NEWS FROM THE FIELD

D A TE : M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 1 1

A QUICK REVIEW OF 2010 - 2011

Dear Friends, Since the current financial year is reaching its conclusion, we thought it a good time to share with you the progress our work in Orissa has made. While the numbers given below represent quantitative achievements, there really is no way of measuring the steady, albeit slow, process of peoples empowerment which is also taking place.

2009-10 No. of families covered 95,000 No. of Jansathis (field workers) 55 Average no. of families/Jansathi 1725 No. of families who got/took work 67,000 Average no. of days of employment 34.7

2010-11 200,000 71 2820 120,000 50+

KEY POINTS THAT EMERGE FROM THIS DATA ARE: 1) There is a substantial increase in our work efficiency, reflected in the number of families covered per Jansathi (+60%). This gives us confidence that we can raise our earlier expectation of coverage from 2000 families to at least 2500 families per Jansathi. 2) Although accurate and updated data from the Government will be available after 4-6 weeks,

Sal Leaf Plate Making

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it is clear that the conversion percentage of job demands into actual work being given has declined. 3) There has been a good increase in the average no. of days of employment gained but we are still at 50% of total potential. ROADBLOCKS There are several negative factors at work that are adversely affecting our efforts. Probably the largest and most widespread of these is the delay in payment of wages ---- in many cases the time taken over payments has exceeded 60 days. Yet another major hurdle to progress is the apathy and inertia of government officials at the block and panchayat level. Besides, there is lack of adequate planning at the block/panchayat level and when confronted with a Roadworks under NREGA large number of demands for employment, the response is to just make these demands vanish from records. Vested interests have also found ways to crack the tamperproof system of payments through bank/postal accounts. We have decided to revamp our field level strategy in the next year, by ensuring we get receipts for the job demands made and claiming unemployment allowance where work orders are not issued.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
We completed a survey of over 150,000 families, and the data from the same is being collated. The demographics show that 60% of our people are adivasis (tribals), 20% dalit (harijan) and the balance belong to other backward castes. A very interesting statistic is that although all of the rural communities we cover represent the poorest of the poor yet only 37% are classified as being Below Poverty Line (BPL), a classification that entitles one to subsidised rations. This village-wise data will be extremely useful when the National Food Security Bill is passed as it will enable us enlist those currently left out of the food safety net.
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We also took a small step by encouraging peoples participation in the panchayat level planning process. Unlike other areas, Orissa has a system of palli (village) sabhas and anything up to 30 villages could comprise a gram sabha. Our Jansathis worked on awareness generation and training in over 50 gram panchayats, the results of which will be reported in our next newsletter.

Ruchi from Atmashakti being greeted by a Koraput Village

RESOURCE MOBILISATION
We received a small grant from Oxfam India in the last quarter of the year but the bulk of our funding has come from individuals, with generous contributions from members of Caring Friends, Mumbai, and we look forward to your continued support to grow our activities in the next fiscal year.

AS ALWAYS
Funds continue to be a problem and unfortunately, the situation doesnt seem to be getting any better. Once again thanks for your invaluable support and now that weve got some numbers to display please try and garner support from your friends and associates. We look forward to your continuing support, as also spreading the word and assisting us in garnering additional resources for this venture. Donation details are outlined at the end of the report. With best wishes, M.M. (Koko) Singh

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APPEAL FOR DONATIONS

You are requested to support one or more such workers each of whom will cost only Rs.6,000/- per month. We will provide regular updates that fully account for your donations and detail the work that has been executed through various means such as the website, emails, social networks etc. Cheques can be made out to Atmashakti Trust Please pass this on to friends who may be interested in supporting us. Donations enjoy exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act

CONTACT DETAILS
Koko Singh The Atmashakti Trust 101A Friends Colony New Delhi 110065 Ph.: +91-11-41627576 Email: atmashaktitrust@gmail.com Web: www.atmashaktitrust.com

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