Strengthening Local Democracy (SLD)
Supported By: Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative;
Ongoing since 2015-
After completing the first cycle of 6 years covering 23 villages, 17 Gram Panchayats and total population of 25440 in the Palghar Block of Tribal district, SLD’s dynamic Team initiated their second cycle in Vikramgarh block that is 92% Adivasi with a hilly, unforgiving terrain, far flung out Adivasi hamlets and lowest Human Development Index.
Starting with recruiting and training a team of passionate local Adivasi youth as Gram-Sathis, power walk of every village was conducted, maps were created and bequeathed to the villagers, thus increasing their negotiating power with the authorities, be it Panchayat or Talathi.
Various surveys including census, baseline survey for participation in Gram-Sabha, PESA-Sabha, eligibility criteria for various scheme benefits like Pregnancy, Pension, Voter’s registration, are conducted in order to help villagers achieve these benefits with the help of Gram-Sathis.
Another crucial aspect of this process is to educate the Panchayat members including Sarpanch, Male and Female Panchayat members, Ward committee members and Gram-Sevak (GoI appointee) about their roles and responsibilities towards village development and PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act). This has enabled many villages to receive PESA funds for village development projects… a huge step forward for this area.
Starting with recruiting and training a team of passionate local Adivasi youth as Gram-Sathis, power walk of every village was conducted, maps were created and bequeathed to the villagers, thus increasing their negotiating power with the authorities, be it Panchayat or Talathi.
Various surveys including census, baseline survey for participation in Gram-Sabha, PESA-Sabha, eligibility criteria for various scheme benefits like Pregnancy, Pension, Voter’s registration, are conducted in order to help villagers achieve these benefits with the help of Gram-Sathis.
Another crucial aspect of this process is to educate the Panchayat members including Sarpanch, Male and Female Panchayat members, Ward committee members and Gram-Sevak (GoI appointee) about their roles and responsibilities towards village development and PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act). This has enabled many villages to receive PESA funds for village development projects… a huge step forward for this area.
