Increase women's reservation in local bodies: Aiyar

Kochi, Jun 28 (UNI) Lauding Kerala for its giant strides in Panchayati Raj, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Manishankar Aiyar today said the state should consider more reservation for women from 33 per cent to 50 per cent in local bodies.

Addressing a gathering after the 'Mahila Sakthi Abhiyan Sammelan' here, he said ''according to a government report, Kerala was one of the most advanced states in the implementation of panchayati raj in the country.

He added that compared to the women's reservation in local bodies in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar at 50 per cent, Kerala had a quota of 33 per cent. This should be increased to 50 per cent .

Mr Aiyar also agreed in principle to increase funding to provide training for women representatives in local bodies in Kerala, with a condition that women from other states should also be included in the training schedule.

The Centre was committted to improve the working structure of the Panchayati Raj. There was a proposal to connect all the panchayats through internet, minister he informed.

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