A Perspective on Political and Economic trend of women in Kinnaur District

A Perspective on Political and Economic trend of women in Kinnaur District

The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, made Panchayati Raj Institutions constitutional, recognizing two important components viz; decentralizing powers in the hands of local community and empowering women through representation in decision making. District Kinnaur, showed little resistance as popularly debated over implementation of this constitutional privilege offered to women folks around the country through 33 percent reservation in local governance rotation wise.
The contemporary status of women in district Kinnaur has not much gone through research studies and attracted scholars other then government’s routine figures based on health and population studies.
Other, then some unique social- cultural insulations in relationship to customs to women, mostly, district is home to patriarchal society; and which, leaves little space for women participation and representation in socio-economic and political in this far flanged tribal community.
A systemic look at Panchayat election held in, concluding year, 2010, has witnessed a change, which has much anticipation in relevance to the challenges faced by predecessors women members in various blocks of district Kinnaur. Non-withstand the fact, the challenges faced by previous members, defeated in recent elections suggests that the work done by them could not accommodate people expectations from them , I think people in Kinnaur acted smartly and subtly sending message across to its representatives that what they want is change for development.
One, can argue over recent incidents which took place amidst chaos and confusion created by “CITU” a central based union with Marxist ideology in hydel project with a bang, sowing seeds of socialism among project affected people in the area, unfortunately, the party after a major support and sympathy lost its ground failing to convince its own idea of sustainbilty and equity.which,ofcourse needs a mention here, pertaining to women groups involment and their outburst on local political leader in power.
Poilitical strife over chairing in Zila Parishad has negative outcome which clearly shows the lacking of leadership and co-ordination among elected members and party leaders. In this fashion if,these trend go over later stages ,development issues will be wiped out and struggle of existence will emerge in the headquater in Reckong Peo.

Women has shown resistance and power and positive outcome of this community organization was minimizing caste politics.Even, the elected new zila parishad member, new to political arena would face the challenge that her predecos face, for lack of vision and power politics that will be decisive behind her.
However, change has been taking place and one should not forget women are now emerging in rural tribal belt as voice of mass in governance and development.

Seed of change in Kinnaur (Approach to Address Community Problems through Community Participation)

Seed of change in Kinnaur (Approach to Address Community Problems through Community Participation)


Fragile Kinnaur District and its People have seen major economic and social progress in early twenty first century. The development of Kinnaur community as a whole in terms of economic and social development has been relatively at par with each other.
Positive aspects of this development can be seen in household economic sustainability over the years of accumulation of wealth and resources shared by community.
Thus, one can be assured of no one being victim of basic needs deprivation, which is byproduct of government’s schemes launched post independence era for the welfare of tribal people in India. District Kinnaur major source of income is horticulture & Agriculture and there is almost negligible economic value of small scale industries in here.
We have to admit that we the people of Kinnaur are indifferent to an organized development on any issue.
The three major geographical division is not only divided on the lines of administration but much by the cultural pattern, which has adversely somehow seen in their feelings toward each other, in spite, of being latent.
The action groups in recent times over the issue of hydro-power project settlements in Kinnaur has been a major failure for poor planning and organization and much of confusion among educated people.
The time has come to enrich our selves with knowledge and more unified action from the community itself to address or lest we become pray to nationalism. The history of land in Kinnaur has itself witnessed such oppression from state but lesson was not learned, other than blame game that took place post Pragramang .
In Modern era of communication technology we have certainly formed the groups out of economic / social/political necessity, which needs to be called upon to identify the issues by objectively studying history and present status of people in district and work on planning and building unanimous representation of needs and problems of community through community itself.

Note: My dear friends, this draft needs citations and improvement in terms of historical events, Ideologies and Groups and Community in District Kinnaur. Opinions and suggestions from all the community members “Kinnaur” are invited for further development on the work.