Priyadarshini Mahila Gram Sabhas will be organised in 50,000 villages of 22,812 gram panchayats of the State on November 19 on the birth anniversary of the country’s first woman Prime Minister Late Smt. Indira Gandhi. The woman sarpanch or woman panch will preside over the gram sabhas. Special discussion will be held on social and economic development of women and topics related to their welfare in gram sabhas.
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Kamleshwar Patel informed that the new government in the state decided that “Sabla Mahila Sabha” would be organized on International Women’s Day on March 8 and “Priyadarshini Mahila Gram Sabha on November 19 on the birthday of former Prime Minister Late Smt. Indira Gandhi to ensure participation of women in village development. One government official has been appointed as nodal officer for each gram sabha.
The information of the gram sabha will be given by beating of drums to the villagers in the morning on November 19. Patel told that members of women self-help groups will be honoured in the gram sabhas for their remarkable achievements in various schemes including MNREGA for women empowerment. On this occasion, the role of women masons in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and self-help groups in mid-day meals will also be discussed.
Activities of Women-Child Development Department, health of women and children, PCPNDT Act and grand celebration of birth of girl child will be discussed in detail in the gram sabhas. In addition, directions have been given to hold discussion on subjects like programmes run by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Kalyani pension under Social Justice and Disabled Welfare Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan/Vivah Yojana, prevention of harassment of women and drug-de-addiction.
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Kamleshwar Patel said that ministers in charge of districts, local ministers, elected representatives and local MLAs will take part in the gram sabhas. Ministers in charge will take part in at least one gram sabha in their district compulsorily.