(a) whether the Government has collected the data pertaining to the socio-economic profile of the elected women representatives;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the manner in which such data is helpful in functioning and strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions?
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ(SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)
(a): A study on Elected Women Representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions had been commissioned by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the report was released in April, 2008.This was based on random sample study.
(b): According to the study, the data of the primary occupation of female Pradhans and Ward Members is at Annexure-I. The State-wise data of educational levels of Pradhans and Ward Members is at Annexure II and III. The data of economic status is at Annexure IV and V.
(c): This data is one of the factors that has helped to chalk out the strategy for exhorting women, at large, and, Elected Women Representatives, in particular, to avail themselves of the measures initiated by the Government under different schemes for their robust participation in the process of decentralized governance at grass-root levels, taking up the issues that affect women in Gram Sabha meetings, their capacity building and training, nurturing of their aspirations to become effective Stake-holders in the process of overall development and dispensation of social-justice.