OCTOBER PROGRESS REPORT

D A TE : N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 0 9

October was a rather hectic month of travel, with my visit to Uttarakhand spilling over to the first week of the month, followed by two 5-day visits to Orissa with Ruchi.

UTTARAKHAND
Akshay (of Lok Chetna Manch, Ranikhet) and I met the BDOs of Tarikhet and Dwarahat blocks and pursuant to this were invited to a meeting addressed by the Collector where the gram sarpanchs were called to discuss NREGA. The BDOs declared that they would fully cooperate regarding issue of job cards and also were receptive to the idea of releasing labour payments even if the actual measurements were not completed. The issue of extremely delayed payments pertaining to early 2009 was also discussed as per their knowledge this had happened because some works were undertaken without approval but were now being regularised. One peculiar statement was made by the Collector who asserted that NREGA works would be undertaken by his predetermined order of preference which indicates that of a list of say eight possible works, item No.5 can be taken up only if all works pertaining to the preceding four are completed! (---- So much for peoples participation ----) Each of the 9 Him Sainiks have either achieved or are close to completing the survey cum awareness campaign and by mid-November will be able to start the process of meetings in the panchayats. This work was scheduled to begin in Tarikhet after Diwali but had to be deferred owing to the crop and grass harvesting season.

ORISSA
Our first visit was in the second week of October and during this a review meeting was held at Bhubaneshwar. While here we collectively met the Under Secretary in charge of NREGA in the secretariat and in a free ranging discussion that lasted almost two hours he not only gave us useful information but also insights into the problems perceived by the State Government in the implementation of NREGA. (The minutes of our review meeting are appended at the end of this report) During the course of our two field visits we covered the central belt and the western area separately so
NREGA Awareness Meeting

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that there was adequate time to assess the ground situation and also interact with the 5 teams of Jan Sathis (without exhausting ourselves completely!). Overall progress has been good and by the end October our survey cum awareness campaign managed to cover around 165,000 households of which around 140,000 have expressed a desire to work. Data analysis of the survey data presents a grim picture: only 60% of those interested in working have job cards, while only 25% have a bank or post office account (both the job card and account are essential prerequisites for applying for work under the act). Only 20% were aware of their entitlement of 100 days of work at the minimum wage of Rs.90/-per day and in the last year work under NREGA was provided to only 20% of those willing to work and that too for not more than 25 days on an average. Our immediate task is clearly defined and this is mobilizing the communities and administration to issue over 55,000 job cards and open over 100,000 bank accounts. Besides this, within the next 30 45 days we have to communicate to the community their rights and how these can be realised.

A Meeting of Jan Sathis

What is really encouraging is the extremely positive response of the people and in October they were able to secure over 10,000 job cards and open around 7500 accounts. During our trips we met several BDOs and other officials including one District Collector and the Project Director-DRDA. The administration has promised full cooperation but the real test of this will be their response when the job demands are submitted and it is time to allot work. In Western Orissa our groups were confronted with another ugly reality --- that of drought and subsequent infestation of the paddy fields by Men at Work caterpillars resulting in a loss of the main crop by over 50%. This led to a hitherto unheard of situation of 6 farmers committing suicide. The administration went into a state of denial but sustained pressure by a Kisan Sangh led to some acceptance of the grim reality and a subsequent announcement of a meager compensation of Rs.2000/- per hectare at the end of the month.

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OTHER ACTIVITIES
FUND RAISING
During the month we received commitments for support for 3 activists and the Board of United Way has shortlisted the trust to be in the pipeline for funds as and when they are available. We have also initiated a dialogue with the DLF Foundation, Paul Foundation and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Unfortunately our groups proposals to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust have got stuck en route! We received our first donation in kind --- Net books, Leap Tops and a desk top system from HCL Infosystems. This will enable us to be in regular touch by email with our field groups and we are deeply grateful for this generous support. However 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

MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER REVIEW MEETING AT BHUBANESHWAR

COMMON STRATEGIES FOR JAN SATHIS
1) Wherever Survey work is still continuing they need to present the data at the same time and also form committees at the village level. 2) Introduce Sanghatan and its values to the villages and conclude with Zindabad wherever possible. 3) They should start discussing about man days available in that particular village and accordingly calculate the budget available (Labour+ materials i.e. labour x 65%) and develop a list of works could be undertaken with that budget. 4) For left out target of families they need to add adjacent block area. 5) After Committee formation now it is right time to introduce the district as well as block level forum and make them aware about mass mobilisation. 6) Formation of common saving group at village level and 5% of their income should be deposited in that. 7) The Jansathis should create a communication network with an each village committee member to get the latest updates regarding the opening up new accounts, Job card made etc. on daily basis.
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8) Contact area local post office and do the reality check and guide committee members to obtain the right information. At the same time collect the forms from post office and assure deliveries to concern village committee members and motivate gaon sathis to open the accounts. 9) A common training program should design for Jan sathis. 10) A temporary wall painting should be made in each village to carry survey data.

COMMON POINTS FOR TEAM LEADERS

1) You should meet PDs, and BDOs of their area. To give in writing to BDOs, PDs, DRDA and collectors our estimates of work required to be provided for each GP. 2) You need to send their monthly activity plan. 3) You should continue with sending daily reports which has not been happening for quite some time. 4) You should now focus on establishing a common forum which is pending from last 3 months 5) For 27th meeting decide on the agenda of the meeting. 6) Also conceptualize on membership which will be scheduled to be finalized on 27th of Oct and it should be implemented by 1st January in the field. 7) Their tabulated data should reach by this week end as we need to produce the data to the Secretary on 27th. So kindly make sure that it should reach to me by this week end. 8) Finalize training dates for primary members and village volunteers in key panchayats, 9) Prepare a plan for all the families aiming to demand work in batches beginning Nov 15th and ending with total coverage by Dec 15th. 10) Expenses incurred including salaries for Sept. and expenses up to 30/9 to be sent. 11) Banks/post offices to be contacted to determine the easiest manner of debiting individual accounts 5% and crediting the village account as and when payments go into the individual accounts.

FOR KANDHMAL
Aruna bhai and Pravat Bhai need to plan 3 days field visit every month to Kandhmal for training Kalu and his team. Kalu has to make weekly Plan. He will spend 5 days in field to train 2 Jansathis everyday through holding village meetings and 6th day for compiling data and report writing. For completing target of 3000 families they are adding one block - Raikia They need to introduce Jeevika Suraksha Manch.
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Team members to be sent for 3 days exposure in batches of 3 to MMM/AAEM

FOR ARUNA BHAI

Plan to cover one new block- to cover up 11 G.ps. They need to recruit three Jansathis for the new block The project for solar light should come ASAP Need to sit with Mrityunjay and Panchanand and develop their monthly plan. After receipt of funds purchase cycles for Kandhmal and Koraput---coordinate with Ruchi. Plan SDTT resource center details with Pravat and send us the final plan. Present this at 27th meeting.

FOR PRAVAT BHAI

Please continue with the process into the area where Jansathis left recently. It should happen with the help of existing team members. Send the last year activity chart to Nayana. Send the proposal for solar light Send an introduction letter to the Nayagarh PD and D.M

APPEAL FOR DONATIONS

You are requested to support one or more such workers each of whom will cost only Rs.4,000/- 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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