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Gram sabha in process
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Serious about their rights |
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AID showing the way |
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The main focus of AID is
livelihood enhancement of Munda tribe. Particular focus is on revival
of Khuntkatti system of tribal governance. The aim is to teach about
the various privileges and rights provided to tribal. Most of them are
totally ignorant about such rights. For that very reason workshop on
Forest Promotion & CNT Act takes place at regular interval by AID.
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Case Study : Strengthening of Munda Panchayat |
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The village heads, called
Munda, are not literate in many villages. They are least aware about
the various government programmes and schemes. Sincere efforts have
been made by AID to look into these weaknesses. The field staff
maintains a regular visit during the Gram Sabha (GS) meetings. The
members of GS have been taught about bookkeeping. The importance of
forest protection is being talked about in the GS meeting. They are
also made aware about the Panchayat election their rights and
entitlements. Some of them are hoping to have their say in the
governance and in implementation of development programmes: "Once I
become the Sarpanch I will be vested with a lot of powers and
resources. I will have control over these resources. I will have the
rights to decide how to put them to best use for the benefit of the
community. I will not have to run to the block office every now and
then and bribe the block officials for bringing development works to
the village", says Sanichara Munda, one of the candidates for
Sarpanch in the upcoming election.
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Case Study:
Making inroads - Catalyzing the groups
into action |
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The local government is
inaccessible in tribal villages. The project drew a strategy to break
this isolation and link up the area with government schemes and
programmes in order to ensure self-rule of the tribes. Most of the
Gram Sabhas are not aware about such schemes. Therefore various
schemes of the government have been explained to the tribal villagers
at regular period of time. Many have become the beneficiaries of such
government schemes.AID disseminated information about the schemes from
the welfare Department of the state government to the YG of Serenghatu.
Bahiaram Munda is one of the members of the YG. He filled up the
application for digging of well for drinking and irrigation purpose.
The block has accepted his application. 15 other applicants have been
granted similar schemes. |
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Case Study:
Standing for Equal Rights |
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Women are the most unsecured group within a village. The purpose of
AID is to make women stand in their own society by formation and
strengthening of SHG (Self Help Group). Today, women are expert in
saving and bookkeeping. Training is given to link livelihood and
forest. SHGs are working along with male groups in a village. However
female participation in decision-making is almost non-existent. The
aim of AID is to involve women during such meetings. The male members
of the gram sabha many of whom are also the members of Youth group
formed by AID have also felt the need to involve women during gram
sabha meetings. AID has initiated a campaign in this regard in the
villages and is involved in a series of dialogue with the Mundas
(village headman) and other prominent villagers. "Some of the
members of our youth group have kept this proposal in gram sabha
meeting, number of times. I feel it is necessary for the women folk of
our village to know what all is happening and give their suggestions
in framing of any village norms, rules and regulations. I know if this
happens then it would be abided by a greater section of the community.
We have only to convince the village elders. At present they are not
ready to accept women in decision making positions,” said Buddu
Munda of village Gasar in Ulihatu. |
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