The MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) is supposed to provide at least 100 days of assured employment to the unskilled in rural areas, facilitating a measure of economic security, and overall village development by enabling people to plan for their village development works. However, lack of proper planning and coordination at district, Block and Gram Panchayat level defeats these noble objectives of the Act. In the village of Manikjhola, in Rayagada District, Odisha, Shankar Meleka was determined to address this situation in a very decisive way, and ensured payment to all labourers, even though it involved a long and protracted struggle.

The people of Manikjhola village, Pitamahal GP laboured for 12 days for “Improvement of Manikjhola to RD Road”, in the financial year 2014-15. The 20 labourers who had sweated in the heat and dust waited anxiously for their payment, looking to their labour leader, Shankar Meleka for their hard earned wages. However, weeks turned to months, and months to years, and even 14 months after the work, no payment was forthcoming.  Shankar lodged several complaints to the BDO only to be told that the work was not according to the measurement. In the meanwhile, no engineer came to evaluate their work.

Shankar finally lost his patience, and went to the labour court and filed a case. This had immediate impact. The ABDO(Additional BDO ) and the JE (Junior Engineer went for an inquiry. They sought to negotiate with Shankar for withdrawal of the case. Shankar made it conditional to receipt of payment full by all the labourers.

In November, one month after the Labour  Court case had been filed, all those who had worked received payments into their account. The total money received was Rs.39360/- .

This encouraged the women of Manikjhola to apply for further works. They demanded for an Anganwadi Centre, and enthusiastically completed the project in record time. They received the payment, and now have a brand new Anganwadi Centre for their toddlers!

After this, the people were extremely enthusiastic, and have taken up another work of Anganwadi construction, and laying of raod from Angandad centre to the village, which would be about half a km.

RTE Campaign at the start of new academic session 1 st April 2015

The new Academic Year   starts from 1^st April  every year. It is the time when students are anxious to join in their new class  as they have passed  and have been promoted. Thus,  School and mass education department, Govt. of Odisha   have introduced  the ‘Prabesh’ utsav  to be celebrated in each school with a view to  welcome to all the newcomers  to the school with  flowers, chandan and kumkum. This is really a memorable day for all newcomers to the school.

To make more memorable to this  occasion Bolangir Bikash Parishad (BBP)  under EU-Agragamee Information Project observed the day with special  attraction. In the school,  special   village  parikrama/rally  was  organised   with placard, banner, slogans  and posters. Leaflets were distributed   and posters  were  pasted in different  central places of the villages. In this programme the School Management Committee (SMC) members, teachers, students, PRI members, IDCs and comminity leaders took an active part. The RTE and ICDS  information materials were distributed and discussed. Bolangir Bikash Parishad (BBP) covered   25 schools under this programme  and wish the school children for good yaer beginning. As a result the following results were obtained:

RTE Campaign in 25 villages of Belpada block, Bolangir district, organized by Bolangir Bikas Parisad (BBP)

1. Teachers and Children know about RTE
2. Teachers and SMC members could know about their specific roles and responsibilities SMC, PRI members, CAG members and other leaders of the village knew about RTE and ICDS rules and provisions.
3. 3400 students and 123 teachers involved in the process and got awareness.
4. 646 SMC members, 75 PRI members, 5540 households knew about the RTE and ICDS.
5. Enrollment in school increased and  teacher-student attendence
6. Left out students got readmitted into the school.
7. Block and Dist officials knew about this campaign.
8. Media highlighted this event and issues at school.

Parajasila Primary School, children studying in school verandah, only one classroom is there.

More than 130 families live in 4 hamlets of Parajasila village. There is a primary school up to 5^th class here. In the school there is one classroom, one kitchen room, a store room, an incomplete toilet besides the two more incomplete classrooms that are in front of the old building. Out of this one is under construction since 2007-8 while the other was from 2012. In the single classroom total of 50 school children sit together while in school verandah children of 2 classes sit and study. So, the school has had a total of 70 children with 2 teachers.

Since the implementation of EU-Agragamee Information project in January 2014 the village the villagers had raised the issues of incomplete school building in the meetings that followed thorough the year but remained silent on taking any steps or suggestion given to them.  After the formation of Block level Citizen Action Group in 21-22 December 2014 the CAG members of Parajasila village attended a number meeting, training and orientation programmes at Agragemee and were sensitizing the villagers about how to take up different village issues as was guided previously. So, when we discussed the incomplete school issues with them they said the villagers would definitely take up the issue come whatever may.

We learned that some of the villagers are also afraid that those contractors who were involved in the school building construction were also the supporter of a big non-tribal businessman that had had farmland near their village. The villagers were apprehensive that the contractors would retaliate in case of a written complaint on issues of incomplete school building was lodged at the Block Education Office (BEO).  So, they were silent on the issues for years together.

Incomplete school building of 2007-08, Incomplete school building of 2012, Incomplete school toilet

The village is situated just 2 kms away from the Agragamee headquarter. The village CAG members, the SMC President Mr. Biseswar Jhodia, Smt. Hirabati Jhodia, Smt. Tulabati Jhodia sensitized the villagers on the need for serious decision on the issues and also described how in other villages where the villagers had intervened the school and AWC issues had been solved immediately and, as a result, now functioning regularly.  Finally, a village meeting was organized there on dated 27 June 2015. In the meeting the villagers were told that they would be left out if they didn’t submit a written complaint to BEO or in case they are afraid of the contractors then the school children would be asked to lodge a written complaint to BEO. Some youths of the villagers requested that they have had good relationship with Agragmee for last 35 years and had learnt a lot of good things from it and they would definitely sit together to draft a written complaint and submit it to BEO within a week.

A few days after this those contractors of school building approached the villagers and told them that they would complete the building and there was no need for a written complaint on issue. And, thereafter they got iron doors and windows built and brought to the village. They also brought trips of sand and other materials of construction and stored in the school. The contractors said that they would finish the construction works before next academic session so that the school children would sit in the new school building and study comfortably.

Now the villagers are quite happy that by a little bit of their collective effort under the leadership of village CAG members they have been able to solve the incomplete school building issues.

Kantabaji, 14/4: A one-day workshop on MGNREGA was organised in Kharbahali village, Bharuapali GP of Belpada block under Bolangir district, by the EU-Agragamee Information (“Addressing Nutritional & Income Insecurity of Underpriviliged Communities by Improving Access to Relevant Government Schemes”) Project’s Bolangir district partner organisation Bolangir Bikas Parishad in Kantabanji of Belpada block. The basic objective of the workshop was to discuss the rules and different provisions of MGNREGS Act and to focus on how to make the MGNREGA people centric to provide benefits to the poor. The participants included MGNREGA labourers from different villages of Bharuapali GP. Noted local social worker Makunda Karuan joined the workshop as a ‘resource person’. Retired teacher Akul Banagola encouraged the labourers to take advantage of the immense employment benefits of the above Act.  The Bongomunda block coordinator, Jayanta Bag, discussed on different issues concerning migrant labourers and sensitise the labourers on rules and facilities of MGNREGA. Bolangir Bikas Parishad’s Director Mukund Sahu gave the welcome address and explained the participants about the goal and objectives of the training workshop. Belpada Sachetaks Buddha Banagola and Kailash Hati helped in the management of the workshop till the end.

GP Level One-Day Training Workshop on ICDS Scheme

Kantabanji, 11/01:  A one-day workshop on ICDS Scheme was organised at Kharbahali village, Bharuapalli GP of Belpada block under Bolangir district, by Bolangir Bikas Parishad supported by EU-Agragamee Information (“Addressing Nutritional  & Income Insecurity of Underprivileged Communities by Improving Access to Relevant  Government Schemes” ) Project, Odisha. The participants included members of Janch Committee and Matru Committee from different villages of the GP. The topics of discussion included rules and provisions of six services being provided to different beneficiaries under ICDS, the role and responsibilities of the AWW to reduce MMR and IMR; monitoring and evaluation of the above services by the committee members and taking up issues of any irregularities in implementation of the schemes. The workshop among others was coordinated by Bolangir Bikash Parishad’s Director Mukund Sahu, Bongomunda blockcoordinator Jayanta Bag and Budha Bonagola.

Block Level CAG Meeting at Belpada, Bolangir district 

Kantabanji, 5/01/2016: A block level Citizen’s Action Group (CAG) meeting was organised by Bolangir Bikash Parishad presided by Tularam Putel. The participants included the CAG members from Belpada, Nunhad, Kanut, Sarmuhan and Bharuapali GP. In view of  the continuing issues high rate of  IMR, awful drought situation, farmers’ suicide,  migration in Bolangir district, the roles and responsibilities of the CAG members to become knowledgeable of different govt. schemes and its rules and facilities in availing those schemes, sensitising the villagers about these schemes  and taking up issues of irregularities, ensuring greater people’s participation in the implementation and management of these services by the different Committee members etc. were discussed at the meeting. The CAG members from different GPs recounted their experience of taking up issues like how to monitor MDM by sensitising SMC members, AWC, MGNREGA job works successfully. The other topics of discussion included the suo moto disclosure of Information by all Govt. departments under section 4.1 (B) of RTI Act, the role and responsibilities of Standing Committee and SMC  under RTE and the major duties of ‘Labour Union’ in MGNREGS works. The workshop was organised with support from EU-Agragamee Information (“Addressing Nutritional  & Income Insecurity of Underpriviliged Communities by Improving Access to Relevant  Government Schemes” ) Project.  Bolangir Bikash Parishad’s Director Mukund Sahu, Bongomunda block Coordinator Jayanta Bag and Premanand Sahu among others coordinated the meeting.

Durkhal is a small revenue village of Chandragiri GP in Kashipur block under Rayagada district, Odisha. Most of the villagers are tribal. They are very poor and illiterate. A total of 110 families live in the village. There is very little agricultural land in the village. The farming on the hills is the only source of subsistence. The illiteracy and malnutrition in the village especially among the mothers and children are clearly visible in their face.

Durkhal primary school, Jaymal Majhi, a CAG member and village head

There is one Primary School and an Anganwadi centre in the village. But none of them were functional for years together. In the school 2 teachers had been appointed and a total of 55 children were studying in different classes up to 5^th Standard. The villagers were also silent about both the school and AWC being ignorant of Govt. provisions, rules and regulations, roles and responsibilities of the School and AWC Committee members. There was no school and no scope of MDM for village children.

Our CAG members informed the BIC Kashipur of this situation in the village in the last week of December 2014. Understanding the gravity of the situation BIC, Kashipur immediately organised a meeting in Durkhal village in January 2015. In the meeting it was discovered that the only one teacher comes to school for once or twice a month in the year. The AWW has not come to centre for past 6 months. No written complaint was lodged at the BEO or CDPO.

The villagers were sensitized about the Govt. provisions, rules and regulations, roles and responsibilities of the School Management and AWC Committee members. It was also made clear in the meeting how both school teachers and AWW engaged in corruption and malpractice submitting false bill regarding MDM and pre-school food at AWC regularly on a monthly basis. The leaflets and information brochures on diverse provisions of Govt. Free and Compulsory Education and six services to its stakeholders from AWC were distributed to the villagers at the meeting. The villagers were also to ask to call for the school teachers and AWW to the village meeting immediately and then demand for all provisions of services in the school and AWC as per Govt. rules. It was also advised that first of all they should discuss and solve the issues with the teachers and AWW amicably.  If they acknowledged their corrupt activities and promised to regularise school, MDM and other provisions then they must observe the sincerity of the teachers and AWW regularly.

EU staff sensitising villagers at the meeting in Durkhal

And, if they failed to regularise the school as per the Govt. rules, the villagers felt, then they would have to lodge a written complaint at the BEO and CDPO office against them. After knowing everything about Govt. rules and provisions, role and responsibility of the SMC members, Janch Committee members on AWC, the villagers got enraged and decided to challenge both the school teachers, the AWW this time to teach them a lesson. The villagers were also told that in case the teachers or the AWW tried to dodge the alleged complaint against them by citing official negligence or anything like that then they should ask them to give a written form of whatever excuses or reason they had explained to justify their irregularities so that the villagers could show it to BEO or CDPO for further explanation. Thereafter, the next day the villagers sat together to discuss the strategies to confront the teachers and AWW and sent intimation to the teachers and AWC of such a meeting at the village the day after following day.

The AWW and only one of the two teachers came to the said village meeting. The villagers asked for reasons behind serious irregularities at school and AWC showing the leaflets of Govt. rules and provisions, role and responsibilities of teachers and SMC and Janch Committee members. The school teacher found no way out wept before everybody and finally accepted his guilt and promised to run school as per rules and provisions. But, the AWC was adamant and tried her best to argue with the villagers. But, when the villagers asked her to provide a written petition of what she was saying she got humbled, wept and acknowledged her guilt and promised to be regular at the AWC with all provisions and facilities. Afterwards, both the school and AWC became regular.

After attending the demand generation meeting of Project Svavritti in October 2014, and under the guidance of the Additional District Social Welfare Officer and support from the Community Resource Person (CRP), he had once again re-submitted the application for his wife, daughter and himself. Due to regular ongoing follow-up and meeting of government officials by the CRP of Svavritti, his family received INR 29,900/- credited into his account. This money helped him and his family repay the loan taken for treatment purpose and the remaining amount put in fixed deposit as a security for future needs. The family now feels that they are able to live in peace without the tension of repaying any loan. Currently the head of the family is regular to his work and able to meet the daily requirements of his family.

There were many such families that benefited through the interaction with the government officials facilitated at the demand generation meetings. The pending applications were processed and benefits accrued to the community members. A few to be mentioned here are: i) Mr.Benia, (name changed) a 32 year old married PLHIV from Gajapati district, Odisha, a daily wage labourer, received the arrears of last three year pension amount of INR 11,000/- which was credited directly in his account; ii) Urmeela Pradhan (name changed), 37 year old a widow driven out from in-law’s house from Bhanjanagar block, Ganjam district, Odisha, got two installments of INR 30,000 (23rd July 2014) and INR 35,000 (23rdSept 2014) respectively after relentless follow up by CRP with the Block Development Officer (BDO), Department of Panchayti Raj and Rural Development and Social Education Organizer (SEO), Department of Women and Child Development. Additionally to what she got from the government she had pooled in some of her saving and constructed a house for her family. She is waiting for the final installment of INR 10,000 which she is yet to receive; iii) Ms. G. Mariamma (name changed) from Gajapati district, Odisha, a positive widow who has been driven out by her in-laws after the death of her husband, got INR 16,800 after similar continuous follow up with the concerned BDO and SEO.

After learning all the process, she gave her consent to change her gender and name and submitted a request letter to District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) seeking necessary legal advice and support. The SPC and CRP accompanied Santosh to the court to obtain her GIC certificate. She also told her friends who were also looking to legally change their names and gender about the procedure. The CRP was able to coordinate the process for two of Santosh’s friends.
The whole process of identifying the needs, collection of required documents and acquiring the affidavit was done in one day, that is the 19th of August, 2015.
Now she is called as Ms. Jambabati Kinner. She will mention her gender as Third Gender in all her proceedings, deeds, writings, dealings and transactions.

Way forward:
Accessing government services as per their GIC has not happened yet. However, community members are happy that the judgement recognizes their gender identity. Community members are in the hope that schemes will be announced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the state government will take steps to improve the quality of life of the transgender community and provide them with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Details of other two beneficiaries:
1. Ms. Sangeet Kinner, Age: 23 years, At: Kaviti Street, Parlakhemundi, Gajapati district. Formerly known as: N. Kashi Biswanath
2. Ms. Budu Kinner, Age: 23 years, Residence: Koli, Garabandha, Paralakhemundi, Gajapti district. Formerly known as: Jena

In 2013, while Mr. Deep was working as a daily wage labourer in Surat, Gujarat he noticed that his was becoming increasing ill and could not continue his job. He therefore returned to his village in Kalahandi and was subsequently diagnosed as HIV positive. He registered himself at an ART Center located in the Medinipur Panchayat and began treatment. Though his health was improving, he was unable to find a suitable job which had a severely negative impact on the economic condition of his household.

On August 24, 2015 he met with SAATHII’s (Project Svavritti) State Project Coordinator (SPC) at the link ART Centre and was educated on the available social protection schemes provided by the government. Mr. Deep requested the project team to assist him access any government housing scheme. The SPC provided him with information about Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) (an Odisha state sponsored housing scheme), assisted him collect the necessary supporting documents and submit the application at the Block Development Office on August 26, 2015.

On September 28, 2015 the SPC and PO (Programe Officer) met with the Block Development Officer (BDO), District Rural Development Agency and requested that Mr. Deep’s application be processed immediately and that his HIV status remain confidential. The BDO cooperated and went about the field visit without revealing the applicant’s HIV status at his village.

The SPC found out that the application had been approved and Mr. Deep received the first installment of INR 20,000/- (out of a total of INR 75,000/-) on the 3rd of October, 2015. On October 16, 2015, the SPC made a follow-up visit and noted that construction for Mr. Deep’s house had started.

Mr. Deep’s success story makes it evident of how the needs of community members are met by government officials promptly and sensitively.

It requires a lot of perseverance and patience to access government schemes and services by a individuals from general population in India due to lack of knowledge about schemes, lengthy application processes, corruption and delay in decision making by the government departments.

In August 2015, through project Svavritti, seven People Living with HIV (PLHIV) received INR 50,000/- each (a total of INR 350,000/-) from the Telangana Scheduled Caste Co-operative Finance Corporation (TSCCFC) a unit of the Telangana Scheduled Caste Co-operative Development Ltd in Mahabubnagar.

In May 2015, the project team had conducted one on one sensitization sessions with the Executive Director, Schedule Caste Cooperative Development Corporation, Mahabubnagar on the goals and objectives of project Svavritti and the needs of the PLHIV and MARPs (Most At Risk Populations). During this meeting the team learned about the schemes and services available in the department. Following which, the team organized a Demand Generation Meeting (DGM) on 19th June 2015 at the District Headquarters Hospital in Mahabubnagar. The DGM facilitated all target community members namely People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and Most at Risk Population (MARP) with the opportunity to interact with officials from the SC Corporation and were able to share their problems and issues, inform them about their needs, and seek support from government officials.

The project team recommended that government officials sanction a non-repayable financial assistance scheme for marginalized PLHIV community members in the form of a subsidy. Since banks provide only repayable loans. The officials in charge accepted proposal put forth by the project team and assured to forward the team’s request to the District Collector. The project team was requested to submit applications in the prescribed format along with all relevant documents to the concerned officials at the earliest.

As a major output of the DGM, the district Community Resource Person (CRP) received 10 applications for financial assistance from PLHIV who belong to the scheduled caste community and submitted it at Mandal Parishad Development Office (MPDO) in the month of June 2015. The Mandal Parishad Development Officer scrutinized the applications and submitted them at the District Collectorate Office.

As a result of ongoing regular follow-up by the project team with the MPDO, on 25th August 2015 the CRP received a call stating that the seven applications were sanctioned for INR 50,000/- per person (non refundable amount) and to collect the cheque. The three other applications were rejected on the basis of age (eligible age for scheme access ranges from 21 – 45 years)

Finally on 28th August 2015, the cheques were distributed to the seven PLHIV beneficiaries by the District Executive Director, Scheduled Caste Development Corporation. With this amount the beneficiaries have established their own businesses such as petty shops, cattle farms and brick manufacturing units in their hometown for their daily livelihood. The detail of the small business initiatives of each of the beneficiary is available with the project team.