NEW DELHI: Prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a gentle dig at the system of "sarpanch-pati", the illegal arrangement of husbands being the proxy for elected women in panchayats, and sought the end of this practice.

"The law has given women the right (reservation) in panchayats. They should also be given the opportunity to work. The Sarpanch Pati culture should end ... women will give results," he told a packed auditorium of panchayat representatives on National Panchayati Raj Day.

Putting the message across softly about the serious systemic malaise, Modi narrated an incident from his pre-government life as an organizational manager. Modi recalled having met a man at a political programme, who introduced himself as "SP" that normally stands for Superintendent of Police. On being asked how could a government official attend a political show, the man clarified he was not a cop but a "sarpanch pati".

With guffaws all around and himself choking with laughter, Modi said, "The law has empowered (women) but SPs are running the show... isn't it true?"

He touched upon the proxy-sarpanch system while describing reservation for women in panchayats as a path-breaking provision that has left even the western world startled.

With panchayati raj minister Birender Singh saying that 14th finance commission would provide panchayats with funds in one term that would be more than what they got in 60 years, Modi said panchayats have to get out of the obsession with budgets and instead provide a vision for development of villages with five-year plans and meticulous work.

The PM's statement is important in view of the budgetary cuts this year that have drawn criticism from states.

Modi said if the amount spent by governments on villages in 60 years was compared with development that has taken place there, one would wonder where all the money went.

"That is why it needs to be thought out at the level of panchayats. There are some states where panchayats prepare their five-year plans and work is carried out in a definite direction," he said.

He said panchayats can tackle problems like school dropouts and running of primary health centres for which they don't have to pay.

He suggested that villages can mobilize present and retired government employees and non-residents to give resources and ideas. He suggested that villages celebrate their birthdays to develop a feeling of pride among residents.

Birender Singh said the seats for panchayat representatives belonging to women/SC/ST should be reserved for two terms (10 years) instead of one.

Driving home women's role in panchayats, Modi recounted his meeting with a panchayat with only-women members (Kheda village of Sardar Patel) and Sarpanch who was a school dropout but said she wanted that there should be no poor in the village. "Has any panchayat ever thought about ending poverty in its village," he asked.

Source: TOI