SPIRITED LOT: Women panchayat presidents protesting in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: While political parties are gearing up for the Assembly elections, a group of women have already begun preparations for the local body polls scheduled in October.

While many may consider it too early to begin the preparations, members of the Tamil Nadu Federation of Women Presidents of Panchayat Government (TNFWPPG) do not think so.

At their third State-level convention here on Friday, over 300 members, led by their executive committee members, pledged to work till the run-up to the elections to improve their panchayats and protect the rights of women and children, Dalits and Adivasis. They resolved to contest and win the elections.

Healthcare

The women reiterated their commitment to improve healthcare services, education, public distribution system and balwadis; stop conversion of agricultural land, coastal land and forest areas for commercial and industrial purposes; help Dalits take possession of panchami land, and function as centres of information and knowledge.

At the inaugural session, V.Vasanthi Devi, former chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, said the growth of women, over the years, as panchayat presidents, was tremendous. Initially dominated by their husbands and forced to remain figureheads, they eventually assumed the reins of power and did a lot for the people.

Devolution of powers

However, devolution of powers and resources to the lower tiers of governance was not satisfactory in Tamil Nadu as it had been in Punjab and Kerala. Nearly all powers were still vested in the bureaucracy. This had to change.

P. Sivagami, Commissioner for Disciplinary Proceedings, Chennai, said Tamil Nadu had excelled in legally ensuring the rights of women. She was confident that a time would soon come when women would occupy the seats of power in large numbers and be in a position to allocate reservation for men. To achieve this, women had to remain united.

Effect of globalisation

Gandhimathy, researcher and activist, spoke about the effects globalisation on panchayats.

Twelve essential services, including health, transport and water distribution would be privatised, thus eroding the authority of the panchayat. Natural resources, agriculture, handlooms and fisheries should be protected at any cost, she said.

Three books on women panchayati raj, including the annual report of the federation, were released on the occasion. The women also formed a human chain, reiterating their demands to the government at Valluvar Kottam later in the evening.

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