Ahmedabad, 10 March 2012

In a gala function held today at Gujarat University convention hall in Ahmedbad Chief Minister Narendra felicitated 831 female sarpanchs of samras village panchayats and gave away incentive prizes worth Rs.22.50 crore.

Chief Minister said that women in villages have already proved their leadership guts by effectively managing water distribution work through WASMO and by being successful in dairy and animal husbandry industry. The female sarpanchs have all the strengths required to bring grassroots changes in villages. They should feel as if they are the chief ministers or prime ministers of their area and should effectively manage the panchayat administration.

Chief Minister called upon the female sarpanchs to live by the trust the village people reposed on them by effectively handling the panchayat administration. They should make sure that all the money allocated for the village should be used for the welfare works. Mr. Modi also appealed them to make sure every house in the village gets toilets and the villages remained clean so that they do not become victims of epidemics.

As many as 250 village panchayats have become samras entirely. It is unique and commendable that males of these villages have given a way to women for taking charge of panchayat administration. This will infuse villages with fresh vigor, Chief Minister said.

Referring to Mission Mangalam and sakhimanadals Chief Minister said that with such unique steps the state government has helped around 2.5 lakh rural women to get free from the shackles of debt and other financial problems by their economical empowerment.

In his welcome address Chief Secretary Mr. A K Joti gave information on various measures that has been taken for women empowerment.

State cabinet members Mr. Narottam Patel, Mrs. Anandiben Patel, Mr. Ramanlal Vora, Mr. Parbat Patel, Mr. Jaswantsinh Bhabhor, Mrs. Vasuben Trivedi, Mr. Mohan Kundariya, Mr. Jitendra Sukhadiya, Chairman of Women Commission Lilaben Ankoliya, MPs, MLAs, government office bearers, top officials, female sarpanchs and women in large number were present on the occasion.