After
walking through 79 villages and undertaking in-depth assessments in 28 villages
the Padayatra team has learnt a lot. We are in the process of documenting these
separately. In the next 3-4 sitreps we intend to discuss some of the key
learnings that come up and more importantly the way ahead… we would also
welcome a dialogue with the readers of these sitreps..
The one
aspect that hits the observer in the face is the vast amount of government
funds being spent in the villages in the name of development. Even if one does not go back 50
years while calculating amounts spent, even the last decade would be adequate.
Thousands of rupees (if not lacs) have been spent per head on development by
government. There is no evidence that this has helped. Some examples would
perhaps make the point clear.
·
An
average of 4.3 drinking water schemes, each worth lacs of Rupees, have been
implemented by government in every village of Maharashtra over the last 45
years. In spite of these the number of tanker aided villages is steadily rising
and was close to 25,000 last year.
·
Home
sanitation blocks have been built in a number of villages at an average unit
cost of Rs.3500/-. Invariably the block is made with substandard material and
cannot be used.
·
School
buildings have been built but no teachers appointed – classrooms lie vacant.
·
Grampanchayat
offices and sub centres are built – they are never opened.
·
MP /
MLA / Grampanchayat funds are used to built giant concrete entrances to the
villages – where children in schools starve because the mid-day meals don’t
reach them.
One can
go on, but the point is clear : government funds are not targeted at the
necessary aspects and / or are not reaching those in need. Why is this happening? There are a
number of reasons that have come to fore
·
Awareness
at the grassroots about these schemes and decision making process is limited.
Many a times decisions are taken by the uninformed or the corrupt.
·
Local
self governance institutions are weak in the face of the bureaucracy,
especially at the cutting edge. Thus
one finds that the gramsevak (servant!!! of the village) lords over the elected
panchayat and decides what is to be done.
·
Administration,
especially at higher levels, looks at the macro picture and fails to see the
realities at micro-level. They have no time and more importantly no access to
these realities.
·
Peoples
leaders prefer to do something that is grand and lasting (hence the Community
Centres and Giant Arches) rather than what is necessary.
One wonders
whether the intention of government is to address the issue, spend the money or
make it appear that the money is being spent.
It would
take a team of trained economists, many months of research to find out the
efficacy of the rupee spent by government. Trotting out the Late Prime Minister
Rajiv Gandhi’s famous quote of 15 paise of every rupee spent reaching the poor
has become a poor joke and an excuse for this situation. This should not be
acceptable… This must change.
We feel that an AUTONOMOUS SOCIAL WATCH INSTITUTION must be set up in
the state. This institution will have the task of undertaking social audits in
each and every sector of development. It will be answerable to people and will
make its reports available to the people of the state. One of the areas that
can be studied are government schemes and programmes.
Is ANYONE reading this INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THIS SOCIAL WATCH
INSTITUTE?
The institution will need volunteers to undertake the
studies…
It will need money to become self reliant so that its integrity is not compromised by a funding source.
Any takers? Please get back…
The
MDF has received Rs. 100,000/- from the UK based Maggie Black Trust. This
amount is to be used for the preparation of awareness and education material on
subjects like Employment Guarantee Scheme, Paisewari, Public Distribution
System, Right to Information etc. This material will be printed and given to
the villages. The MAHARASHTRA
VIKAS NIDHI (MAHARASHTRA DEVELOPMENT FUND) awaits contributions from all of
you… Watch this space for further updates. Do also watch the updated
blog at www.greenearthconsulting.org/padayatraprogress.htm.
Also read a compilation of some stories on www.empowerpoor.org
grnearth@vsnl.com, 020-25466103,
09422521703
Dushkaal
Hatawu : Manoos Jagawu
(Eradicate
Drought : Save Humanity)
February 06, 2006