03-07-2025
56 Mahila Samras Gram Panchayats emerge in Gujarat, Mehsana tops the list
Out of the total 761 gram panchayats which were declared Samras in the recent elections of over 4,500 gram panchayats, 56 have emerged as Mahila Samras Gram Panchayat, according to a statement from Gujarat government issued on Thursday. Of the 56 such Mahila Samras Gram Panchayats, Mehsana has a maximum of nine followed by Patan (7), Bhavnagar (6), Banaskantha (6) and Vadodara (4), the government added.
Samras Gram Panchayat is a scheme of Gujarat government under which villagers choose their ward members and sarpanch with consensus and do not go to polls. If all unopposed ward members and Sarpanch are women, it is known as a Mahila Samaras Gram Panchayat.
Those villages which become Samras get special benefits from the state government. The scheme was launched by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2001.
The 56 Mahila Samras Gram Panchayats include Ilampur Gram Panchayat and Chadasana Gram Panchayat in Patan districts. As per the government release, the two gram panchayats have become Mahila Samras Gram Panchayat for the fifth consecutive time. While Ilampur has become Mahila Samras Gram Panchayat for the first time, Chadasana has got the distinction for the second time. Both the gram panchayats will receive a grant of Rs 8.50 lakh each from the state government for development purposes. Both the panchayats have a total of nine members each including the Sarpanch.
Quoting Ilampur Sarpanch Kesarben Thakor, the release stated, 'Ilampur, with a population of over 1,100, has never had Panchayat elections since Independence. People here are mostly involved in farming and animal husbandry. With the grant we receive, we are committed to ensuring that the village sees real and lasting development.'
Meanwhile, Chadasana Sarpanch Amathiben Desai was quoted as saying, 'Chadasana has a population of 547, where people from all communities live with mutual respect and unity. If the village continues to remain Samaras, peace will prevail and development will continue without disruption.'
