PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT FOR ACCESSING RIGHTS AND LIVELIHOOD — Supported by IGSSS, New Delhi.
Goal
To promote a dignified and quality life for dalits/tribals in 20 villages of Rajgarh block of Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh.
Objectives
- Dalits/Tribals have better livelihood opportunities.
- Dalits/Tribals, especially women among them, are able to attain their rights and influence the decision makers for pro-tribal policies.
Target Group and Beneficiaries
The program caters to a population of 7500 (1500 families) residing in 20 villages spread across Rajgarh block of Mirzapur district in south-eastern Uttar Pradesh. Through 60 SHGs the program reaches out to approximately 2500 individuals (or 500 families) directly. While selecting program villages, it is ensured that at least seventy percent of the population residing in each village is dalit/tribal.
Situational Analysis
The proposed program area is spread across 20 villages of Rajgarh block. The district is bounded in the east by Varanasi district and in the west by Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Mirzapur can be divided into two physical divisions — the alluvial plain skirting the Ganga, and the southern plateau stretching from the Vindhya escarpment to the Kaimoor range.
Key Activities
Formation of Apex/Forum of Jan Sanghatan leaders to ensure food security schemes: Twenty Jan Sanghatans were formed in all twenty villages, working for the community and helping people raise their voice and access government schemes. Four forums are now working across the twenty villages of Rajgarh block.
Mass awareness programmes (video shows / street plays on PDS and food security schemes): Awareness programmes were organised in front of PRI members and other stakeholders to ensure the actual beneficiaries receive their rations. This type of programme was organised in three villages.
Sensitizing meetings with PRI members, school teachers, ICDS members on MDM and PDS: Meetings were organised with PRI members, school teachers, ICDS members, PDS shopkeepers, SHG leaders, and Jan Sanghathan leaders to ensure their role in proper implementation. In the second year, five meetings were organised in different villages.
Seminar on Right to Work and MNREGA: Two seminars were organised; 80 leaders participated. After the seminar, 140 people applied for job cards and all received them, while 226 people applied for work under the act and all applicants received work.
Training of SHG group leaders: Two special trainings targeted at least 60 group members, conducted by resource persons Mr. Ramesh Kumar Mali, Mr. Sunil Kumar Pandey, and Mrs. Madhuri Singh. As a result, 430 group members have good command of SHG management and are maintaining their records and activities.