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National Workshop on ‘Decades of Panchayat Reforms
The Panchayati Raj Programme at CWS will organize a 3-day National
Workshop titled ‘Decade of PRI Reforms and Future Ahead’ in
Hyderabad. Discussions will focus on the “Scenario after the
Constitutional Amendments, Local Governance, Civil Society and
Finances, experiences of pioneering states in India and experiences
from Scheduled areas. Sectoral decentralization and experiences of
women and marginalized sections will be shared.
Pre
Election Voter Awareness Campaign (PEVAC) in A.P. and Bihar
In Andhra Pradesh, the election to the PRIs is expected during July
2006. Keeping the forthcoming election in mind, the Panchayati Raj
Initiatives has already started its groundwork. The PEVAC, initiated
by CWS help right candidates to get elected and ensure good
governance.
Campaign for PR Elections in Jharkhand and Pondichery
Advocacy Workshops for Panchayati Raj Elections were held.
Discussions were held with NGO activists, journalists and with
Government officials on concerted efforts to campaign for elections.
In
Pondichery, a massive Signature Campaign has been organized on
Gandhi Jayanti Day to urge the Government of Pondichery to conduct
Panchayat Elections in the State.
Current plans
Facilitate implementation of NREG Scheme in Andhra Pradesh
Fifteen partners in the programme have volunteered to strengthen
Gram Panchayats to implement the National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act in Andhra Pradesh.
The NGOs will be trained to take up issues in the Panchayats like
awareness of the Act and to ensure identification and registration
of the potential beneficiaries, issue Identity Cards, ensure timely
wage payment, selection and execution of labour intensive works,
proper maintenance of muster rolls, measurement books and other
relevant records and above all maintaining transparency in all
transactions. Each partner will facilitate three to 10 Gram
Panchayats.
Building Model Gram Panchayats and Networks in A.P and Orissa
Building Gram Panchayats as models is vital under the programme.
Model Gram Panchayats have a strong focus on conducting Palli Sabha,
Gram Sabha, monthly Gram Panchayat meeting, maintaining the required
documents, registers and accounts, maintaining transparency,
accountability and people’s participation in general and women,
Dalit and tribal communities participation in particular. 100 Model
Gram Panchayats are planned.
Under Sectoral Decentralization, the programme will take up a number
of need-based collaborative activities along with the solidarity
institutions and Panchayats in various areas like child rights,
mainstreaming, concerns related to HIV/AIDS, sustainable
agriculture, people’s forestry and watershed management.
Participatory Micro Planning will be undertaken.
Campaign to implement PESA in Andhra Pradesh
While implementing the Panchayati Raj Initiatives in A.P. there is
an urgent need to bring in certain amendments as per the Bhuria
Committee. Building critical awareness among the indigenous
communities, common people and administration on the subject is
required. A Mass Campaign was held at different levels including the
formation of the Forum ‘Scheduled Praantha Panchayati Raj Chatta
Amalu Saadhana Vedika’.
‘Implementation of PESA Provisions relating to the Management and
Ownership of Minor Forest Produce in Orissa’
Proper management of the non-timber forest produce (NTFP) by the
Gram Panchayats in Orissa is expected to protect the interest of the
tribal communities in Orissa. As per the Minor Produce Act, 2002 the
Gram Sabha or Panchayat is authorized to control the prescribed 68
items. To know the level of implementation a study was conducted. It
has covered 94 Panchayat elected representatives, 42 government
officials and 211 primary minor forest produce collectors to
complete the study. The study recommends that:
The forest produce used by the local communities for their food and
livelihood other than timber, poles and firewood may be declared as
MFP. They include Kendu leaf, Bamboo, Sal Seed, Gum and Resins.
The Gram Panchayat should have power to control and regulate the MFP
species, its sustainable harvesting and management etc. The final
report of the study is ready for publication.
Panchayati Raj Networks at the South India and National Level
Since its inception, the programme has been promoting fora at
different levels and subsequently its Networks in most of the
States. During Phase III, the Networks are in the process of being
linked at the South India as well as National and International
levels. |
