STRICT ACTION IF FAMILY MEMBERS ATTEND OFFICIAL MEETINGS ON THEIR BEHALF: KULDEEP SINGH DHALIWAL
Face2News/Chandigarh
A long overdue decision was taken today to genuinely empower women instead of paying lip service. Cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal issued instructions that will put an end to the practice of husbands/sons/relatives participating in meetings of Panchayati Raj Institutions on behalf of elected women. Some male members even sign documents on their behalf.
The Rural Development Minister clearly stated that instructions have been issued several times in the past not to allow any woman elected representative’s husband/son or any other family member to participate on their behalf in the meetings of Panchayati Raj institutions, but despite of this it has been observed that whenever there is a meeting of the elected Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Committees and Gram Panchayats, instead of the elected women office bearers, their husbands or other family members attend the meetings. But it is mandatory for the elected representatives to participate in the meeting themselves, not anyone else on their behalf.
