BlockOpen government data

Riga Block

रीगा · Bihar › Sitamarhi

Gram Panchayats
16
Villages
42
Schools
133

Quick answer

Riga is a development block in Sitamarhi district, Bihar, with 16 gram panchayats and 42 villages (LGD code 2102). This directory lists 133 schools and 34 post offices here.

· Sources: LGD, Election Commission of India, Census 2011 and other open government data

About Riga Block

Riga (रीगा) is a development block in Sitamarhi district, Bihar, part of the Tirhut Division. It’s the middle tier of Panchayati Raj: the elected Panchayat Samiti is headed by the Pramukh (Panchayat Samiti), and the Block Development Officer (BDO) runs the block office. LGD code: 2102.

Riga block has 16 gram panchayats covering 42 revenue villages. By number of panchayats it ranks 8 of the 17 blocks in Sitamarhi district. Its villages come under Riga anchal.

As the crow flies, Riga is about 4.3 km west of Sitamarhi headquarters.

In Vidhan Sabha elections, the block is part of Riga and Sitamarhi.

Riga at a glance

NameRiga / रीगा
TypeBlock
LGD code2102
DistrictSitamarhi
DivisionTirhut Division
StateBihar
Gram Panchayats16
Villages42
Coordinates26.6104° N, 85.4419° E
Schools133
Post Offices34

Map of Riga

Points are approximate, based on State Election Commission polling-centre locations. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Riga Block Gram Panchayat List

Riga Block has 16 gram panchayats. Open any of them to see its villages, Mukhiya, polling centres, nearby facilities and schemes.

Gram PanchayatName in HindiVillagesLGD code
Anahariअनाहारी4101109
Bhagwanpurभगवानपुर4101110
Bhawdepurभवदेपुर2101111
Bulakipurबुलाकीपुर5101112
Ganeshpur Babhangamaगणेशपुर बाभंगामा2101113
Kusumariकुसुमारी2101114
Mehasiaमेहासिया5101115
Pakri Mathwaपकरी मत्वा4101116
Posua Pataniaपोसुआ पटनिया5101117
Rewasiरेवासी1101118
Riga Firstरगा फर्स्ट0101119
Riga Secondरगा सेकेंड1101120
Sahbajpurसाहबाजपुर3101121
Sirahiसिराही2101122
Sirauli Firstसिरौली फर्स्ट1101123
Sirauli Secondसिरौली सेकेंड1101124

Population of Riga

We’re still adding village-level census tables for this area. Meanwhile, here are the Census 2011 rural figures for Sitamarhi district, which Riga is part of:

Census 2011, rural areas
Rural population32,33,076
Rural households6,99,274
Rural literacy rate50.8%
Rural sex ratio900
Rural SC population share12.0%
Rural work participation32.7%

Health and household indicators (NFHS-5)

These NFHS-5 (2019–21) health and household figures are for Sitamarhi district, where Riga is. They’re district averages, not figures for the village itself:

IndicatorSitamarhi
Women who are literate51.7%
Women with 10+ years of schooling19.2%
Institutional births64.4%
Children 12–23 months fully vaccinated66.6%
Children under 5 who are stunted54.2%
Women (15–49) who are anaemic61.7%
Households using clean cooking fuel40.5%
Households with improved sanitation50.7%
Households with electricity93.1%
Households with health insurance20.7%
Households with improved drinking water99.7%

Work and livelihood

As in most of rural Bihar, people around Riga live mainly off farming (wheat, maize and pulses such as lentil in the Rabi season, paddy or maize in the Kharif season, depending on the area), along with dairy and job guarantee wage work. Since July 2026 that’s VB-G RAM G, which replaced MGNREGA: a household with a job card from the gram panchayat can get at least 125 days of paid work a year. Farmers can sign up for PM-KISAN and a Kisan Credit Card through the block agriculture office or a Common Service Centre.

Riga Block office: BDO and contacts

The Block Development Officer (BDO) heads the Riga block office, with assistant officers for agriculture, cooperatives, panchayats, social welfare and statistics. The elected Panchayat Samiti, made up of directly elected members and the Mukhiyas of the block’s gram panchayats, chooses the Pramukh (Panchayat Samiti) and approves the block development plan.

Go to the Riga block office for PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) houses, Swachh Bharat toilets, pension verification, job guarantee problems (VB-G RAM G, earlier MGNREGA) and complaints about a gram panchayat. You can also file a complaint on Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran (lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in) or call helpline 1800 345 6284.

Riga Pramukh (Panchayat Samiti) and MLAs

Panchayat elections

Mukhiya seats won by women
40%2021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar
Candidates per Mukhiya seat
11.02021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar

Women won 6 of the 15 Mukhiya seats in Riga in the 2021 panchayat election (40%), 1 of them on seats not reserved for women. 2021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar

In the 2021 panchayat election, an average of 11.0 candidates stood for each Mukhiya's seat in Riga, against 8.2 across Bihar.

How Riga scores on the Panchayat Advancement Index

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0) gives every gram panchayat a score from 0 to 100 on nine themes of the Localised Sustainable Development Goals. It uses about 150 indicators that panchayats report and block and district officials check.

PAI score
51.6/1002023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)

Across its panchayats, Riga averages 51.6 out of 100 in the Panchayat Advancement Index 2023-24, 6th of 17 in Sitamarhi, about the same as the Bihar average of 51.9. 2023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)

None of the 15 scored panchayats of Riga reached the Front Runner band (75+) in 2023-24.

Scores on the nine development themes

Poverty-free and enhanced livelihoods61.2
Healthy panchayat58.1
Child-friendly panchayat39.5
Water-sufficient panchayat46.9
Clean and green panchayat51.4
Self-sufficient infrastructure43.1
Socially just and secured67.7
Good governance58.3
Women-friendly panchayat49.0

Riga does best on “Socially just and secured” (67.7) and worst on “Child-friendly panchayat” (39.5). That 28-point gap shows where the next Gram Panchayat Development Plan could focus. 2023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)

Schools in and near Riga

Riga Block has 133 schools on record. See the full list of schools

This list comes from the Ministry of Education’s UDISE+ school register. It covers government, government-aided and private schools and madrasas, each by the highest stage it teaches, from primary to higher secondary. See udiseplus.gov.in for a school’s full record.

Banks (IFSC), post office (PIN) and CSC near Riga

On record in Riga Block: 34 Post Offices.

Facilities at a glance

FacilityCount
🏫 Schools133View list
📮 Post Offices34View list
🚉 Railway Stations3View list

How to reach Riga

The nearest railway station to the centre of Riga is Tapaswinarayan Nagar Halt, about 2.4 km away.

The nearest airport is Darbhanga Airport, about 66 km away.

PlaceTypeDistanceDirection
Sitamarhi headquartersDistrict4.3 kmwest
Tapaswinarayan Nagar Halt (TNNH)Railway Station2.4 kmnorth
Riga (RIGA)Railway Station4.1 kmnorth-west
Sitamarhi Jn (SMI)Railway Station6.5 kmeast
Darbhanga AirportAirport66 kmsouth-east
Jay Prakash Narayan AirportAirport119 kmsouth

Distances are straight-line; by road it's usually 20–40% farther.

How far Riga is from everyday services

Straight-line distances from the panchayat's mapped centre to the nearest facility of each kind. By road, expect them to be 20–40% longer.

Nearest bank branch
6.1 kmCalculatedRBI bank branch list
Nearest railway station
4.4 kmCalculatedDataMeet railways

A typical gram panchayat in Riga is 4.4 km from the nearest railway station. CalculatedDataMeet railways

On average, a gram panchayat in Riga is 6.1 km from the nearest bank branch (closer than the Bihar average of 7.5 km). Gram panchayats in Riga are, on average, 2.2 km from the nearest post office.

Places near Riga

The Blocks closest to Riga, by straight-line distance between their approximate centres:

BlockDistrictDistanceDirection
SuppiSitamarhi10 kmnorth-west
DumraSitamarhi10 kmsouth-east
BathanahaSitamarhi12 kmnorth-east
PurnahiyaSheohar12 kmwest
ParsauniSitamarhi12 kmsouth
PiprahiSheohar13 kmsouth-west

Other Blocks in Sitamarhi

Citizen services: how to get things done

MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job card and work

  1. Apply for a job card at your gram panchayat with photos and Aadhaar of the adult members of the household. An old MGNREGA job card with e-KYC done stays valid until the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card is issued.
  2. Ask for work in writing and keep the receipt. You now have a right to at least 125 days a year, and if work doesn’t come in the set time, you’re entitled to an unemployment allowance. Check attendance and wage payments on nrega.nic.in with your job card number.

Old-age, widow and disability pension

  1. Apply online on RTPS Bihar (social security pension) (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter. Attach proof of age (or of your spouse’s death, or of disability), an income certificate, Aadhaar and your bank passbook.
  2. In villages, the Riga Block Development Officer (BDO) verifies the application. Once it’s sanctioned, the pension goes straight into your bank account.

Ration card

  1. To get a new ration card or add family members, apply on RTPS Bihar (ration card service) (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter. The card is made out in the name of the eldest woman of the household.
  2. In villages, Riga block officials check the application and the supply inspector or District Supply Officer approves it.

Income, caste and domicile certificates

  1. Apply at a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter or on RTPS Bihar (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in). Take your Aadhaar, a photo and a signed self-declaration.
  2. The application goes to your Anchal. The Rajasva Karmachari checks it in the village and the Circle Inspector sends the report on.
  3. The Circle Officer (CO) issues a digitally signed certificate, usually within 7–15 working days. Track it online with your application number.

Complaints and Right to Information (RTI)

  1. Complain about any government service on Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran (lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in) or call 1800 345 6284. It goes to the officer responsible, and you can track what happens online.
  2. To find out what the panchayat spent and on which works, file an RTI application (₹10 fee) with the Public Information Officer at Riga block. Works and payments are also listed on egramswaraj.gov.in.

Portals and procedures change, so check with the office before you apply. If a link has moved, look for the service by name on the portal's home page.

Special programmes

Sitamarhi is an Aspirational District under NITI Aayog’s programme, so schemes in Riga may get extra monitoring and convergence funding. 2018Wider-area figure: SitamarhiNITI Aayog

Government schemes for residents of Riga

These schemes, from the central government and the Government of Bihar, matter most to households in Riga. Each card says who can apply, what you get and where to apply locally. Open a scheme for the full rules, the documents you need and the steps.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)

Financial help to build a pucca house with basic amenities for rural families who are homeless or live in kutcha houses.

Benefit₹1.20 lakh in plain areas (plus rural job scheme wages (VB-G RAM G, earlier MGNREGA) and a Swachh Bharat toilet)
Who can applyHouseless or kutcha-house families identified through SECC/Awaas+ survey and approved by the Gram Sabha
Where to applythe panchayat secretary and the block office

Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), VB-G RAM G (earlier MGNREGA)

From 1 July 2026 this Act replaces MGNREGA. Every rural household can get at least 125 days of paid unskilled work a year on works the Gram Sabha approves, such as ponds, roads, plantations and farm bunds. Old e-KYC'd MGNREGA job cards stay valid until the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.

BenefitAt least 125 days of work a year at the notified wage, paid weekly or within 15 days into your bank or post office account
Who can applyAny adult member of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work
Where to applythe panchayat secretary and the block office

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Income support of ₹6,000 a year, paid in three instalments of ₹2,000 directly to the bank accounts of land-holding farmer families.

Benefit₹6,000 per year in three instalments
Who can applyFarmer families owning cultivable land (with exclusions for taxpayers, pensioners and officials); e-KYC and land seeding required
Where to applythe nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), online and the block office

Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman card)

Cashless hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at empanelled government and private hospitals; all citizens aged 70+ are also covered.

BenefitHealth cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year
Who can applySECC-listed deprived families, NFSA ration-card families covered by the UP extension, and senior citizens 70+
Where to applythe nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and online

Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (household toilet)

Incentive to build an individual household toilet, plus solid and liquid waste management works in villages under ODF Plus.

Benefit₹12,000 incentive for a household toilet
Who can applyRural households without a toilet (BPL and identified APL categories)
Where to applythe panchayat secretary, the block office and online

Jal Jeevan Mission – Har Ghar Jal

Functional household tap connection providing safe drinking water to every rural home, managed with the village water and sanitation committee.

BenefitFree household tap connection
Who can applyAll rural households
Where to applythe panchayat secretary

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (free LPG connection)

Deposit-free LPG connection with first refill and stove for women from poor households.

BenefitFree LPG connection, first refill and stove
Who can applyAdult women from poor households without an existing LPG connection
Where to applyonline and the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Maternity benefit for pregnant and lactating mothers to compensate wage loss and support nutrition.

Benefit₹5,000 for the first child; ₹6,000 if the second child is a girl
Who can applyPregnant women and lactating mothers (excluding regular government employees)
Where to applythe Anganwadi centre and online

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (zero-balance account)

Basic savings bank account with no minimum balance, RuPay debit card with accident insurance and overdraft facility.

BenefitZero-balance account, RuPay card, ₹2 lakh accident cover
Who can applyAny Indian resident aged 10+ without a bank account
Where to applyyour bank branch

Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

Short-term crop loans at a subsidised interest rate for farmers, livestock and fisheries, with interest subvention for prompt repayment.

BenefitCrop loan at an effective 4% interest on timely repayment (up to ₹3 lakh)
Who can applyOwner and tenant farmers, sharecroppers, SHGs/JLGs of farmers, animal husbandry and fisheries farmers
Where to applyyour bank branch

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Cash assistance for institutional delivery in government hospitals, with free transport and care arranged through the ASHA.

Benefit₹1,400 to rural mothers for institutional delivery
Who can applyPregnant women delivering in a government or accredited facility
Where to applythe Anganwadi centre

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (crop insurance)

Crop insurance against natural calamities, pests and diseases at a low farmer premium (2% Kharif, 1.5% Rabi).

BenefitCompensation for notified crop losses
Who can applyAll farmers growing notified crops in notified areas
Where to applyyour bank branch, the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and online

PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima & PM Suraksha Bima Yojana

Low-cost life cover (₹2 lakh for ₹436 a year) and accident cover (₹2 lakh for ₹20 a year) through your bank account.

Benefit₹2 lakh life cover and ₹2 lakh accident cover
Who can applyBank account holders aged 18–50 (life) and 18–70 (accident)
Where to applyyour bank branch

DAY-NRLM / UP State Rural Livelihood Mission (women's self-help groups)

Organises rural women into self-help groups with revolving funds, bank credit and livelihood training; members can become BC Sakhi, Lakhpati Didi and more.

BenefitRevolving fund, community investment fund and low-interest bank loans
Who can applyWomen from rural households, especially poor and vulnerable families
Where to applythe block office

Browse all government schemes

Terrain and climate of Riga

Elevation
69 mCalculatedSRTM elevation model
Average annual rainfall
1,216 mm2001-2020CalculatedNASA POWER

The gram panchayats of Riga lie at an average of about 69 metres above sea level. CalculatedSRTM elevation model

Riga gets roughly 1,200 mm of rain in an average year. The land around it is almost flat: heights within 2 km vary by only about 9 m, typical of the alluvial plains.

Land cover around Riga

Land cover within about 2 km

  • Cropland 69%
  • Tree cover 21%
  • Built-up land 9.1%
  • Water and wetland 0.1%
  • Grass and scrub 0.6%

Averaged over its gram panchayats, the land around Riga's villages is about 69% cropland, 21% tree cover and 9% built-up (ESA WorldCover 2021). 2021CalculatedESA WorldCover 2021

From the blog

Stories from Riga Block

Riga Block: frequently asked questions

Which district is Riga Block in?

Riga Block is in Sitamarhi district (Tirhut Division).

How many gram panchayats are there in Riga Block?

There are 16 gram panchayats in Riga Block.

How many villages are there in Riga Block?

Riga Block has 42 revenue villages.

Where is the Riga block office and what does it do?

The Riga block office (Khand Vikas Karyalaya) is at the block headquarters in Sitamarhi district. It deals with VB-G RAM G (earlier MGNREGA), PM Awas Yojana (Gramin), pension verification, Swachh Bharat Mission and most gram panchayat matters, so it’s where you go when the panchayat can’t sort something out.

Which assembly constituencies cover Riga Block?

Riga Block is spread over 2 assembly constituencies: Riga and Sitamarhi.

Who are the MLAs of Riga Block?

Which Lok Sabha constituencies and MPs cover Riga Block?

Which gram panchayat in Riga Block has the most villages?

Bulakipur has the most villages (5).

Show 14 more questions

How many Mukhiyas in Riga Block are women?

In the 2021 panchayat election, women won 6 of the 15 Mukhiya seats here (40%).

How many candidates contested each Mukhiya seat in Riga Block in 2021?

In the 2021 panchayat election, an average of 11.0 candidates contested each Mukhiya seat in Riga Block. No Mukhiya seat was won unopposed.

How do the panchayats of Riga perform in the Panchayat Advancement Index?

The gram panchayats of Riga average 51.6 out of 100 in PAI 2023-24, about the same as the Bihar average of 51.9.

How many banks and post offices are there in Riga Block?

We list 34 post offices in Riga Block.

How far is Riga Block from Sitamarhi district headquarters?

The centre of Riga Block is about 4.3 km west of Sitamarhi district headquarters as the crow flies; by road it will be further.

Which is the nearest railway station to Riga Block?

The nearest railway station to the centre of Riga Block is Tapaswinarayan Nagar Halt (TNNH), about 2.4 km away as the crow flies. Other stations close by: Riga (RIGA), 4.1 km; Sitamarhi Jn (SMI), 6.5 km.

Which is the nearest airport to Riga Block?

The nearest airport to the centre of Riga Block is Darbhanga Airport (DBR), about 66 km away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (PAT), about 119 km away.

Which blocks are near Riga Block?

Neighbouring blocks of Riga Block: Suppi (10 km), Dumra (10 km), Bathanaha (12 km), Purnahiya (12 km) and Parsauni (12 km).

How can I check MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job cards or the PM Awas (Gramin) list for Riga Block?

On nrega.nic.in, pick the state, district Sitamarhi and block Riga, then your gram panchayat, to see job cards and wage payments. The PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) list works the same way on pmayg.dord.gov.in. Both schemes are run from the Riga block office by the Block Development Officer (BDO). MGNREGA became VB-G RAM G on 1 July 2026.

How do I apply for a pension in Riga Block?

For old-age, widow or disability pension, apply online on RTPS Bihar (social security pension) (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter. The Block Development Officer (BDO) verifies rural applications from Riga block, and once approved the pension goes straight into your bank account, so make sure the account is linked to Aadhaar.

How can I file a complaint with the Riga Block administration?

File your complaint on Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran (lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in) or call helpline 1800 345 6284. It goes to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Riga Block and the department concerned, and you can track it online with the complaint number.

What is the altitude of Riga Block above sea level?

The gram panchayats of Riga Block lie at an average of about 69 metres above sea level (SRTM terrain model).

How much rainfall does Riga Block get, and how hot does it get?

On 2001-2020 averages, the gram panchayats of Riga Block get about 1,220 mm of rain a year, 82% of it between June and September. The hottest days reach about 45°C, while the coldest nights fall to about 2°C. (NASA POWER satellite-model estimates)

How much farmland and tree cover is there around Riga Block?

Around the gram panchayats of Riga Block, the land is on average 69% cropland, 21% tree cover and 9% built-up land, going by ESA WorldCover 2021 satellite maps.

Data sources and updates

We built this page from public, open government data. Each figure is as of its source’s date and may have changed since, so check with the office concerned before using it for anything official.

Data last refreshed: October 18, 2026

How we collect and label data · Disclaimer

Add or correct information (Mukhiya, secretary, contact)