Political Participations of TGL and Ex-TGL Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions: A Study of Obstacles and Challenges in Biswanath District of Assam

Author(s): Upasana Barua and Dr. Diganta Hatiboruah

Abstract:

Panchayati Raj Institutions, the apex body of local governance and the third tier of modern Indian federation, are a popular political institution of our age, which is the ultimate result of various Indian traditions and the legacy of the past. The Panchayati Raj Institutions are an administrative unit that consists of the local representatives to solve local problems by adopting a public choice plan. The Amendment of the Indian Constitution (73rd) introduced a uniform pattern of Panchayati Raj Institutions all over the country, and the Act of Panchayati Raj Institutions 1994 mandates thirty per cent of total seats reserved for women. In Assam, the government made a reservation of fifty per cent of total seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions by the Panchayati Raj Institutions Act, 1994, for popular participating and capacity building of women's community, irrespective of caste and marginalised groups. Tea Garden Labourers and Ex-Tea Garden Labourers belong to marginalised groups of Assam, transitioning from plantation subjects to political citizens. The study of political participation of women of Tea Garden Labourers and Ex- Tea Garden Labourers, in fact, has significant implications in the study of social science research to understand the level of their participation and leadership quality. Considering the ground reality, this paper will examine the levels of political participation among Tea Garden Labourers and Ex- Tea Garden Labourers women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, focusing on the issue of garden control and free garden control environment by using a mixed-methods approach, locating the Biswanath district of Assam, India, as the study area.

keywords:
Women, political participation, tea garden laborers, ex-tea garden laborers, seat reservation.

Pages: 12-18     |    21 View     |    2 Download