Odisha’s ruling party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has created history by forming Zilla Parishads in all 30 districts of the state. Interestingly, 70% of the chairpersons of these Panchayati Raj Institutions are women. “For the first time in history OrissaOdisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, and possibly the same party in the entire country has formed Zilla Parishads (ZPs) in all the districts of the state.
Saraswati Manjhi, 23, has been chosen as the youngest Zilla Parishad President, A B.Sc graduate, she will lead the development activities in Rayagada district. Samri Tangul, 26, of Swabhiman Aanchal, has been elected as the Zilla Parishad President in Malkangiri. Other women Zilla Parishad presidents include Saraswati Manjhi of Far Kashipur block, Kumudini Nayak of Far Bamra block. A total of 21 women have been elected as Zilla Parishad presidents, which is 70% of the total seats, even though women’s reservation is 50% statutory. Major districts of Mayurbhanj, Ganjam, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Bolangir, Sambalpur, and the districts of undivided Koraput (except Navrangpur) are headed by women Zilla Parishad presidents.
The BJD has filled 67 per cent of the Zilla Parishad chairperson seats (unreserved/women) from members of the OBC community.
In his home district of Ganjam, Naveen Patnaik has elected an OBC woman candidate as the Zilla Parishad President.
15 out of 30 districts (50%) have Zilla Parishad presidents below 40 years of age and 23 (76%) out of 30 districts have their own council presidents below 50 years of age.
BJD leaders said the selected candidates have relatively “higher educational qualifications”, with 18 zilla parishad presidents having completed their graduation and 26 of them having completed at least level 2 of education.
The BJD had registered a resounding victory in the three-tier panchayat elections last month by winning 766 of the 852 seats held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 respectively.
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