Lok Sabha Question No. 2640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-27
Subject: Women Representatives in PRIs
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: RAMCHARAN BOHARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2640

## ANSWERED ON 27.12.2018

## Women Representatives in PRIs

## †2640. SHRI RAM CHARAN BOHRA:

## Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

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

## ANSWER

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

(a) A statement  showing  number  of  EWRs,  State/UT-wise  as  per  information  received from States/UTs 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  have  made  efforts  to encourage girls' enrolment in schools and mitigate domestic violence.

(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, combating the evil of women trafficking, female foeticide, child marriage etc.

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## Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2640 for answer on 27.12.2018 regarding 'Women Representatives in PRIs'

| S. No.   | States / UTs             | Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) (as per last Panchayat elections held in the States/UTs)   |
|----------|--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradesh           | 78,025                                                                                          |
| 2        | Andaman &Nicobar Islands | 282                                                                                             |
| 3        | Arunachal Pradesh        | 3,658                                                                                           |
| 4        | Assam                    | 13,410                                                                                          |
| 5        | Bihar                    | 57,887                                                                                          |
| 6        | Chhattisgarh             | 93,287                                                                                          |
| 7        | Dadra and Nagar Haveli   | 47                                                                                              |
| 8        | Daman &Diu               | 92                                                                                              |
| 9        | Goa                      | 516                                                                                             |
| 10       | Gujarat                  | 71,988                                                                                          |
| 11       | Haryana                  | 29,499                                                                                          |
| 12       | Himachal Pradesh         | 14,398                                                                                          |
| 13       | Jammu &Kashmir           | 11,169                                                                                          |
| 14       | Jharkhand                | 30,757                                                                                          |
| 15       | Karnataka                | 50,892                                                                                          |
| 16       | Kerala                   | 9,630                                                                                           |
| 17       | Lakshadweep              | 41                                                                                              |
| 18       | Madhya Pradesh           | 1,96,490                                                                                        |
| 19       | Maharashtra              | 1,21,490                                                                                        |
| 20       | Manipur                  | 868                                                                                             |
| 21       | Odisha                   | 49,618                                                                                          |
| 22       | Punjab                   | 29,190                                                                                          |
| 23       | Rajasthan                | 70,527                                                                                          |
| 24       | Sikkim                   | 548                                                                                             |
| 25       | Tamil Nadu               | 39,975                                                                                          |
| 26       | Telangana                | 52,096                                                                                          |
| 27       | Tripura                  | 3,006                                                                                           |
| 28       | Uttar Pradesh            | 2,72,733                                                                                        |
| 29       | Uttarakhand              | 35,957                                                                                          |
| 30       | West Bengal              | 29,518                                                                                          |
|          | Total                    | 13,67,594                                                                                       |