Women panchayat leaders and micro finance

Photo: Nirmala Buch

Sunita Bai Uike, a thrice elected tribal sarpanch of Panchayat Adarsh Pipariya of Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.

Abstract: Women leaders in the panchayat need to collectively work to increase access to micro finance. A united forum with representatives of self help groups can develop livelihood and micro credit plans and seek the support of banks for funds.

The author is the chairperson, Mahila Chetna Manch, Bhopal. nirmala.buch@gmail.com


Term Power

What is ...

The panchayat is a local self-government at the village level in India. Panchayat systems are often referred to as the grass root level of democracy.

The Indian Constitution defines gram sabha as “a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village". It provides a forum for rural populace to discuss their common problems, ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the panchayat.

It is a 1996 Act which extended the provisions of the panchayat to tribal areas of nine states: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan.

A It is a scheme for computerising databases, accounts and other functions of the panchayat for accountability and transparency under the mission mode programme of the Indian government.

The Backward Regions Grant Fund is designed to redress regional imbalances in development.

The extent to which a state has devolved powers to its panchayat, built its capacities and created a framework for accountability.

It was initiated by Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2010 to devise a structure of incentives to appreciate and encourage the panchayat for outstanding performance, through effective gram sabha.

Earlier known as the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), it was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India in June 2011. The Mission enables the rural poor to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj celebrates the 24th of April as the special day and organises a national conference every year to commemorate it.