Quick answer
Sonkhar is a gram panchayat in Ramnagar block of West Champaran district, Bihar (LGD code 98758, PIN code 845106). It has 14 villages: Bargon, Barwa, Barwa Banjariya, Chainpur, Chhagurahi Banjariya and others. In the 2021 panchayat election, Ramita Devi was elected Mukhiya. It is in Ramnagar assembly constituency (MLA: Nand Kishor Ram, Bharatiya Janata Party) and Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha constituency (MP: Sunil Kumar). It is about 46 km north of West Champaran district headquarters, and the nearest railway station is Harinagar (4.4 km).
About Sonkhar Gram Panchayat
Sonkhar (सोनखर) is a Gram Panchayat (village council) in Ramnagar block of West Champaran district, Bihar. Land and revenue work goes through Ramnagar anchal (circle), and the district is part of the Tirhut Division. Its Local Government Directory (LGD) code is 98758.
The panchayat has 14 revenue villages (Bargon, Barwa, Barwa Banjariya, Chainpur, Chhagurahi Banjariya, Chikni Banjariya, Gaunara, Gaunari, Kot Banjariya, Mujra, Purandarpur, Shivpurwa and 2 more). They share one Gram Sabha, one Mukhiya and one panchayat secretary.
Sonkhar is about 46 km north of West Champaran headquarters as the crow flies. It’s about 4.0 km east of the middle of Ramnagar block. The nearest railway station is Harinagar, about 4.4 km away.
Sonkhar is one of 18 gram panchayats in Ramnagar block and 315 in West Champaran district. For elections, Sonkhar falls in the Ramnagar Vidhan Sabha constituency and the Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha constituency.
For most village paperwork, such as a family register copy, a birth certificate or an MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job card, start with the panchayat secretary. Income, caste and land papers go through Ramnagar anchal.
Sonkhar at a glance
| Name | Sonkhar / सोनखर |
|---|---|
| Type | Gram Panchayat |
| LGD code | 98758 |
| Block | Ramnagar |
| Anchal (Circle) | Ramnagar |
| District | West Champaran |
| Division | Tirhut Division |
| State | Bihar |
| Villages | 14 |
| Assembly Constituency | Ramnagar |
| Lok Sabha Constituency | Valmiki Nagar |
| MLA | Nand Kishor Ram (Bharatiya Janata Party) |
| MP | Sunil Kumar (Janata Dal (United)) |
| PIN code | 845106, 845103 |
| Coordinates | 27.1881° N, 84.3517° E (approximate) |
| Schools | 15 |
| Post Offices | 1 |
Map of Sonkhar
Points are approximate, based on State Election Commission polling-centre locations. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Sonkhar LGD code and PIN code
| LGD code | |
|---|---|
| PIN code | |
| DIGIPIN (reference point) |
The panchayat's reference point has the DIGIPIN 23C-F3L-C84P. DIGIPIN is India Post's 10-character address grid for the whole country. This code marks the panchayat's mapped centre, not a particular house or office.
The LGD (Local Government Directory) code is a permanent number the Government of India gives every village, panchayat, block and district. eGramSwaraj, nrega.nic.in and many other portals look places up by it, so keep it handy when you fill in an online form.
Villages in Sonkhar Gram Panchayat
Sonkhar Gram Panchayat has 14 revenue villages, listed below with Hindi spellings and LGD/Census codes. Search by village code to find your village quickly on portals such as Bihar Bhumi, eGramSwaraj or the PMAY-G beneficiary list.
| Village | Name in Hindi | Village code |
|---|---|---|
| Bargon | – | 216302 |
| Barwa | बरवा | 216299 |
| Barwa Banjariya | बरवा बन्जरिया | 216282 |
| Chainpur | चैनपुर | 216300 |
| Chhagurahi Banjariya | – | 216283 |
| Chikni Banjariya | चिकनी बन्जरिया | 216287 |
| Gaunara | – | 216288 |
| Gaunari | – | 216290 |
| Kot Banjariya | कोट बन्जरिया | 216297 |
| Mujra | – | 216303 |
| Purandarpur | पुरन्दरपुर | 216301 |
| Shivpurwa | – | 216296 |
| Silautia | – | 216304 |
| Sonkhar | सोनखर | 216298 |
Population of Sonkhar
We’re still adding village-level census tables for this area. Meanwhile, here are the Census 2011 rural figures for West Champaran district, which Sonkhar is part of:
| Rural population | 35,41,877 |
|---|---|
| Rural households | 6,37,354 |
| Rural literacy rate | 53.9% |
| Rural sex ratio | 911 |
| Rural SC population share | 14.8% |
| Rural work participation | 38.6% |
Health and household indicators (NFHS-5)
These NFHS-5 (2019–21) health and household figures are for West Champaran district, where Sonkhar is. They’re district averages, not figures for the village itself:
| Indicator | West Champaran |
|---|---|
| Women who are literate | 52.5% |
| Women with 10+ years of schooling | 21.6% |
| Institutional births | 79.5% |
| Children 12–23 months fully vaccinated | 62.1% |
| Children under 5 who are stunted | 43.5% |
| Women (15–49) who are anaemic | 50.6% |
| Households using clean cooking fuel | 31.4% |
| Households with improved sanitation | 43.3% |
| Households with electricity | 93.5% |
| Households with health insurance | 20.0% |
| Households with improved drinking water | 99.7% |
Work and livelihood
Most families in and around Sonkhar mix small-scale farming with livestock, local trade and seasonal wage work. Since July 2026, VB-G RAM G (which replaced MGNREGA) guarantees each household at least 125 days of work a year on village works such as ponds, roads and plantations. The gram panchayat issues the job cards, and wages go straight into bank or post office accounts.
Administration
Under the Bihar Panchayat Raj Act, 2006, Sonkhar is run by its elected Mukhiya, the Up-Mukhiya and the ward members. The Gram Sabha, made up of all adult voters, approves the yearly plan and the list of scheme beneficiaries. The Panchayat Secretary sent by the Ramnagar block office keeps the family register, the accounts and the birth and death register.
Every gram panchayat in Bihar has to form 6 committees: Planning, Co-ordination and Finance Committee (chaired by the Mukhiya), Production Committee, Social Justice Committee, Education Committee, Public Health, Family Welfare and Rural Sanitation Committee and Public Works Committee. The Gram Sabha has to meet at least once every three months. It goes over the accounts and approves the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), which is then uploaded on eGramSwaraj. Any voter of the village can attend and ask questions.
| Office | Where | Handles |
|---|---|---|
| Mukhiya | Sonkhar | Development works, Gram Sabha, scheme beneficiary selection |
| Panchayat Secretary | Sonkhar / Ramnagar | Family register, birth & death registration, records |
| Rajasva Karmachari | Ramnagar Anchal | Land records, jamabandi / khatiyan, income/caste verification |
| Block Development Officer (BDO) | Ramnagar | Rural development schemes, VB-G RAM G (earlier MGNREGA), housing |
| Block Development Officer (BDO) | Ramnagar | Panchayat funds, audits, complaints about the panchayat |
| Circle Officer (CO) | Ramnagar | Certificates, mutation, revenue courts |
| District Panchayat Raj Officer (DPRO) | West Champaran | Oversight of all gram panchayats in the district |
| District Magistrate (DM) | West Champaran | Overall district administration and grievance redressal |
Sonkhar Mukhiya, MLA and MP
We haven’t yet verified the name of the current Mukhiya of this panchayat. The official sources are the State Election Commission results and the panchayat’s profile on eGramSwaraj. If you are the Mukhiya, the secretary or a resident, send the name and contact with the form at the end of this page, and we’ll add it once it’s checked.
A Mukhiya is elected for five years. The Mukhiya calls Gram Sabha meetings, decides with the panchayat how 15th Finance Commission and State Finance Commission grants are spent on drains, lanes, hand pumps, street lights and similar works, and recommends people for pensions, housing and ration cards.
MLA, Ramnagar
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
|---|---|
| Term / election | 2025 general election |
| Votes received | 1,15,214 |
| Vote share | 54.1% |
| Winning margin | 35,680 |
| Runner-up | Subodh Kumar |
Source: Election Commission of India, Bihar Vidhan Sabha 2025 results, 2025-11-14
MP, Valmiki Nagar
| Party | Janata Dal (United) |
|---|---|
| Term / election | 2024 Lok Sabha election |
| Votes received | 5,23,422 |
| Vote share | 47.5% |
| Winning margin | 98,675 |
| Runner-up | Deepak Yadav |
Source: Election Commission of India, Lok Sabha 2024 results, 2024-06-04
Your MLA speaks for the area in the state assembly and can recommend roads, school buildings and similar works from the MLA Local Area Development fund. Your MP speaks for it in the Lok Sabha and can recommend works under MPLADS.
Panchayat elections
In the 2021 panchayat election, 4 candidates stood for Mukhiya in Sonkhar, a seat reserved for Scheduled Caste women. Ramita Devi won with 51% of the votes, 1,494 votes ahead of the runner-up. 2021HistoricalState Election Commission, Bihar
| Election | Seat reserved for | Mukhiya elected | Winner's votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Scheduled Caste women | Ramita Devi | 51%, won by 1,494 votes |
Results are from the State Election Commission's published figures. Elections before 2021 are matched to today's panchayat by name, and some boundaries have changed since. We don't name losing candidates.
Polling booths (polling centres) in Sonkhar
If you’re 18 or older, you can register as a voter by filling Form 6 on voters.eci.gov.in or the Voter Helpline app, or through your Booth Level Officer (BLO). The voter list for panchayat elections is made separately by the State Election Commission, so before a panchayat poll check your name on sec.bihar.gov.in or ask at the block office.
How Sonkhar 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
- 50.7/1002023-24ReportedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)
In the Panchayat Advancement Index 2023-24, Sonkhar scored 50.7 out of 100, ranking 9th of 18 panchayats in Ramnagar block (slightly ahead of the block average of 48.0). 2023-24ReportedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)
That puts it in the "Aspirant" band (Achiever 90+, Front Runner 75–90, Performer 60–75, Aspirant 40–60, Beginner below 40).
Scores on the nine development themes
Sonkhar does best on “Socially just and secured” (75.5) and worst on “Self-sufficient infrastructure” (33.9). That 42-point gap shows where the next Gram Panchayat Development Plan could focus. 5 of the nine theme scores are above the Ramnagar block average. 2023-24ReportedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)
Schools in and near Sonkhar
Schools in Sonkhar, from the Ministry of Education’s UDISE+ school register:
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Govt. M.S. Sonkhar | Government upper primary school |
| Govt. P.S. Bargaw | Government primary school |
| Govt. P.S. Barwa Banjariya | Government primary school |
| Govt. P.S. Gondara | Government primary school |
| Govt. P.S. Kot Banjaria | Government primary school |
| Govt. P.S. Silwatia | Government primary school |
| Govt. P.S. Sonkhar Miya Toli | Government primary school |
| Govt. U.M.S. Mujra | Government upper primary school |
| Govt. U.M.S. Silwatiya Bargo | Government upper primary school |
| Govt. UHS Bargo | Government secondary school |
| Govt. UHS Shivpur Colony | Government secondary school |
| P.S Barwa Narainapur Yadav Toli | Government primary school |
| Rainbow Convent | Private upper primary school |
| Ramnagar Public School | Private primary school |
| Sanskaar Academy Residential School | Private upper primary school |
Government primary and upper-primary schools around Sonkhar come under the block education officer (BEO) of Ramnagar. Admission is free, and children get textbooks, uniforms and the PM POSHAN mid-day meal. To get a child into a private school under the RTE 25% quota, apply in the state’s online admission window. Scholarships for class 9 and above are on scholarships.gov.in.
Hospitals and health centres near Sonkhar
If someone in Sonkhar needs care, the ASHA can arrange free transport for pregnant women under Janani Suraksha Yojana. Dial 108 for an emergency ambulance or 102 for mother and child transport. Eligible families can get an Ayushman card (PM-JAY) at a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter or through the ASHA; it covers cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh a year in empanelled hospitals in West Champaran and elsewhere.
Banks (IFSC), post office (PIN) and CSC near Sonkhar
The PIN code for Sonkhar is most likely 845106, served by Semari Dumari Post Office. The nearest post offices are listed below. At any of them you can open an India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account, Sukanya Samriddhi, PPF or a recurring deposit, and the village postman can do Aadhaar-based cash withdrawals at your door.
| Name | Type | PIN code | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semari Dumari | Post Office | 845106 | 1.1 km |
| Bargo | Post Office | 845103 | 2.8 km |
| Harinagar | Post Office | 845103 | 3.3 km |
Bank branches near Sonkhar
These branches are in the PIN-code areas nearest the panchayat (distances are approximate, measured to the PIN-code centre). Use the IFSC code for NEFT, RTGS and IMPS transfers.
| Bank | Name | IFSC | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU Small Finance Bank | Ramnagar | AUBL0005016 | 5.3 km |
| Bank of Baroda | Kumiya Khurd | BARB0DBKUMI | 5.3 km |
| Bandhan Bank | Ramnagar Branch | BDBL0002334 | 5.3 km |
| Central Bank of India | Taulaha | CBIN0282886 | 5.3 km |
| Central Bank of India | Kandhwalia | CBIN0283017 | 5.3 km |
See all bank branches in Ramnagar block
If you don’t have a bank account, you can open a zero-balance Jan Dhan account with just your Aadhaar at any of these branches or through the village Bank Mitra (business correspondent). A Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter can help with online applications for certificates, pensions, PM-KISAN, Ayushman cards, electricity bills and more, for a small fixed fee.
How to reach Sonkhar
The easiest way to reach Sonkhar by train is via Harinagar, about 4.4 km away (ECR zone). From the station, shared autos, e-rickshaws and buses run to Ramnagar and nearby villages.
The nearest airport is Gorakhpur Airport, about 102 km away.
| Place | Type | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Champaran headquarters | District | 46 km | north |
| Ramnagar block (centre) | Block | 4.0 km | east |
| Harinagar (HIR) | Railway Station | 4.4 km | south-west |
| Chamua (CAMU) | Railway Station | 7.4 km | south-east |
| Bhairoganj (BRU) | Railway Station | 12 km | west |
| Gorakhpur Airport | Airport | 102 km | south-west |
| Darbhanga Airport | Airport | 191 km | south-east |
Distances are straight-line; by road it's usually 20–40% farther.
How far Sonkhar 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
- 5.3 kmCalculatedZoloth calculation
- Nearest railway station
- 4.4 kmCalculatedZoloth calculation
The nearest bank branch is about 5.3 km away, a little closer than the Ramnagar block average of 5.8 km. CalculatedZoloth calculation
A railway station is only about 4.4 km away (Harinagar). The nearest post office is about 1.1 km away, less than half of the block average of 2.4 km.
Places near Sonkhar
The Gram Panchayats closest to Sonkhar, by straight-line distance between their approximate centres:
| Gram Panchayat | Block | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sohsa | Ramnagar | 3.8 km | north-east |
| Mathia | Ramnagar | 5.0 km | north |
| Taulaha | Ramnagar | 5.0 km | south-east |
| Sapahi-Madhubani | Ramnagar | 5.5 km | north-west |
| Bhawal | Ramnagar | 6.0 km | west |
| Dhokraha | Ramnagar | 6.5 km | south |
| Daraul | Gaunaha | 6.8 km | east |
| Dainmarwa | Ramnagar | 7.1 km | south-west |
Other Gram Panchayats in Ramnagar
Citizen services: how to get things done
Birth and death certificates
- Report a birth or death in the village to the Panchayat Secretary within 21 days; they are the registrar for rural areas. If a baby is born in a hospital, the hospital registers the birth.
- Download the certificate from crsorgi.gov.in. If you register after 21 days, you may need an affidavit and an order from the Circle Officer (CO).
Income, caste and domicile certificates
- 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.
- The application goes to Ramnagar Anchal. The Rajasva Karmachari checks it in the village and the Circle Inspector sends the report on.
- The Circle Officer (CO) issues a digitally signed certificate, usually within 7–15 working days. Track it online with your application number.
Jamabandi / Khatiyan (land record) and Dakhil-Kharij (mutation)
- On Bihar Bhumi (biharbhumi.bihar.gov.in), choose district West Champaran, Anchal Ramnagar and your village, then search by account number, plot (khasra) number or name to see the Jamabandi / Khatiyan.
- You can get a certified copy at a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter or the Anchal office. Check the status of a Dakhil-Kharij (mutation) case on Bihar Bhumi (Dakhil-Kharij status) (biharbhumi.bihar.gov.in).
Ration card
- 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.
- In villages, Ramnagar block officials check the application and the supply inspector or District Supply Officer approves it.
Old-age, widow and disability pension
- 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.
- In villages, the Ramnagar Block Development Officer (BDO) verifies the application. Once it’s sanctioned, the pension goes straight into your bank account.
MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job card and work
- Apply for a job card at Sonkhar 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.
- 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.
Complaints and Right to Information (RTI)
- 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.
- To find out what the panchayat spent and on which works, file an RTI application (₹10 fee) with the Public Information Officer at Ramnagar 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.
Government schemes for residents of Sonkhar
Households in Sonkhar can apply for the schemes below, covering housing, work, farming, pensions, health, education and support for women. Each one shows the local office where you apply.
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 apply | Houseless or kutcha-house families identified through SECC/Awaas+ survey and approved by the Gram Sabha |
| Where to apply | the panchayat secretary and the Ramnagar 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.
| Benefit | At 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 apply | Any adult member of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work |
| Where to apply | the panchayat secretary and the Ramnagar 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 apply | Farmer families owning cultivable land (with exclusions for taxpayers, pensioners and officials); e-KYC and land seeding required |
| Where to apply | the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), online and the Ramnagar 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.
| Benefit | Health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | SECC-listed deprived families, NFSA ration-card families covered by the UP extension, and senior citizens 70+ |
| Where to apply | the 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 apply | Rural households without a toilet (BPL and identified APL categories) |
| Where to apply | the panchayat secretary, the Ramnagar 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.
| Benefit | Free household tap connection |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | All rural households |
| Where to apply | the panchayat secretary |
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (free LPG connection)
Deposit-free LPG connection with first refill and stove for women from poor households.
| Benefit | Free LPG connection, first refill and stove |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Adult women from poor households without an existing LPG connection |
| Where to apply | online 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 apply | Pregnant women and lactating mothers (excluding regular government employees) |
| Where to apply | the 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.
| Benefit | Zero-balance account, RuPay card, ₹2 lakh accident cover |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Any Indian resident aged 10+ without a bank account |
| Where to apply | your 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.
| Benefit | Crop loan at an effective 4% interest on timely repayment (up to ₹3 lakh) |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Owner and tenant farmers, sharecroppers, SHGs/JLGs of farmers, animal husbandry and fisheries farmers |
| Where to apply | your 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 apply | Pregnant women delivering in a government or accredited facility |
| Where to apply | the 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).
| Benefit | Compensation for notified crop losses |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas |
| Where to apply | your 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 apply | Bank account holders aged 18–50 (life) and 18–70 (accident) |
| Where to apply | your 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.
| Benefit | Revolving fund, community investment fund and low-interest bank loans |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Women from rural households, especially poor and vulnerable families |
| Where to apply | the Ramnagar block office |
Terrain and climate of Sonkhar
- Elevation
- 100 mEstimateSRTM elevation model
- Average annual rainfall
- 1,331 mm2001-2020EstimateNASA POWER
Sonkhar sits about 100 metres above sea level, close to the West Champaran district average of 87 m. EstimateSRTM elevation model
On long-term averages, the area around Sonkhar gets roughly 1,300 mm of rain a year, 80% of it between June and September, well above the Bihar average of 1,100 mm. The land around it is almost flat: heights within 2 km vary by only about 9 m, typical of the alluvial plains. Summers are hot: in June, daytime highs average about 45°C, while January nights cool to around 2°C.
Land cover around Sonkhar
Land cover within about 2 km
- Cropland 90%
- Tree cover 6.3%
- Built-up land 2.7%
- Grass and scrub 1.0%
Farming dominates here: satellite data (ESA WorldCover 2021) shows about 90% of the land within roughly 2 km of Sonkhar under crops, 3% built up and 6% under trees. 2021EstimateESA WorldCover 2021
From the blog
Stories from Sonkhar Gram Panchayat
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Sonkhar Gram Panchayat: frequently asked questions
In which block, anchal and district is Sonkhar Gram Panchayat?
Sonkhar Gram Panchayat is in Ramnagar block of West Champaran district, Bihar, and comes under Ramnagar anchal.
Who is the Mukhiya of Sonkhar Gram Panchayat?
Ramita Devi was elected Mukhiya of Sonkhar Gram Panchayat in the 2021 panchayat election.
Who won the 2021 Mukhiya election in Sonkhar?
Ramita Devi won the 2021 Mukhiya election in Sonkhar with 2,986 votes (51% of the valid votes).
How many villages are there in Sonkhar Gram Panchayat?
Sonkhar Gram Panchayat has 14 revenue villages: Bargon, Barwa, Barwa Banjariya, Chainpur, Chhagurahi Banjariya, Chikni Banjariya, Gaunara, Gaunari, Kot Banjariya, Mujra, Purandarpur, Shivpurwa, Silautia and Sonkhar.
Was the Mukhiya seat of Sonkhar reserved in the 2021 election?
In the 2021 panchayat election, the Mukhiya seat of Sonkhar was reserved for Scheduled Caste women. Reservation is decided afresh before every panchayat election, so it can change next time.
What was the winning margin in the 2021 Mukhiya election of Sonkhar?
The winner of the 2021 Mukhiya election in Sonkhar beat the runner-up by 1,494 votes (25.6% of valid votes). There were 4 candidates in the race, and 5,845 valid votes were cast.
Which assembly constituency does Sonkhar come under?
Sonkhar comes under the Ramnagar Vidhan Sabha (assembly) constituency.
Who is the MLA of Sonkhar?
The MLA for Ramnagar is Nand Kishor Ram (Bharatiya Janata Party), elected in the 2025 assembly election. They got 1,15,214 votes (54.1%) and won by 35,680 votes.
Show 23 more questions
Which Lok Sabha constituency is Sonkhar in?
Sonkhar is in the Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Who is the MP of Sonkhar?
The Member of Parliament for Valmiki Nagar is Sunil Kumar (Janata Dal (United)), elected in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. They got 5,23,422 votes (47.5%) and won by 98,675 votes.
What is the LGD code of Sonkhar Gram Panchayat?
The LGD code of Sonkhar Gram Panchayat is 98758. It comes from the Local Government Directory, and many government portals use it to identify the panchayat.
What is the PIN code of Sonkhar?
Addresses in Sonkhar usually carry one of these PIN codes: 845106, 845103. The nearest post office is Semari Dumari (PIN 845106), about 1.1 km away as the crow flies.
What is the DIGIPIN of Sonkhar?
The DIGIPIN for Sonkhar is 23C-F3L-C84P. It marks the centre of the panchayat on the map, not any particular house or office. DIGIPIN is India Post’s 10-character digital address code.
How far is Sonkhar from West Champaran?
Sonkhar is about 46 km north of West Champaran district headquarters as the crow flies; by road it will be further. From the centre of Ramnagar block, it is about 4.0 km east.
Which is the nearest railway station to Sonkhar?
The nearest railway station to Sonkhar is Harinagar (HIR), about 4.4 km away as the crow flies. Other stations close by: Chamua (CAMU), 7.4 km; Bhairoganj (BRU), 12 km.
Which is the nearest airport to Sonkhar?
The nearest airport to Sonkhar is Gorakhpur Airport (GOP), about 102 km away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Darbhanga Airport (DBR), about 191 km away.
Which is the nearest bank to Sonkhar, and what is its IFSC code?
The nearest bank branch to Sonkhar is AU Small Finance Bank, Ramnagar (IFSC AUBL0005016), roughly 5.3 km away. Other branches nearby: Bank of Baroda, Kumiya Khurd (IFSC BARB0DBKUMI) and Bandhan Bank, Ramnagar Branch (IFSC BDBL0002334). Your own account’s IFSC is printed in your passbook and on your cheques.
Which schools are there in Sonkhar?
There are 15 schools on record in Sonkhar: Govt. M.S. Sonkhar, Govt. P.S. Bargaw, Govt. P.S. Barwa Banjariya, Govt. P.S. Gondara, Govt. P.S. Kot Banjaria, Govt. P.S. Silwatia, Govt. P.S. Sonkhar Miya Toli, Govt. U.M.S. Mujra and 7 more.
Which gram panchayats are near Sonkhar?
The closest gram panchayats to Sonkhar, as the crow flies, are Sohsa (3.8 km), Mathia (5.0 km), Taulaha (5.0 km), Sapahi-Madhubani (5.5 km) and Bhawal (6.0 km).
How can I complain about work in Sonkhar Gram Panchayat?
Start by raising it at the Gram Sabha meeting. If that doesn’t work, give a written complaint to the Block Development Officer (BDO) at Ramnagar block, or file it on Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran (lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in) or call helpline 1800 345 6284. Keep the receipt or complaint number safe. You can check what the panchayat has spent on egramswaraj.gov.in.
Where can residents of Sonkhar get land records (Jamabandi / Khatiyan)?
Go to Bihar Bhumi (biharbhumi.bihar.gov.in), pick district West Champaran and Anchal Ramnagar, then your village, to see the Jamabandi / Khatiyan. For a certified copy, go to a Common Service Centre or the Ramnagar Anchal office.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Sonkhar?
In Sonkhar, the Panchayat Secretary registers births and deaths. Report a birth or death in the village to them within 21 days, with Aadhaar and proof; after that the paperwork gets longer. You can then download the certificate from crsorgi.gov.in.
How do I apply for an income, caste or domicile certificate in Sonkhar?
Apply at a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter or on RTPS Bihar (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) with your Aadhaar, a photo and a self-declaration. For Sonkhar, the Rajasva Karmachari of Ramnagar anchal checks the application and the Circle Officer (CO) issues the certificate. Keep the application number; you’ll need it to track the status.
How do I apply for a ration card or pension in Sonkhar?
For a ration card, apply on RTPS Bihar (ration card service) (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter; Ramnagar block officials check rural applications. 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) of Ramnagar verifies it. The pension goes straight into your bank account, so make sure the account is linked to Aadhaar.
How can I check the MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job card list or PM Awas (Gramin) list of Sonkhar?
On nrega.nic.in, pick the state, then district West Champaran, block Ramnagar and panchayat Sonkhar to see job cards, work done and wage payments. The PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) list works the same way on pmayg.dord.gov.in. New names get added through the Gram Sabha and the Ramnagar block office. MGNREGA became VB-G RAM G on 1 July 2026, and e-KYC’d job cards stay valid until the new cards are issued.
When does the Gram Sabha of Sonkhar meet?
The Gram Sabha of Sonkhar must meet at least once every three months, and the Mukhiya calls the meeting. Every adult voter in the panchayat’s villages is a member, so you can go and have your say. The meeting reviews the panchayat’s accounts and approves the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and beneficiary lists.
How do I check my name in the voter list of Sonkhar?
The State Election Commission, Bihar (sec.bihar.gov.in) publishes the ward-wise voter list for panchayat elections, and you can also see it at the Ramnagar block office. For assembly and Lok Sabha elections, search for your name on voters.eci.gov.in or the Voter Helpline app using the EPIC number on your voter ID card; Sonkhar is in the Ramnagar assembly constituency.
What is the Panchayat Advancement Index score of Sonkhar Gram Panchayat?
Sonkhar Gram Panchayat scored 50.7 out of 100 in the Panchayat Advancement Index 2023-24, published by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj; it ranks 9th of 18 panchayats in Ramnagar block.
What is the altitude of Sonkhar above sea level?
Sonkhar is about 100 metres above sea level (an SRTM terrain model estimate for the centre of the panchayat). The land around it is almost flat, varying by only about 9 m within 2 km.
How much rainfall does Sonkhar get, and how hot does it get?
On 2001-2020 averages, the area around Sonkhar gets about 1,330 mm of rain a year, 80% of it between June and September. The hottest days, in June, 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 Sonkhar?
Within about 2 km of the centre of Sonkhar, the land is 90% cropland, 6% tree cover and 3% 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.
- Assembly constituency boundaries (post-2008 delimitation), datameet/maps, CC BY 2.5 IN
- Airports (OurAirports), Public domain
- Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, Public government data
- NASA POWER agro-climatology (long-term monthly normals), Public domain (NASA) (as of 2026-10-16)
- Zoloth curated tables (divisions, ODOP, schemes), CC BY 4.0
- Village boundaries with Census 2001 codes (datameet/indian_village_boundaries), ODbL 1.0 (as of 2001)
- Calculated by Zoloth from the sources cited alongside, CC BY 4.0
- DIGIPIN national addressing grid, computed from the panchayat's reference point, Open algorithm
- SRTM 1-arc-second elevation (AWS Terrain Tiles, Skadi), Public domain (SRTM); see terrain-tiles attribution (as of 2026-10-16)
- Hindi names of assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies (Hindi Wikipedia state lists), CC BY-SA 4.0 (page text); the names themselves are facts (as of 2026-10-16)
- Bank branches with IFSC/MICR (razorpay/ifsc-api), MIT (public RBI data)
- ESA WorldCover 10 m land cover 2021 (v200), CC BY 4.0 (as of 2026-10-16)
- Local Government Directory snapshot (planemad/india-local-government-directory), GODL-India (as of 2022-03-11)
- Lok Sabha 2024 constituency results, Public results (as of 2024)
- Government schemes (myScheme.gov.in), Public scheme information (dataset Apache-2.0)
- National Family Health Survey 5 district fact sheets, Public fact sheets (as of 2019-21)
- Panchayat Advancement Index, theme-wise gram panchayat scores, Public government data (as of 2026-10-16)
- Census of India 2011 Primary Census Abstract (district), Public (as of 2011)
- All-India post office and PIN directory with coordinates, GODL-India
- Hindi spellings derived from a place-name token dictionary (learnt from LGD and SEC names), CC BY 4.0
- Railway stations (datameet/railways), CC0
- Bihar panchayat general election 2021, Mukhiya and Sarpanch results (in-rolls/local_elections_bihar), MIT (compilation); public election results (as of 2026-10-16)
- UDISE+ Basic Details of Schools (school directory with locations), via India Data Portal, ODC-BY 1.0 (India Data Portal); underlying UDISE+ data is public government data (as of 2026-10-16)
- Bihar Vidhan Sabha 2025 results by constituency, Public results (ECI); Wikipedia compilation CC BY-SA 4.0 (as of 2025)
- Wikidata, CC0
Data last refreshed: October 18, 2026
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