The Project

GRAM SWASHASHAN ABHIYAN (GSA)

In Jharkhand tribes constitute 26% population and 14 districts fall under the Vth Schedule Area. The 3 selected districts fall under the Vth Schedule, they have a high concentration of tribal population and thus provisions of PESA, 1996 is applicable. Though PESA, 1996 is applicable to Jharkhand but state specific rules for its implementation have not yet been formulated. Gumla has an intervention with the Oraon tribe, West Singhbhum with Ho tribe and Jamtara with Sauria Pahadia and Santhals. The proposed districts are very rich in forest resources. The districts are also rich in mineral resources and main are iron ore, coal, manganese, limestone, kainite, chromite and mica. Forest and environment is under threat from mining and expanding human encroachment. Except for Jamtara, the other 2 districts are a part of the Red Corridor (The Red Corridor is a region in the east of India that experiences considerable Naxalite–Maoist insurgency).

Historically and traditionally the Gram Sabhas have been in existence and active under the leadership of Mundas, Mankies, Parahs and Majhis in the state. Compared to other states, this is the second term of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jharkhand as per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, where as other states have 5th terms of PRIs.

As per the provisions of Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act 2001, each Gram Sabha has to have 8 Standing Committees. Even after five years of implementation of Panchayati Raj System in the state, the above mentioned Standing Committees are not functioning as expected. Through the intervention, regular Gram Sabhas with quorum are being organised, standing committees have been formed and thematic trainings have been imparted to its members, Gram Kosh is created at Gram Sabha level,  Gram Sabha secretariat is also being established and all these developments in the intervention areas are being grounded through community participation. Prior to this, there was  negligible participation of women in Gram Sabha and village development planning did not democratically happen. The process was merely confined to listing of schemes.  Gram Sabha at Tola level were not recognized which resulted in non-representation of individuals from far off habitations. The intervention is trying to deepen the democratic processes ensuring participation of the community (women and men) in village governance.

Jharkhand is a state of the tribal groups who have their own traditional and social institutions with a strong concept of democratic participation and governance. The traditional institutions have been a product of a system developed by the tribes, evolved and modified in a natural evolution process through ages. Tribes combine their political affairs with social, religious and economic affairs including management and ownership of resources. This system of self-governance has always been changing depending upon the tribe, it is “traditional” ⎯ evolved over generations after extensive experimentation. In present scenario the scholar and researchers have termed this system as “traditional self-governance” of the tribes. Traditional self-governance (TSG) system having candid support and faith of everyone from the community should not be mistaken as ‘static’ and ‘isolated’; it has ever been ‘dynamic’ and ‘embedded’.

The project (Gram Swashashan Abhiyan) is trying to strengthen local governance for inclusive and participatory development with special emphasis on the excluded and marginalised communities in the three districts proposed for intervention. It is strengthening the Gram Sabha and the PRI institutions in three districts of Jharkhand leading to equity, inclusion and holistic development of poor, vulnerable and marginalized groups in targeted Gram Panchayats (GPs) during the project period. The project is being executed through Gram Sabha and traditional leaders for strengthening representation, participation and by building their  capacities for inclusive implementation of the development programmes and accountable local governance. On the other hand the intervention is working on the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act and other social security provisions and has started to demonstrate an increased uptake of entitlements and services by the communities through effective demand creation, accountable and inclusive governance. The project is being implemented in three districts of Jharkhand; West Singhbhum, Gumla and Jamtara. One block from each of these districts is identified and the intervention covers all the Gram Panchayats of the block.