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HEALTH
&
ENVIRONMENT
rcn
The Foundation for Research in Community Health
3 & 4, Trimiti B Apts., 85, Anand Park, Aundh, Pune - 411007
Tel: (020) 25887020, Fax: (020) 25881308
Email: frchpune'ftDgiaspnOl.vsnl.net.in
I
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
INDEX
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1.
Let us progress together
i - 11
2.
The Government in our village
12 - 24
3.
Air
25 -30
4.
The need for Air
31 - 36
5.
Participation of women in Panchayat
37 - 44
6.
Why do people behave in this way?
45 - 49
7.
The story of water : A Tale of Suffering
50 - 65
8.
Soak pit
66 - 70
9.
Improved 'Chulha'
71 - 77
10.
Grameen Bank
78 - 102
Introduction
A potter’s family lived in a village where sugarcane
plantations and sugar industries newly come in. Not only
did the industry bring money to the village but also a
different kind of culture. At first the potter could look after
his family well. He would supply earthen pots as required
to different families in the village in exchange for goods
*
that he needed: for example, since he had no land of
his own, farmers would give him grain in return. He did
not have any land of his own. But owners of fields would
o
give him grain in return. But in the new system they
stopped giving him anything. He could not make two ends meet. People like him had to
move to cities to get jobs. The youth of the village began to work in cities while their parents
and children remained in the village.
The potter got a job in the city. But his wages were insufficient to maintain the whole
family. So his wife Gunja had to work in other people’s fields. She would bring home green
vegetables which her mother-in-law cooked in an iron pan without spices with just onion
and garlic. The children would eat it everyday however they were never sure of getting too
square meals in a day.
The potter’s son kept falling ill.
He was prone to frequent colds and diarrhoea. She
took him to the doctor but he was always meeting his family in the city. The hospital staff
asked her to give him oral hydration till she reached a bigger city hospital. She was wondering
how she would afford the doctor’s fees if she spent on travel. In this confusion, the child died.
The grieving woman went to stay with her husband in the city. She kept feeling that
she would not have lost her son had they lived in the city. There were doctors all over the
place and plenty of transport. She could visit any hospital here. She wondered when her
village would improve. Since the coming of the sugar
factory, the village water had got contaminated. The
factory workers had a new colony and school but
development did not reach the village. The only change
in the village was the availability of alcohol and the things
began to deteriorate when villagers got drunk and
harassed their families.
There was plenty of water in the city. The potter’s
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wife chatted with her neighbour Savitri who earned her
living by doing household chores for different families.
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Her husband had deserted her and lived separately. Savitri
and Gunja discussed all the various facilities available
in the city, but Savitri pointed out that these were only
for the rich. Although there were many doctors and
hospitals, their fees were very high.
She also complained about the pollution caused by
vehicles and the filth surrounding their huts.
Savitri also felt that the lack of education prevented
them from earning well. She pointed out that poor children
cannot study because they have to work in the daytimerag-picking in cities or grazing the animals in villages. They had to share the family
responsibilities. They therefore needed night schools. Besides government schools did not
teach well. Poor children could not afford tuitions and they lagged behind in studies.
On Savitri’s advice, Gunja returned to her village. She
kept pondering about improvement of her village. The
Panchayat elections were round the corner and there was
a 33% reservation for women. The elders of the village
were upset about this new empowerment of women. She
gave in her nomination for the Panchayat and was
elected alongwith another woman.
Gunja was afraid to attend the first meeting with other
men. The women had to agree with all their decisions
quietly. After 6 months there was a letter inviting the women
members of the Panchayat for a training workshop. The other woman member refused to
attend on grounds of family problems but Gunja decided to participate.
Many things were taught at the workshop. What
Gunja liked it was the atmosphere of training through
conversation. This method was stress-free as they were
asked to narrate their experiences. There was no teacher
as such. There were songs and stories. It was fun to
learn in a playful way, from each other. They were taught
through group discussions how to solve problems. They
had to come up with solutions for the development of
their village, and further learn how to measure their success.
All of them felt that the government should arrange
for water supply, construction of roads and provide
employment opportunities. The trainer who was a woman
then narrated a true story of the development of a village.
Ther was a village called Shindi in the drought-prone
Parner Taluka of Maharashtra state. Shindi is the
Marathi name for the toddy tree from which an alcoholic
drink is prepared. There was no work during the
monsoon, toddy was available in plenty and people
would drink it all the time. The women and children
were fed up of this nuisance. It was under these
circumstances that a person called Anna Hazare
decided to transform the village. He gathered the villagers to solve their problem of
employment. He decided to tackle the question of water shortage first. They created tiny
bunds on the hills. They collected water in trenches along the ground. Trees were planted.
Gradually they were able to grow crops, even three times a year in the land which had
not been productive for long. Latrines and soak-pits were constructed in the village. Since
the waste was absorbed by the ground, the village became a cleaner place
A school
was started for children. Dowry was prohibited and so
was alcohol drinking. The youth who had left the village
in search ofjobs, returned to their farms. The Panchayat
elections were held unopposed unanimously. The
villagers contributed their labour while the government
schemes provided some funds for this developmental
work. This village is now known as “Ralegan Siddhi”.
After a brief silence a discussion followed :
Trainer : Do you think the government alone should
help?
One Member : Who else will help?
Other Member :
First Member
:
What we just heard showed that villagers should lead.
You do not have people like Anna Hazare in every place. My
village
has a lot of politics; it is very difficult to get any work done there.
Member :
Then who but the government will do it?
Madam, will you kindly tell us about the schemes started by the
government? We may then understand things.
Trainer :
A lot of schemes were executed after the independence of the country.
We will discuss the merits and drawbacks of the following plans 1) The welfare state - Helping the weak e.g. - health services, free education etc. were
taken up by the government and social organisations for conducting injnunization,
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dispensaries and so on, to reduce the economic burden of the deprived sections.
The biggest drawback of this was the creation of total dependence on the Government.
People began to think that all welfare schemes depended only on the government,
with nothing to be done by oneself.
2) Economic Independence - Aid to raise the financial
condition by giving loans for goat-farming, brick kilns
etc. Funds were provided but no training was given.
People lacked the skills to start new trades or
improve production.
3)
Training - Technological training for self-reliance
was started through schemes like TPISEM and ITI
training centres. Although this imparted technical
training and financial help, the weaker sections
could not become independent in the absence of
knowledge about the marketing skills and business practices.
4) Equality - Gender equility was given importance. New laws were enacted to reduce
casteism and emphasis equality of sex. Unfortunately this new approach remained
on paper. Means of enforcement of these rights and empowerment of women were
lacking. But the scenario is changing gradually. They did not work out how to put
it
into
practice.
Today
empowerment
of
underprivileged people is being stressed.
5) Empowerment - The ideas about development
have been changing - raising the power of decision
making among people, encouraging people to take
decisions, getting the cooperation of people and
providing all kinds of information to them.
Alka :
How are these changes in development
concepts connected to Panchayat
Kamala :
training?
We have just been told that decisions should be taken by the people.
Panchayati Raj is the rule of the people, run by the people for the people.
Vimala :
All said and done, people in villages do not take decisions. They are always
taken by the leaders and the rich. It is the men who manage everything.
Trainer:
Women are members just for name's’ sake.
You are right, this has been going on till now. Leaders used to decide for
the villagers. If we wish to stop them, we should go to the Gram Sabha,
demand explanations from them, and also accept responsibilities.
Alka :
People do not know hpw to ask questions
Trainer:
In order to ask questions, one should first obtain relevant information. Meet
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availability of skills should be considered to start a business. If a dairy is to be started,
are enough cows /buffaloes available? Are there means of collecting the milk? In case the
milk is not sold, is there any arrangement to use it in
some other way? All such queries should be sorted out.
We are part of society
Till now we only thought about our own homes and
families. If we have to solve problems of our children’s
education and employment, then development of the
whole society is necessary. In order to have our children’s
schools run well, we must all help the schools.
A
continuing dialogue must be established with the teachers.
After all the family is a unit of society. Our development
lies in the development of our village.
Cooperation of not just leaders but everyone is
essential in a village
Even today, the so-called rich and upper class people
take decisions for the village. Our village got a sugar
factory, but what did the villagers gain from it? Some
selfish people were benefited, but the common man only
got suffering as a result of the factory. If the villagers
had relevant information, the leaders would not have
been able to pressurize them, people could have refused
to agree to a factory being started. What is needed
is a representative who works in harmony with the
people, unlike the past leaders or powerful individuals. The people’s representative must
understand their difficulties and work peacefully. Using the right of majority can transform
society. All the people should express their views about the development of the village,
discuss them and decide things by consensus.
Reservation
Some seats have been reserved for backward communities and women by the government
with the hope that they will also get some benefit of development. Reservation will allow
them to be involved in the political process. It is hoped that they will present their questions
and participate in solving them.
Transforming oneself
We need to change ourselves if we want to create a new society e.g., discipline, punctuality,
cleanliness, following deadlines, are all basic to success. It is necessary to change old habits
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of discrimination and adopt attitudes of equality amongst
all classes, genders and castes.
Transforming of village conditions is upto us. We must
keep in mind the proverb ‘Where there is a will, there
is a way’.
Alert and questioning minds are necessary in society.
Things should be accepted only after careful thought even
if they are customary.
Self-sufficient village
People should get employment in their own villages. Small scale industries should be
started at village level, so that villagers do not need to migrate to cities to earn money.
Some work must be available in the village when there
is no work possible on the farms.
Our relationship with nature
We must conserve natural resources, which are the
property not only of our society but also of future
generations. It is our collective responsibility to protect
the land, water and air for the future society. It is our
foremost duty to use this invaluable storehouse of nature
carefully and properly.
This is an ancient story.
Long, long ago our country, followed the Gurukul
system of education. Students would stay with their mentors for education.
A great teacher had three disciples who were all very intelligent. He could not decide
which was the best. The teacher’s wife had a clever
idea. She suggested that they should both go away
for a fortnight, at the end of which they would come
to know which student was the most intelligent. Before
setting out, she gave some seeds to each of the three,
saying that these should be returned in the same
condition when they got back.
When they returned from their journey the wife
assured her husband that he would soon recognize
the best student.
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The master called all three students and asked them to return the seeds. One student
had kept them safe in a trunk, but they had got spoilt. The second one had sold his
seeds in the market. When he went to buy new ones with the money, he had to spend
more because the prices 'had risen.
The third student said that they would have to go out into the yard since the seeds
couldn’t be carried. There were colourful fragrant flowers all around. He said that they
would get back their seeds after two weeks, many more than the original number. The
most intelligent boy had proved himself.
The trainer said that the fragrance of one’s work should spread all around. You may
be alone at first, but do not be afraid. Proceed hopefully and the seeds sown by you will
mourish in proper conditions.
Self Examination
• Do you think a village can become self-sufficient?
. How will you explain the fact that daily life is connected to nature?
• How can one develop decision-making capacity in people ?
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Exercises
Choose correct alternatives
1. There is
reservation for women in Panchayat Raj.
1. 33%
2. 66%
3. 500%
4. 430%
is needed for development of the village.
2.
1. A leader
2. Government aid
3. People’s participation
4. All the above
3. Development means
1. People get all facilities
2. Increase in factories, buildings and roads
3. Proper use of natural and human resources
4. All the above
4. A self-sufficient village requires -
1. Employment for each person
2. Small scale industries at village level.
3. Work in the fields
4. Proper planning of natural and human resources of the village
5.
We should preserve the bounty of nature (land, water, nature) because1. We need it for our living
2. Our future generation and other beings have a right to it
3. It is a gift of god
4. In future this can help man to conquer nature.
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Answers
1-1, 2-3, 3-3, 4-4, 5-2
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Lesson 2
The Government in our village
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand
1. The different characteristics of the traditional Gram Panchayat.
2. The system of Panchayati Raj
3. The objectives of rural development.
4. The activities of Gram Panchayat
5. The significance of the participation by the people in rural development.
6. Forming an ideal society.
Knowledge
You will know about
• The difference between the ancient and modern Panchayat System.
• The concept of rural development.
• The basic principles of an ideal society.
Skill
You will learn
• How to inspire people for development.
• How to bring about a change in the psychology of the people.
Perspective
You will realize that
• The village is our own responsibility.
• It is not difficult to create an ideal village if the entire village acts collectively.
Our Village our Government
That the village should be run by the villagers
themselves is not a new concept in India. The system
of Panchayat Rule was created long ago in our country.
The ancient books of ‘Vedas’ also mention ‘Gana’
(citizens), (the body), (sabha) which are rural names. The
Ramayana includes ‘Ghosh’ (declaration) and ‘Janpada’
(people’s post) while Maharashtra has the term
‘Gramasangha’ (union of villages).
Even when ancient man lived in forests, he lived in groups. Man observed animals and
domesticated them. When farming was developed, he had to settle in one place. Groups
living in particular places developed into villages. The need for unity and cooperation among
them led to the creation of ‘Panchayat’ in the early periods.
Just as the Gram Panchayat is unique to India there
have been ‘Lenas’ in Athens ‘James’ in Rome, ‘Burgh’
in Scotland ‘Mir’ in Russia, and ‘Kalapuli’ in Mexico.
The Panchayat has existed since the period of the
Vedas, four to five thousand years ago. This system
existed and was respected before British rule in India.
The Gram Panchayat was like a government which carried
out the functions of maintaining the coordination,
protection and solving the rivalries among the villagers.
The stability given by this governance led to the prosperity
and strength of the ancient villages. The ruling kings could not interfere with the working
of the villages due to absence of means of transport. The officials of Royalty maintained
a relationship with the village to recover taxes from it. Gradually they began to encourage
self-rule amongst them.
The features of the ancient Panchayat
1. People themselves created and maintained roads,
wells, lakes and canals in the villages.
2. People contributed their labour to the development
of the village.
3. Development of farming and cottage industries.
4. Availability of health and education services.
5. Dispensing justice to villagers at low cost. People
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often had to go to the King’s Court to get judgements. Later on the Gram Panchayat
began to solve such cases.
Drawbacks of Ancient Panchayat
1. There was a lack of representation due to the dominance of higher caste people.
2. The democratic society was damaged by caste-discrimination.
3. The Panchayat did not have the right to form any law. They had to follow the traditional
laws.
4. There was not enough individual freedom.
5. The restriction on lower castes to receive education or begin a business etc. led
to an unequal society.
Modernity in Panchayat Rule
Gandhiji explained his concept of India as a country
where even the common man feels that he is involved
in the creation of his nation. It is a place where people
live amicably with no discrimination. It should be devoid
of inhuman conditions like untouchability and evils like
addictions. Gandhiji said, “The India of my dreams has
greater equality and doesn’t allow any kind of exploitation.
Here the deprived and the weaker sections should be
treated on par with the better classes. I want a country
with minimum expenditure on defence and weapons.”
“There will be economic equality and freedom in
my India. This concept keeps out conflict between capital
and labour. Collective labour is the capital, thus the
minority rich community has to come down from their
high level in order that the level of the vast majority
of the hungry and exploited poor can be raised. We
cannot have a non-violent government unless the gap
between the haves and have-nots is reduced. I cannot
imagine cities and metros having grand sky-scrapers being surrounded by filthy areas
and squalid slums. In an ideal country, all Indians should have equal rights. If the handful
of upper classes do not volunteer to offer their wealth and power for social welfare, they
will be inviting a revolution of bloodshed. It is imperative to hand over money and power
to the numerous common people in the India of my dreams.”
73rd Amendment to the Constitution
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Every member of a Panchayat should understand this amendment made in 1993.
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1. Every village will have a Gramsabha which will have
legal rights and powers.
2. There will be a three-fold structure in the state-
gram-panchayat (village panchayat) Panchayat
‘Samiti’ (committee) and Zilla Parishad (District).
3. Every Gram Panchayat will have a term of five
years. If it
gets dissolved for some reason,
elections should be held within six months.
4. All members at every level will be elected.
5. The State Government will decide the manner of
holding the election of ‘Sarpanch’ (Chief Member)
of the Panchayat.
6. The Presidents of the Panchayat Samiti and Zilla
Parishad will be elected by secret ballot. There will be appropriate reservation for
Scheduled Tribes.
7. 30% seats will be reserved for women.
8. The Gram Panchayat will have the right to collect and spend local taxes.
9. The State Government will hand over the following schemes to the Panchayat for
economic development and social justice.
(Section 243 clause 11)
1. Agricultural Development
2. Land Reform
3. Water Supply
4. Animal Husbandry
5. Fishery
6. Farm and Forest Development
7. Forest Produce
8. Small Scale Industry
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9. Khadi, Village Industry
10. Rural home plan
11. Drinking water supply
12. Fuel and Fodder Department
13. Telecommunication
14. Electricity Supply
15. Development of non-conventional energy
16. Eradication of poverty
17. Primary and Secondary
Education
18. Technical and Professional Education
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19. Adult Education
20. Library Department
21. Cultural Affairs
22. Market & Fair Federation
23. Rural health and sanitation care
24. Family Welfare
25. Women and Child Welfare
26. Social Welfare
27. Welfare of deprived
28. Public Distribution System
29. Social Heritage
What is the meaning of Rural Development?
The following are the main objectives of Rural
Development
1. Eradication of Poverty
2. Employment
3. Social Justice
4. Upgradation of the life style of villagers (through
improved health service, literacy, nutrition, clean
water etc.)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Development of Fruit and Agriculture Produce.
Development of Agro-based Industry.
Maintenance of ecological balance.
Water-shed
Enabling total self-sufficiency in villages.
The government is trying to execute every rural development plan on the basis of
local needs. It is bound to obtain the coordination of maximum people in the planning, execution
and follow-up of all schemes. Rural Development will be possible with the participation of
the people.
People’s Participation
Meetings and contributory labour at the village level alone does not comprise people’s
participation. It means the achievement of the objectives of development by the collective
efforts of people at all levels of the village. This requires the encouragement of all women,
men, old, young and especially the people from weaker sections to get involved with the
process of development. Only then will the aim of electi'hg representatives be fulfilled.
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The following execution is expected for maximum
participation and cooperation of the people-
1. Spreading the information regarding all schemes
related to rural development among the people.
2. Make villagers aware of a plan or activity for the
development of the village with the help of a local
worker or officer.
3. Villagers
make
suggestions
about
the
requirements of the village to the local workers
regarding schemes and programmes.
4. Make the people understand that the village can
be developed with the methods decided by the villagers.
5. The concept of wealth accumulated through government schemes and activities
belonging to the village, whether it deals with hand
pumps, water pipelines or construction of buildings,
should be clarified.
Method of Establishing Gram Panchayat
The lowest unit of administration in the State
Government is the village. A minimum 300 people in a
village is necessary to form a Gram Panchayat. It works
at two levels. The first is the local administration which
includes illumination, roads, public health, creation of
housing schemes, water supply etc. All these tasks have
been entrusted to the Gram Panchayat. The second kind
of charge viz. maintenance of security in the village is handed over to the Government.
The Taluka is under the Police Chief. It is here that the State courts hear the cases
from the villages.
If a village is too small, two or more villages may collectively form a Gram Panchayat.
According to Article No. 5 of the Constitution, every village must have a Panchayat except
where a municipality or cantonment already exists. If the population of a village exceeds
10,000 the government can establish a municipality there.
A place has to
be declared as a village before a Gram Panchayat is formed. The
Chief Officer of the Zilla Parishad sends a notice to the Divisional Commissioner according
to which he orders the establishment of the Gram Panchayat.
Sources of Income of the Gram Panchayat
a.
The Gram Panchayat has the responsibility of conducting welfare activities for the people.
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This requires its own income along with government aid.
b.
The following means have been approved for fund
raising -
i.
Government aid as per rules.
ii.
Various taxes and fees levied by Gram Panchayat.
iii. Financial Aid Received.
iv.
Repayment of loans given by Gram Panchayat.
v.
Aid received under various Development Schemes
Taxes and Fees levied by the Panchayat.
Taxes
and
Fees
Levied
by
Panchayat
The type of fees that can be levied by Panchayat have
been listed in Article no. 124 of the Directories as follows:
1)
Land Tax - According to Article no. 4, the Gram
Panchayat has the right to charge buildings and Land
which pay no revenues. Agricultural land is taxable. But
Article No. 127 allows the gram panchayat to tax the
produce of the land. It can tax buildings, constructed, both
on agricultural or non-agricultural land.
2)
Land Reform Tax - The Gram Panchayat can use
the village funds for schemes to increase the
productivity e.g. - irrigation facilities to supply water
to fields with pumps and other methods. The Gram
Panchayat can collect taxes from landed farmers for
such purpose.
3) Octroi - Goods entering the village can be taxed
by defining the
geographical limits
before deciding the
amounts.
(RefKanas Pimpri Panchayat vs. Z. P. Nagpur - 1968, No.
181, 186, 187) Octroi cannot be collected from goods
being traded out of the village (Ref Guru Swamy vs.
lju Malai Panchayat - 1968 No. 271, 274).
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5) Pilgrim Tax - The Panchayat can collect tax from
pilgrims visiting holy places or places of worship lying
within their geographical limits.
6) Fairs and Entertainment Tax- Shops set up during
fairs in villages and tickets sold for entertainment
programs can be taxed. This includes films, drama,
tamasha but not marriage or adoption celebrations.
7) Bicycle, bullock-cart or house-carriage taxesPanchayat can collect charges from these vehicles
plied inside their area, as a source of income.
8) Trade of Profession Tax-Article 276 of the Indian
constitution has to be followed while collecting this
tax. The Maharashtra Act of 1975 allows tax on internal
trade, service and professions.
9) Health Care Tax - The Panchayat can tax the sanitary
blocks or toilets installed by it for public hygiene and
cleaning of gutters, collecting garbage etc. from the
village.
10) Water cess - The Panchayat can decide a definite
tax on water connections in houses, or charge fees
for supplying lake or well-water to fields.
11) Other Charges - The Gram Panchayat has the right
to collect fees permitted by the State Government like electricity supply.
12) The Panchayat that provides street-lighting can collect fees for it.
In addition to the above taxes, the Gram Panchayat is allowed to collect the fees for the
following -
1.
Daily / weekly markets.
2.
Parking carts and carriages at stands
3.
Running a stall or utility at public places.
4. Cleaning of latrines on private land.
5. Grazing of animals on pastures owned by the Panchayat
6. Special cleanliness activities in surroundings including public toilets.
Compulsory Taxes
The Panchayat has the right to collect all the fixed taxes like land and water tax, outstanding
dues and tariffs. However it does not have the right to add any unlisted charge e.g. - it
cannot levy sales tax on goods sold.
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The Gram Panchayat looks after and is the basis of the administration of the village.
Villages with a population of less than five hundred have a combined 'Group Gram Panchayat’
of two or more villages.
The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected by senior voters for five years. The
candidate to be elected must be above twenty-one years of age. There are a minimum
of seven and maximum of fifteen members in a Gram Panchayat. Some seats are reserved
for Scheduled categories and 30% for women.
Gram Panchayat
The Chief of the Panchayat is called ‘Sarpanch’. He
and the assistant Sarpanch are elected by the elected
members of Gram Panchayat. The Sarpanch is the
President of the meetings organized by them. He looks
after the working of the Gram Panchayat and the execution
of the development schemes. He is helped by the
assistant Sarpanch.
‘Gramsevak’ is a government servant who assists in
the working of the Gram Panchayat as secretary. He
prepares the budget for the Gram Panchayat, maintains accounts and advises the villagers
about health-care and matters related to agriculture and education along with development.
He is also expected to give information regarding government schemes.
The Functions of the Gram Panchayat
Construction and maintenance of roads in the village, supplying electricity, arranging
markets, fairs, celebrations and pilgrimages in the village, keeping records of births, deaths
and marriages, public cleanliness, waste water management, supply of drinking water, providing
facilities for education and health, execution of agricultural development and animal husbandry
schemes are the responsibilities of the Gram Panchayat
Sources of Income
The main source of collecting funds for the functions
of the Gram Panchayat - the collection of taxes on housing
and open plots within its limits. The other sources include
profession tax, pilgrimage tax, housing, sale of animals,
part of land revenue and subsidy granted
by Zilla
Parishad for development work.
Gram Sabha (Meetings) - The Gram Sabha consists
of men and women members above eighteen years of
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age. Their meetings are organized twice a year. The
budget and development plans are placed for approval,
questions related to these are answered by the Sarpanch
and his assistant with detailed discussions about the
difficulties faced and questions raised by the people.
‘Nyaya-Panchayat’ (for Justice) - Villages have
controversies about division of property, boundaries of
field etc. The idea of establishment of Nyaya Panchayats
(one among five villages) is to solve such disputes at
the village level. This Panchayat consists of one
representative of each village, excluding the Sarpanch
and Assistant Sarpanch of any village.
Rights for All
1.
It is important for every villager to get employment.
Industries like textiles, oil or soap can be started in a
village to provide work to all the unemployed.
Consequently, the rural youth need not migrate to the
cities.
2.
Environmental Protection - Installing a Gobar-Gas
plant can solve the problem of fuel in villages.
Consequently it will prevent cutting of trees. In addition,
using natural manure like compost can be encouraged among the farmers. This will be
economically viable and also maintain the organic richness of the soil.
3. Participation of villagers in the village activities- The activities of the village should
be conducted in consultation with the villagers. Their views should be solicited and expressed
in the Gram Sabha. A representative Gram Sabha can influence the decisions of the Gram
Panchayat. Thus development will be more effective by involving the villagers.
The Program of creating a model society
1. Taking the power to the people - Unfortunately development plans are often made
in cities, due to which they are not always relevant to the requirements of the villages.
Therefore the Gram Sabha should send their requirement to the Zilla Parishad and have
a dialogue with them. Then the plans can be made accordingly and the villagers will be
able to use their resources in the proper way. Only Gram Sabhas should be authorized
to decide on implementation of any schemes in the villages.
2. The direction of rural development - When every villager realises that the development
of his/her village lies in his/her own hands, then only, collectively it can be made into it
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an independent, self-sufficient place. Every person must ensure total literacy and voluntarily
enforce prohibition in the village. A motion to this effect
should be presented in the Gram Sabha. Together they
should move towards ecological balance through tree
plantation and prevention of deforestation.
3.
Development through contribution of labour - If
activities like construction of roads and schools are
undertaken by the villagers themselves, a lot of money
will be saved. Simultaneously every person in the village
will be involved in these schemes.
4. Participation of Gram Panchayat - Scheduled
castes and Tribes along with women have been given representation according to Article
No. 73 (Amendment). The Gram Panchayat should make greater efforts to prioritize their
schemes on the basis of the requirements. This may be decided in consultation with experts
otherwise just a handful of people may get only their
own work cone while the village as such will not benefit.
5.
Participation of Voluntary Organizations -
Women’s organizations and others can help by
contributing to the cause of village development. The
village representatives should always keep the villagers
aware and alert so that there is transparency about the
resources of the village being used in a proper manner.
Only the village has the right to decide the purpose
for which the available wealth is to be used. The villagers
have the responsibility of ensuring that they use their
decisions for progress of the village.
If all the men and women collectively execute their roles
well, a ‘Panchayat Raj’ will be created in the true sense
of‘Self-Rule’.
Self Assessment
What does development mean?
A:
How should this concept be explained to people?
How can the meanings of ‘Self-Sufficiency’ and
‘Contribution’ of labour' be clarified to people?
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Exercises
1. Who was responsible for running a village since Ancient times?
1. Gram Panchayat
2. Panchayati Raj
3. Nagar Parishad
4. All the above
2. Drawbacks of Ancient Panchayat
1. Only Higher Caste Representation
2. Casteism
3. Individual Dependence
4. All the above
3. Within how many months is a dissolved Gram Panchayat to have fresh elections?
2. 3
1. 6
4. 4
3. 9
4. How many functions have been given to the Panchayat in Amendment to Article 73?
1. 20
3. 19
2. 29
4. 33
5. The Chief of a Gram Panchayat is
1. Panch
2. Sarpanch
3. Assistant - Sarpanch
4. Gram sevak
6. Which of the following taxes are levied compulsorily by Gram Panchayat ?
1. Building Tax 2. Land/Land Reform Tax
3. Water Cess 4. All the above
7. Minimum population to form a Gram Panchayat - More than
1. 1000 2. 500
3. 400 4. 500
8. Minimum age for participation in Gram Sabha
1. 18
2. 20
3. 29
4. 25
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Answers
1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-2, 5-2, 6-4, 7-4, 8-1
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Lesson 3
Air
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand
1. What is “air”.
2.
The importance of energy.
3.
Information about conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
Knowledge
You will know about
•
The scientific definition of air and energy.
•
Types of fuel.
Skill
You will learn about
.
•
Which fuels can be used in place of firewood.
•
What is the connection between source of fuel and health.
Perspective
You will realize that
•
•
Pure air and fuel are our national wealth.
It is necessary to use non-conventional sources of energy to overcome the problem of
fuel shortage.
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Air
A gardener called Rahima lived in Rampur. She was
very hardworking. She would attend to her garden every
day. It was full of plants, especially vegetables. From the
money earned, she changed her tiled house into a
concrete structure.
Since her family did not enjoy the food cooked on
the gas-stove, she used her traditional stove.
Gradually Rahima developed a burning sensation in
her eyes. Why do you think this happened suddenly after
her forties? The smoke from the traditional stove was trapped in the concrete house. Earlier,
it would have escaped through the tiles.
Information about Air
All living beings need air for survival. They breathe
in only the oxygen from air which is mixed with moisture
and other gases and breathe out carbon dioxide with
other unwanted gases.
Plants in other hand inhale the carbon dioxide to pre
pare food and breathe out oxigen during the day.
Air is a mixture of the following gases - Nitrogen
- 76%, Oxygen - 21%, CO2 and dust particles in minute
quantities.
When living beings breathe through the nose, the hair
in it prevent dust from entering the throat or lower organs i.e., trachea, lungs etc.
Man needs both air and fuel for burning of food
in our body. Thus fuel is energy. Every organism needs
energy to move, grow and reproduce. Fuel is used to
cook food, for illumination and other work. Fire is a kind
of fuel discovered by man to do various tasks.
Whenever we work, we feel tired because we use
up our energy. How is this energy created? Our food
contains carbohydrates proteins, fat, vitamins and
minerals. These are converted into juices by digestion
and sent to different parts of the body whereas unwanted
material is excreted. The absorbed food extracts, reach
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the cells where they are burned using oxygen. This action creates energy.
Plants use the energy contained in sunlight to prepare their food. Thus the sun is
a source of energy. We use different types of fuel to create energy in two ways-
1. Renewable sources like the sun. Similarly water is used to create electricity. Trees
give firewood which can be used and new trees can be planted.
2. Non-renewable sources - Rock -oil or kerosene,
cooking gas, coal, diesel and petrol are the other
examples of fuel which can be burnt to cook food
or run vehicles.
The off-shore sea areas give us oil from which fuel
is obtained. The oil wells also yield natural gas which
can be used for cooking. Mines provide coal. Though
the earth has a store of these sources of energy, they
are likely to get exhausted by large-scale extraction and use.
This is similar to the grain stored in our homes has
to be maintained according to our requirement.
Domestic Fuel
Coal, firewood, and kerosene are used mainly in rural
areas. When wet wood is burnt, it gives out a lot of smoke.
When it enters the nose or mouth it reaches the blood.
Its harmful effects harm the health of family members.
Many trees are cut for requirement of wood.
New trees must be planted regularly to make-up for
the cutting of older trees for firewood. It is every man's
'
duty to grow trees and prevent avoidable felling.
Although cow-dung cakes, are also used as fuel, cow
dung is more useful as manure for the fields. So if the
villagers unite to commence use of common Gobar-gas plants, they will kill two birds with
one stone.
They will get cooking gas as well as manure.
Electricity is essential in homes for lights, radio or T. V. and for pumps in farms. How
is electricity created? By burning coal, using water and energising wind.
Can we try this
Every Grampanchayat provideiS information about smokeless stoves. Trapped smoke
from traditional stoves affected the he alth of women and children inside the home. Recently
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the Maharashtra State Fuel Research Organization has designed a new stove which saves
energy without emitting smoke. Such new stoves should be used wherever possible.
Solar Energy
We get plenty of sunlight for most part of the year
in our country. We can, like plants, use sunlight to cook
our food. If you get sunlight in your house, you need to
use the roof or the yard to place the solar cooker. It has
special containers to cook the food and keep it warm.
It can also cook meat. The solar cooker saves energy
and other sources of fuel.
The drawbacks are that a solar cooker is difficult
to handle due to its large size and use of glass which
is breakable. It is costly and maintenance/repair services are not easily available. It needs
to be further improved so that it can be used on a large scale.
Fuel for vehicles
All means of transport need fuel. When petrol or diesel is burnt to create energy in
vehicles dangerous gases and particles are given out.
These emissions can cause conditions like cancer and
respiratory diseases. While transport has brought distant
places together excessive use of vehicles will soon
deplete our fuel resources.
Health hazards
Excessive smoke arising from use of wet twigs/leaves
may also lead to cancer. The smoke particles inside it
r enter the lungs and increase the risk of illness. We need
oxygen from the air, but when smoke is mixed, it con
tains more of CO2. The reduced amount of oxygen is harmful to our health and decreases
the ability to work. Women who spend long hours at the stove in domestic work are most
at risk.
You can try this -
1. Use a smokeless stove
2.
Use a solar cooker
3. Observe the bio-gas plant
I 291
Self Study
• How can people’s attitude towards fuel be changed?
• How should the interrelationship of air with health be explained to people?
Exercises
1. We need
1. o2
gas for survival.
2. COn
3. Nitrogen
4. Hydrogen
2. Trees prepare food with the
1. O2
2. CO2
gas.
3. Nitrogen
4. Hydrogen
3. The percentage of O2 in air is
1. 73
2. 29
3. 30
4.
76
4. The basic source of energy is
1. Sun
2. Water
3.
Moon
4. Trees
5. Energy from kerosene is
1. Non-conventional
2. Renewable
3. Non-renewable 4. Conventional
6. The modern source of energy is
1.Solar Energy 2. Water Energy 3.
Gas 4. Kerosene
Fill in the blanks
1. Respiratory system,
2. cells, 3. cars
1) The greatest cause of cancer is smoke from
2) Polluted air damages
3) Energy is created in our
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Key
Correct Alternatives
1-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-1, 5-3, 6-1
Blanks
1-3, 2-1, 3-2
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Lesson 4
The Need for Air
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand
1. Why air is needed
2. Why oxygen is required
3. The causes of air pollution
4. Why ventilation is necessary and planning the house accordingly
Knowledge
You will know about
•
Why air and oxygen is essential.
•
•
Process of inhalation and exhalation.
Requirement of ventilation.
Skill
You will learn
•
How should people be made to understand that air is necessary for burning.
•
Learn how the house should be planned for proper ventilation.
Perspective
You will realize
•
How our own wrong actions pollute the air.
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The Need for Air
Although we need food and water, we simultaneously
have a greater necessity for air. Every living being needs
air for breathing.
We also need air for burning. We use fuels like
kerosene, firewood and coal to cook food. They all burn
using oxygen. Thus air is needed to burn any fuel, even
in a candle. This can be tested as follows -
Light a candle. Place a glass tumbler upside down
over the candle. It will get extinguished as soon as the
oxygen around it is over. Similarly, at times a patient is given oxygen artificially. That shows
the importance of oxygen.
The significance of oxygen and air for respiration
We may be able to live without food or water for
some days but it is impossible to live without air or oxygen.
We have already studied how with each breath we take
in our lungs and subsequently exhale it. This is termed
as respiration. During inhalation we take in oxygen from
the air, during exhalation we breathe out carbon dioxide.
The reason for requirement of oxygen
We do a lot of work for which we need energy. This
is created by slow burning of carbohydrates and sugar
in our body. Just as a vehicle burns fuel to run, this
process uses oxygen. Both need air . Burning of food
not only creates energy to work but also maintains body
temperature.
When we run or climb a staircase, we get tired and
our breathing becomes more rapid. What is the reason
for this.
Air Pollution
Smoke pollution from industries, vehicles, furnaces
and stoves is increasing day by day. There is smoke
even in villages from the continued use of traditional
stoves. Dry grass and leaves are also burnt in the fields creating smoke. This burning is
supposed to be beneficial to improve the fe'ility of the soil and reduce weeds.
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Chemical processes in factories give out smoke. Dust
particles and tiny fibres of cotton mix with air. Poor children
working in factories, breathe in such air which affects
their lungs. Children from poor classes making balloons,
slates or fire crackers in factories are affected thus
reducing even their efficiency.
Why is incense
burnt in the house
People believe
that burning incense
keeps away harmful animals like snakes, frogs and
scorpions from homes. Some also think that it wards
off the evil spirits. People burn incense during religious
rituals.
Irritation by smoke
Smoke entering the body while cooking is equivalent to that of smoke from burning
of 200 cigarettes. The “Gulal” (red power) used during festivities or at pilgrimage centres,
is also harmful.
Natural Ventilation
Air must move all over the house so that impure air can go outside the house and
fresh air can enter. If you get a bad odour when your step into the house from outside,
you can presume that proper ventilation is absent.
-
Natural ventilation means having doors or windows
opposite each other so that air enters from one side and
goes out from the other.
How ventilation takes place
The impurities in the air are increased by the breathing
of the people living inside the house, the burning of fuel
in the kitchen and of lights. Impure air moves upwards.
If there is a tiled roof, or some porous openings near
' the roof, it can go out. A vacuum is created inside the
i house. Fresh air from outside enters through windows
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and doors to take its place. This movement is called ventilation.
The structure suitable for proper ventilation
The house must have its doors and windows facing
each other. It must have ventilator or shutters above, or
the roof should be tiled.
The kitchen should be to the East of the house so
that sunlight can enter and destroy bacteria. It will also
prevent insects. Hot air above the fireplace should be
able to go out of the kitchen and fresh air enter it.
The roof of the house should have a small transparent
patch of glass or
plastic to allow sufficient sunlight to enter the house. The
trees should be planted a little away from the house so
that they do not obstruct sunlight.
The house should be built s.ightly above the ground
level. This reduces dampness and prevents pdsts like
rats from entering the house. The size and height or rooms
should be sufficient to admit enough air inside.
The walls should be painted white (with lime) to allow
the brightness of sunshine to reflect and keep out
mosquitoes and other insects.
The windows should have nets or frames of wire to admit air even when closed at night.
Self Study
• How do you explain to the villagers how to reduce air pollution
• How do you explain that houses have to be planned so that free air flow is possible.
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Exercise
Match the pairs
1. CO2
1. Natural ventilation
2. Inhalation
3. Exhalation
4. Smoke from the stove
2. Air pollution
3. Opposite windows
4. O2
Choose the correct alternatives
1. Necessary for burning
a. O2
b. Nitrogen
c. CO2
2. Causes of air pollution
a. Industries b. Vehicles
d. Hydrogen
c. Stove d. All the above
3. Fields are burnt in villages
a. As a tradition
c. For bigger harvest
b. For greater rainfall
d. To improve soil and better yield
Fill in the blanks
1. Lungs and efficiency, 2. Oxygen, 3. O2 gas/CO2
during inhalation and give out
1. We take in
during
exhalation.
2.
is necessary to burn Carbohydrates / sugar in our body
3.
affected by pollution from industries
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Key
Pairs - 1-3, 2-4, 3-1 , 4-2
Alternatives - 1-1, 2-4, 3-4
Blanks - 1-3, 2-2, 3-1
1
Lesson 5
Participation of Women in Panchayats
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand
1. It is necessary for women to participate in Panchayats.
2. It is necessary to link women to developmental work.
Knowledge
You will know about
•
Rules and regulations of the Panchayat
Perspectives
You will realize
•
The importance of organizing
•
The direction of progress.
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Our country India is governed by a Central
Government based in the capital city of New Delhi. The
different states of the country are governed by
representatives elected from each State. Similarly, the
smallest unit of the village must be governed by elected
members of the Gram Panchayat drawn from the village
itself. They understand the conditions of their village
society, financially and otherwise. This enables them to
plan the activities, to be suitably executed for planned
development. Progress of each village leads to
development at higher levels and the country as a whole.
Mere launching of space-rockets, creation of atomic energy, building big industries and dams
do not constitute development of a country. India is truly developed only if the poor living
in remote, interior places receive two square meals a day; distant hill-top areas get facilities
for health, education, housing and clothes, common people get egalitarian justice and
employment opportunities. A three-level plan at the district, group and village levels has been
suggested in the Panchayat Raj. (“Zilla”, “Gut”, “Gram”)
The Panchayat Raj and Amendment to the Constitution No. 73
Panchayati Raj has been made more effective via the 73rd Constitutional amendment.
What is this amendment and why is it important for women ? The former Prime Minister
Late Shri. Rajeev Gandhi decided to give greater power to Gram Pachayat through Amend
ment to the Constitution. This was accepted on 22nd Dec. 1992 and approved on 24th
April 1993. This awarded constitutional status to the Gram Sabha and holding its meetings
became mandatory.
The membership was related to the population. The
members were to be elected by voting, for a period of
5 years. The rights, duties and collection of funds of the
Gram Panchayat were defined.
The Election Commission was established along with
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the Finance Commission. The most radical factor about
this was 33% reservation for women, scheduled castes
and tribes, as well as backward communities. 1/3 of the
posts of “Sarpanch” were reserved for women by Rotation.
Thus through the Constitution amendment
women
secured a place in political participation legally. Women who never dreamt of approaching
the Gram Pachayat now became constituents of the power in the village.
["39"]
The future after empowerment
Women mainly worked from the home. Along with
housekeeping, cooking and raising the children they also
worked in the fields. Some women took up jobs like
teaching and becoming health workers. Despite women
supporting their families through their work, men continued
to be considered as the head of the families. These
repressed women have now been granted power in
politics, but need a change in the social and political
environment to use their power effectively. They need
to undertake activities not performed like going out of the house to engage in their community,
talking to other men and even raising their voices in protest where necessary.
The women in the Gram Panchayat are under stress while facing the anger of the men.
They hold to traditional values and practices and expect
women to behave accordingly. Women therefore have
to face many obstacles in working for the development
of their villages.
Difficulties and hurdles
In a male-dominated society, women were considered
fit only for house-work and family chores. They were
considered unfit for politics. Even women started thinking
for themselves. However, if women are ignorant about
the outside world, it is not due to lack of intelligence,
but because they were deprived of information about other
activities. Similarly men are ignorant about house-keeping because they have never participated
in it. However all human beings can learn many things because both men and women have
intelligence and grasping power. So the women in power have to be bold enough to go
beyond the household stoves to occupy the chairs in the Panchayat as a matter of right,
gather correct information about the type of activities they
can do for development of their village, and express their
ideas about it.
An example
When a group of villages in Vidarbha elected women
who formed the first women Panchayat there, the former
male Panchayat members threw all the furniture out of
the office and replaced it with cow-dung containers before
the meeting. Women must be prepared to overcome such
resentment and opposition and take initiative to begin
Ron
the work themselves. They must not wait for anyone to come forward to guide them.
Women are not puppets : We do not want rights like puppets just for namesake. Women
members must never meekly sign papers brought home
by the male members who have made their own decisions
at their meetings. Women must attend the meetings,
participate in decision-making using their own discretion
and be aware of what is going on.
Countering vested interests : Conscientious and
intelligent work undertaken by women may harm some
vested interests in the village eg. funds for development
schemes are sent to the Gramsevak first. These are men
who have worked there before and already know about
the plans. Although some of them cooperate with the new
women members and welcome their participation, there
are some corrupt men who want to protect their own interests
about undertaking schemes for the benefit of their own
groups. Such influential members may avoid giving
information, obstruct the activities or even expect signatures
on blank cheques or documents. At times a no-confidence
motion is filed against the woman. But women have to
support each other to face such difficulties. A woman can
do her work in spite of such hindrances with support from
her family and women’s groups in the community.
At the time of the declaration of reservation of seats for women there was much discussion
as to which women would join this participation process : It was thought that women from
the political leader’s families would be the only ones who would join, leaving intact men s
' hold over the political systems. However till now 10 lakh women from independent organizations
from the States have come forward. They have recognized
the need for education and information.
Proving oneself
Women have made a beginning of proving
themselves by participating in the political arena. Moving
out of their homes, meeting other members speaking
out in meetings has strengthened their confidence. Just
as a woman uses her money in the interest of her family
rather than herself in domestic affairs, in politics too,
she has made a difference. As several examples show
the problem of water which affects women more acutely
than men has been tackled effectively with the entry of
women in Panchayati Raj.
Education is the third eye (Education: An eyeopener)
Although many woman members are uneducated, they
know the importance of education. They have tried to
educate themselves and their children. There are many
instances of improvement in schools-more classrooms,
repair of leaking roofs, better buildings and roads for
schools and ensuring regular attendance by teachers.
In some areas since girls have no means of transport
to high schools in distant villages their parents were not
keen to send them to schools for reasons of safety etc.
There the elected women started a “Rasta-Roko”
movement, to get a suitable bus service for them (which
had been denied to them in spite of submitting applications
and meeting officials). Thus they are improving the “vision”
of the villagers.
Alcoholism
A lot of women and families have been ruined by alcoholism. In order to prevent this,
women in - Panchayats have worked to abolish drinking in their villages. In some places
they were successful, but in others there are vested interests of men which hinder their
efforts. They are usually supported in their efforts by their fellow villagers or Mahila Mandal.
Progress
Just as women have vehemently taken up issues of prohibition, they must tackle broader
issues like roads, buildings and electricity. They must study the problems of crimes against
women, and related laws. They need to consult books, social organisations and social workers
to solve the problems of the affected victims of social crimes like rape and violation against women.
Cooperation of All
Participation of women does not mean rivalry with men. Neither gender can have progress
without the support of the other. Future society well depend on equal justice and opportunities
for both men and women.
The story of Fatima Bi is well-known. She received the Asia Pacific Award for Fighting
[ 42~|
Poverty from UNO in 1998. She is an uneducated citizen
from Kalwa, a small village in Andhra Pradesh. When
she became Sarpanch in 1995, she stepped out of her
conservative home for the first time. She gave priority
to bringing basic facilities of roads, drinking water and
electricity to her backward village. Alongside, she
transformed the illiterate villagers by encouraging
education, starting industries with rural saving banks and
freed the community from the grip of money-lenders. Care
centres were opened for children of working women and
they soon overcame age-old practices like child-marriage
and family-feuds. The performance of Fatima Bi is commendable specially because it was
done against all odds and without any backing of education or money.
Self Study
•
The perspectives of both men and women need to be altered for participation in the
Panchayat . What do you think about the statement. Does the progress of a woman
lead to the progress of her home and village too? Give an example.
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Exercises
1. Women got the right to participate in the Panchayat by the Amendment the Constitution
1. 29
2. 73
3. 74
4. 33
2. In spite of reservation for women in Panchayat Rule, their participation is less due to
1. Lack of information
2. Male dominance
3. Lack of education
4. All the above
3. To raise the confidence of women in Panchayat Rule, we need
1. Spread of education
2. Provision of information
3. Making women aware of Rights
4. Reservation
4. The foremost indicator of the Progress of a country
1. Employment/Education for all
2. Progress of women, children, backward tribes, development of natural resources
3. Rising rate of economic progress
4. All the above
5. The decision to amend the constitution for strengthening the Panchayat Rule system was
given by
1. Indira Gandhi
2. Rajeev Gandhi
3. Pandit Nehru
4. Lal Bahadur Shastri
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Key
Answers
1-2, 2-4, 3-3, 4-4, 5-2
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Lesson 6
Why do people behave in this way ?
Summary
The concept of good -health changes along with social and economic factors. Unless
one has knowledge about the beliefs of the villagers, the changes that you want to bring
about as a health worker will not be effective.
• Good or bad health has many aspects
• Health is related to financial, social and cultural factors.
• Attitudes / beliefs can be changed
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand
1. The conceptions regarding people's health.
Knowledge
You will know about
•
•
Some illnesses are self-curing with no need to go to the doctor.
It is better to seek preventive measures for being free of disease.
Skill
You will learn that
•
Many illnesses can be cured with traditional and household remedies.
Perspectives
You will realize that
•
Treatment of diseases is possible only after understanding the beliefs of people
•
regarding their illness.
It is essential to differentiate health from progress.
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In this chapter we will get the knowledge, skill and perspective of people’s attitudes
about health. The idea of well-being keeps changing. Some ailments are self-healing. They
do not need medical treatment. Some conditions can be cured by home-remedies or traditional
medicines. In addition, it is also necessary to prevent sickness. When you understand people’s
interpretation of diseases, you can tackle them accordingly. It is necessary to balance
development with good health.
Ayushi had informed people in the last meeting that at the Women’s Saving Group meets,
she would discuss the causes of illness. Ayushi told them that she had realized that health
was not just related to illness and medicine but to different aspects of our life. In order
to find out the different reasons for ill-health and variety of treatments thereof, they had to
make a joint effort. She inquired as to their initial reaction when anyone fell ill.
Some women said they went to doctors. Some said they came to health workers like
her. Still others visited the “Bhagat" (traditional healer). There they would be asked to conduct
religious rituals and worship the Gods. Some well-to-do families related ill-health and internal
conflicts to black magic. Others related it to evil spirits which made a serious patient get
delirious. Belief in the supernatural resulted in acts of cutting of lemons, going to pilgrimages
or making offerings to placate the spirits. Most of such actions are advised by the traditional
healer or priest.
Most people in the community often try home remedies first. II the sickness persists,
other villagers ‘refere’ them to other healers like the Bhagat or the priest. For certain complaints,
they use particular herbs available in near by areas. Thus, it is necessary that they all should
prepare a chart listing successful home-remedies for simple ailments.
Following are the conclusions of health related work in rural areas to develop a scientific
attitude among people -
- 1. Some ordinary complaints are best treated by traditional remedies.
2. Although allopathy has no cure for certain illnesses, we believe in it. In the same way,
3.
there is nothing wrong in praying to God for better health.
If we understand why people live in a certain way, it will be easier to understand
their behaviour.
4. What is superstition to some, may be the culture of others.
5. If we wish to change people, we need to provide better facilities to them, e.g. -da
villager has to walk for two hours just to get one pot of water, it would be unfair to
expect a high standard of urban- like hygiene from such a person.
It is wrong to think that people are foolish or ignorant. Common, occurrences like colds,
measles, chicken pox etc. get well on their own. Yet doctors prescribe medicines for them.
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Even then we do not complain against doctors. So, if people use herbal medicines that
have shown healing success over the years, it would be wrong to dissuade them. Over
the centuries, fractured bones have been healed through traditional methods. Therefore, it
would be unfair to criticize traditional methods as wrong just because they do not use modern
technology.
In a village, it is necessary to be aware of traditional approaches to every disease before
resorting to the services of the health centre there. The useful remedies should be recorded
and appreciated while the harmful methods should be discouraged. The mixing of best practices
in traditional and modern methods of healing can only be advantageous.
Ideas of well-being, undergo changes with time. Consuming, ‘bajra porridge’ was considered
beneficial in Maharashtra in the past. The villagers would also consume certain green
vegetables. Today these are not available in the villages. Therefore now they are no longer
recommended and the health of people is deteriorating. In some places, getting a job
is considered most essential for good health while others think that ego matters the most
if a person is to remain healthy.
Whenever a health worker deals with villagers’ health, he/she has to find how a particular
illness is treated by local people and what is its cause according to them. Their ideas should
not be ignored evem when unscientific. It may be related to their cultural practices. Furthermore
people’s health is not only related to illness/disease but to each and every aspect of life.
Therefore remedies for even the same disease, conditions may have to be different.
Self-Assessment
•
Explain how this lesson changed your attitude
• List the attitudes of 5 women in your village after a discussion
• What difficulties did you face during the discussion and how did you solve them?
Which were the obstacles?
• What other information do you need in this context?
•
List the home-remedies that people use frequently after discussing with them
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Exercises
1. People’s idea about health is related to this.
1. Illness/Disease 2. Remedy/cure 3. Life experience 4. Tradition
2. Our idea of health is affected by this
1. Illness 2. Knowledge 3. Treatment for health
4. About our life/the surroundings/tradition
3. This is necessary to provide health services to people
1. Starting a health centre
2. Proving information about health
3. Developing a scientific attitude using the people’s perspective, experience and
traditional knowledge
4. Reducing blind-faith
4. In the event of a common minor illness, your first course of action will be to 1. Go to a doctor for treatment
2. Find out not only cures but also prevention of disease
3. Go to a traditional healer/holy man
4. Try home-remedies
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Answers
1-3,
2-4,
3-3, 4-4
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Lesson 7
The Story of Water : A Tale of Suffering
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand
1. The problem of water and its causes.
2. Ways of storing water.
3. The reasons for contamination of water and methods of purifying it.
Knowledge
You will know about
. Most common problems regarding water
• The causes of the problems and ways of overcoming them.
Skill
You will learn
• What is the technique of making small bunds
. What is the method of purifying water
Perspective
You will realize that
. It is necessary to bring all the people together to solve the problem of water.
• Water is the common property of all. Everyone has an equal right to get water.
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Introduction
A large village was situated among the hills. A river
flowed by it. Very few villagers owned big plots of land
but there were many with tiny plots. Amongst the latter
there were plenty of farm-labourers who worked for the
landed farmers, daily-wage earners, people of all trades
like barbers, washer men etc. who received farm produce
as barter in return for their services or artisans like
weavers, gardeners and goldsmiths who exchanged their
goods for part of the harvest. All of them managed to
get two square meals a day, and if some odd person
had nothing to eat, neighbours or relatives would feed him. On the whole, the village was
running smoothly.
The village received plenty of rain which fed the river. In summer they would use the
water from some wells. But they never depended on any outside source for water such
as a tanker.
The son of the Sarpanch completed his education
in the nearby city and returned with a new idea. He
suggested to his father that they should start growing
sugar-cane instead of the usual grains of the Kharif crop.
The Sarpanch explained that sugar cane would need a
constant water supply for which they would have to buy
a pair of bullocks to draw it from some source. This
would not only need money, but a constant supply of fodder
and water even in summer. The son insisted that they
could fit a motor-engine to draw water from the river and
dig a bore-well for summer. They would grow plenty of sugar-cane and sell it to the sugar
factory. The Sarpanch pointed out that they would have
no grains for food. The son pointed out that they could
buy grain from outside, using the money earned by selling
sugar-cane.
Though the Sarpanch being a traditional farmer was
not convinced, he gave in to his educated ‘modern’ son.
When people saw how rich he became by selling sugar
cane, everyone began growing the same cash crop
instead of grains. The sugar-factory let out waste water
which contaminated the river. The poorer farmers could
TM-UO
0S142
I 52 |
not afford motor-engines to get water for their crop. But the rich ones dug wells and got
richer. The son became the political leader. He built roads. New shops were opened where
the rich bought all sorts of goods and grains. But the
poor could neither grow grains nor could they afford to
buy them. Soon the over-irrigated land became infertile
and would not yield any crop. Small farmers and workers
lacked employment. They began migrating to cities. The
village youth, now lived in urban slums while the old people
and families remained poor in the village. They had to
sell their tiny plots for survival. Gradually the village wells
also dried up. In summer they had to order a tanker for
the village. Animals were dying, diseases spread and
the village became desolate.
While some people felt the village had developed with roads, shops and electricity the
common people were suffering. The remaining villagers wondered whether they should consult
a ‘Bhagat’ (traditional healer). But they did not even have enough money to make an offering
of some animal for the betterment of the village.
During that period, an outsider settled in the village.
The villagers were suspicious of him at first. He would
do all his own house-work (which normally only women
carried out) and sit with the villagers in the evening. They
would all be lamenting about their suffering. The old men
would remind the villagers of their warning of using too
much water in their sugar-cane farming. The outsider told
them that they would have to work hard if they were to
get water throughout the year.
They asked him whether he could cause rainfall. He replied that though he could not
create rain, he could suggest how to collect the rain
water, instead of letting it all flow-away. They requested
him to explain how. He asked them whether they would
take it seriously. They would have to give their word to
continue the mission once the work was started.
fe
The outsider gave them the details of how to ensure
a good water supply. He explained that the water obtained
Fit rH
from wells, canals, lakes and rivers was replenished by
the rain.
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Rain water goes into two divisions -
1. Rivers and lakes on the ground
2. Inside the earth to underground springs which provide
wells and bore-wells. We use the water on the ground
and then some of it evaporates. When this outer store
is exhausted, we resort to using up the ground water from
wells and bore-wells. Soon even this source dries up.
The villagers were also told how to solve this problem
of water shortage.
1. The village needs more of bunds and lakes to trap
more water on the ground.
2. The underground water should be preserved as much
as possible.
Building new bunds etc. is expensive. But cleaning
the existing clogged wells, and unused ponds was
possible. The mud collected from it could be spread in
the fields to improve the fertility of the soil. These wells
would then be used to store more water.
For additional bunds, the villagers approached the Zilla
Parishad. With some funds from their schemes and
—contribution of labour by the villagers themselves, they could r / / < \ v
create additional stores of water. Naturally, the farmers were worried that they might have to
lose their land for space for a dam. Where would they live if displaced? But the outsider explained
that smaller bunds could be created to avoid displacement and expenses.
Method of collecting rain water in dry areas -
1. Dig parallel trenches at the equal levels on the hills. (Fig. 1)
2. Ensure that land is covered with plants or grass to prevent evaporation of ground water.
(Fig.2)
3. uoneci rainwater whenever possible and let it soak into underground wells, deep holes
f and ditches. (Fig.3)
Fig.3
Thus, the ground will be prepared to absorb maximum rainwater
underground, which could be made available for use when
necessary. We need to store as much as we draw or use.
The sinking of rainwater into the ground depends on the following
1. Amount of rainfall
2. Nature of showers (light continuous or heavy)
►
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3. Type of soil
4. The rocks beneath the ground.
The amount of water sinking is directly proportional to the quantity of rainfall. If the rain
is light but continuous, more water can enter the ground. If there is plenty of soil, more
water can be absorbed by it. But where you have stony areas, water flows away. Similarly
if there are slopes, water cannot remain collected.
Hills can be made to absorb more water by digging trenches at levels. If trees are planted
by flattening areas of the hills, they will help to collect water and also prevent soil erosion.
The old villagers wondered how a handful of them could complete the enormous task
of digging levels on the hills. The outsider informed them about Employment Guarantee
Schemes (EGS). The villagers who had migrated could return if such a scheme was available.
They would get work and the village could solve their water-shortage.
Employment Guarantee Scheme
If the villagers come together, they can present a proposal for such a scheme to the
government. The administration can give them employment within a range of ten kilometres
of their village.
Fig.4
If the slope is gradual, trenches known as CCT can
be dug along the contour lines (on an even level) at regular
intervals on the 4 to 6 feet distance between them, which
will conserve water as well as reduce soil erosion.
(Fig. 4).
.
If the slope is steep, shorter alternative trenches
interposing each other at different levels can be
made.(Fig. 5)
If the slope is gradual, long straight parallel trenches
can be dug at regular
intervals on the 4 to 6 feet in apart in areas of heavy
rain and greater distances in scanty areas.
To get contour line on the ground, we use a simple
technique which is known as “A” Frame technique which
is as follows:
Take three long sticks or bamboos: ab, ac, be of
12 ft. each. The sticks ab and ac should be tied at one
end, and then attached to the third stick to form a triangle
with be as the br se and a at the apex, ab, ac and be
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should measure 10 ft. each. The midpoint of b and c should
Fig.6
a
be marked as d. A string should be tied at point a with
a stone attached to its end - the length of the string should
reach just above ground level. The triangle can now be
used to mark the level of the line. (Fig. 6)
Beginning at the top of the slope, choose a point on
the slope and mark it. Place point b of the triangle on the
d
c
mark. Place mark c at such a spot where the stone pendulum
stops above point d of the triangle. Keep marking the levels
“A” Frame
so that you get a line at uniform level. Then dig along it.
The trenches should be 2 feet broad and 2 to 3 feet deep. The soil removed should be
used at the sides to plant trees. Thus the trees will get the water collected in the trenches
and they will hold the soil.
You cannot dig trenches on slopes that have fields.
Fig.7
In such places bunds of equal height have to be
Natural Bund
Grass plantation
constructed on an even level as shown above. When
Y
constructing these bunds, it is advisable to remove any
stones on the upper side of the slope. This allows
maximum perculation of water into the soil, prevents soild
erosion and holds good quality soild displaced from upper
t
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20 cm
regions of the slope.
If the land is on a slope, ploughing of fields
Depth of trench -15 cm
perpendicular to the slope, can minimize the soil erosion
and break the flow of water.
There should be a rotation of crops with leguminous crops like groundnut or grain and
,
dicotyledonous grains after monocoty ledonous crops like corn and millet. The farmer enrich
the soil with nitrogen and hold the soil together. This is necessary for monocoty ledonous
plants to grow well (alternately).
In places with greater flow of water on a less inclined slope, a special type of grass
is grown to make a natural bund-Guinea grass Ramboss is selected (Khus grass, Ramboss,
Medhasinghi and Guinea grass can all be used). Two to three blades of grass are bunched
toghether and planted 20 cms apart in a 15 cm deep gully as shown in Figure -7. Then
the grass is cut after the roots measuring 5 to 7 cm and 20 cm of stem. Then each part
is separated and planted as shown in Fig. - 7.
Since this grass does not spread, there is no threat to the crops.
I 56 |
Since the roots of such grass go deep inside the soil, they help in holding water and
soil, reducing erosion. If the stalks are one or two feet
erect, they can reduce the speed of flowing water and
prevent the slush from passing. The presence of this
grass prevents the danger of breaking of the bund even
•
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in case of flooding. Since this grass does not take root,
there is no threat to the crops.
V
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Planting trees and developing pastures is also
important to hold the soil together. Thus the empty spaces
between trenches should be covered to prevent soil
erosion. The choice of trees should be made according
to the soil, weather, rainfall and local varieties. Different
kind of plants should be selected - those used for buildings, firewood, fruit -bearing, flower
bearing and some which hold the soil better e.g. - lemon, Acacia (thorny trees), ber, babul,
rumbas, subabul, kanja, hud, baheda, guava and chikoo (all thorny trees) along with neem
or jamun trees.
Other trees for areas of heavy rain include Jack-fruit, Silk cotton, Mango, Teak, Nilgiri.
It is not enough to plant trees: they need to be specially cared for in the first few years
especially against grazing animals. More grass should be grown for animals so that plants
remained protected.
Grazing by animals should be banned to avoid damage to grass and roots of plants.
Stall-feeding should be resorted to for animals after properly cutting the plants and grass.
After these works, people should also undertake the following work with cooperation and
implement various government schemes.
Temporary bund
These type of bunds are constructed in the beginning of a nallah where catchment is
small. Temporary bunds should be erected only towards the end of the rains because they
get washed away during heavy showers. Overflow from the temporary bunds after rains can
be used for irrigating nearby fields. Farmers can dig small channels to supply heir fields with water.
1. Brushwood Bunds: To make this structure, 2 feet high, wooden pegs at a distance
of 6 feet from each others are inserted into
the nallah-bed upto sufficient depth. Two such
rows should have a distance of 2 feet to 3
feet between them. The space between the
Cross Section
Fig.8
IKlilll
2o ———^“‘nssasage
i
two rows is packed with spread grass, thorny afrafhr I
3rr5-:
branches and soil. This brushwood bund is
mainly used to slow down the flow of water
(Fig. - 8).
M. fe._ : '-y
3516'UT
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2. Stones or soil can be used to make temporary
Fig.9
bunds in rocky courses as shown in Fig.-9
Rocky
Inner side
3. Vanrai Bandhara: This bund is made Fig-10
using empty cement bags. Each bag is packed
VANRAI BUND
with available soil and the open end is filled up
with a nylon string. The bund is constructed by
making a wall of these fifed cement bags similar
to a brick-wall. Normally, two rows are made.
The gap between the two rows is packed by
well-compacted black cotton soil. (Fig-10)
Other type of bunds
1. Gully Plug: Gully plugs are small bunds Fig-11
placed within the gullies or nallah courses made
of loose boulders. In this structure, side slopes
are smooth. This bund is broader at the bottom.
'
Its height is limited to 3 feet so that flowing water
cannot endanger it. Gully plugs are made to check
erosion and break the water flow where
catchment areas of the nallah are small in size.
(Fig-11)
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I 58 |
2. Nallah Bund: The construction of a Nallah
Bund is similar to a percolation tank. Normally, a
nallah bund is dug till the soft rock bed (Murum)
is reached. Subsequently the bund is constructed
layer by layer using the soft soil (compacting). Water
gets collected at the bund. Water percolation is faster
due to Murum (soft rock) bed at the base of the bund.
The mud in the water gets settled at the nallah bund.
The percolated water moves forward downstream thus increasing the water table of the well.
The excess water behind the bund is taken care of by providing a spillway. The spillway
is a diversion for the flow of excess water. This diversion is dug on the side of the bund
which is preferably a hard murum bed to stop the erosion of the soil (Fig-12).
3. Gabian Bund: Gabian
Fig-13 a
Bunds are constructed at down
stream
places
where
the
foundation soil is weak and there
is no suitable hard rock for the
spillway.
A gabian bund is
constructed using galvanized iron
«—-^^2. i?*
wire mesh (3 mm diameter) and L
loose boulders. The width of the structure at the bottom is 2.5 meters (8 feet). The width
at the top is 0.5 meter (1.5 feet). The height of the bund is 1 meter (3.25 feet). The length
of the structure varies as per the nallah width. Initially, a trench of 1 foot depth is dug in
the stream bed. Then the wire mesh is spread along the trench and loose boulders arranged
to achieve 1:1 (one is to one) slope. The length
Fig-13 b, c
- Gabian bund
1
of the structure is embedded up to 6 feet on both
Net
Canal
Plan______
banks. Both ends of the wire mesh are enjoined
Top of the
Lbund-„—
h-tift-
| NeTp71
>__ _einA—<
, Big stones ;
with an overlap of 15 Cms. (1 1/2 feet) at the top
with wire. The gap at the foundation should be
packed with soil. These bunds allow water to flow
over it so that no spillway is required. These bunds
1—
Gabian Structure
J
4**1 rib
4
are used to stop water and allow percolation for
longer duration. (Fig-13 - a, b and c)
4. Underground Bund: Over a of time the sand and silt get collected in mid-stream.
Due to this effect, water in the sub-soil flows in the direction of the stream. To utilize this
underground flow, an underground bund is constructed in such areas.
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A trench is dug across the width of the stream
till the hard rock bed is reached. The width of this
trench at the base is 3 feet which keeps increasing
towards top as shown in Fig. 14. This trench is
then filled with impervious soil (black cotton / clay)
which is compacted using water to provide an
impervious wall. This wall stops the sub-soil water
Fig.-14
/Underground
Lower
X[bund
^_Flow of canals level of
/
/
j canal
Constru
ction ■
collected
Soil of
Black
of
water
lower
soil
> bund
level
IT
which spreads to the adjoining land. As the water
is collected underground, it prevents water
evaporation and increases the water table of the
nearby area (Fig-14).
5. Refilling Trenches -
<c5<ri
These trenches are more useful
when water gets collected and
rm
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heavy black cotton soil exists.
Refilling trenches are dug 10 to
15 feet deep inside the ground. ^15
tThey are then packed first with big
stones followed by smaller stones,
sand and sand mixed with soil.
il.
Fig.-15
<
HTcTT
These trenches help increase the
percolation of water thus raising the water table. (Fig.-15)
Permanent Bunds
These are made in areas of less rain or where water does not keep flowing through
canals. The height of these bunds is decided by considering the surrounding crops
so that it should not be damaged by water-logging. Select a place where the canal
is narrow or where you have open rock. The bund is built at right angles to the
flow so that the extra water flows over it back
into the canal. The obstructed water is usded
Vasant Bandhara
for drinking, farming or irrigation of nearby crops
by pumps.
Wooden Doors
1. Vasant Bund: It is useful to construct this
type of bund in places where limited height at the
sides creates a risk. A foundation of solid rock is
covered with stone structures having l-shaped iron
pillars for the gates. The gates are kept open in
Black Soil
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the beginning of the monsoon. If there is a flood, the water flows through the gates. Towards
end of monsoon, when there is no possibility of floods the gates are closed by putting wooden
planks in the l-shaped iron channel. Black cotton soil is used to pack the gaps between
the planks. Water is thus prevented from flowing through the gate. (Fig.-16)
Fig.17
2. Kolhapur type Bundhara: (K.T. Kolhapur type Bundhara: (K.T. Wair)
Wair) - These are made in places where
Iron Gates -
the river has open stretches containing hard
aa
stones. Stone pillars are erected with
arrangement for iron gates. These bunds
$
are made in a row, at right angles to the
5^
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flow. The doors are removed during the
J»L
I
Stone
• Pillars
rains, to allow free flowing of water to prevent
floods. An added advantage of these bunds is that they can be used to construct a bridge
over it, facilitating transport. The gates are inserted towards the end of the rains to store
the collected water. (Fig.-17).
It includes another 2 type of Bunds i.e. Permanant Cement Bund and Perculation Tank
A villager asked the outsider whether conserving water in these ways would ensure
availability of water. He assured him that indeed they would.
The outsider described the structure of land. More
or less the structure is similar throughout our country first
a layer of soil, then light gravel, then pebbles followed
by a certain amount of red soil (Geru), hard stones and
last of all hard rocks. Water collects in the spaces between
these layers. Since these spaces are at different depths
of layers, some wells have water at a greater depth than
others. As a thumb rule lightning when stricks a place,
it definitely contains water.
Some of the school children sitting around, narrated what they had learnt about the water
cycle in school. Water is very important in our lives. Neither animals nor plants can live
without it.
Why do we need energy for our day-to-day activities
We need energy for our day-to-day activities like washing up, speaking etc. Our body
consists of many parts which consist of cells. This is similar to a house having many rooms,
each built of bricks. Every cell needs to create energy. Cells have moisture inside and outside.
i*
The waste products created in cells dissolve in water so that they can be sent out. Thus
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water assists in digestion of food and in secretion of fluids.
• Sweat and urine are unwanted materials which are excreted.
• Minerals from water are necessary for the body.
•
Water helps to keep the body temperature stable.
Rain provides the water needed for the above
functions.
How do we get rain?
The heat of the sun evaporates the water on the earth
surface. When this rises and becomes cool, it is converted
into drops of water which form clouds. When cold air
strikes them we get a shower of rain. But when dirt mixes
with rain water, it harms our health.
How does water get polluted?
• When people pass stools near rivers and canals,
excreta mixes with the water.
• Washing - Allowing animals into drinking water
IB
areas of rivers.
• Letting effluents from industries into canals/rivers
Diseases caused by polluted water
1.
Loose Motions
2.
Jaundice
3.
Typhoid
Ayushi explained
the methods of water purification to the villagers -
1. Filtration - Pour the water through a clean white cloth folded 4 times. The impurities
remain on it while clean water fills the vessel below the cloth.
2.
Using Alum - Wash the alum clean before rotating it 2 or 3 times in the vessel by
rotation. Keep the alum in a closed container. The impurities will settle at the bottom of
the vessel. Use the clean water of the upper part of the vessel. If you circulate the alum
too many times, it will spoil the taste of the water.
3. Seeds - A pinch of powder of drumsticks seeds put into the water will make the dirt
settle down.
4. Decantation - When water is allowed to stand still for 8 to 10 hours, the dirt settles
at the bottom of the vessel.
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5. Boiling - This is a safe way of purifying water. But the water should be kept boiling
for 15 minutes, which requires fuel.
Boiling kills most germs but the process is costly. However, the Foundation for Medical
Research in Mumbai has found that if a glass bottle
containing drinking water is kept next to the stove while
cooking for at least 2-3 hours, it becomes safe for
drinking. Though some germs are not killed in this
process, they can be resisted by our body. The water
is safest when the grass bottle is exposed 2-3 times
to the heat.
In areas of heavy rain like Konkan people collect
rainwater for drinking. We can also try this. But since
the roof of the house is covered with dirt, we should allow
some water to wash away ano then collect the water which overflows later from the roof.
If the falling rain water is collected by the villagers,
they can all get clean drinking water by sharing the
expenses. Bleaching powder should be used to purify
it as follows 1. Measure the radius and deplh of a well or round tank
in metres.
For Total water = D2 X Depth X 785 lits
(All diamensions are in metres)
2. For a rectangular tank - (in metres)
For Total water = Length x Breadth x Depth x 1000
The calculated amount of powder should first be mixed in a small quantity of water and
then poured into the well/tank. A clean plastic bucket or
bottle should be used for this purpose.
A senior villager narrated the role of water in human
society to a city-dweller. Ancient civilization were
established near rivers where they prospered. But excess
of irrigation ruined the culture of many river-side places.
In other places, sufficient water was denied to some
people on grounds of discrimination. However, the outsider
who has now settled down in the hilly town gives water
from his well to every needy person during the summer.
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Rani Panchayat is an organization near Pune which
resolved to distribute water equally among all. The city
dweller informed the villager about their fair approach.
Though people with more land may demand more water,
every family will get an equal quantity of water irrespective
of its land-holding.
Where people used politics for water, they often got
water for their own area at the cost of the needs of others.
Constructing bunds for namesake is no use. Just as
flowing water finds its own level, we must learn to develop
a humanity-centred culture. Land, air and water have been
created in nature for all. Although land has ownership
rights, it is wrong to buy or sell air and water. Every being
deserves its share of water irrespective of riches or social
standing.
I 64 |
Exercises
Fill in the blanks
(Bleaching) (Total water in litres = D2 X Depth X 785 lits) (motions, jaundice, typhoid) (length
in m x breadth x depth x 1000)
1
powder is needed to purify the water from tank/well.
2. The formula for a rectangular tank is-------------------- .
3. Powder required for a round well/tank is
------------------ ■
4. Contaminated water causes the diseases---------------------- ■
Choose the correct alternatives
1. The amount of rain water absorbed by the ground
1. The amount of rain water absorbed by the ground
2. Type of soil
3. Nature of rainfall
4. Underground rock-structure
2. Repeating the same crop in farming
2. Fetches good money
1. Maintains goods soil
4. None of the above
3. Reduces fertility of soil
3. Less slope with greater flow.
1. Natural bunds
3. Big bunds
2. Temporary bunds
4. Small bunds
4. Erecting very big bunds in a village
2. Village land lost to bunds
1. Everyone gets water
4. Villagers migrate, others benefit
3. Great expense
5. Solution for shortage of water in a village
1. New wells/Bore wells
3. Careful use of water, tree plantation
2. Migration
4. Ask for government Aid
6. For future demand of water
1. Build very big bunds
3. Equal distribution
2. Sell water, make new tanks
4. All the above
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Blanks
1-1, 2-4, 3-2, 4-3
Correct Alternatives
1-5, 2-3, 3-1, 4-4, 5-2, 6-3
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Answers
Blanks - 1-3, 2-4, 3-2, 4-1, 5-5, 6-6
Correct Alternatives - 1-3
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Lesson 9
Improved ‘Chulha’
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand
1. The damage caused by using firewood in the ‘Chulha’
2. The different kinds of improved Chulha and their features.
3. The advantages of using different types of fuel
Knowledge
You will know about
• The harmfulness of traditional ‘Chulha’
• The kinds and merits of improved ‘Chulhas’
Perspective
You will understand
• Our daily life is connected to our environment.
• Our health depends on our environment.
• Even a slight change in out daily life can bring about an improvement in the
environment.
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Self assessment
•
Do you think it is right to use firewood as fuel for cooking?
•
How will you explain to people the need to discontinue using firewood as fuel?
•
Which examples can you give to explain how health and environment are interrelated?
•
Do you find any difficulties in using non-conventional fuels?
Exercises
Match the following
1. Laxmi Chulha
1. Fuel and Manure
2. Solar Energy
2. Traditional chulha (2 with burner)
3. Biogas Plant
3. Beneficial to health
4. Vivek chulha
4. Saving of fuel
5. Improved chulha
5. Use of saw dust
Choose the correct alternatives -
1. Use of solar energy 1. Saving of fuel
2. Cooks food well
3. Not harmful to health
4. Using natural energy saves fuel and conserves
environment, benefiting health
to cook food.
2. Rural areas use
1. Wood
2. Coal
3. Kerosene
4. Cow dung cakes
5. All the above
3. Use of traditional fuels leads to
1. Harmful effects for health
2. Lack of trees in the environment
3. Shortage of fuel due to over use
4. Damage to environment and damage to living beings.
4. If traditional chulhas are used continuously
1. Food tastes good.
2. Wood/cow dung etc, is easily available in the village.
3. Smoke causes burning in eyes and affects respiratory tract.
4. None of the above
5. Smoke created by fuel used in vehicles causes
1. Black smoke in the atmosphere
2. Pollution of air
3. Effect on health
4. Possibility of cancer as a result of hazardous gases.
i
Answers
Correct pairs
1-2, 2-3, 3-1, 4-5, 5-4
Alternatives
1-4, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-4
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I 78 |
Lesson 10
Grameen Bank
Aims
On reading this lesson you will understand that
1.
Realize that economic independence is essential for progress of women.
2.
What are the advantages of this scheme made specially for women?
3. Gather information about rural bank.
Knowledge
You will know about
•
Grameen Bank operations.
Skills
You will learn
•
Knowhow to start a rural bank
•
Operation of a savings and
loan account
Perspective
You will realize that
•
Economic Independence raises the self-respect of women.
•
Women can meet regularly through such schemes
Note :
This lesson which provides definitions and administrative form guidelines must
be read along with the case-study appended to the Chapter.
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Introduction
‘Grameen Bank’ is a bank which belongs to women
in the community. The idea behind this is to help the women
inculcate habit of small savings, so that it is available to
them as their own money during emergent requirements:
While learning about the operations of the bank, they
understand that with this scheme, the progress comes with
mutual help. The monetory status helps increase the
decision making power of women. For banking purposes
when women come together it serves a common platform
for sharing socio-economic and developmental issues.
1. What is the meaning of budget?
Budget is a plan made by estimating the expenditure that
would be incurred from the money resources that one has
e.g.
- budget for the daughter’s wedding.
2. What is saving?
The method used to keep aside money for future needs
is called saving for e.g. - Arrangements for the village fund.
3. What does loan mean?
Borrowing money for solving sudden difficulties is called
loan e.g. - a loan for a sudden illness.
4.
What is interest?
The price we pay in return for financial help at the
time of our need is called interest. This varies from place
to place, e.g. - if you borrow an amount of Rs. 1,000/
- from a rural bank, you have to pay 18% interest i.e. Rs.
150 interest on the whole amount.
5. What is money?
The currency of conducting any transaction is called money. It is the medium of exchange
(give and take), e.g. value price paid in exchange of goods bought, in terms of money.
Normal Conditions of Membership
1.
Membership is restricted to local women.
2. A group consists of 10 to 12 women.
3.
Every group must have one president and secretary
4. Minor girls can also become members but they are not given a loan.
5. Admission fee for each member Rs. 10/-
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I 80 |
• About Saving
1. The minimum amount saved per month is Rs. 10/-
2. The rate of interest on the saving will be 6% per annum.
3. There will be a fine of Rs. 1/- for late payment.
• About Membership Application
Grameen Mahila Arthik Swawlamban Prakalp (GRAMS)
Parinche (FRCH)
APPLICATION FORM
Date :
To,
The Secretary,
Name of the Applicant :
Subject : Application for GRAMS Membership
for
the
membership of GRAMS. I request you to issue me the membership. I assure you that
will
hereby
I
applying
duly follow all the rules and regulations. If failed to do so, my membership shall be cancelled
Details of the Applicant:
Name :
Husband’s /
Father’s Name :
Address :
1. Permanent
2. Present
Education :
Date of Birth / Age :
Occupation :
Ration Card No.:----
Voter’s I Card No.
Blood Group :
All the above information is true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature / Thumb Impression
of the Applicant
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Speciman Signature of the Applicant / Left thumb impression
1.
2.
Guarantor (Details of the Guarantor)
Name
Address
Savings
Signature
A/c No.
1.
2.
For Official use only
is being issued the Membership of GRAMS
from
(date)
Name of the Village
Name of the Group
Saving Account Number
Signature of the
Organizer
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I 82 |
• About Nomination
Grameen Mahila Arthik Swawlamban Prakalp (GRAMS)
Parinche (FRCH)
NOMINATION
I
resident of
member of GRAMS, Parinche having details
Group Name
Account Number
1. I hereby nominate the following person in the event of my death or in case of mental
imbalanced receive the amount standing to my credit in GRAMS Account.
Name
Relationship
with the Member
Address
Age
Date of Birth
in case the
Nominee is
minor
2. Todays date the nominee is a minor, therefore Mr. I Mrs. I Ms.
will receive the
of my / minor nominee’s death
3. In case of death of the nominee referred in 1. above, Mr. / Mrs. I Ms.
will receive the amount st
Place :
Date :
Guarantor :
Signature :
Name :
Address :
Signature of Member /
Thumb Impression of the
Member
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I 83 |
About loan facility
1. A new member will be eligible to receive a loan only after regular saving for 3 months.
2. Every month only one member of group will get a loan.
3.
An application in a prescribed form and two guarantors from the same group are
necessary for a loan.
4. The loan amount is Rs. 500/- in the first year and Rs. 1000/- from the second year
onwards.
5.
The rate of interest on the loan will be 12% per annum.
6. A new loan can be given only after the earlier one is repaid completely.
7.
The saving amount cannot be drawn until total repayment of loan.
8.
Repayment of loan must begin two months after receiving the loan.
9.
In case of non-repayment, Rs. 2 will be charged per month.
About cancellation of membership
1. The application must be made on the prescribed form.
2. The application for cancellation must not be a guarantor of any member. In case
of being a guarantor, the cancellation can be made only after total repayment of the
concerned loan.
3. There should be no amount pending on the name of the applicant for cancellation of
membership.
Speciman
1. Saving Register
Sr. No.
Name of village
Full Name
Saving Account No.
Address
Name of Group
Date
Receipt No.
details
Saving
(Rs.)
1-1-98
1001
20
20
1-2-98
1826
100
120
1-3-98
2651
20
Saving
Refund
Balance
Amount(Rs.)
100
Fine
Signature of the
coordinator
Admission
Fees Rs. 10/
40
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Speciman
2. Loan Register
Sr. No.
Name of village
Full Name
Saving Account No.
Address
Name of Group
Guarantor
Saving Account Number
1. Name
Address
Saving Account Number
2. Name
Address
Loan Refund Amount
(4)
Date
(1)
Receipt
Number
(2)
1.1.98
1.2.98
1.3.98
1.4.98
1.5.98
Installment
Loan
Amount(Rs.) Principal Amt.
(3)
1001
1826
Interest
Loan
Amount
(5)
Fine
10
22
100/100/-
Signature
(7)
1,000/1,000/1,000/900/800/-
1,000/-
2651
3428
4192
Fund
Amount
(6)
10
”9
Note : If any amount deducted under fund than use column number 6
First two installments may not be paid in the first 2 months,
Only Interest may be received. No fine in first 2 months for installments
' A fine of Rs. 2/- will be charged on non-repayment of installment by calculating Rs. 100/
- in 10 installments
For calculation of Interest
Amount x Rate x Period (Month)
Interest
per month
100 x 12
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Sample Receipt
GRAMS Parinche
Tehsil - Purandar
District
- Pune
Member No.
Receipt No. 1001
Date
Group No. 1
Credit
Rs.
Debit
Rs.
Saving
20.00
Loan
1,000/-
Saving Return
Installment
Interest
Total
Fine
Admission Fees
20.00
Total
Signature of Organizer / Member
* For reference of other speciman forms, these are available after the title ‘Self study’.
Monthly Report
Name of Village
No. of Groups
No. of Members
No. of Present Members
Total saving (of Previous Month)
Total loan (of Previous Month)
No. of Loan Receivers
Date of next month’s General Meeting
(This information should be displayed on the board before every meeting of the rural bank)
Use of calculator
Two types of calculator
1.
Light operated calculator
There is non on/off button. It starts when light falls on it
2.
Battery operated calculator
It has a switch connected to the battery which can be pressed on or off.
Signs on the Calculator
Sign
Use
+
Addition
Subtract
Multiply
Divide
To start a new calculation
x
AC
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I 86 |
Self Study
•
How can the significance of savings be explained to rural women.
•
Do women need to be guided about how they can use the loan.
•
Do women have to be literate to use banking facilities? Can a literacy drive be run
together with a rural banking scheme?
•
What are the hurdles faced while starting a bank?
The forms given in this lesson have been taken from a bank in Purandar of Pune district.
They can differ from bank to bank. A case history of the Grameen Mahila Aarthic Swavalamban
Project (Rural Women’s Project for Economic Independence) of FRCH is appended herewith.
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Exercises
1.
Meaning of Rural Bank
1. Women’s own bank
2. Government bank
3. Cooperative bank
4. Village bank
2.
Meaning of Budget
1. Estimate of income
2. Estimate of expenses
3. The plan made according to an estimate of the future.
3.
4.
If interest rate is 12% calculate, the interest on Rs. 1000/- for one month
1. Rs. 5
2. Rs. 15
3. Rs. 25
4. Rs. 10
If women start saving,
1. There is saving on their names
2. They get information about banking
3. They can get loans
4. Their confidence and decision making
improves
Fill in the blanks
(Minor Girls) (Means of exchange) (Calculator) (10) (3)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If you save for
months regularly in a rural bank, you can get a loan.
The minimum saving amount is Rs..
are not eligible for loans in rural banks.
Money means
can help in calculations in a rural bank.
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Answers
Correct Alternatives
1-1, 2-3, 3-4, 4-4
Correct Pairs
1-5, 2-4, 3-1, 4-2, 5-3
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I 89 |
SPECIMAN
Grameen Mahila Arthik Swawlamban Prakalp (GRAMS)
Parinche (FRCH)
Sr. No.
Name of Village :
Name of the Group :
LOAN APPLICATION FORM
Respected Secretary,
I request you to please consider the following information and sanction me a loan for
Rupees
Name of the Member :
Address :
Father’s / Husband’s Name :
Member’s Account Nd. :
Loan Amount (Rs.)
(In words.
only)
Reason for taking loan :
No. of loans taken during current year :
Member’s saving amount on date
of application (Rs.)
Above information is true. I undertake to return the loan amount in
pay Rs. towards the principal and interest at the rate of
' Has any loan been taken earlier ?
months. I would
.% per annum.
Yes / No
If yes, give details.
From whom
Balance loan amount as on date
Date :
Signature / Left hand thumb impression
1)
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I 90 |
GUARANTORS
We, the undersigned members of the group undertake personal and collective responsibility towards the
repayment of the loan amount. If the applicant fails to repay the loan amount, the group / project will
have rights to recover the said amount from our savings and private property.
1.
Name of the Guarantor
2. Name of the Guarantor
Membership Account No.
Membership Account No.
Signature/Thumb impression
Signature/Thumb impression
SANCTION
Sou/Kumari
Account No.
has been sanctioned a loan of Rs.
.. The borrower will repay an EMI of Rs.
in 10 instalments, worked out at an interest of
% per annum.
Other terms if any
1.
2.
Date of sanction
President / Secretary
Organizer
UNDERTAKING
I,
age,
' village
, Tai
Rupees
of Rs.
, District
years, occupation
resident of
, am accepting a loan of Rs.
from the group/Preject. I promise the group/Project that I will repay the amount
in
equal monthly instalements (EMI), including interest on the said amount at.
% per annum. If due to any reason whatsoever I am unable to pay the EMI for more than two months,
then I assign the rights to the group / Project to recover the said amount and the interest including service
charges from my savings in my account. For the balance amount and allied expenses, I am fully aware
and agree that the group / Project has all legal rights to proceed against me.
Date :
Signature / Thumb impression
I 91 I
Grameen Mahila Arthik Swawlamban Prakalp (GRAMS)
Parinche (FRCH)
RECEIPT SIDE
Date
PAGE NO.:
Particulars
Saving
Loan
Recovery
Int. Rec.
Penalty
Ent. Fee
OPENING BALANCE (A)
S.No. Add
Group name/s. No
A/c Holder Name/s. No.
(B)
Add.
OTHER INCOME
(C)
TOTAL RECEIPTS = (A)
(B) + (C)
I1
Amount
Rs.
P.
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PAYMENT
Date
Particulars
Amount
Rs.
Sr.
SAVING WITHDRAWAL
No.
Group A/c / Holder No.
Total Amount
Ps.
Rs.
Ps.
LOAN
Group No. I A/c Holder No.
(D)
PRINTING & STATIONARY
SALARY
REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
RENT
TA./DA.
OTHER EXPENSES
(E)
TOTAL - (D) + (E)
TOTAL RECEIPTS
LESS :
TOTAY PAYMENTS
CLOSING BALANCE
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I 93 |
CASE STUDY
GRAMIN MANILA AARTHIC SWAWALAMBAN
PROJECT (GRAMS)
A Micro credit and Overall Savings Project at Parinche, Purandhar Taluka, Maharashtra State.
The
Foundation for Research
In Community Health, in its ongoing efforts at initiating
Development and Health care Services under Panchayati Raj, initiated the process of introducing
the total concept of the working of the Grameen Bank, as was being implemented in Bangladesh
Dr. N. H. Antia, Principal Investigator, of the Project, through his close personal contact and
interaction with its promoter, Mohammad Yunus, of Bangladesh, undertook the implementation
of a similar scheme but with certain changes in conceptualization and philosophy.
Dr. Awasthi
(a trustee of FRCH) initiated the project at his behest.
September <994, saw its introduction in the valley of Parinche, Purandhar Taluka, Maharashra.
The idea and philosophy behind this activity was introduced to the community by organizing meetings
with women who were made aware of the concept of self help. But in spite of emphasising
the importance of women participation in the Grameen Bank, as also encouraging them to do
so, there was a lot of initial resistance to the idea. Still fresh in their mind, were bitter past
experiences of now defunct bogus Chit Funds (Sanjeevani Chit Fund of 1989-90), liquidation of
co-operative banks (Karad Bank), unscrupulous money lenders and huge monetary losses suffered
through other agencies.
However, the confidence of the women was gained on the formation of the first group at
Kharadwadi, followed by groups at Ramwadi and Bandalwadi, which infused some enthusiasm
in the women, with the sanction of the first loans through an initial membership fee of a minimum
amount of Rs. 5/-. Grameen Bank, as an activity, gained acceptance, with an attitudinal change
z in the women, in the form of increased interest and participation in village welfare and realization
of the importance of their higher status in decision making and responsibility Their savings habit
proved a great boon during
and stability.
a financial crisis, satisfying their urge for economic independence
The message of Grameen Bank spread to the different wadis and bastis of the project area.
Introduction of different media measures in the form of Kala Pathak (street plays) by Tais and
Parinche members, discussions, viewing of social films like 'Chakon’, 'Pani’, 'Bai', and slide shows
(Vithoba Shane Jhala), playing of audio cassettes specifying the rules of Gram Panchayat, helped
in spreading the news of its benefits.
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The aims of this micro credit project (GRAMS), open to women only, are :
D
To free the women from the debt-traps of the local money lenders who charge interest rates
of 5 to 10% per month.
2) To enable economic empowerment and social development of rural women through organization
of local savings and credit groups of women.
3) To attempt decentralization of management activity through training of local women as a part
of personal and village development.
4) To achieve financial sustainability so as to be eventually independent of external support or
inputs.
OPERATIONS
A grant of Rs. 1,82,500/- from the Jasoda Narottam Public Charity Trust, Mumbai, helped
in the commencement of the project in October 1994. A Savings Bank account in the name
of Grameen Bank Prakalp, Parinche, was opened, at Bank of Maharashtra, Veer Branch, Dist.
Pune.
I
A small number of women (7-10) from the neighbourhood may form a group, which is given
specific name and number.
Each group
has a
president and a secretary, who are eligible
to get credit facility last. The size of the group may be increased to 12 persons depending
on the minimal group size compatible to logistics and sustainability.
II
Eligibility of membership comprises of initial acceptance by the group and an entrance fee
of Rs. 10/- and a deposit of minimum amount of Rs. 5/- (now increased to Rs. 20/-) towards
savings per month, which will earn an interest of 10% p.a. An incentive in increased interest
may be considered in the future. A pass book is issued which is updated at every transaction.
Once a month the office bearers of these micro credit groups in every village, meet the project
staff member who manages their account and deals with the formal banking of the group deposits
with the Bank of Maharashtra. Any member is entitled to withdraw part or full amount of her
savings, barring the adm'ssion fee, at any time. This policy has engendered security and boosted
savings.
III Members of the same household cannot form part of the same group. A six monthly meeting
of all groups helps to generate intergroup discussion and confidence in the activity. GRAMS meetings
would be attended by all women members in person, each member attending at least 75% of
all meetings in a year.
IV
A member of a grdup is eligible to apply for a loan only after deposit of savings regularly
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for a period of 3 months after membership. The choice of granting a loan to any one member
only of the group, per month is vested entirely with the group. The first loan amount is restricted
to a maximum of Rs. 500/-, which may subsequently be increased to Rs. 1,000/- for groups
in operation for
more than a
year. An attempt will
be made to restrict the loan to savings
ratio to 2, to be reviewed periodically. There is a minimum time lag between a loan application
and its grant. Second and third loan instalments have been granted to members, on the repayment
of earlier loans.
V
Any 2 members from a group may stand as guarantors by affixing their signature or thumb
impression on a simple form. Within a group, each member can stand as guarantor to a maximum
of 2 other members. The rate of interest on the loan is 18% p.a. Repayment of the loan
can start 2 months after sanction, to be completed within one year of sanction. For the group
which has completed one year or more, the savings of 2 guarantor members and that of the
member asking for loan should be a minimum of 50% of the loan amount.
VI A Group Fund to be instituted where 5% of each loan amount could be deposited in the
Group Fund held for each group.
This savings in the Group Fund will be offered an interest
of 12% p.a. and will be refunded to the member only after cancellation of the membership.
VII Innovative measures and compromises result in need based requests for loans by more
than one persistent member at the same time. In such cases, the loan is sanctioned to only
one member, but the actual amount is disbursed between the two of them, thus satisfying both
their needs.
VIII In the event of non-repayment of loan or interest thereon, or of monthly saving installment,
a fine of Re. 1/- per month is levied. Also fresh disbursement
of loan to group members is
suspended till member who has defaulted repays the entire loan.
IX Training in arithmetic and book keeping is being imparted to local women so as to enable
them to monitor and/or undertake these activities on behalf of the community. Part time workers
are employed for updating books of accounts and beneficiary information from time to time.
Since 1996, a Senior Chartered Accountant has been appointed to monitor the activity for
financial legalities as well as assessment of performance indicator and analysis of independent
financial sustainability of the project. Mr. C.R. Luniya, Chartered Accountant, Pune, regularly deputes
his personnel for bimonthly checks in the field. Fiscal norms and scrutiny have been established.
His recommendations have been put into practice systematically.
ACHIEVEMENTS
From the starting of the first group at Kharadwadi and then at Ramwadi and Bandelwadi
in 1994, the current membership stands at 805 women covering 18 villages and 124 groups.
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The number
is constantly expanding.
The main thrust of the project was
the economic empowerment
of women through
decentralization, with management of the whole programme at the village level. Rising interest
in GRAMS activity, culminated in an attitudinal change and hand in hand participation in various
aspects of community life. Women became conscious of their abilities and their importance
as contributing members of the household in financial matters. Participation in GRAMS opened
up new vistas of involvement and achievements, especially through group pressures and awareness.
Grameen Bank meetings are supported by senior staff members of FRCH, for explaining
the activity as well as the overall objectives of the FRCH in the area. Local banking operations
are
supplemented by social activities,
e.g. creating awareness on local health issues.
Dissemination of information about banking operations and norms, transparency in its operation
and maintaining a continuous dialogue with the community has created an atmosphere of trust
and reliance within it. The activity covers even the women belonging to the lowest socio-economic
rung of society.
In view of the slant on development, an obvious inclination towards approaching
related
governmental agencies for participation has been consciously resisted. It was strongly felt that
the interest generated through this activity would not be re-chanr eled to the community. More
importantly, a government funding source would be psychologically detrimental to achieving
acceptable loan repayment levels.
REPAYMENT OF LOANS
It is important to consider the pattern of default in loan payments.
It was noticed that the women were once again targeted victims of their own initiative and
enthusiastic participation. Not only,
were they forced to avail of loans under family pressure
for personal use, but they were also made responsible for their repayment. They thus became
defaulters. Any year of crop failure and ensuing economic hardship, resulted in more loan defaulters.
Illness in the family, religious and social festivities, failing economic dependence on out of town
family members, and other emergencies compounded their economic problems. A vicious circle
of increased default of loan repayment resulting in reduced savings habit, fear of levy of heavy
fines and social ostracism set in.
Another interesting observation in this regard is, that women availing of loans, do not give
any thought about its repayment. A large number of women pay fines, for not repaying loan
instalments on time.
None of the women wanted to mortgage any of their personal belongings
to repay the loans. At the same time, they were honest enough? not to pass on the loans to
others and earn higher rate of interest.
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The main difficulties encountered by women in repaying loans were :
1)
failure of rains or its excess
2)
man-made calamities in the form of animals destroying crops in fields, etc
The largest no. of defaulters were in the 1996-97. Yet 48% of the defaulters continued with
regular savings. Migration by family members and opening of the Recurring Deposit Scheme
by the Indian Posts, have led to some members leaving GRAMS.
There was a drop in loan amounts in the subsequent years due to prevalence of drought
conditions
and resultant inability to pay back loans or availing
of fresh loans and stoppage
of loans to groups whose members had defaulted on payment.
To break this, some innovative measures were introduced in December 1999. Loan disbursement
was suspended, Groups were dissolved and regular members shifted to other groups. Methods
were found to overcome the situation. In Kaldari village, where there was a dairy, members agreed
to fix a date o: payment soon after their earnings were disbursed at the dairy. Members were
aware of their vulnerability towards exploitation by money lenders, and actively took steps to avoid
it.
Mr.Luniya, Chartered Accountant was involved in the proceedings. Guidelines for dealing with
in operative accounts were chalked out.
a)
individual defaulters to be approached to solicit information about their lack of interest in
savings habit
b) stoppage of crediting interest to the a/c where no transactions have taken place for more
than 2 years.
c)
approaching
the guarantors to settle the case with the members for whatever they could
pay of principal amount and interest due.
d)
coaxing
members once again to participate in GRAMS activity, emphasising that
it did
not confine itself only to giving loans.
e)
forfeiture of savings against service charges provided by GRAMS and then closure of
a/c.
In recent times, through consistent application of group pressure, over 70% of the defaulting
amount has been recovered. At present, the repayment levels are maintained at a stable 97%.
Today the banks reserves stand at Rs. 1,30,000/-. Salaries of local staff and travel costs
are met entirely through income generated by the Bank. Part of the income surplus is invested
in local fixed Deposits with banks, earning interest of 7% p.a. Efforts continue, to seek more
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attractive investment opportunities. The surplus income is also used for increased loan disbursement.
Since April 1999 the loan amounts have been increased to a maximum of Rs.2,500 with
a precondition of increasing the monthly statutory saving amount.
ROLE OF FROM AND FIELD LEVEL STAFF IN GRAMS
The Trustees of FRCH are financially fully responsible, for the activity. Two full time staff
members are employed for undertaking regular meetings and updating books of accounts. Each
person is responsible for a particular area of field operation. Part time workers help in updating
books of accounts and obtaining beneficiary information from time to time.
Interviews conducted of individual members, from Tonapewadi, Kondkewadi, Shindewadi,
Dhankewadi, Nargewadi, revealed many interesting aspects
of their psyche, inclinations
and
expectations. Some highlights were :
a) disenchantment with the whole process of GRAMS project when loans not available on demand
(without
realising its intrinsic and viable working process)
b) many reports of family members’ pressure of applying for loans under false pretext or even
false person
c) reinstating of loan amounts taken under false pretence, (by conscientious women) when
becoming aware of the family’s false presentations to GRAMS
d)
betterment of family ties.with joint
important decision of loan seeking and repayment
e) younger generation more interested in GRAMS activity with passive support of the older family
members
f)
Not aware of any other group except GRAMS
g) participation of women in the system of “Varangul” where, a group of women help each
other, in whatever chores requested by any member, in rotation, thus alleviating the shortage
of labour
h) the satisfaction of meeting well motivated, outspoken, and confident women who discussed
their expectations from GRAMS and their perceived shortcomings in its functioning
i)
total dependence on FRCH for the running of GRAMS
j)
eagerness to gain more knowledge of business process, especially of marketing. In general,
inaccessible villages were perceived to have hardly changed in their thinking or contributed
in any way
towards its progression
in any
economic field
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k)
need for developing members’ habit for utilization of loans, more for productive purpose than
for personal use
I)
infiltration of proxy members during 1995-96, led to voluntary withdrawal by field staff members
as it did not fit in the objectives of the scheme. The subsequent streamlining of the membership
process led to improvement in its working.
A blemish on the fair reputation of FRCH was the fraudulent and harmful activities indulged
in by one of its staff members, Santosh Dhanawade. During his working with FRCH for a period
of 7 years, in Kaldari area, he gained the confidence of the villagers, as he himself belonged
to Kharadwadi village. Loans promised and sanctioned to members were misappropriated by
him. Forged receipts were shown to field staff, with no corresponding entries in the members’
passbook. Irregularities in the signatures and thumb impressions were indulged in for duping
the field staff. Of course a system of cross checking was in default here. Members were approached
with promises of large bounties in a short period of time, against advances to Dhanawade. False
names were entered in the books where no loans were granted, but siphoned off by Dhanawade
for his personal use, Things came to light when members started inquiring about
the schemes
promised by Dhanawade in the name of FRCH. Audit of accounts was undertaken, on suspicion.
On confirmation of his misdemeanors, police was informed and case lodged against him, for
forgery, misinformation, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs 1,48,000. He was arrested,
but subsequently released on bail. Amounts obtained by him in his personal capacity from members,
to the tune of Rs. 50,000/-
working
were
returned to them, by him.
He has left the village and is
elsewhere.
FUTURE EXPANSION
The GRAMS Project has established itself well in the lives of the village women who are
members of
its activity in its present form.
It is time now to expand and further give wings to its members to venture out in waiting
FRCH is ideally suited to combine GRAMS project with other social and economic
pastures.
activities of the FRCH projects at Parinche.
A new concept of determining the smallest viable micro credit unit, which will work with local
functionaries and under local control responsive to its own local
requirements, needs to be
introduced.
The handing over the GRAMS activity to Women’s Groups, for future sustainable development
is envisaged.
1)
The
Certain developments in this direction need to be noted.
ratio of groups to its constituent members is undergoing (change. Merging of small
groups and restructuring of groups
according to the no. of it'; member is under way.
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2) The suggestion of linkage of individual groups, with the Bank of Maharashtra, Veer Branch,
met with resistance. The advantages of such a development were put forth e.g.
i) opening of bank account in group’s name and savings sustained for the initial 6 months
ii) loans upto an amount of Rs. 25,000/-
at 12% interest available after 6 months
iii) contribution of each individual member maybe different, but as a group the
members
have an equal say
v) availability of subsidy from the Bank
v) loans available from the Bank upto Rs. 3,00,000/- for income generating activities
vi) ongoing involvement of FRCH for the initial year
In spite of all these attractive provisions, for a Bank link-up, members could not reach any
consensus re: the individual member’s contribution to the successful running of
his account
with the Bank. Strengthening of mutual trust, renewed confidence in their ability, and a relaxation
of a rigid mindset only will provide a fillip to this idea which has initially met with stiff resistance.
INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITY
A fresh attempt at this kind of income generating activity was made
in 2000-2001, with
Parinche village showing its readiness for such a venture. A proposal for making atta of harbhare
ki dal was presented. Unfortunately the venture met with difficulty in the form of non-availability
of the dal locally and the extra cost of procurement from outside compounded by scarce, inadequate
water supply, which was necessary during the processing of gram, discouragement from elders
of the village, lead to the breaking up of this group. Anyhow four women from this original group
persisted, and ventured out into seviyan making with an atta chakki attached to it. FRCH undertook
the role of observer, as the group struggled to educate themselves regarding the starting of
this business, studying its feasibility, obtaining further finance, drafts from banks, availability of
electricity, and coping with day to day problems of running the business. Initial diffidence and
y nervousness did not deter them, and the group persisted. They were now rewarded by renewed
support from FRCH in the form of inputs in marketing, packaging, quality control, maintenance
of stocks, distribution of workload amongst the members, working out the profit ratio with the
cost of production, maintenance of proper accounts, thus boosting their confidence and providing
education in many aspects of
starting a business venture and its efficient
running.
A group of women have also started an activity of turmeric grinding ,with a unique feature
of obtaining finance from another organization, but availing of all other inputs in the successful
running of the venture, from FRCH. The
activity is still
running well.
The additional capital available under income generating activity for starting a larger economic
activity e.g. machine for grinding turmeric or to make ‘sevian’ will help in demonstrating to the
community that productive enterprise can be successfully run by local women.
The spirit of
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entrepreneurship of small groups will inspire other women to come forth, and gain independence
from male domination.
To summarise, the specific reasons for encouraging income generating activities :
a)
Necessity of larger capital input in starting
even a small business and
the knowledge
of its availability.
b) Greater financial returns from a group economic activity rather than an individual one which
entails payment of large interest amounts to private moneylenders.
c) Micro planning of human and natural resources of most villages being undertaken to help
define the most suitable activity, and generate local entrepreneurship
d)
among women.
Encouragement of community aid group spirit of co-operation, and increasing confidence
to undertake other social and economic activities.
e)
Independence from male domination.
f)
Creating adequate awareness, survey and study of marketing conditions inter alia different
villages or local markets or nearby town or city.
Certain criteria have been
charted
out for fluid working of this new concept.
1.
Group members consisting of 5-10 women may belong to one group or to multiple groups
of GRAMS activity.
2.
The loan
group members should have no outstanding loans and a good savings record.
Each member of the loan group should have 2 members of the same group as guarantors.
3.
A simple application form would provide adequate information about the loan, and roles of
individual members and their ability to return the loan within the stipulated time.
4.
The decision for disbursement of loan rests with a committee
consisting of a local senior
GRAMS member(chosen on a rotation basis) FRCH staff, and co-investigator, assisted by
the GRAMS auditor, in the initial stages only.
A precondition of availing of group loans will be an increase in the monthly statutory savings
of each member.
The ownership of the loan assets should vest with the group/ community.
However the ownership of the asset will vest with GRAMS, till all loan instalments are cleared.
Repayment of loans may start 3 months after the start of the activity or the loan sanction
date, whichever is earlier, in 12 monthly installments at an interest rate of 18%. A 3% rebate
will be available on the last instaIJmenLif the earlier repayment installments have been on time
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However non payment of group loans will result in stoppage of all loans to all the groups whose
members have availed of the group loans.
Each group activity will be monitored on a monthly basis and separate Report submitted
by the 7th of each month to the GRAMS Committee.
The accounts of the income generating activity will be maintained separately from those
of the ongoing GRAMS activity.
The role of the FRCH will be to provide training inputs where possible for income generating
activity, as well as guidance for obtaining external inputs and expertise.
It will ensure a fair
and equitable distribution of monetary resources and scrutinise and sanction loans and undertake
steps for the recovery of group loans. The guiding principle for this will be loan recovery with
minimal disruption of the economic activity.
It will also provide a local marketing survey and
expertise to the local community to foster better economic and sustainable outcomes and also
devise measures for eventually handing over management of group funds to the community.
Initially 5-7 loans will be disbursed
and a market survey will be conducted in the project
area. Any balance amount will be invested for higher earnings which will remain dedicated to
the group
activity.
For further restructuring and streamlining of the working of GRAMS
to
revise the rates of interest as follows :
Interest on Savings
6%
p.a.
Interest on Consumer Loans
12%
p.a. (from 18% p.a.)
15%
p.a.
(from 10% p.a.)
Interest on loans for
Income generating activities
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(from 18% p.a.)
it has been decided
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