Panchayati Raj
Bihar GK · पंचायती राज
📋Quick Overview
Bihar enacted the Bihar Panchayat Raj Act 2006 implementing the three-tier Panchayati Raj system as mandated by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Bihar was among the pioneering states to provide 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), making it a model for women's political empowerment. The JEEViKA program has transformed rural livelihoods through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
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Bihar's JEEViKA (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project) has become one of India's most successful SHG programs with over 1 crore women members in 10+ lakh Self-Help Groups. It provides micro-finance, skill development, and livelihood support to rural poor.
📖Three-Tier Panchayati Raj Structure
| Tier | Body | Number in Bihar | Head | Election |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Tier (Village) | Gram Panchayat | 8,463 | Mukhiya | Direct election by village voters |
| Second Tier (Block) | Panchayat Samiti | 534 | Pramukh | Indirect election by ward members |
| Third Tier (District) | Zila Parishad | 38 | Adhyaksha (Chairperson) | Indirect election by Panchayat Samiti members |
📖Women's Reservation in Bihar PRIs
- •Bihar was among the FIRST states to provide 50% reservation for women in all three tiers of PRIs (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad) from 2006.
- •This led to a massive increase in women's political participation — Bihar has lakhs of elected women representatives.
- •Mukhiya (head of Gram Panchayat): Directly elected; 50% seats reserved for women.
📖JEEViKA — Bihar's Rural Livelihoods Mission
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP) — 'JEEViKA' |
| Launched | 2006 (World Bank supported); scaled up under NRLM |
| Members | Over 1 crore women in 10+ lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) |
| Services | Micro-finance (small loans), skill training, marketing support, Aajeevika |
| Achievement | Recognized as one of India's most successful SHG programs; UNDP award |