By which of the following Chief Ministers, the reservation of women in Panchayats in Uttarakhand was raised from 33% to 50% ?

Vijay Bahuguna
Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri
Harish Rawat
Nityanand Swami

The correct answer is (c) Harish Rawat.

Harish Rawat was the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2014 to 2017. In 2016, he raised the reservation of women in Panchayats in Uttarakhand from 33% to 50%. This was done through the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2016. The Act was passed by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on 24 August 2016 and received the assent of the Governor on 29 August 2016. The Act came into force on 1 September 2016.

The reservation of women in Panchayats in Uttarakhand was first introduced in 1993 through the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act, 1993. The Act provided for the reservation of one-third of the seats in Panchayats for women. This was increased to one-half of the seats in 2016.

The reservation of women in Panchayats has had a positive impact on the empowerment of women in Uttarakhand. Women have been able to participate in decision-making at the local level and have been able to bring about positive changes in their communities. The reservation of women in Panchayats has also helped to improve the status of women in Uttarakhand.

The other options are incorrect.

(a) Vijay Bahuguna was the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2012 to 2014. He did not raise the reservation of women in Panchayats in Uttarakhand.

(b) Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri was the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2007 to 2012. He did not raise the reservation of women in Panchayats in Uttarakhand.

(d) Nityanand Swami is a politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has never been the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.