Birsa Pahan has received dozens of threats and calls for extortion or levy from the Maoists operating in Gumla and also at Kamdara, the block from where he has been elected Mukhia. The menace and terror faced by all and sundry in Jharkhand is also coming true for the rural representatives prompting some of them to search for ideas.
“I have felt pressure from Naxals on several occasions. They come and seek levy for the schemes being run by me in the panchayat. But I never succumbed to them. Though there is fear about Naxals and no one raises a voice but we decided to do work silently,” said Birsa Pahan before received recognition for his work on the first day of the 14th Foundation fortnight on Friday from the hands of Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Rameshon Friday.
Pahan has worked tirelessly for ensuring water supply and also willing to build a dam on the village river so that irrigation facilities in the area can be provided. “Unemployment is the major concern for the people and what I want is to stress on agricultural activities. I have taken lots of works under MGNREGA to deal with it,” added Pahan while apprehending over the ultra’s activities.
Teji Kispotta was also included in the list of awardees. She was chosen the best Mukhia of Ranchi district for her work in the field of women empowerment and for spreading awareness among them. “We have alcoholism at its worst form in the area thus I decided to make women aware about the side effects and their role in checking the problem. I have opened four schools in the panchayat and forming several SHGs,” says the Khalari mukhia.
Teji has also got recognition for providing drinking water in 300 houses of the panchayat and does not like to be called a ‘husband run lady mukhia’. “I am not like that. Though, women in my area remain behind the doors and do not like coming forward but I am trying my best to break the jinx. I am not dependent on my husband and he does not interfere into my domain. If this happens then what is the advantage of being elected,” questions Teji, who has used most of the Rs 10.8 lakh fund received for developmental activities in last three years.
Similar is the case of Ghaghra panchayat of Kisnu Oraon that has been identified as pilot panchayat in Gumla district for implementing schemes of Rs one crore under the MGNREGA. “I have taken up works for well, roads and ponds that has worked well for poor people of the panchayat. I also mobilised people for building a canal by their own efforts. I have several innovative ideas that can be more effective deterrents against the Naxals than the gun battle,” said Oraon.
The recognition on the occasion though have boosted the moral of the rural representatives who at the hindsight also have reservations about insufficient fund available and rights given to them in turning schemes into realities.