Lok Sabha Question No. 451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Women Representatives
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: RAMCHARAN BOHARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 451 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2018

## Women Representatives

## †451. SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  elected  women  representatives  in  Panchayati  Raj  Institutions  in  the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the qualitative changes in socio-economic  conditions  by  increasing  participation  of  women  in  Panchayati  Raj Institutions;
- (c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) the strategy  formulated by the Government for the improvement of socio-economic condition of women in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a)     As per the information received from the States/UTs, there are about 13.67 lakh Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). A statement showing number of EWRs, State/UT-wise is given at Annexure.

(b)  &  (c)  A  nationwide  study  on  EWRs  in  Panchayats  commissioned  by  the  Ministry  of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) was published in 2008. The study assessed the empowerment of EWRs in  various  aspects  including  enhancement  of  the  self-esteem,  confidence  and  their  decision making abilities.  The  study  indicated  that  the  participation  of  women  in  Gram  Sabhas  has increased,  and  attention  was  being  given  to  women  related  issues  such  as  drinking  water, sanitation and child-sex ratio. The study reported that EWRs had made efforts to encourage girls'  enrolment  in  schools  and  mitigate  domestic  violence.  Besides,  the  issues  concerning women and children, including achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to women, sanitation and children are given focussed attention with the women taking over leadership at local levels.

(d)  Article 243D of the Constitution ensures participation of women in PRIs by mandating not less than one-third reservation for women out of total number of seats to be filled by direct election  and  number  of  offices  of  chairpersons  of  Panchayats.  Government  has  been encouraging increased involvement of women in the functioning of Panchayats through active participation in the Gram Sabha meetings for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans  and  various  schemes  being  implemented  by  the  Panchayats.  MoPR  has  also  issued advisories to the States to facilitate holding of separate Ward Sabha and Mahila Sabha meetings prior to Gram Sabha meetings, enhancing the presence and participation of women in Gram Sabha  and  Panchayat  meetings,  allocation  of  10%  of  Panchayat  funds  for  women  centric activities and to curb the cases of proxy attendance by relatives of EWRs.

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## Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 451 to be answered on 19.07.2018 regarding 'Women Representatives'

| S. No.   | States / UTs             | Elected Women Representatives (EWRs)   |
|----------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradesh           | 78,025                                 |
| 2        | Andaman &Nicobar Islands | 282                                    |
| 3        | Arunachal Pradesh        | 3,658                                  |
| 4        | Assam                    | 13,410                                 |
| 5        | Bihar                    | 57,887                                 |
| 6        | Chandigarh               | 58                                     |
| 7        | Chhattisgarh             | 93,287                                 |
| 8        | Dadra and Nagar Haveli   | 47                                     |
| 9        | Daman &Diu               | 92                                     |
| 10       | Goa                      | 516                                    |
| 11       | Gujarat                  | 71,988                                 |
| 12       | Haryana                  | 29,499                                 |
| 13       | Himachal Pradesh         | 14,398                                 |
| 14       | Jammu &Kashmir           | 11,169                                 |
| 15       | Jharkhand                | 30,757                                 |
| 16       | Karnataka                | 50,892                                 |
| 17       | Kerala                   | 9,630                                  |
| 18       | Lakshadweep              | 41                                     |
| 19       | Madhya Pradesh           | 1,96,490                               |
| 20       | Maharashtra              | 1,21,490                               |
| 21       | Manipur                  | 868                                    |
| 22       | Odisha                   | 49,618                                 |
| 23       | Punjab                   | 29,190                                 |
| 24       | Rajasthan                | 70,527                                 |
| 25       | Sikkim                   | 548                                    |
| 26       | Tamil Nadu               | 39,975                                 |
| 27       | Telangana                | 52,096                                 |
| 28       | Tripura                  | 3,006                                  |
| 29       | Uttar Pradesh            | 2,72,733                               |
| 30       | Uttarakhand              | 35,957                                 |
| 31       | West Bengal              | 29,518                                 |
|          | Total                    | 13,67,652                              |