Readers must remember my post on visit to Dogachhi GP in Krishnagar-I few weeks ago. Last week I happen to visit Ramnagar Baro Chuparia-II (RBC2) GP area in Hanskhali block and could gather from the job card holders that NOT A SINGLE Day's work could be provided to them under NREGA in the current year, though they are willing to do earth work and the site is also available. It is pointed to me that a drainage canal of one kilometre in length from RBC Primary School to zero line falling in river Ichhamati needs to excavation to improve its water retention capacity. There is no water in the canal at present, at most of the stretches.
BSF authority also has no objection to the work as the earth so excavated can be used to construct road to be used by the villagers for better connectivity while BSF can use it for patrolling along the river, which natural border. There is no fencing at this stretch.
Local GP member and GP Prodhan when invited in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) process agreed the need to start this NREGA work immediately. Initially, they were of the view that there is hardly any scope of the NREGA in their GP and that the job card holders are not willing to do hard work of earth excavation as they are engaged in agricultural works as labourers. The fact is agricultural wages are only Rs 55 to 60 per day wheras they can earn minimum Rs 75 per day under NREGA.
We believe that such a situation may exist at several other GPs in the district, as only 304 works could be started in the district so far.
2 comments:
Sir,
The programme for Karimpur-II(Nandanpur GP)and Kaliganj(Mira-I GP)has been completed today(25.11.2008).As per the report heard from the team sent from the District NREGA Cell,it has been learnt that the response is mixed. There is further need for IEC,GP staff do not have specific copies of circulars sent from this end.Little support is given from the Block NREGA Cell.APOs and TAs accompanied with the team,though it was a pre-chalked out programme,it is difficult to ascertain whether visits are made from the Block Cell.
Involvement of women is extremely poor.Video clippings are being processed and will be placed very early that there is resistance from the head of the household(generally a male member)for work by woman.
Muster rolls have been read out in the village and found to be more or less in order.Schemes have been identified where scope and avenue of work have been explored and has been shown to the GPs for immediate execution.Works are supply driven,demand for work is generally not recorded.Proactive disclosure format is painted in the GP wall but not updated as it has been very recently painted in the GP wall.
I will submit the pictures and the video clippings in a day or two. Overall the experience of the team as they have shared is that we need to moov frequently for such activities.The more we go to the field,the more we will learn.
Yours faithfully,
Indranil
Good. Feedback from GPs so far gathered in Subdivisional meetings reveal that the GPs are not adequately motivated and eager to do NREGA work. We need to deploy civil societies to create demand of the work and public pressure. There is urgent need to plan visit to poor performing GPs from the block NREGA cell. Proactive disclosure must be further insisted.
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