Female mukhiyas are not lagging behind their male counterparts when it comes to rural infrastructure projects.

Right from setting up of primary health centre to installation of new hand pumps, digging of wells to construction of public toilets — the women heads of Jharkhand villages are taking the lead to ensure that work is completed on time and every household is able to reap the benefits of rural schemes.

On Wednesday, 29 female mukhiyas were felicitated for their exemplary contribution to development in their respective areas at a function organised by Jharkhand Panchayat Women Resource Centre at State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) in the state capital.

The performers from Ranchi, Simdega, Hazaribagh, West Singhbhum, Jamtara, Dhanbad, Chatra, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Bokaro and Ramgarh were conferred with Jharkhand Panchayat Mahila Samman. Each received a shawl, certificate of honour and a book by well-known Hindi author Premchand.

“You are playing a vital role in the development of panchayats and also empowering women, who are otherwise ignorant about government schemes,” said state development commissioner A.K. Sarkar, who was the chief guest, while addressing the fair gathering. He added that the mukhiyas’ efforts were helping in ushering in a new era of development with drastic changes visible in all sectors, be it health or education.

Some of those who were feted shared their success stories.

Sashikala Tirkey of Kadopani panchayat in Simdega district said she had constructed 40 toilets in her panchayat. “Women in my area no longer have to go to fields now,” she added.

Kamla Devi of Hariharpur Jaamtoli panchayat in Ranchi district has made provisions for 20 wells. “We have altogether nine villages in our panchayat. Our main aim is to provide water facilities to each and every household,” she added.

Urmila Devi of Jaria panchayat in Ranchi district has imparted training to women to prepare vermicompost, besides providing them dealership of ration shops.