• As a part of its initiative to eliminate the ‘Sarpanch Pati’ practice, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has launched a series of digital content that addresses critical issues affecting local rural governance.

• The ‘Sarpanch Pati’ system is a practice in which the husband of an elected woman sarpanch wields the actual power.

• In a pioneering campaign to eliminate proxy representation and promote genuine women leadership at the grassroots level, the ministry has collaborated with The Viral Fever (TVF) for the production of a series addressing the practice where a male relative of the elected woman representative unofficially represents the female leaders.

• The first of these productions, ‘Asli Pradhan Kaun?’ premiered on March 4, coinciding with the launch of the Ministry’s ‘Sashakt Panchayat Netri Abhiyan’. 

• The film ‘Asli Pradhan Kaun?’, illustrates how effectively a woman Gram Pradhan exercises her powers for public welfare. It addresses the issue of ‘Sarpanch Pati’ culture, a practice that undermines the constitutional mandate of women’s representation in Panchayati Raj Institutions.

• This initiative comes in the wake of the recent report on ‘Transforming Women’s Representation and Roles in Panchayati Raj Systems and Institutions: Eliminating Efforts for Proxy Participation’.

• As part of its comprehensive approach, the ministry will release two additional productions focusing on ‘Digital Intervention and Transparency’ showcasing how technology can transform rural governance and ‘Own Source Revenue’ highlighting the importance of financial independence or self-reliance for panchayats.

• The year-long ‘Sashakt Panchayat Netri Abhiyan’ is designed to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of women-elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country. 

• It will focus on building the skills and confidence of women elected to Panchayati Raj positions, ensuring they can exercise their constitutional rights and responsibilities effectively.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)