Parliament Question: Issue of Sarpanch Patis

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATI RAJ RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO 1356 ANSWEREDON- 11.02.2026 ISSUEOFSARPANCHPATIS 1356.DR. FAUZIAKHAN: Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleasedtostate: (a)whether the Ministry isaware of the persistent problem of “SarpanchPatis” undermining the autonomy and decision-making authority of elected women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions across States; (b) if so, the measures taken, including advisories, social campaigns, legal reforms, monitoringandschemestoempower women sarpanchs; (c) whether the Ministry is engaging with States and civil society to develop structured interventionsandcampaigns toendsuch proxy practices; and (d) if so, the detailsthereof,and if not,the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRIRAJIVRANJAN SINGH) (a) to (d) “Panchayat”,being “Local Government”,is a State subject and part of the State List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Therefore, any issue related to Sarpanch Patisin PanchayatiRaj Institutions (PRIs) liesinthe domain of the States. On the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj constituted an Advisory Committee in September 2023 to examine the issue of Women Pradhans being represented by the male members of their families and also to examine other issues related to proxy practices. The Committee has submitted its Report with recommendations to the Ministry in February 2025, and the same has been accepted by the Ministry. The Advisory Committee recommended that the State Governments take necessary measures, including social campaigns, legal reforms,monitoring and schemes toeliminate Sarpanch Patis in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and ensureempowerment of women Sarpanches. Owing to the importance of this matter and its impact on women's leadership in PRls,thisMinistry hasalso constituted a TaskForceon 17thApril 2025. *****