Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, has highlighted that nearly 1.4 million women across the country are associated with Panchayati Raj Institutions today. He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural event of Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyaan at the National Conference for Elected Women Representatives in New Delhi today. Mr Singh said that the government has taken several initiatives, including the Lakhpati Didi and Namo Drone Didi schemes, to empower women. He also stressed the need for skill development in Panchayati Raj institutions to instil confidence among women. 

Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi emphasized that women-led development brings positive change to society as well as economic growth. She also mentioned the government initiative of passing a resolution for 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for women, urging women representatives to be an inspiration to their villages through their good work.

Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse also attended the event.

More than 1,200 elected Women Representatives participated in the event, which was organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in commemoration of International Women’s Day, to be observed on the 8th of March. During the event, 23 elected Women Representatives received awards for the extraordinary work they have done in their panchayats.