'Rajasthan has announced 50 percent reservation that will be implemented in the next panchayat election in early 2010. Kerala, too, has announced 50 percent reservation for women in panchayats and other local bodies.

'In Uttarakhand, women have an overwhelming 55 percent representation in panchayats and many of them contested from non-reserved seats as well and won. However, the amendment of article 243 of the constitution will exclude states like Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur,' she said.

Radhika Jain, a sociology professor at Delhi University who is also associated with NGOs, however, added: 'Nonetheless, we are happy at the beginning of this kind of a movement. Panchayats continue to be the first step for women leaders.'

Charulekha Singh, a women's rights activist said: 'This decision sets a precedent for providing greater opportunities for the women of this country to take part in decisions at the governance level.'