The residents of Fatehpur village under Jamtara district had little idea of what a Gram Sabha is. For decades they were manipulated by middlemen and were used to giving their consent on government schemes without having a say in their positioning and implementation in their village. Unaware of the concept of Panchayati Raj system they were devoid of the powers of Gram Sabha and the powers vested in them by legislation.
A few months ago, if a development scheme came to their village, it was a mere formality for them to agree to the plan as decided by panchayat representatives and some locals with vested interests. However, with the entry of Samvad in collaboration with PHIA and APPI the scenario has completely changed. People now understand that they are the decision makers for their own good. They not only discuss, argue and decide plans and schemes for their village but also try to keep the middlemen at bay.
“There were hardly any meetings of the Gram Sabha because people didn’t know anything about it. They just
knew about the Panchayat, Mukhiya and Panchyat Sewak, who used to take signatures for development schemes such as wells, ponds and community buildings in the village as per their wish. The villagers could not say anything about their preferences or their participation in the schemes,” says Laxmikant Mandal, a villager.
“Now, we are aware of the functioning of the Gram Sabha and its powers. We hold regular monthly meetings, maintain registers to keep record of attendance and decisions taken and also put in efforts to bring as many development projects to our village as we can. We are running cleanliness drives, working on drainage systems and spreading awareness in the village,” he adds.
Afzal Ansari, a community leader in the village says that the villagers have now begun raising their voice against illegal sand mining in their village. “We had taken a decision in the Gram Sabha meeting to stop illegal sand mining and felling of trees. For this we have filed complaints with the Sub Divisional officer and also with the Chief Minister’s complaint cell. Applications under Right to Information Act have also been filed. Although, the administration is not that supportive and we get threats from sand mining contractors, we have decided to continue this protest,” says Ansari.
Notably, the Gram Sabha meetings in the village have brought tremendous changes in women’s orientation towards life. 20-year-old Anita Devi, who came with a new-born child to the meeting says that the women in the village are now actively participating in the decision-making process. “Now, women are also aware of their rights and are coming out to speak their mind in good numbers at the Gram Sabha. Several Self Help Groups are being made and they are engaged in constructive work. They also monitor the Anganwadi Centre, school, sanitation drive and other work,” she says.
“There is a breeze of change blowing in the village. With each passing day we feel empowered and aware to make decisions for a better life for ourselves.,” says Sukodi Soren, a woman member of a socially excluded community.