PRAGATI took an initiative to take 50 women represtentatives from all the districts of Uttaranchal, which comprised of Pradhans, Zila Pramukh (ZP), Kshetra Panchayat Sadasya, and Ward Members to the National Convention of Panchayati Raj representatives. It was held at New Delhi on 22nd-23rd Dec. 2001. This Convention was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the historical 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. The delegation was unique in itself and was eagerly watched by all the participants as it was all women delegation. The women participants felt that it was a great exercise and were found to be infused with lot of confidence and determination. They got an opportunity to directly interact with the dignitaries, which as a result helped them in raising their confidence level and putting their difficulties and problems on a big platform. Ms. Radha, Pradhan of Meethiberi, district Dehra Dun got an opportunity to address the convention. She highlighted the difficulties faced by the local representatives and specially the women representatives in delivering their duties. She stressed upon the need for devaluation of more power to the Panchayats and developing greater transparency in the state administration.
There were fifteen thousand delegates from all over India, which comprised of elected representatives and presidents of Zila and Block Panchayat and Sarpanchs of Gram Panchayats. The delegation from Uttaranchal was unique in its very representation, as all the delegates from this new state was of women.
Mr. Anna Hazare, an eminent Social activist, inaugurated the convention. Mr. Calivis, UNICEF's India Representatives delivered the Keynote address to the Convention. The Panchayati Raj Minister of West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan also addressed the convention. The other important speakers were, Mr. Mani Sankar Iyer, M.P (Indian National Congress), Mr. Yerrannaidu of Telugu Desam Party, Mr. Sahib Singh Verma of Bhartiya Janata Party, Ms. Jaya Jaitly of Samata Party, Ms. Kiran Bedi and other speakers.
The speakers stressed on the importance of local self governance, and how it has helped to empowered the under- privileged, by guaranteeing them one of the basic Human Rights i.e. "right to participation". However the speakers felt that still the basic aims and objectives of the Panchayati Raj remains still to be realized.
The speakers commented upon certain states who have not been able to held their elections in five years, and have been neglecting the local self governance .The speakers also talked about giving more power to the Panchayats and requested upon the states for the devaluation of such powers to the Panchayats. They felt there was a need for giving more financial and administrative autonomy to the state Panchayats.
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