Workshop discussions were organized in four sessions with the first session starting at 10.00 am and chaired by Mrs. Radha Devi, Mukhia, Behat Panchayat, Lakhnaur, Madhubani and Mr. Prakash Luis of Bihar Social Institute; Patna, who spoke on the issue of 50% reservation policy and problems and possibilities related with it.

Mr. Luis also included a brief history of reservation of PRI seats for women that started in 1987 when Karnataka Government introduced 25% reservation for women in PRIs. He mentioned a number of prospects and possibilities towards rural development in Bihar through 50% women membership.

He, however, also mentioned some negative aspects of it including dependence of the elected PRI women on their husbands and father-in-laws, lack of experience, illiteracy among the PRI women members making it very difficult to discharge there duties in a responsible manner, among others.

This was followed by group discussion were participants took active part in raising some key concerns on the topic.

Second session of the workshop was chaired by Mrs. Neelam Devi, Mukhia, Kanhauli Panchayat, Khajauli, Madhubani and Dr. K. K. Sinha, Emeritus Scientist, UGC, New Delhi who highlighted the issue in the context of ensuring good government at the grassroots level. They also mentioned the positive and negative aspects of 50% reservation of women in PRIs.