Survey on initiatives by elected representatives in panchayats

New Delhi, July 11 (UNI) A survey on developmental initiatives taken by elected representatives of panchayats has revealed active involvement of 72 per cent of them in providing civil amenities like streetlights, drinking water and others during their current term.

Among these 72 per cent, there was a higher proportion of Pradhans(89 per cent) as compared to ward members. There was also a variation between male (76 per cent) and female representatives (70 per cent).

When questioned about the types of amenities they helped provide, the majority of elected representatives (86.4 per cent) mentioned drinking water, 74.3 per cent mentioned road construction and 70 per cent sanitation.

A higher proportion of women reported they helped provide street lights (61 per cent as compared to 57 per cent males), drinking water (87 per cent to 85 per cent), construction of bus shelters (33 per cent to 25 per cent).

Other than these developmental issues, the survey sought to test whether the process of empowerment through Panchayati Raj had helped in other areas like increasing female literacy levels or contain incidents of domestic violence.

The women representatives were questioned about their involvement in promoting school enrolment of girl children and their role in reducing incidents of domestic violence. Almost 78 per cent of female Pradhans reported making special efforts to encourage girls to go to school, in comparison to 59 per cent of the female ward members.

UNI AR SB HT1740