To prevent the practice of proxy attendance by husband or relatives of female councillors in the meetings of municipalities of the state, the Haryana government has decided to remove the councillors in case they themselves remain absent for more than three consecutive meetings of municipalities and their relatives represent them.

While stating this on Monday, Urban Local Bodies minister, Kavita Jain said that the practice of proxy attendance by relatives of female councillors in the meetings of municipalities was of great concern and occurrence of which has been increasing day by day.

She said that the present government was giving impetus to ensure increased participation of women in politics and in decision making so as to fully empower them.

At present, 42 per cent representation in municipalities was that of women.  If instead of raising their voices to express their opinion on their own, they allow their relatives to do so; their political abilities would not develop and grow. In such circumstances, the initiative taken by the present government to politically empower them would be completely lost.

The decision to remove the councillors in case they allow their relatives to represent them and remain themselves absented in three successive meetings of the municipalities has been taken to ensure that elected women councillors attend the meetings of municipalities.

The principal secretary, Urban Local Bodies had issued directions in this regard to all the Commissioners, Municipal Corporations, Executive Officer, Municipal Councils and secretary, Municipal Committees.

They have also been directed to hold the meetings of the Municipalities once in a month in consonance with section 25 of Haryana Municipal Committees Act 1973 and section 52 of Haryana Municipal Corporation Act 1994 so as to ensure accelerated development of urban areas.

Besides this, directions have also been given to strictly implement section 14(C) of Haryana Municipal Act 1973 and section 34(D) of Haryana Municipal Corporation Act 1994 under which councillors could be removed for remaining absent in three consecutive meetings of the municipalities.