Munna Musahar is an inspiration to the people at Sapahi Panchayat

Mr.Munna Kumar Musahar age 20 years son of Mr.Bishun Musahar from Belwania village, Sapahi Ward no.3, Sapahi Panchayat, Ramnager Block, W. Champaran, Bihar. He belongs from a very poor family but managed to complete 10^th Standard. He is the only boy who studied class 10^th in whole Sapahi Panchayat. He worked hard and faced lot of difficulties to complete his Matric. First of all poverty affected the family being the large family to feed themselves was a challenge. All the 53 Musahar families of that village didn’t have their own land. They are landless work for a very meagre i.e. 60/- daily wage for the rich and high caste. As the people are very poor, illiterate and have no bargaining power, they are deprived of their rights and entitlements. As Munna also faced all these challenges he never gave up his conviction. He could complete his matric studies only because of his parent’s motivation, villagers’ encouragement and his personal interest and effort. After completing his studies he engaged himself in farm work and helping his father. But it was not sufficient to feed the family of 8-10 members. Despite of adversity Munna took active part in village developmental activities and was willing to help out who ever is in any kind of need. Now in his village seeing him his two sisters and some of the girls and boys are going to school.

Because of him, his mother Mrs. Panna Devi got courage and came forward without anybody’s help, to contest in the Panchayat Raj election2011 as a ward member. It was very pathetic to say she lost because of 2 vote’s variation. She got 128 votes and the winner got 130 votes. Overnight the voters were offered money and supplied alcohol by the upper caste people are the cause of low vote. But he and his family never discouraged. They knew that money played a main role but truth will be won one day. Munna is an inspiration not only to his family but to all the panchayat people more over Musahar community members. From September 2012 Munna is working as Adhikar project facilitator. Munna was appraised by deputy mukhiya, Vikas Mitra, Ward members of Sapahi Panchayat. They introduced him to Adhikar project and asked him to take this project forward. Through Adhikar he received training on entitlement and various Govt. schemes, forming self help group etc. After our intervention through Adhikar project, 15 kishori girls from his village received Take home ration (THR) from Anganwadi centre.  The Anganwadi sevika called Munna and he accompanied with the girls and their parents. They got 2kg Rice, 1kg Masoordal and 250 gram Ground nut. This is the first time in the history they got benefits from Anganwadi benefits. The anganwadi centre is 2km from his village Beltane, and 4km from Tadwalia where only 53 Musahar families are living without receiving any anganwadi benefits so far. So we brought this information to the CDPO Mrs. Madhurima Prasad CDPO Ramnagar. She assured me and gave instruction and order to the superviser Ms. Ruchi to add Musahar,s  in the list and remove the well to do people. The people of his village and panchayat are very happy about him, and they confess proudly that he is our son of this soil. Munna is extremely happy to be a part of Bettiah Diocesean social service society (BDSSS) and Nishkalanka Mahila Kaliyan Kendre, and work for his own people’s development through Caritas India supported Adhikar Project. 

JAGRUKTA SE MILA KAAM

Profile

Name of the Gram Panchayat-Shivpuri Khanji, Bhawalkheda

Name of the village: Patna, Kalyanpur,

Block – Banda.           

District – Shajhanpur.

State – Utter Pradesh

The above mentioned villages are 8 – 12 km. away from Banda block. The target group belongs to SC and OBC categories. Most of the people are illiterate and the major source of income of these people are daily wages and involved in the labour work in the agriculture fields and during the unseason they migrate to the towns in search of work.

Situation before intervention:

Most of the People in the villages- Patna, Kalyanpur, were depending for their livelihood on daily wages far away in the cities. They were ignorant about MNREGA ACT. Persons in authority (Pradhans, Rojgar sevaks, secretaries) did not take any interest to communicate /motivate the people about MNREGA. People were unaware of getting the job cards and jobs. Due to lack of knowledge, people do not apply for job, and they did not try for job under NREGA. They used to go to cities in search of jobs for their livelihood. Many of them go to work in the fields of land holders of the village. These land holders make use of the poor people maximum and pay minimum.

INTERVENTION

The ADHIKAR Project team conducted base line Survey of target people and collected the information on status of MNREGA work in the target village and noticed that people are not availing the work under MNREGA.  As a result the team decided to motivate the target people to get cards and jobs under MNREGA. Very many times the animators met the people individually and collectively to convince the people on the benefits of MNREGA through awareness program, and training on MNREGA.  The animators conducted the training to 270 people and they were oriented on the procedure of obtaining the work under MNREGA

Turning Point

The village level awareness meetings paved the way to the people in understanding the provision of work under MNREGA and procedure of submitting the application.   Before the intervention of the ADHIKAR animators, the people did not know the provisions and procedures under MNREGA.  When the community people got the knowledge on the NREGA work they expressed the willingness to avail the job under NREGA.  They prepared the application and submitted to the village secretary and sarpanch with the signatures (Thumb impressions) of the people..  Several times the representatives of the people and animators met the authorities of MNREGA and requested them to sanction the benefits available under MNREGA to the people of above mentioned villages.

Adhikar team organized series of meetings with Pradhans, Rojghar sevaks, Secretaries, B.D.O and facilitated the process of sanctioning of the work. As a result 146 poor and marginalized people who had the job cards applied for job and the application were accepted and within 15 days of submission of the application 80 people received job in road construction work.

Challenge Faced

ADHIKAR program was viewed as a threat by Pradhans, Rojgarsevaks, and secretaries.

They were not available in the office in spite of giving the appointments and therefore, meeting and submitting applications to village secretaries was a big challenge faced by the people representatives and ADHIKAR team.

The misconceptions about the MNREGA work influenced the people and they were not convinced about the getting work under MNREGA in the beginning. 

How the challenges were overcome

Relentless and continuous efforts of the animators and the friendly meetings with the authorities changed their attitude and facilitated their willing to co-operate with ADHIKAR team.

The Adhikar team motivated the people through street plays and ensured their support in obtaining the work under NREGA.

Present Status or Changed Situation

80 people obtained the work for 25 days and they received the wages for the work done.   By seeing these people the other people in the target villages started submitting the applications to sarpanch and village secretary for the work in the villages.   The availability of the work under MNREGA reduced the migration of the people to the nearby towns and now the people are trying to demand for more working days in the villages.   Good rapport is developed between the people and the service providers like sarpanch and village secretaries in the villages.  

Zonal review meeting of ADHIKAR at RCDSS, Ajmer

Review meeting is a platform for cross learning and strategy formulation to overcome challenges through collective reflection and decide upon way forward. Caritas India had conducted a review cum planning workshop on 10-11^th December 2012 at RCDSS, Ajmer in which 11 ADHIKAR partners and 3 IDEA partners from Delhi, UKSVK and Bihar regions took part in the meeting. It was an amalgamation of sharing of work with special emphasis on Result Based Management, brainstorming and input sessions. Moreover, partners could strategise programmes in accordance with objective utilization of available resources for availing optimum outcomes under IDEA and ADHIKAR project.  

Rev. Fr. Cyril, Executive Director of UKSVK region addressed the gathering with sharing inspirational thoughts quoted from Catholic Social Teachings on commitment and dedication of staff in providing qualitative services which will bring improved changes in the lives of the poor and the marginalised. Rev. Fr. Amal Raj, Executive Director of Bihar Forum made a deliberation on recent advancement of ADHIKAR programme and its effort to realize various entitlements for marginalized under right to work and right to food. Mr. PU Francis, Zonal Manager-North Zone enlightened the participants on Micro planning which includes process, people’s participation, identifying issues etc. It was suggested that all partners should take concerted effort to mobilize community in obtaining their due entitlements through participate in Grama Sabha. Mr. Ashok Sinha, Consultant oriented the participants on Right to Education Act and its provisions.

Mr. Arun Kumawat, MNREGA practitioner associate with an NGO from Chittorgarh gave input session on MGNREGA.  He highlighted the origin of MGNREGA Act and its features and present situation of the MGNREGA work in Northern region.  He felt that the success of the MGNREGA program is connected with the awareness creation among the people in rural villages.  He advised the group to motivate the villagers to put in writing their demand for work in their area. The Zonal Manager along with Zonal team facilitated the group presentations and entire two days program.    The participants expressed their satisfaction over the two days program as the review provided an opportunity for mutual learning that helped them to intensify their understanding on various rights, concerned legislations and its application.  

 

In a brainstorming session, coordinators identified major challenges foresee and prepared strategies to combat the same in the near future.  The diocesan directors designed an action plan for capacitating staff as well as Community Based Organizations, better implementation and accompaniment of ADHIKAR program & Liasioning with Govt. officials and to facilitate the Micro planning in Grama Sabha meetings.

Role and functions of School Management Committee

• A school management committee shall be constituted in every school, other than unaided school, within its jurisdiction and reconstituted in every two years
• SMC shall consist of 15 members out of which 11 shall from among parents, guardian of children; provided that 50 % of members shall be women. 4 members shall be Ward member, ANM, Lekhpal and Head Master of school.
• SMC shall meet once in a month and minutes is recorded and made available to the public.
• SMC shall monitor the functioning of school, prepare and recommend School Development Plan
• Monitor the utilization of grants received from State Government or local authority
• Ensure the enrolment and continued attendance of all the children from the neighbourhood
• Bring to the notice of the local authorities any deviation from the rights of the child, in particular mental and physical harassment of children, denial of admission, and timely provision of free entitlement.
• Where a child above of six years has not been admitted in any school, for his/her age appropriate learning level, identify the needs, prepare a plan, and monitor the implementation of the special training.
• Monitor the implementation of the Mid Day meal programme in the school and ensure its enrichment
• Monitor the receipts and expenditure of the school
• Monitor the identification and enrolment of and facilities for education of children with disabilities, and ensure their participation in, and completion of elementary education
• The school management committee shall prepare a school development plan at least three months before the end of the financial year
• The school development plan shall be a three year plan comprising three year sub plans
• The school development plan shall be signed by the chairperson or the Vice- chairperson and member secretary of the school management committee and submit to the authorities concerned before the end of the financial year in which it is to be prepared. 

Village Health and Sanitation Committee

It is an undeniable fact that role of community in taking up leadership at local level, related to health issues could bring  tremendous changes in the execution of health programmes more effectively. Obviously, it will be possible only when the community is sufficiently empowered to take leadership in health matters. Moreover, involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the management of health system could be possible under the guidance and leadership of Grama Pradhan, PRI members, ANM, ASHA, AWW and community representatives.

Role of the VHSC

o   The VHSC will be responsible for overall health of the village. It will take into consideration of the problems of the community and the health and nutrition care providers and suggest mechanism to solve it.

o   Creation of public awareness about the essentials of  health programmes, with focus on people’s knowledge of entitlements to enable their involvement in the monitoring.

o   Discussion and development of  village health plan based on an assessment of the village situation and priorities identified by the village community.

o   Analyze key issues and problems related to village level health and nutrition activities, give feedback on these to the Medical Officer of the PHC.

o   Monitoring of all the health activities that are conducted in the village such as Village Health & Nutrition Day, mothers meeting etc.

o   VHSC along with the ANM will be responsible to conduct household survey in the village.

o   It will maintain village health register and the health information board. The health register and board will be put up at the most frequented section of the village and will have information about the mandated services in the Sub Centre/PHC. 

o   Ensure that the ANM visit the village on the fixed days and perform the stipulated activity as per the Sub Centre work plan; oversee the village health and nutrition functionaries like ANM.

o   The committee will monitor all the health activities that are conducted in the village such as Village Health & Nutrition Day, mothers meeting etc.

o   ANM will submit a bi monthly village report to the committee along with the plan for next two months. Formats and contents would be decided by the village health committee. Discuss the report submitted by ANM in the village level meeting and take appropriate action.

o   It will discuss every maternal or neonatal death that occurs in their village, analyze it and suggest necessary action to prevent such deaths. Get these deaths registered in the Panchayat.

o   The committee will organize regular monthly meeting to discuss various issues in the village and document the minutes of the meeting.

o   The committee shall ensure that Public Dialogue is organized at regular intervals (once in six month) in the presence of Medical Officer of the Primary Health Care Centre. The committee shall ensure that all the issues discussed are recorded and action taken on the issues discussed.

o   The VHSC will also play vital role for selecting and supporting the ASHA from the community

o   Other than health related issues VHSC will also be responsible for the development of the village.

o   The VHSC will also take care of the Sub Centre.

o   The VHSC will be responsible to inform the community about all the government schemes.

Village Education Committee- Roles and responsibilities

Village Education Committee (VEC) is a regulatory body that exists at school level in a village to ensure community participation in smooth functioning of the school. VECs have been formed as part of the decentralized management structures envisaged under District Primary Education Program (DPEP). A VEC consists of 6 to 14 members and is elected by  the Gram Sabha. It constitutes of individuals interested in promotion and development of education in the villages.  50% of the members must be female and representation of the deprived sections of society is ensured to mainstream them and enable their articipation in decisions affecting their interests. The Village Sarpanch is the Chairperson and school Headmaster is the Convener of VEC.VEC’s role is to establish a link between school and community and to create awareness about the importance of formal education. In addition, it is also expected to take up the task of management of school affairs along with school administration. VECs are considered vital for promoting enrolment and retention of children in school, especially of girls. It is the responsibility of VEC to ensure that every child in the age group of 6-14 years gets enrolled in schools and completes elementary education.

Roles and responsibilities of VECs are follows