The one-hour quiz programme was scheduled to be telecast on Doordrshan on October 2.
"We have put on hold the launching of the quiz programme due to election code of conduct coming into force. We will launch it after Bihar elections (which end in November)," a top official of the Rural Development Ministry told PTI today.
The programme, which is the brainchild of Union Minister for Rural Development C P Joshi and was designed on the lines of the popular TV game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC), aims to sensitise those living in villages about various welfare programmes meant for them.
It will be anchored by a celebrity and could later be aired on a private entertainment channel. "The process is on to finalise the name of the celebrity," a ministry official said.
The show will have multiple-choice questions relating to various policy and programmes of the government meant for the development of rural India and its people, the official said.
One team from each state and Union Territory will participate in the quiz. The teams will comprise elected representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions of the Gram Panchayats apart from group of villagers.
The winning team will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 1 crore. "However, the winning participant will be entitled to a part of this cash prize and the rest of the money will go to the panchayat he belongs to. This money will be used in the development of panchayat," the official said.
Earlier, Joshi had said that the quiz show could be a "good option" to spread awareness among the rural masses, noting that electronic media is now "more effective" in disseminating information and creating awareness among people.
He was of the view that the game show will not only inspire people to participate in rural development but also "greatly" help elected representatives of panchayats and villagers understand the policy and programmes of the government and their role in the entire process.