NHRC Summons Panchayat, Urban Body Officials from 32 States Over ‘Proxy Governance’

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) summoned senior officials from the departments of Panchayat Raj, as well as Urban Local Bodies, of 24 states and eight union territories for their lack of response to an earlier notice issued by the NHRC about what is called “proxy governance” being practised in such bodies, as was announced by the officials on Sunday.

Officials said the matter relates to a complaint filed by Sushil Verma, a former member of the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which was considered by an NHRC bench headed by Member Priyank Kanoongo on December 12. This problem is particularly evident in areas where positions are reserved for women, but the actual work is handled by their husbands or male relatives, commonly known as sarpanch pati or pradhan pati. The Commission has directed officials from 32 states and union territories to appear on December 30th.

The Commission stated that despite constitutional provisions and court directives, elected women in many places remain merely nominal heads. The Commission also cited the Supreme Court's decision declaring such practices unconstitutional and illegal. According to Agoy, this system undermines the purpose of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution and women's reservation and violates the right to equality and dignity.

Action reports were initially sought from all states and union territories on September 9th, but only a few responded. Now, the Commission has directed the Principal Secretaries of the Panchayati Raj and Urban Development Departments of 32 states and union territories to appear in person on December 30th.