The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has started the "Say No to Proxy Sarpanch" campaign to end the 'Sarpanch Pati' practice, in which male relatives exercise power on behalf of elected women village heads.
The drive seeks to strengthen elected women sarpanches and discourage such proxy leadership, while encouraging greater participation of women in grassroots governance under the Panchayati Raj system. Launched around International Women's Day, the campaign will continue until 18 March.