Not many representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) can claim the tag of ‘Model Panchayat’ for their panchayat. It takes good practices and achievements to a certain extent to get the coveted tag. However, there are a bunch of PRIs who believe that they have done a lot to create a panchayat with a difference.
Mukhiya of Jumal panchayat under Rajnagar block of Saraikela-Kharsawan, Sushil Hansda claims that his panchayat is a model in many ways and is among few grass-root democratic institutions that maintain the democratic spirit by allowing participation of all in the day-to-day affairs of the panchayat. Meeting of different bodies of the panchayat is held with complete quorum and proceedings are recorded to read aloud after the meeting for the convenience of everyone to understand before final approval, better implementation of MNREGA schemes and other social sector schemes meant for rural masses. But the PRIs are humble enough to admit that proper training on how to manage routine works of panchayat and villages played a significant role in transforming their panchayat.
“We monitor MNREGA works very well; we have a very good coverage under ‘Janani Suraksha Yojna’ besides, a lot of works which are done by mutual cooperation between members of Gram Sabha. All these things have become possible with proper training on how to get works done. We know where to approach for a particular project and officials can no longer take us for a ride,” said Hansda.
Incidentally, the training claimed by Hansda was solicited by PRIs of many other panchayats those who were benefited from the PEVAC (pre election voter’s campaign) started by Centre for World Solidarity (CWS) and five other resource agencies during 2009-10 (till the Panchayat election happened in Dec 2010). Subsequently, an orientation programme was launched by CWS in eight panchayats, three blocks and two districts with the help of three non-governmental organisations — TCRSC, Manthan Yuva Sansthan and Mahila Sahyogi. The orientation programme to educate PRIs is also being conducted in lohardaga district.
“We know our powers and we have used it for the benefit of villages of the panchayat. Women who were earlier excluded from the proceedings of Gram Sabha have become proactive about their participation in the affairs the sabha and play important role in decision making process,” said member of Jumal Gram Sabha, Surmani Hansda.
The project aimed at building the capacity of PRIs at gram panchayat level focussing on development of socially marginalised section of the society by strengthening the capacity of PRIs and Gram Sabhas members in terms of roles, responsibility and practices to ensure rights and entitlements, Government social security schemes like employment, women health and safe motherhood, child care; making Gram Sabhas effective through its standing committee’s formation and functioning as per the guidelines of the constitution (PRI act 2001) towards the development for the discriminated population groups; ensuring transparency and accountability in planning (village level micro planning) and information dissemination for the rights and entitlements at Panchayat level.
The project also aimed at building network and alliance at Panchayat, block, district and State-level to contribute to take up the issues by Panchayat and block-level networks on rights and entitlements and to ensure that the effort is recognised by other organisations.