Women to head nearly 50% civic bodies in Kerala

In order to increase participation of women in the grassroot-level development process, nearly half the posts of presidents of local bodies in Kerala have been reserved for the fairer sex.

As a first step, the state election commission issued an order yesterday identifying 489 village panchayats to have women as presidents after the local bodies polls to be held in October.

Similar notifications are expected to be issued soon after identifying block and district panchayats as well as municipalities and corporations.

The state government had earlier passed an order reserving 50% of seats in local bodies for women.

According to Commission sources, 76 block panchayats, 30 municipalities and three city corporations are expected to have women as Chairpersons and Mayors.

Within women's quota, sub-quota has been earmarked for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with women from SCs heading 121 civic units and those from STs seven.

In local bodies which have not been reserved for women, the vice-presidentship has been set apart for women.