Gram Sabha Initiating Village Development Activities

Kerabar village comes under Barwenagar Panchayat, Chainpur Block, Gumla district in Jharkhand. There are 39 households in the village. The main occupation of the people in this village is rain fed agriculture. Some years back, a vibrant Gram Sabha under the leadership of the traditional leader used to exist. However, it has become defunct in recent years.

In the month of February, 2018, the community engagement process commenced in the village which emphasized the importance of the gram sabha in the village, its role and functions. The community of Kerabar village have started realizing that the Gram Sabha is a powerful institution in the village through which they can demand their rights and entitlements. The Gram Sabha can also help them conduct village development activities effectively. As a result, the Gram Sabha was revived and a three-member committee comprising of Gram Pradhan Prem Lal Minj, Secretary Febiyanus Minj and Treasurer Jefrenius was constituted. Discussion on village level issues on enhancement of income through agriculture was the focus. It was decided to create a bund on a stream flowing adjacent to the village to enhance the irrigation source. Under the leadership of the newly formed committee, the Gram Sabha put their plan into action and constructed the bund. The initiative resulted in providing a renewed source of irrigation to around 30 families who have started vegetable cultivation. The community intends to have a strong Gram Sabha to work for the development of the village and enhance access to rights and entitlements.