 21 4 Burdwan 22 21 Murshidabad 28 7 Purulia 18 12 Paschim Medinipur 26 7 South 24 Parganas 26 3 Total 181 82 (45.30) 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. 77

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.

Bjl pjeu LjVa hp WL Ll eC Nj fua flLfez Ha BRe LCM, LCS, Branch Secretary, fde, Effde, fua pcp pcpz We 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 flLfe Lll pju Nj pwpc bL mV EW Hmz alfl pV pjeu LjVl p hp fl feV WL Ll quz pjeu LjV Rs LRC qh ez At 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

Nj fua flLfe qu HCih ---- pwpc pi bL Qqc EW Hm zpm mV Ll qmz pcpcl p Lb hm eu pjeu LjVa BmQe Ll gCem fe quz alfl pdlZ piu BmQe Ll eu Nj piu fn Ll z Bl hld e bLu Le Tjm quez Planning 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 Womens 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 exPanchayat 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 78

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-bearers 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 (1) (2) (3) (4) From the above discussion we can say that Though 22.69% female members are not conscious about their power or responsibility, majority is very much conscious about their power or responsibility. 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. A significant number of female members are unaware of upa-samity , its importance, its functioning etc. (Resolution). 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. All of the male representatives considered that female members worked very hard in implementing some programmes like SHGs, various Health Programmes, etc.

(5)

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 79

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 not communicate 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 (5.52 %) Talking With Each Household 12 12 13 13 25 7 24 26 132 (72.9%) At weekly meeting 3 0 1 0 4 2 7 4 21 (11.6%) At Gram Sansad 3 2 1 0 3 2 8 0 19 (10.49%) Throu-gh Party worker 0 7 2 9 15 10 2 4 49 (27.07%) Through husband or Any family members 0 4 5 0 5 0 0 6 20 (11.1%)

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total

13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181

Source : Field Survey, 2007 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 also told that as there are transport cost and other cost of refreshment, they cant attend the meeting regularly.
Meeting Attend Lla fl e z hsa HL aC ka fl e z

I cannot attend meeting, as I am alone in the home. Paleza Begum , Member , Raipur-Supur GP , Birbhum pil pju hnliN r cfl bL z BN kJu AphdSeL qa z HMe Bl piu kC e z Most of the meetings occur at noon. It was unusual time. Now I do not attend the meeting. Chandana Dutta , Member Itahar GP, Uttar Dinajpur Some of them (who are daily labour) informed that if they come regularly in the meeting then they would Ll MCz HLce e NmC Bj jR h be deprived of daily wages. pwpl AQmz jp 40 VL fC piu khl Sez Hacl bL hp MlQ ch e Oll MlQ cMhz Mh clLl e fsm piu kC ez I 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 journey80 or the transaction cost of the family? I do not attend meeting unless it is emergency. Smt. Bana Majhi , Member Salar GP , Murshidabad

hs hyd 1000 H 30VL jSl fCz fQ noe z BbL Ah ia 1500 VL qm im quz qy aqm face Agp Bphz I 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 Some of the female members have shown the interference of Party as the cause for not attending meeting. EuejmL LSl k jVw qu pMe Bj kC L hn jeo ku ez jeo e Bpl Aeaj fde LlZ -- fu pj pC fV Agp eJu qu z pm jeol jd bL EW Bp ez ah fua pja h fua L pdlZ jeo kRz I 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 Some male members told that as the female members areBaghar II , Bardhathe over-burdened by 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 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 members tendency towards implementing schemes has been depicted.
NREGA l LS HC Am qR e Lle SC/ST l Sj pjam Ll Cac QCR e z iu

plLl Sj eu ehz No 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 Table 4.4 (b ):District wise Reflection of Implementing Schemes
Name of Districts Total Response 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0

81

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total

13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181

1 0 4 0 14 0 6 11 36

0 0 3 0 5 0 8 6 22

0 0 1 0 2 0 5 0 8

0 0 1 0 5 1 5 2 1 4

3 9 1 2 1 5 1 8 4 1 3 1 5 8 9

3 5 1 1 3 1 0 1 4 1 0 4 7

2 8 8 1 0 1 0 1 1 3 1 2 6 4

0 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 7

5 1 6 1 0 1 0 2 1 2 9 5 5

1 4 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 8

0 1 4 1 9 1 8 7 3 1

0 1 1 1 0 1 4 0 1 6 8 5 0

0 0 7 2 4 0 5 0 1 8

0 0 6 1 5 0 3 2 1 7

3 1 4 0 5 0 5 7 2 5

0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 4

2 7 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 5 1 7 6 8

4 0 3 0 2 2 1 2 1 4

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

0 0 1 1 2 0 2 0 6

Source : Field Survey, 2007 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.

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. Jl hs bL hsu Hp deih LS Lla flRe z Ljl LS Lla flRe z Ha pwNWel EfLl qR, Lle jucl OVe jucl LR hmR J HNm jVa fV Jcl Afhhql Ll e z jucl LS e BR z WLWL qph lM z aC fual LS jul kNz They 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 jqm jll hn active z Scheme-Hl VL Hm jqml acl pwpcl VLl hfl Bcu Ll eez LS Lle acl jl z BN jul Ahm Rm- Ol bL hl qa ez L HMe al hCl hlu HpRz Hl gm f ll, flRa, hblj, fuMe quR, m hQl kR- AeLV HNu 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. 82 Sirajul Islam, Member, Gurudaspur GP, Murshidabad .

el J n LjpQ pfL h LRC ASe z MeLV Se BR z dl dl Se flfea fh z Najp HmLu 5V nl ja Bjcl ihuR z Bjl pcpcl eu jVw LlR, euja Health Awareness Programme Hl jdj elcl pQae Ll aml Q Ll qR z Most 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 nQNll LS HMe Mh C imih quRz Bjcl pcpl faL il aeV bL hy n hSu mL asuRz pi Ll NR peVnel hflz L ejm Nj fll bL Bjl haz Works 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 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 % 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 Jalpaiguri 13 Uttar Dinajpur 27 Birbhum 21 Burdwan 22 Murshidabad 28 Purulia 18 Paschim Medinipur 26 South 24 Parganas 26 Total 181 Source : Field Survey, 2007 No demand placed 13 25 1 22 8 18 16 20 123 (67.95) Demand placed 0 2 20 0 20 0 10 6 58 (32.05)

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 83

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. pdle piu jqm hm Nq Ll ez fde pqh hme aj jM msh ez BN a LbC hma ez HMe 100 cel LS qJua ah f cRz None 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 fua piu Bjcl d pC Lll Se XL qu z Bjcl Le LbC Nq qu e z al Bjcl pwpc pcp eu HjeC HLSe pdle jeo ke TsM fVl pcp ah qa cu ph LS Ll qu z Njue pjal jVw-H dj HLV hwL ALEV Mm quR j Bl Le LS qu e z We 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 jqm pcp qJuu Bjl jaja Efr Ll qu z pjNLih jucl ja Mh HLV f fu e z Lle floa HMeJ hSu BRz My 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 Bj jM hm BjL pje lM LS Llz fRe cm Qmuz Bj QC jqmclJ pwlre hsLz Ha jqmcl AdLl faa qhz a e qm Bjl p emJ JMe JlC h flol LS Llz Bjcl Le SuN eCz BjL pje lM J LS Ll BjL me hou Seuez Bj jM hm HC Ahz Bjl ja AeLl HC Ah 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. HMeLl fde, jl ph fam qu hp luRe z p eR fV z lfue LlR fua Lj z Pradhan, 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 84

Nj Eue pjal jVw euja qu e z fuSe, Le plLl pkN phd Hm jVw XL qu, Le p ehl r pjeu LjVl jVw-H fVa BN p qu fl vdc- a fn Llu eJu quz Meeting 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 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 peoples 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. Nj fual bLJ hs HLV Agp BR kMe ph LRl HLV lay-out qu z jl h fde-Hl fr ph eu fV pfV Rs fl LS am Be z ah I Agpl phCL Vew cm im quz There 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 HLV jl ia Efil ej WL Ll cu fVl pjeu LjV z alfl Nj Eue pwpcl p hp Bfp Ll qu z Qfu cJu qu ez Names 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

jqm pcpl Lhm pC Ll - acl p fhC fVNa ih eJu bL z pcpl Lhm pC Ll Hhw pea Seu z Bl k c-HLSe hld pcp hml Q Lle, acl jaja la fu e z HlLjih hl qu HLSe pcp fua kJu h LlRe Hhw haje ne kR ae npLcm kN cuRez
Women 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. 85

pjeu LjVa priority Lll pju fbj fdel ja nee fVl convenor z alfl k c LeJ flhael clLl qu a convenor Lle z HV BN qa e -- gm Bjcl lS f V ecnL, 2003 H hm qm LbJ LbJ pcpl fVl cmeal rubber stamp qph hhqa qR --gm HC hcm Hm z HMe convenor- l Sea Qe fde h pcpcl jaja 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 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. Bjl HmLu Nj Eue pjal NWe fuu pjp Rm z Nj fual pVl Bjcl Ah Ll eSl jae Ll Nj Eue pja NWe LlR z Nj Eue pj a HMe jma x p.f.Hj cm l flQma z There 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. hld qJul Se pcpl BjL aje la ca Qu ez fual LSLj cmu fih luRz BjL hc cuC Nj Eue pja NWa quRz hld pjbLl l N Wa Nj Eue pjaa Bj laqez al HLLih p eRz ah fual LSLjl r cml fle LR jeo pqk Llz HC Nj fua Bjl Lbl Le jm 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. Nj Eue pja NWe ela pjul cOV Minati Bikram, Member, pjbLl fl pVl Hmez Bjl Roydighi G.P., eae 24-Pgs. Ooel Adk qu Qm Nmez ae ehQe pla QCmez Bjl South Ll ce ch Semjz L p.f.BC.(Hj)-Hl pjbLl pC ceC ehQe Lla QCmz hydm hldz fde fl fua Agp hp LjV NWe Llme BjL e Seuz LjVl pQh p.f.BCz(Hj) cml HLSe eaL 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 86 GP at office without informing me. The secretary of GUS is the leader of CPI(M) party. Kanchan Mandal, Member

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.

LR mL suport cu z L LR mL fVlC qjsQjs Bjl LS hd cuApee Ll z LS Lla CR eC z nM pfcLC Bjl Nj Eue pjal pQh z Jel LR NmJ Ee avoid Llez Ee hup Hhw fcjkcu hsz gm Bjl LS 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 fnpeL ih h Lkia hLcLlZl Lb hmRz L Bpm Sefaedcl r HC ha fyRRez Hr lSeaL ea bL aZjm ll Lj Ahd OV a BRz HclL pje cJu h la cJu - Hm Lkr qRez jl Hl bL al Gus- Hl pQh C pphz jL e Seu pQh C ph LlRez Hcl jkc e cm Hl LS Llhe L ih? 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, Member Jogardanga, Garhbeta, Paschim Medinipur Nj Eue pja l pifal ameu pQh AeL rC powerfull -- Ha pju hno AphdJ qu z ah a jVu 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 87

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. But they are also working as hindrances in the path of decision-making by women. Box 5 : Womens 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. Source : Field Survey 4.5 Capacity Building: 88

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 Supports The answer of first question has been reflected in the following table 4.5(a) . Table 4.5 (a) :District wise various Support Systems for the female members
Name of Districts Total Seats 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 100 No supp ort 0 20 1 2 0 6 7 0 36 19.89 Trg. by Govt. 6 6 20 20 28 10 16 19 119 65.74 Trg. by NGO 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.55 Trg. by Party 0 0 4 20 2 0 2 2 30 16.57 Guidanc e by Exmem 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 1.1 Reading material s 0 0 11 0 18 0 10 5 44 24.31 Field visit 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 1.1 Support by husband/fa mily 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 7 3.87 Support by Secretar y 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 5 10 5.52 Support by party to perform the work 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 1.66 Support by Dalaneta to perform the work 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.55 Support from villagers 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 15 8.29 Support from officers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 2.76

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 ?

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Pagans Total Percentage

Source : Field Survey, 20

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.

89

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. . jqm pcpcl hno fnrZl clLl z ciN hna: Hcl AdLwnC fnrZ fee z pju pju fnre cm jqml BlJ hn pu qa fl, LSm hTa flh z jqm ab fkl fnrZl fuSe, fuSe BlJ hn Ll , nr fLf eSl cJu z Women 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. Bpm pjp qm fual Vew-Hl Aih z 3 cel fnrel hh quRm z fbjce Hasibur Mollah, Upa-Pradhan, Ede, MJu cJu Nm z Bl nol ce Qm kJul aNc Rm z jT kaVL pju fJu Nm aa hs Rul jae HLV HLV BmQe qm z AeLl LbC hTe z clLl eu ja fnrZl 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.

hLl fnre Mh eejel Vewz jucl im LS Lla Nm BCe-Lee Se clLlz fnre im Ll Hhw OeOe qm jul im LS Lla flhz
The 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 Support from the Party Answer 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 Total Nothing Training Ad Monitor Making Making Supply

90

Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total

Response 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 1 4 12 5 0 1 2 2 27 0 0 1 3 0 0 5 4 13 7.18

vising 10 14 12 11 14 6 23 14 104 57.45

ing Works of Panchayats 3 4 5 7 2 1 3 11 36 19.88

Priority List of Names of beneficiaries 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 5 2.76

Annual Plan 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.55

ing Party workers 0 0 2 7 0 0 0 2 11 6.07

Percentage 100 14.9 Source : 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 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.

Bl fde bLa QCe lSeaL XjXml LlZ z eSl cml jdC Ha MuMu k LS Lla flR e z I dont want to be the pradhan due to political mess. There is so much intra-party conflict in my party that I cant work. Mukti Mandal, Pradhan Niallishpara-Goaljan, Murshidabad 91

lSeaL Lcm Hje Ahu k fb cMel LE eC z pwpcC Bjl cml LE bL ez LwNp jl hma Bjl m mN z hL 9V jp Le j LVa QC z Political 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 fua J fua pja jm hld frl pcp pwM AdL bLu lSeaL hl dal Lle hNa 2/3 hvpl fual LeJ LSC que, Euel Na 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

Table 4.5 (c ): Reflection of Constraints faced by the female members of 32 Gram Panchayats
Name of Districts Total Response No training No monitori ng & supervisi on 1 6 5 0 5 2 1 6 26 14.36 Distant location and lack of communicat ion 0 3 3 6 4 3 7 2 28 15.46 Male interventi on 6 12 11 12 10 7 16 16 90 49.72 Party interventi on 3 0 4 0 2 0 6 5 20 11.04 Low level of education & knowledge 1 12 3 3 3 2 2 6 32 17.67 Party conflict

Jalpaiguri 13 6 Uttar Dinajpur 27 0 Birbhum 21 3 Burdwan 22 0 Murshidabad 28 10 Purulia 18 7 Paschim 26 1 Medinipur South 24 26 6 Parganas Total 181 33 Percentage 100 18.23 Source : Field Survey, 2007

0 0 3 4 22 0 10 17 56 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 husband Lankapara Gram unnayan Samiti meeting GUS Secretary Upasamity meeting --Gram Panchayats work Husband, Secretary Gram Panchayats meeting ---Field work or Public dealing Husband

92

---Madarihat People Falakata-1 People Madhabdanga II ---Panjipara ---Goalpokhar ---Durgapur ---Itahar Party Doutalatabad Gurudaspur Niallishpara Goaljan Salar Name of GPs Pradhan & Party People,Party Party Gram Sansad sabha

Member Member Member GUS Secretary GUS Secretary GUS Secretary GUS Secretary GUS Secretary Member Member Gram unnayan Samiti meeting Member GUS Secretary GUS Secretary Member GUS Secretary GUS Secretary GUS Secretary -GUS Secretary

Member Member Member Secretary ------Member Secretary Member Pradhan Secretary Upasamity meeting Member Member Secretary Member

Pradhan Pradhan Pradhan Secretary, Dalaneta Secretary, Dalaneta Secretary, Dalaneta Pradhan Pradhan , Secretary Ex pradhan, Secretary Pradhan Secretary Gram Panchayats work Pradhan Member, Party Member, Party Member, Party Pradhan Pradhan, Member, Party Member, Party Pradhan Pradhan, Secretary

Secretary Pradhan Pradhan Secretary Secretary ----Pradhan Pradhan, Samannay Committee Samannay Committee Pradhan Party Gram Panchayats meeting Pradhan Pradhan Pradhan Pradhan Pradhan, Pradhan Pradhan ---Pradhan

Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Husband Husband Members, Party Pradhan, Party Pradhan, Party Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Field work or Public dealing Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party Members, Party

Rayan-I Baghar-II Salanpur People Raina ---Manihara People, Party Sonathali ---Majhidih ----Dhelatbamu Party Rani Sarai Member Member --Member People ,Party

Source : Field Survey , 2007 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 Total Res1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 93 10

Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24 Parganas Total Percentage

ponse 13 27 21 22 28 18 26 26 181 100

9 13 18 13 16 12 14 17

0 1 6 9 2 0 10 12 40 22.09

7 0 7 1 10 1 5 10 41 22.6 5

0 2 6 8 11 0 3 0 30 16.5 7

8 5 2 0 5 8 2 3 33 18.2 3

3 5 19 7 11 3 16 5 69 38.1 2

0 7 0 0 5 10 9 0 31 17.1 2

0 0 2 0 5 0 4 1 12 6.62

0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.55

7 0 6 8 7 0 12 9 49 27.0 7

112 61.8 7 Source : 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. 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. pcp qph eS LMeJ GO fse Lle HLVJ fCe z Sl Llm pdle piu fs cJu quR z GO mL Notice Board -H Tmu cJul ch Rm z HC cha HLce Bjl Walk-out LlR z h.X.J, ejC qmclL SeuR L LS que z Lle h. X.J.Seme majority must be granted- majority hmm ahC GO hm kh z As a member I have read a single GO because I cant 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

94

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

40 VL hae jp 2 hl Ll jVw Lla Bp ph eu z fLV bL BlJ fup hl Lla qu zHl Se ia hse clLlz It 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 BbL Ah Mlf qm aL cu LS Lle kh e - gm Abl pqua cJu clLlial hh Ll z pjS phl jeih eu LSe Bl Bp! If financial condition is bad then the members cant work. Thus financial assistance is necessary it needs higher remuneration. How many people do come with the mentality of doing social work? Nazrul Islam, Member Gurudaspur G.P., Murshidabad 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.

Box 6 : Story of the Streams

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 peoples 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 : Researchers Field visit . Summary: 95

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 womens 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 womens 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 peoples perception regarding the women members in panchayats also began to change as revealed from the study. Until recently 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 . 96

Sample Sample coverage of coverage of Male Female Jalpaiguri 30% 70% Uttar Dinajpur 69 % 31 % Murshidabad 72% 28% Burdwan 53.5% 46.5% Birbhum 68.75% 31.25% Purulia 62.75% 37.25% Paschim Midnapore 51.67% 49.33% South 24 Parganas 70% 30% Source : Field Survey ,2007 and Census Report ,2000

Name of the districts

Female literacy (%) 48 31.4 46.4 57.1 50.4 33.9 63.6 36.9

Minority (%) 8.25 47.36 49.63 17.09 28.04 5.25 9.32 24.76

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.

97

General

SC

ST

Minority

Others

General Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad Burdwan Birbhum Purulia Paschim Midnapur 13 7.75 17.25 52.25 17.5 54 53.22

SC 20 64.5 11.5 33 32.5 19 34.33

ST 15.25 10.5 7 3.5 11 20.5 7.77

Minority 1.75 17.25 64 10.5 38 5.25 1.11

Others 0 0 0.25 0.5 1 1.25 3.55

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 someones wife. In some cases lady members 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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad People not know the member (%) 0 8 7.5 People know member only by name (%) .5 0.75 0 People know member but dont know name (%) .5 16 6.5 People know the member by name & in figure (%) 99 75.25 86

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Burdwan Birbhum Purulia Paschim Midnapore South 24 Parganas Total

15 5.25 13.25 .75 2.5 6.53

2 0.25 1.25 .5 1.25 0.81

13.5 2.25 7.75 12.25 0.25 7.37

69.5 92.25 77.75 79.75 96 84.43

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 5.2 (b) : : Association of the member with the people in All women GPs
Name of Gram Panchayats Kultikari Andhari Benachapra Jogardanga Jenkapur Shyambazar Karishunda Total People not know the member (%) 17 7 9 10 18 28 7 13.71 People know member only by name (%) 9 1 0 0 1 4 3 2.57 People know member but dont know name (%) 27 29 22 18 20 11 6 19 People know the member by name & in figure (%) 47 63 69 72 61 57 84 64.71

Source : 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. Communication 5.3 (a) : District wise reflection of various mode of Contacts
No contact (%) 2.5 38.75 14.75 29 16 35.5 17.25 24.75 Contact at the time of vote (%) 0.5 8 29.25 8 21.25 15.25 7.25 16 Regular personal visit (%) 60.50 48.50 52 53.75 57 40 69.75 42.25 Contact through husband (%) 0 1.5 .50 1.25 0 0 .75 .75 Contact by party member (%) 2.5 1.5 1 1.75 .75 1.75 2 4 Contact at Gram sansad (%) 2 2.25 .25 .25 1 1.75 2.5 4.75 Contact through meeting (%) 37.5 2.5 2.25 7 16.75 9.25 5.75 10.25

Name of the districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad Burdwan Birbhum Purulia Paschim Midnapore South 24

99

Parganas Total

22.31

13.18

52.96

0.59

1.90

1.84

11.40

Source : Field Survey ,2007 5.3 (b) : Reflection of various mode of Contacts of all women Gram Panchayats
Name of the Gram Panchayats Kultikari Andhari Benachapra Jogardanga Jenkapur Shyambazar Karishunda Total No contact (%) 13 39 8 7 33 21 3 17.71 Contact at the time of vote (%) 4 5 21 1 21 19 1 10.28 Regular personal visit (%) 83 54 49 91 72 44 89 68.85 Contact through husband (%) 0 0 11 0 9 0 0 2.85 Contact by party member (%) 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0.42 Contact at Gram sansad (%) 0 0 10 0 9 0 0 2.71 Contact through meeting (%) 0 2 0 1 0 15 7 3.57

Source : Field Survey ,2007

Box 5 : Why she is Pradhan ?

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 : Researchers Field visit .

100

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 members regular visit is supported by 68.85 % people. Opposite pole was only 31.15 %. In regular personal 101

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

HC Am BjL fde ih e z hsl ju ih z Bj ph pju mLL XL Lb hm cc, LL hm z HRs LS Lla Nu faV hsa ka qu z Jcl LR e Nm BjlC h hTh L Ll Bl JlC h Sehe Lih? 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 dont go to them then how can I realize their nees or how can they know all the things. Tapati Singh, Pradhan Kultikri, Sankrail, Howrah

pLm EWC Bj euj Ll cV fs Ol eC z HaC AdL LS qu kuz Every 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

102

hs hydaj HLpju z HMe Bl hyde nlll Llez HMe mLl hs hs hs kCz HLV BdV Lle nlg fsC Bl phl p Lb hm, MySMhl eCz Once I worked with Bidi. Now I cant 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,

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
Name of the districts Nothin g done (%) Schemes on Infrastructure 24 122 36 79 80 104 81 71 Schemes on Education 8 8 14 10 3 9 7 13 Frequency of Activities Schemes Schemes on on Women & Health & Child dev Sani -elopment tation 0 4 2 15 18 3 3 2 7 3 6 5 18 4 15 11 Other Than schemes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

N.R.E. G.A 18 28 17 9 52 36 35 15

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Murshidabad Burdwan Birbhum Purulia Paschim Midnapore South 24 Parganas

4.5 40.25 38 32.25 15.5 19.5 9.25 25.5

Source : Field visit ,2007 103

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

Name of the Gram Panchayats Nothing done (%) Frequency of Activities Schemes Schemes on on Health & Women & saniChild dev tation -elopment 8 14 2 12 13 11 7 14 1 26 5 3 2 31

Schemes on Infrastructure 57 81 132 132 123 137 122

Schemes On Education 1 0 0 3 0 7 10

N.R.E. G.A

Other Than schem es 12 8 0 0 0 0 0

Kultikari Andhari Benachapra Jogardanga Jenkapur Shyambazar Karishunda

7 20 0 0 7 8 5

54 59 55 66 31 19 79

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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Supports Reservation (%) 99 85.5 87.5 84 79.5 70.5 88 92 Non Supporters (%) 1 14.5 12.5 16 20.5 29.5 12 8

Source : Field Survey ,2007 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 cant give decision, no need of

104

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%). Table 5.5(b) : Reflection of Supporters and Non-supporters in All Women G.P.s
Name of the Gram Panchayats Jenkapore Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Results of Reservation Support Reservation (%) Non Supporters (%) 85 15 94 6 98 2 81 19 89 11 90 10 81 19

Source : Field Survey ,2007 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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas No improvement (%) 2.5 16.75 11.75 18 20.75 17.5 15.25 17.5 Results of Reservation Positive Improvement (%) 93 77 70 68.5 55.25 55 82 70.75 Negative Improvement (%) 4.5 6.25 18.25 13.5 24 27.5 2.75 11.75

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 5.6(b) : Impact of Reservation in all women Gram panchayats. Name of the Gram Panchayats No improvement (%) Jenkapore 14 Benachapra 1 Jogardanga 2 Andhari 43 Kultikri 9 Karisunda 10 Shyambazar 20 Source : Field Survey ,2007 Results of Reservation Positive Negative Improvement (%) Improvement (%) 73 13 89 10 98 0 53 4 81 10 84 6 62 18

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 105

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 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. Anra jqm pcpcl hLmj aycl hsl flolC ph LS LlRz jqm pcp LmNRl ja cysu bLRz On 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 They have shown other negative impacts lady member can not place properly the demand of Sansad; due to family pressure lady member cant 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 Name of the Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad When Needed 82 24 53.75 16.25 54 Attending Meeting 12.5 20 12.5 23 6.25 Helping Members Helping Disseminating in work information sights 4 0.5 2.5 4.75 0.75 0.25 5.25 0.75 0.25 0 Total 99 50.75 66.75 45.25 60.50 No help 1 49.25 33.25 54.75 39.50 106

Purulia 25.75 Paschim Medinipur 47.25 South 24-Parganas 48.75 Source : Field Survey ,2007

2 16.75 9.5

2 8.25 2.5

0.25 5.5 3

30 76.75 63.75

70 23.25 36.25

Table 5.7(b) : Mode of Co-operation with Members in all women GPs Name of the Gram Co-operation with the Panchayats members (%) Jenkapore 51 Benachapra 90 Jogardanga 70 Andhari 64 Kultikri 84 Karisunda 81 Shyambazar 70 Source : Field Survey ,2007 Non Co-operation (%) 49 10 30 36 16 19 30

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. pqk QCm Llhz Eue LjV a hp JeL pqkl Sez Bjl 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 LS C Lle ez a L pqk Llh ? She never works. So how can I help her? Chiranjit Malakar, Abhirampur, Murshidabad Bj L pqk Lla fl ? Jel Laa mLml! What can I do for her? She has so many people to assist her. Maya De, Pulbani Paschim Medinipur Bjl MV MJu pje mL z Bjl Bhl L pqk Llh ? We are the simple labour. What can we help? Sandip Bag, Dhadika, Binpur, Paschim Medinipur 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. 107

From table 5.7 (c), peoples non co-operations are found more in case of maleheaded Gram Panchayats except Birbhum, Purulia and Uttar Dinajpur. In these districts 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 cooperate 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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Midnapore South 24 Parganas Types of GPs Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Co-operation ( %) 69.5 86.5 100 65 99.33 100 85 63.5 98.5 98.5 42 65 97 75.67 70.5 85.5 Non co-operation (%) 30.5 13.5 0 35 0.67 0 15 36.5 1.5 1.5 58 35 3 24.33 29.5 14.5

Source : 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

108

Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas

78.5 71 87.3 66.5 92.5 71.75 80.75 78.8

0 0.25 0 1 0 3 9.5 2.25

21 24.3 4.5 22.3 0.75 9.25 4 9.25

0.5 0.8 5 7 4.3 14 6 11

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 5.8(b) : : Distribution of dependency in all women GPs Name of the Gram People go to Panchayats member Jenkapore 86 Benachapra 100 Jogardanga 99 Andhari 91 Kultikri 78 Karisunda 81 Shyambazar 78 Source : Field Survey ,2007 Go to NGO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Go to Party Leader 0 0 0 0 16 14 19 Nowhere Go 4 0 1 9 5 5 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 Jalpaiguri 18.5 Uttar Dinajpur 25.75 Birbhum 11.75 Burdwan 12.5 Murshidabad 6.25 Purulia 16.5 Paschim Medinipur 13.75 South 24-Parganas 9 Source : Field Survey , 2007 Name of the Districts Depends on male member 34 25.25 27.25 23.25 23 24.5 35 26 Depends on Political Leader 10.5 3.75 8.5 16.5 6.25 26.25 10 16.25 Depends on Pradhans 36 43.5 49.75 40 60.5 25.25 36 42.5 Not Dependent 1 1.75 2.75 7.75 4 7 5.25 6.25

Table 5.9(b) :Types of dependency in all women GPs 109

Name of the Gram Panchayats

Dependent on Female Member Jenkapore 43 Benachapra 57 Jogardanga 66 Andhari 46 Kultikri 54 Karisunda 56 Shyambazar 32 Source : Field Survey , 2007

Depends on male member 1 2 3 0 1 0 0

Depends on Political Leader 15 18 8 14 12 23 47

Depends on Pradhans 37 22 22 31 27 19 13

Not Dependent 4 1 1 9 6 2 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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Types of GPs Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Dependence On Pradhans 15.3 26 23 64 40.5 59 22.5 57.5 52 69 32 Dependence on male members 18.3 13 37 13.5 34.5 20 28 18.5 30.5 15.5 18.5 Dependence on Party leaders 4.3 8 3.5 4 10 7 28.5 4.5 8 4.5 24.5 Dependence on female members 11.3 3 36 15.5 11.km,ljn 5 12 14 11 5.5 7 18.5

110

Paschim Midnapore South 24 Parganas

Male headed Female headed Male headed Female headed Male headed

18.5 20.5 51.5 33 45.6

30.5 44.5 25.5 39 56.3

29 9 11 17 16

14.5 20.5 7 5 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 Name of the Districts Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Member 99 74.5 52.8 58.8 95.5 73.75 47.5 55 Panchayats 1 15.5 17.8 4.5 0.5 8 40.5 7 Source ICDS Workers 0 2.25 1.5 26.8 0.25 3 1.75 9 Health workers 0 4.75 27 7.25 0.75 5.5 7 17.75 SHG Members 0 3 0 0 3 9.75 0 11.25

Source : Field Survey, 2007. Table 5.10(b) : Source of Information Name of the Gram Panchayats Member Panchayats 0 0 85 54 22 5 39 Source ICDS Workers 3 41 0 0 0 2 1 Health workers 0 0 3 18 14 0 9 SHG Members 0 0 0 5 0 3 3

Jenkapore 97 Benachapra 59 Jogardanga 12 Andhari 23 Kultikri 64 Karisunda 90 Shyambazar 49 Source : Field Survey, 2007.

111

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. 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 Jalpaiguri Uttar Dinajpur Birbhum Burdwan Murshidabad Purulia Paschim Medinipur South 24-Parganas Source : Field Survey , 2007 Yes get support (%) 97.5 51.5 77.5 51.5 67.5 54.5 82.5 53.25 No dont get support (%) 2.5 48.5 22.5 48.5 32.5 45.5 17.5 46.75

Table 5.11(b) : Support services from Member in all women GPs Name of the Gram Yes get support (%) No dont get support (%) Panchayats Jenkapore 62 38 Benachapra 100 0 Jogardanga 99 1 Andhari 61 39 Kultikri 84 16 Karisunda 97 3 Shyambazar 84 16 Source : Field Survey , 2007 The 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. HC pj hou Bjl jlL XLez Njl mL Hhfl ANe ijL eu bLz We do not call the member regarding this. The village people take initiative in this matter. Shrabani Niogi. Abdullapur, Bankura HC pLm hou jlL Le Le pju fJu kuz Ljl bL EV hf qu hnz Sometimes we can get member in this regard. But it makes mess rather than work. 112 Tarit Pal, Moukhali, South 24-Pgs.

Hph hfl Bjcl be bL jVjV quz Regarding this, usually case has been dissolved in police station. Md. Golam Panjatan, Ghasipur, Doulatabad, Murshidabad Hph LS Njl jdj qu h fua Agp quz jl L XLez 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 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, Peoples 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.

113

Peoples co-operation again reflects the preference of the society regarding the sex composition of its leadership. Women members are the prey of non cooperation 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. 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 womens demonstrated capacity to organize, struggle and lead? Peter Custers , Women in the Tebhaga Uprising ,1987 114

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 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.

115

Table 6.1 (a) : Profiles of the All Women Gram Panchayats

Name of the Gram Panchayats Population (%) T M F 17 05 51. 48. 6 32 7 14 72 51. 48. 1 48 5 16 78 50. 49. 8 72 3 12 43 51. 48. 5 35 6 96 50. 49. 27 58 4 84 51. 48. 62 08 9 13 00 50. 49. 9 72 3 0-6 population (%) SC (%) T M F T M 15. 2 15. 3 16. 0 15. 8 15. 2 15. 0 15. 5 49. 6 51. 3 50. 1 49. 9 52. 8 50. 2 49. 0 50. 4 48. 7 49. 9 50. 1 47. 2 49. 8 51. 0 43. 06 27. 46 7.8 09 30. 73 10. 15 35. 1 27. 01 50. 6 51. 2 51. 8 51. 1 49. 8 50. 8 50. 7 Se x Rat io F 51.7 50.7 49.7 49 50.6 50.2 49.3 94 8 94 2 97 1 94 7 97 7 95 7 97 1

F 49. 4 48. 8 48. 2 48. 9 50. 2 49. 2 49. 3

ST (%) T M 1.0 08 9.8 84 8.9 05 13. 68 36. 78 21. 9 14. 57 48. 3 49. 3 50. 3 51 49. 4 49. 8 50. 7

Literates T M 56. 99 55. 34 60. 06 49. 59 62. 78 53. 14 59. 41 59. 7 60. 2 58. 7 62. 2 56. 9 62. 4 58. 8

F 40. 3 39. 8 41. 3 37. 8 43. 1 32. 6 41. 2

Karishunda Shyambazar Jenkapore Jogardanga Kultikari Andari Benachapra

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.

116

Chart 6.1 : Education Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Ka Je Jo Ku An Be ris Sh nk ga ltik da na hu ya ap rd ari ri ch 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 5 1 1 1 1 8 14 0 0

SSK Primary School MSK Secondary School H.S. School Madrasa CEC

SSK Primary School MSK Secondary School H.S. School Madrasa CEC

15 14 12 38 9 14 1 14 1 1 0 0 1 0 0

31 36 11 16 11 16 0 0 0 1 0 0

13 0

Source : Panchayat Chalchitra. Chart 6. 2 : Health Set-up in All Women Gram Panchayats
20 15 10 5 0
K S Je Jo K A B ar hy nk g ult n e is a a ar ik d n 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 17 18 9 0 0

PHC Sub Centre FWC CHW MCW ICDS

PHC Sub Centre FWC CHW MCW ICDS

Source : Panchayat Chalchitra 117

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 Name of the districts Paschim Medinipur Name of the Total Uncontestsed Gram Seats seats Panchayats Andhari 8 6 (75 %) Kultikri 9 2(22.2 %) Jenkapur 15 15(100%) Jogardanga 11 11 (100%) Benachapra 11 8 (72.73%) Bankura Karisunda 14 14 (100%) Hooghly Shyambazar 13 13 (100%) Total 81 69 (85.18) Source : Field Survey ,2007 Reserved 1 (12.5) 3 (33.3) 4 (4.93) Contested Seats Unreserved Total 1 (12.5) 4 (44.4) 3 (27.27%) 8 (9.89) 2 7 3 12 (14.82)

Chart 6.3 : Break up of Contestant of all women GPs

9.89 2.47 1.231.23

85.18

Uncontested Contested SC Contested Women

Contested unreserved Contested ST

118

6.3 : Profile of the members of all -women GP. 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 allwomen 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 allwomen 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 119

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 relatives 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.

120

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 someones daughter, someones wife or someones 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. 121

ehQel fl flC Training qJu clLl z Bl Training ke BhpL Training quz cu Ll Computer Training Abv jnel 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

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.

Local Wom en Forum s Quarter 0 Local Wom en Forum s Quarter Daily Food at GP Honararium Mobile Trg. Team Adm . Monitoring Follow up Session 20 40 46.83 2.53 8.86 16.45 17.72 8.86 12.6 60 80 Daily Food at GP Honararium Mobile Trg. Team Adm . Monitoring Follow up Session Training

Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table: 6.3(a) : Gram Panchayats wise age distribution of All Women GPs.

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Name of the GPs Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total

No. of Member 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79

18-25 0 0 0 2 0 1 2 5 (6.3%)

26-35 6 4 7 3 4 9 8 41 (51.9%)

36-45 6 4 2 1 4 6 3 26 (32.9%)

46-55 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 6 (7.6%)

56-65 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Above 65 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1.3%)

Source : Field Survey,2007

.Table 6. 3 (b) : Religion wise distribution of All Women GPs. Name of the District Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Total Female Member 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 Hindu 13 9 9 7 8 16 12 74 (93.68) Muslim 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 5 % of Muslim members 7.14 0 10.0 0 0 5.88 14.28 6.32 Others 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 6.3 (c) : G.P. wise Backward Caste Representation of All Women GPs.
Name of the Gram Panchayats Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Seats 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 SC/ST Population (%) 16.62 41.57 44.66 57.76 47.99 44.76 37.95 41.61 SC Seats (%) 1 (7.14) 1 ( 11.11) 5 (50) 1( 14.28) 1( 12.5) 9( 52.94) 7 ( 50.0) 25 (31.64) ST Seats (%) 1(7.14) 4(44.44) 2 (20) 5(71.42) 4 (50.0) 0 (0) 2(14.28) 18 (22.78) General Seats (%) 12 (85.71) 4 (44.44) 3 (30.0) 1 (14.28) 3 (37.5) 8 (47.05) 5 (35.72) 36 (45.11) SC/ST female seat (%) 2 (14.28) 5 ( 55.56) 7 (70.0) 6 (85.71) 5 (62.5) 9 ( 52.95) 9 (64.28) 43 (54.43 )

Source : Field Survey , 2007 Table 6.3 ( d ) : Educational Status of members of All Women G.P.s.
Name of the District Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Seats 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 Illiterate 0 0 0 0 0 0 1(7.14) 1 (1.26) Neo-literate 0 0 1 (10.00) 1 (14.29) 1 (12.50) 5 (29.41) 3 (21.43) 11 (13.92) Primary 2 (14.29) 1 (11.11) 2 20.00) 1 (14.29) 0 0 2 (14.29) 8 (10.13) Upto ClassVIII 7 (50.00) 4 (44.44) 3 (30.00) 3 (42.86) 3 (37.50) 4 (23.53) 3 (21.43) 27 (34.18) Madhyamik 4 (28.57) 4 (44.44) 1 (10.00) 1 (14.29) 2 (25.00) 4 (23.53) 5 (35.71) 21 (26.58) Higher Secondary 0 0 2 (20.00) 1 (14.29) 1 (12.50) 2 (11.76) 0 6 (7.59) Graduate 1 (7.14) 0 0 0 0 1 (5.88) 0 2 (2.53) Post Graduate 0 0 1 (10.00) 0 1 (12.50) 1 (5.88) 0 3 (3.79)

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 6.3 ( e ) : Gram Panchayats wise distribution of Occupation of all women members

123

Occupation GPs Agricultural Labour Bargadar Farmer Rural Artisan Small Business Grocery Shop Other Kind of Shop Teacher Service Working in Voluntary Organization No definite profession Whole time party worker Day labour House wife Others Total

Jenkapore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 6 4 14

Benachapra 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 9

Jogardanga 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 10

Andhari 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 7

Kultikri 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 8

Karishunda 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 10 0 17

Shyambazar 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 1 14

Total 14 (17.7) 0 0 2 (2.53) 1(1.26) 0 0 0 12 (15.2) 0 0 0 2 (2.53) 43 (54.4) 5 (6.32) 79

Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 6.3 ( f ) : District wise Income distrubution of All Women GP members. Name of the District Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Upto Rs. 1000/Rs. 1001-2000/Rs. 20014000/Rs. 400110000/Above 10,000/Total Seat 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79

6 6 2 0 0 2 5 2 0 0 4 5 1 0 0 4 2 1 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 7 4 2 3 1 7 4 2 1 0 33 29 12 4 1 (41.8%) (36.71%) (15.2%) (5.1%) (1.3%) Source : Field Survey ,2007 Table 6.3 (g) : Reflection of Political experience of members of all-women gram panchayats Name of the GPs Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total (percentage) No. of Member 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 0-5 12 1 9 0 3 9 10 44 (55.6 9) 5-10 1 5 0 7 2 6 2 23 (29.11) 10-15 1 3 0 0 0 0 2 6 (7.59) 15-20 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 4 (5.06) 20-25 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 (1.26) 25-30 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 (1.26)

Above 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0.0)

Source : Field Survey,2007

Table 6.3 (h ) : GP wise reflection of various types of motivation of all women GPs.

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Name of the GPs

Total Seat

Jenkapur 14 Benachapra 9 Jogardanga 10 Andhari 7 Kultikri 8 Karisunda 17 Shyambazar 14 Total 79 %-age 100 Source : Field Survey ,2007

Own choice 6 4 5 4 3 2 4 28 35.44

Political leader 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 6 7.59

Local influence 2 2 4 1 2 0 2 13 16.45

Family 6 1 1 0 2 15 7 32 40.50

Influenced by an incident 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 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 Jenkapur 14 Benachapra 9 Jogardanga 10 Andhari 7 Kultikri 8 Karisunda 17 Shyambazar 13 Total 79 Source : Field Survey, 2007 Not member 8 8 10 6 1 10 14 57 (72.15) Yes, member 6 1 0 1 7 7 0 22(27.85)

Table 6.3 ( j ) : Reflection of Panchayat Experience of the Members of the All-Women GPs Name of the GPs Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total (percentage) Source : Field Survey,2007 No. of Member 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 1st time elected with no experience 12 (85.71 ) 2 (22.22) 10 (100.0) 5(71.53) 6(75.0) 16( 94.11) 11 62 (78.48) 2nd time elected with experiences 2 4 0 2 0 1 1 10 (12.66) 3rd time elected with experiences 0 3 0 0 2 0 2 7 (8.86)

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 Benachapra 9 9 0 Jogardanga 10 10 0 Andhari 7 7 0 Kultikri 8 8 0 Karisunda 17 17 0 Shyambazar 13 13 0 Total 79 79(100%) 0 Source : Field Survey, 2007 Table 6.3 (l) : Reflection of the works done by the members of all women Gram Panchayats.

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Name of GPs

Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar

Total

Total Seats 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79

Nothing 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

JSY 7 0 0 2 0 0 5 14

NOAPS 13 0 0 0 0 0 1 14

Immunization 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 5

SSK 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 5

MSK 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

SHG 11 0 0 2 0 0 5 18

Sanitation 13 0 0 2 0 0 2 17

IAY 9 0 0 1 0 0 0 10

Source: Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (m) : Gram Panchayat wise response of female members about their work-done beyond schemes of All Women GPs. Name of GPs Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Source : Field Survey, 2007 Total Seats 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 No work done 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 9 (11.39) Work done 14 9 10 6 8 16 7 70 (88.60)

Table 6.3 (n ) : Gram Panchayayts wise reflection of supporting Reservations by all women members Name of GPs Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Source : Field Survey, 2007 Total Seats 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 Yes - support reservation 14 9 10 7 8 17 13 78 (98.73 % ) No- Not support reservation 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 (1.27 %)

Table 6 .3 ( o ) : Gram Panchayats wise Scenario of Women Forums Name of GPs Total Response Jenkapur 14 Benachapra 9 Jogardanga 10 Andhari 7 Kultikri 8 Karisunda 17 Shyambazar 14 Total 79 Source : Field Survey, 2007 Active 12 6 0 1 6 2 4 31 (39.25%) Inactive 2 3 10 6 2 15 10 48 (60.75%)

126

Table 6.3 (p) : Gram Panchayat wise reflections of Usage of Power by the female members of all women Gram Panchayats.
Name of GPs Total Seats 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 100 Nothing 0 1 10 2 0 0 3 16 20.25 Development work 14 4 0 0 5 10 0 69 87.34 Social development 4 4 0 3 5 6 6 64 81.01 Women development 2 0 0 0 1 0 5 8 10.12 Supply basic minimum 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 5 6.32 Economic development 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 4 5.06

Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar

Total Percentage

Source: Field Survey, 2007 Table 6.3 (q): G.P. wise reflection of knowing or not knowing the programmes of Women and Child Developmntof All Women GPs. Name of GPs Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Source : Field Survey, 2007 Total Response 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 (100 %) Yes 14 5 2 7 7 16 1 52 (65.82%) No 0 4 8 0 1 1 13 27 (34.17%)

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 Known Jenkapur 14 7 7 0 Benachapra 9 3 5 1 Jogardanga 10 8 0 2 Andhari 7 7 0 0 Kultikri 8 7 1 0 Karisunda 17 16 1 0 Shyambazar 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 Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Total Response 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 No Response 0 1 1 1 0 0 12 15 (18.99) Through GS & with the help of party 13 2 3 6 0 3 1 28 (35.44) With the help of samannay committee 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 5 (6.33) With the help of Party leader 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 (1.27) Only through the people participation in GS 0 5 6 0 5 14 0 30 (37.97)

127

Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (t): Reflection of demand put before General Meeting of All Women GPs.
Name of GPs Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total
Source : Field Survey, 2007

Total Response 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79

No demand placed 4 8 9 5 0 9 4 39 (49.37)

Demand placed 10 1 1 2 8 8 10 40 (50.63)

Table 6.3 (u) : Gram Panchayat wise various Support Systems for the female members of all women gram panchayts.
Name of GPs Total Seats 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 100 No supp ort 0 9 10 2 8 7 2 38 48.10 Trg. by Govt. 12 0 0 4 0 10 12 38 48.10 Trg. by NGO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trg. by Party 2 0 0 3 0 0 1 6 7.59 Guidanc e by Exmem 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reading material s 11 0 0 3 0 0 12 26 32.91 Field visit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Support by husband/fa mily 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1.27 Support by Secretar y 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Support by party to perform the work 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Support by Dalaneta to perform the work 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Support from villagers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.27 Support from officers 4 0 0 0 0 3 6 13 16.45

Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Percentage

Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (v ) : Reflection of how does Party help the female members of all women gram panchayats
Name of Districts Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Percentage Total Response 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 100 Nothing Training Advising Monitoring Works of Panchayats 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 6 7.59 Making Priority List of Names of beneficiaries 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2.53 Making Annual Plan 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1.26 Supplying Party workers 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2.53

1 4 10 0 1 1 0 17 21.51

7 2 0 2 0 2 0 13 16.45

13 3 0 6 6 13 10 51 64.55

Source : Field Survey, 2007

Table 6.3 (w ) : Reflection of Constraints faced by the female members of all women gram panchayats
Name of Districts Jenkapur Benachapra Jogardanga Andhari Kultikri Karisunda Shyambazar Total Percentage Total Response 14 9 10 7 8 17 14 79 100 No training 5 2 3 1 0 2 1 14 17.72 No monitorig & supervision 0 2 1 1 2 3 3 12 15.18 Distant location and lack of communication 8 1 2 3 0 5 3 22 27.84 Male intervention 7 1 2 1 0 1 3 15 18.98 Party intervention 0 4 5 3 6 9 6 33 41.77 Low level of education & knowledge 0 2 1 1 1 4 2 11 13.92 Party conflict 5 0 0 4 0 0 0 9 11.39

128

Source : Field Survey, 2007

129

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 womens 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 womens empowerment which is the function of political awareness , participation and support services. Women development means advancement of women and enhancement of womens status in the society (P.D.Koushik, 2005). On the other hand womens 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 6 130

also depicts the situation of All-women GPs. Besides this peoples 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 Womens 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 Womens 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 couldnt 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 131

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 henducks 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 132

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 couldnt 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 133

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 selfgovernment. 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. 134

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 grampanchayats 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 135

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 136

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 137

 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. 138

 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.

139

APPENDIX - I
1(a) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Name of members Rammunna Devi Bhaghwar Karna Bahadur Thatal Sidam Oraon Sumitra Lohar Deshraj Pradhan Domnic Topno Santosh thapa Shanta Kullu (Lohar) Sushma Thapa Kharka Bahadur Thapa Bhakta Bahadur Thapa Bhagwani Agarwala Birsha Oraon Durga Gossai Kamali Chhetri Name of GP / block Lankapara / MadarihatBirpara block Name of sansad III-4 I-1 II-2 II-3 IV-5 V-6 VI-7 VII-8 VIII-9 IX-10 X-11 XI-12 XII-13 XIII-14 XIV-15 Available/Non available A A A A N-A N-A A N-A N-A A A N-A N-A A A

1(b) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10 11. 12. 13. Name of members Koleshtina Oraon Bharat Keot Deomait Mahali Sadhana Saha Kanak Das (Shanti) Shefali Deb Shyamal Guha Majumdar Jaharlal Saha Nikhil Ch.Saha Saraswati Das Jangibir Bahadur Chhetri Padam Oraon Kalyan Kumar Saiba Name of GP Madarihat / MadarihatBirpara block Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 X-10 XI-11 XII-12 XIII-13 Available/Non available A A A N-A A A A A N-A N-A A N-A A 140

14. 15. 16.

Fulo Oraon Shyam Kami Suleman Oraon

XIV-14 XV-15 XVI-16

A A A

1(c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Name of members Tripti Dey Bani Das Purnima Mandal Roshan Lal Agarwal Gopal Mandal Kamana Pal Jamshed Ali Satya Narayan Sarkar Kajali Sarkar Arun Ch. Das Rira Das Sunil Ch. Palul Pradip Muhuri Iti Guha Niogi Manindra Sukla Baidya Madhab Barman Name of GP / block Falakata I / Falakata block Name of sansad VIII-10 I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VI-7 VII-8 VII-9 VIII-10 IX-11 X-12 XI-13 XII-14 XIII-15 Available/Non available A A A A N-A A N-A N-A N-A A N-A N-A A A A N-A

1(d) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Jalpaiguri District Sl. No. Name of members Name of GP / block Name of sansad Available/Non available

141

2(a) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Name of members Madhab Ch. Mandal Manoj Kr. Chandra Dibakar Karmakar Rijia Begum Sudhir Kr. Ghosh Kaosar Ali Biswas Bijli Bibi Hazrat Biswas Najren Sk. Guhab Ali Sk. Eheram Ali Mamtaj Bibi Ali Mahammad Sk. Jamiruddin Biswas Eliza Bibi Najrul Islam Sk. Md. Shariful Mandal Jahura Bibi Name of GP / block Daulatabad / Berhampore ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad VII-7 I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VIII-8 IX-9 X-10 XI 11 XII-12 XII-13 XIII-14 XIV-15 XV-16 XVI-17 XVII-18 Available/Non available

2(b) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Name of members Akhtarul Alam Som Khorsed Sk. Shanti Kumar Ghosh Jibanara Begum Saifuddin Mandal Sirajul Islam Namita Paharia Parbati Das Haidar Ali Sanjoy Paharia Nazrul Islam Latifa Bibi Wahab Mandal Kalam Sk. Name of GP / block Gurudaspur / Berhampore ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad XI-15 I-1 I-2 II-3 II-4 III-5 III-6 IV-7 V-8 VI-9 VI 10 VII-11 VIII-12 IX-13 Available/Non available

142

15. 16. 17. 18. Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Saira Begam ,, X-14 Ahasanuddin Sk. ,, XII-16 Parula Bibi ,, XIII-17 Ibrahim Sk. ,, XIV-18 2(c) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District Name of members Mukti Mandal Nazimul Molla Kalam Sk. Sumana Hazra Chhabi Mandal Najimuddin Sk. Liakat Ali Satya Das Akhtarunnesa Bibi Ratan Kr. Sen Tarapada Das Pranati Mandal Joydeb Mandal Ranjan Sarkar Kalpana Swarnakar Balai Mandal Chanchal Banerjee Pradip Dutta Name of GP / block Niallishpara-Goaljan / Berhampore ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of GP / block Salar / Bharatpur-II ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad X-11 I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 IX 10 X-12 XI-13 XI-14 XII-15 XIII-16 XIII-17 XIV-18 Available/Non available

2(d) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Murshidabad District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Name of members Sahina Yasmin Rowshanara Begam Md. Tarakh Hossain Mostafa Sk. Rehima Bibi Sabitri Roy Azfar Hossain Seikh Nur Hossain Ferdousi Begam Badrul Azam Kazi Md. Nasiruddin Bona Majhi Nasim (Hira) Khan Khadem A. Dastegir Mahamaya Hazra Taslima Bibi Aslem Ali Mohammed Kumari Bibi Name of sansad III-3 I-1 II-2 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 VIII-9 IX 10 IX-11 X-12 XI-13 XII-14 XIII-15 XIII-16 XIV-17 XIV-18 Available/Non available A A A A A A A A A A A A 143

19. 20. 21. 22.

Kesta Pradhan ,, XV-19 Tapati Dey ,, XVI-20 Nanda Dulal Saha ,, XVII-21 Ram Krishna Ghosh ,, XVIII-22 3 (a ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District Name of Name of GP / block members Kolega Begum Raipur-Surpur/Bolpur-Sriniketan Rafi Molla Lete Soren Sonali Dhibor Baha Tudu Buddhadev Das Lalu Bauri Sital Barman Dilip Konra Madhabi Roy Omar Ambia Sk. Bipul Mistri Keshab Bagani Sayeda Bibi Zaker Ali Sk. Purnima Mete Rina Sen Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 III-4 IV-5 V-6 VI-7 VII-8 VIII-9 VIII-10 IX-11 X-12 XI-13 XII-14 XIII-15 XIV-16 XV-17

A A A

Sl. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Available/Non available

3( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Name of members Ajit Konai Md.Mainuruddin Kalpana Saha Chandana Mal Abhiram Mondal Naren Mondal Md. Sahjahan Ali Nagori Mal Nasim Banu Bibi Golam Kibria Mondal Name of GP / block Hansan-II/ Rampurhat-II ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VII-8 VIII-9 IX-10 Available/Non available

3 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. Name of members Nandalal Banerjee Nazimuddin Sk.(Najema) Santila Mardi Name of GP / block Bautia/ Nalhati-I ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 Available/Non available

144

4. 5. 6. 7. Sl. No. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Fakir Konai Bimala Let Ashok Das Arun Kumar Let Name of members Parul Let Jyostna Let Netai Chandra Mondal Nirmal Let Harihar Let Fazlima Khatun Salim Rejak Anath Kumar Let

,, ,, ,, ,, Name of GP / block ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 Name of sansad VIII-8 IX-9 X-10 XI-11 XII-12 XIII-13 XIV-14 XV-15

Available/Non available

3 ( d) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Birbhum District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Name of members Kunti Mondal Rafejan Bibi (Chinta) Jiner Momim Lila Begam Golum Murtaza (Amar) Sayed Mustafa Hossain (Babu Mia) Jahanara Bibi Nurezzaman Md.(Babul) Aminul Ahasan(Tulu) Fatik Ch. Konai Latika Roy Babul Ch. Let Kunti Mal (Hansi) Name of GP / block Kaitha-I/ Nalhati-I ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 VIII-9 IX-10 X-11 XI-12 XI-13 Available/Non available

4 ( a ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : South 24 Parganas District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Name of members Goutam Das Ranu Mondal Madhabi Manna Hasibur Molla Sahansa Molla Sukla Banu Biswanath Dey Samar Adak Khokan Pramanick Alochana Shaw Ananda Kayal Name of GP / block Moukhali/ Bishnupur-II ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 I-2 II-3 III-4 III-5 IV-6 V-7 VI-8 VII-9 VIII-10 IX-11 Available/Non available

145

12. 13. 14.

Bapi Samanta Sumita Chatterjee Prabhakar Bag

,, ,, ,,

X-12 XI-13 XI-14

4 ( b) List of Gram Panchayats Member: South 24 Parganas District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Name of members Tarani Bhuiya Amba Bag Mozammel Haque Molla Bharati Mondal Kamal Krishna Mondal Gour Naskar Sudarsan Naskar Taslima Bibi Rinku Kayal Hasanujjaman Molla Tajuddin Naskar Anawara Bibi Surabuddin Dhali Sreekanta Sardar Jayanta Kumar Baidya Momotaj Bagum Mollick Bablu Beg Name of GP / block Nahazari/ Bishnupur-II ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 I-2 II-3 III-4 III-5 IV-6 V-7 V-8 VI-9 VII-10 VIII-11 IX-12 X-13 XI-14 XII-15 XIII-16 XIV-17 Available/Non available

4 (c) List of Gram Panchayats Member : South 24 Parganas District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Name of members Anadi Naskar Joydeb Moule Minati Bikram Sahadeb Maity Latika Halder Rina Gayen Abdul Khalil Gazi Manoranjan Das Bichitra Baidya Joydeb Sardar Gobinda Mistri Idrich Purkait Barnali Mandal Balaram Shikari Badal Halder Sukumar Halder Nupur Bhandari Name of GP / block Raidighi/ Mathurapur-II ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 VIII-9 IX-10 X-11 XI-12 XII-13 XIII-14 XIV-15 XIV-16 XV-17 Available/Non available

146

18. 19.

Papia Sipal Sanat Halder

,, ,,

XVI-18 XVII-19

4 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : South 24 Parganas District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Name of members Sabita Das Madhumita Paria Anup Jana Achintya Mondal Kalpana Mondal Bimal Jana Chitta Pradhan Bithika Sahoo Apurba Ranjan Giri Abdul Karim Sk. Dali Dakua Susila Pramanik Susital Das Majafar Sk. Satish Ari Panda Sukdev Pramila Das Susanta Maity Kanchan Mandal Sailendra Ranjit Byomkesh Paria Tarun Mandal Name of GP / block Gangasagar/ Sagar ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 I-2 II-3 II-4 III-5 IV-6 IV-7 V-8 V-9 VI-10 VI-11 VII-12 VIII-13 IX-14 X-15 XI-16 XI-17 XII-18 XIII-19 XIV-20 XV-21 XVI-22 Available/Non available

5 (a )List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Name of members Debibala Mahato Bikal Chandra Mahato Rita Goswami Kiriti Bhusan Mahato Manikram Mahato Lal Sardar Bangshidhar Mandal Krishna Goswami Nagendra Mahato Ladhuram Tudu Sukuntala Majhi Name of GP / block Dhelatbamu/ Barabazar ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 X-10 XI-11 Available/Non available

147

5 ( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Name of members Motilal Majhi Baby Bandyopadhaya Sabitri Mandal Ila Deshmukh Namita Bouri Paresh Nath Mandal Sadhmani Hembram Subhas Mandal Janhabi Murmu Nityananda Mandal Chittaranjan Mandal Name of GP / block Sonathali/ Kashipur ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 X- 10 XI-11 Available/Non available

5 ( c) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Name of members Sadhin Mahato Raman Ch. Mahato Tilaka Mahato Dayamoy Kumar Raboti Orang Karam Chand Mahato Kamala Rani Mahato Jaylal Besra Gagi Sahish Sunil Kr. Hembram Name of GP / block Majhidi/ Jhalda-II ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 X- 10 Available/Non available

5 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Purulia District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Name of members Subhangkar Mahato Ganesh Ch. Bouri Mathan Singh Ranjit Ruhidas Aroti Banerjee Alhadi Bouri Alhad Mahato Fatik Karmakar Name of GP / block Monihara/ Kashipur ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 I-2 II-3 III-4 IV-5 V-6 VI-7 VII-8 Available/Non available

148

9.

Purnima Mishra

,,

VIII-9

6 (a )List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim Medinipur District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Name of members Srinath Murmu Rabindranath Payra Nabin Sing Bela Doloi Mariam Sing Sharbari Maitra Jagatpati Hansda Srikanta Pradhan Prasanta Dolai Rathikanta Patra Arati Das Goutam Mallick Latika Mandi Name of GP / block Ranisarai/ Narayangarh ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 III-4 IV-5 V-6 VI-7 VII-8 VII-9 VIII-10 IX-11 X-12 XI-13 Available/Non available

6 ( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim MedinipurDistrict Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Name of members Soumen Pandey Nepal Khamrai Saktirani Pal Sujit Rishi Sarala Pujari Rupasi Tudu Hasi Das Shiblal Mandi Jagat Kumar Mahata Thakurdas Hembram Kajal Ahir Krishna Saha Rajesh Saha Swapan Kumar Pal Sushila Mistri Alpana Choubey Lakshmikanta Khan Kartick Dandapat Name of GP / block Salbani/ Salboni ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 I-2 II-3 III-4 III-5 IV-6 V-7 VI-8 VII-9 VIII-10 IX-11 X-12 X-13 XI-14 XII-15 XIII-16 XIV-17 XV-18 Available/Non available

149

6 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim MedinipurDistrict Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Name of members Priyalal Mandal Lina Panda Bela Bag Sephali Patra Krishna Chalak Mini Saren Bibhas Baskey Sk. Mankhush Purna Saren Radharani Rana Gopal Mandi Asit Dolai Manmatha Nayek Archana Patra Name of GP / block Binpur/ Binpur-I ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 IV-5 V-6 VI-7 VII-8 VIII-9 IX-10 X-11 XI-12 XII-13 XII-14 Available/Non available

6 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Paschim MedinipurDistrict Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Name of members Arati Rani Chakraborty Ramchandra Das Aparajita Shit Narayan Das Umesh Chandra Hazra Madan Moha Giri Nilima Bhunia Sudhangsu Khatua Narasingha Hembram Sasanka Giri Khukumoni Das Asoke Dutta Bari Mandi Anil Bera Name of GP / block Talda / Dantan-II ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VI-7 VII-8 VII-9 VIII-10 IX-11 X-12 XI-13 XIII-14 Available/Non available

150

7 (a )List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar DinajpurDistrict Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Name of members Tajjali Banu Samiruddin Masihar Begum Md. Saliullah Khan Shankar Nath Bhowmick Arjina Khatun Alab Sabir Alam Jabira Begum Jamiruddin Sohrabb Modan Modak Azima Begum Santi Mridha Renu Tigga Viswadeb Das Nijam Ali Ram Lal Singha Habibur Rahaman Parbati Debi Singha Name of GP / block Panjipara/ Goalpokher-I ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 X-10 XI-11 XII-12 XIII-13 XIV-14 XV-15 XVI-16 XVII-17 XVIII-18 XIX-19 XX-20 Available/Non available

7 ( b ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar DinajpurDistrict Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Name of members Musad Alam Mukter Alam Mushtary Begum Siten Kr. Paul Shamsul Huda Jahana Begum Md. Ibrahim Motiur Rahaman Rahima Khatun Jahiruddin Karalina Murmu Noimuddin Habulal Roy Kheteja Khatun Name of GP / block Goalpokher/ Goalpokher-I ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 X-10 XI-11 XII-12 XIII-13 XIV-14 Available/Non available

151

15.

Quasim

,,

XV-15

7 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar DinajpurDistrict

Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Name of members Fatik Sarkar Chandana Dutta Dhirendranath Rishi Subodh Paul Gayali Barman Pramila Mandal Dulul Chandra Barman Biswajit Saha Atul Sarkar Kalidas Mitra Madhumala Barman Janaki Barman Narayan Dhar Manindranath Barman Nini Kisku Dipti Rani Barman Rahaman Ajijur Name of GP / block Durgapur/ Itahar ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VII-8 VIII-9 IX-10 IX-11 X-12 XI-13 XII-14 XIII-15 XIV-16 XIV-17 Available/Non available

7 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Uttar Dinajpur District

Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Name of members Arati Rabidas Manabesh Lahiri Dilip Rajbanshi Minati Das Prasanta Sarkar Sarathi Rajbanshi Ahammed Mafijuddin Ashok Roy Suresh Chandra Barman Sandhya Barman Budhu Mardi Samsul Haque Kalpana Rajbanshi Shibnath Sarkar Bablu Debsharma Tapashi Paul Rahaman Ali Mohammad Israil Firoja Bibi Jagadish Chowdhury Name of GP / block Itahar/ Itahar ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VIII-8 IX-9 X-10 XI-11 XII-12 XII-13 XIII-14 XIII-15 XIV-16 XV-17 XVI-18 XVII-19 XVIII-20 Available/Non available

152

21. 22. 23.

Ahammed Khajimuddin ,, XIX-21 Juranu Das ,, XX-22 Lipika Das ,, XXI-23 8 (a ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District

Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Name of members Kanai Bouri Durga Prasad Banerjee Biswajit Maji Kalpana Namtirtha Naradhan Bouri Sasti Bouri Ashoke Bouri Sumitra Ruidas Mukul Karmakar

Name of GP / block Salanpur/ Salanpur ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 IV-5 V-6 VI-7 VII-8 VIII-9

Available/Non available

8( b) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Name of members Bamapada Mondal Sudershan Chel Madhusudan Majhi Padmabati Santra Sima Thom Nazama Begum Sk. Ah. Hafiz Chowdhury Nidhiram Kora Chinta Majhi Tamal Behari Sarkar Gulenur Sk. Tufan Bhattacharya Ruma Roy Name of GP / block Baghar-II/ Burdwan-I ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 IV-4 V-5 VI-6 VII-7 VII-8 VIII-9 IX-10 X-11 XI-12 XII-13 Available/Non available

8 ( c ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Name of members Taru Sk. Abul Hossain Sk. Manjusri Mehara Alauddin Mirja Siraj Sk. Momtaz Sk. Ahad Mondal Name of GP / block Rayan-I/ Burdwan-I ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 II-2 III-3 III-4 IV-5 IV-6 V-7 Available/Non available

153

8. 9. 10. Sl. No. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

Narayan Ghosh Monoara Sk. Anisur Sk. Name of members Yasin Sk. Gangamoni Som Monoranjan Hazra Sisir Jash Rani Tudu Mongal Mal Suprova Karfa Puspa santra Asit Chandra Mondal Dulal Mondal Dipankar Dey Ganapati Sarkar Lakshmi Mojumder Lakshmi Mali Mina Pal Shyamapada Mondal Kalpana Bag

,, ,, ,, Name of GP / block ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

VI-8 VII-9 VII-10 Name of sansad VIII-11 IX-12 X-13 XI-14 XII-15 XIII-16 XIV-17 XV-18 XVI-19 XVII-20 XVIII-21 XIX-22 XX-23 XX-24 XXI-25 XXII-26 XXIII-27

Available/Non available

8 ( d ) List of Gram Panchayats Member : Burdwan District Sl. No. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Name of members Lakshmi Narayan Dhara Mayna Sk. Asit Bag Tapas Malik Tapasi Som Anil Malik Abhoy Samanta Anju Samanta Sabyasachi Dey Madhabilata Dhara Mohan Mukhapadhyay Ansura Begam Middey Hopan Murmu Sujit Malik Mantu Malik Name of GP / block Raina/ Raina-I ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, Name of sansad I-1 I-2 II-3 III-4 IV-5 IV-6 V-7 VI-8 VII-9 VIII-10 IX-11 X-12 XI-13 XII-14 XIII-15 Available/Non available

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APPENDIX - II
List of Leaders visited 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Smt. Krishna Banerjee Smt. Mithu Singh Sardar Smt. Rabiul Fatima Smt. Aparna Saha Shri Tarapada Giri Shri Raghu Nandi Shri Manoranjan Mal Smt. Dipali Shri Suhas Sarkar Allauddin Mollah Anarul Islam Sakhoat Hossain Asraful Alam Shri Biswarup Kanthal Sri Dhanapati Mandal Sri Abdur Rauf Sahbadhipati Hooghly Sabhadhipati Purulia Karmadhyaksha Birbhum Sabhapati Burdwan Sabhapati Paschim Medinipur Sabhapati Murshidabad Sabhapati Birbhum Sabhapati South 24-Parganas Member, Dist. Birbhum Committee, CPI (M) Ex-Member Murshidabad Dist. Committee, CPI (M) Secretary, Zonal Committee Krishak Sabha Murshidabad LCM, Doulatabad Murshidabad Party Member, CPI(M) Murshidabad Ex-Member, CPI(M) Birbhum Party Member, CPI(M) Birbhum LCS, CPI(M) Bankura

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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?

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APPENDIX - IV
Programming for Male Members 1. How many times you are elected as member of PRI? Contested 1st time 2nd time 3rd time 4th time 5th time 6th time 2. What was your position in previous preiod? Year 1998-2003 1993-1998 1988-1993 1983-1988 1978-1983 Position Member Pradhan Upa-Pradhan Member of PS Member of ZP Karmadhyaksha None Elected 1 2 3 4 5 6

3.

After being elected what supports have your got? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 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.

What functions women members perform in your panchayats? 1. 2. 6. They have no urge to do something Nothing. 7. All the works for women development What they can do without our help? 8. They do same work as male members do 9. They do those work which panchayats think fit 157 for them

5.

3. Well done 4. Not up to the mark 5. They do not know their duty How do you help women members? 1. 2. 3. 4. Stating the schemes. Helping her understanding work Helping her implementing work Helping her in all aspect

6.

What demand have you put before General Meeting of G.P.? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. ICDS SSK 17. SHG Formation MSK 18. Social Works Health Sub-Centre 19. All types of works Roads 20. Swajaldhara IAY 21. Rural Development Drinking Water 22. Women and child development Drainage 23. Others Sanitation 24. Primary School Old Age Pension 25. Electricity JAY 26. Disaster Management NREGA 27. Nothing Annapurna Antyadaya Immunisation for pregnant mother and children Forestry

6(a).

How many female members are from your party?

None, 1-8 6(b). How does party help them? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 7(a). 7(b). 1. 2. Nothing By giving training by giving advice by monitoring work regularly by making priority list of G.S. by making annual plan by supporting party workers for implementing Yes/No 6. 7. 8. 9. No, because women are less aware No, because women have no time No, because women have no power No, because women cant give decision 158

Do you support Reservation? Why? Yes but with education Yes but with enough time

3. 4. 5. 8.

Yes but with education & enough time Yes No Option No, because women are illiterate 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 opinion 2. Taking into consideration their opinion 13. Is there any women oriented subject in your plan? Yes/No 14. 15. 16. What programmes for women have been taken by this panchayats? What is the future programmes? How far the women forums in your locality are active? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Inactive Active breaking the wine shop Active Awareness generation Active Conducting mothers meeting Others

159

Programming for Female members 1. How many times you are elected as member of PRI ? Contested 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 Elected

2. What was your position in previous period ? Year 1998-2003 1993-1998 1988- 1993 1983 1988 1978 1983 Position Member Pradhan Upapradhan Member of PS 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 ? 160

for developmental work 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 161

8. What have you done specially for the women ? Nothing JSY Old age pension Immunisation for pregnant mother and children SSK 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 162

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 by advising by monitoring works of Panchayats regularly by making the priority list of the names emerging from Gramsansad 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 ? 17. Talking with each household At weekly meeting At Gram Sansad Through party workers Through husband or any family members others

Do you feel insecured ever in your area while working ? Yes 163

18 .

No How far the women forums in your locality are active ? Inactive Active --------- 1. breaking the wine shop 2.Awareness generation 3. Conducting mothers meeting 4. Others

19.

Do you want

to continue your life as Panchayat worker ? Yes, if party wants Yes, if my family permits Yes, if my husband agrees Yes,ofcourse No, due to my family problem No , as I dont 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 cant 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 .

164

Quarters to Pradhan Regular administrative monitoring and supervision Mobile training team

APPENDIX - V

References:
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 womens 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 Womens 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 Womens 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 Bengals 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 Bengals 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.

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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 womens 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 Womens Emancipation. It also reflects Gender and Social Order of Women's Work and Economic Development; Education and Sexual Discrimination. Sheila Rowbothans work Womens consciousness: Mans 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 Kasturis 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. 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 Indias 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?

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Has focused the poor mens approach towards poverty. In this writing she has rightly arrested the situation of the women, the poorest of the poor. New Horizons for West Bengals 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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