Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
Contents
1. Preface from the Coordinating Director…………………………………………………02 2. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………..06 3. Vision- Mission……………………………………………………………………………………….06 4. About Astha ………………………..………………………………………………………………..07 5. Objective……………………………………………………………………………………………….07 6. Strategy…………………………………………………………………………………………………08 7. Tribal Development Resource Unit (TDRU)……………………………………….09-16 8. Peoples Organisations I. Adivasi Vikas Manch………………………………………………………………...16-19 II. Adivasi Mahila Jagriti Sangathan……………………………………………….20-21 III. Godwad Adivasi Sangathan……………………………………………………….21-23 IV. Vagad Majdoor Kishan Sangathan- Dungarpur………………………....24-28 V. Vagad Majdoor Kishan Sangathan- Banswara…………………………...28-29 9. Women Empowerment Resource Unit………………………………………….....…30-35 10. Disabled People’s Right Resource Unit………………………………………………..36-38 11. Budget Analysis Resource Centre – Jaipur……………………………………………39-41 12. Support Units……………………………………………………………………………………...42-43 13. Media Coverage……………………………………………………………………………..…..43-43 14. Annexure…………………………………………………………………………………………….44-46 15. Financial Statements…………………………………………………………………………….47
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
PREFACE FROM THE COORDINATING DIRECTOR Amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, Astha Sansthan is presenting its 33rd Annual report. COVID-19 and the resultant situation have posed many challenges for all of us. We have seen the reverse migration of a large number of people returned to their villages from cities to which they had gone in search of work, and millions depending on daily wage are struggling for survival in the face of long term unemployment. While voluntary organizations have responded to this crisis and have came forward to provide relief to the most vulnerable, their ability to carry out planned work has been adversely affected. The Government has accepted that the scale of the crisis is such that the government machinery alone cannot deal with it. NGOs and community based organizations have played a vital role in creating awareness and in effective implementation of the guidelines and welfare measures announced by the Government.
Astha team has also come forward to support reverse migrants and communities by creating awareness regarding the pandemic, making masks and sanitizer available and ensuring that the government guidelines regarding social distancing, quarantine etc. are understood and followed. Astha has made special efforts to ensure the social and food security of the most vulnerable people, facing loss of income and employment due to the pandemic, by making government and non-government linkages. In several villages Astha has supported efforts for voluntary collection of food grains from families with surplus and redistribution of the same to needy families by Gramsabha. Astha has also helped distribute ration and hygiene kits received from several donor organizations, to the needy.
This pandemic has changed the working pattern of voluntary organisations. Large scale adoption of technology for communication has taken place and has enabled dialogue and conversations essential to carry out important work. However, Astha’s interventions are completely on the community based approach and the pandemic has posed a challenge to complete the planned activities. We have had to rethink what can be effective strategies to work with the most affected and vulnerable groups. We have had to revise our plans and re-strategize to carry on our work as effectively as possible in this situation.
In the year 2019-20 the Tribal Development Resource Unit supported interventions that resulted in the preparation of Village Action Plans (VAP's) in 475 PESA Gramsabhas. Efforts were also made to have these VAPs included in their respective Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). To accelerate the process, regular dialogue and advocacy with Government agencies was done; as a result an order was issued by the Government of Rajasthan to incorporate PESA Village Action Plans in the respective GPDP. In addition to this, in Dungarpur 190 PESA villages have submitted their VDPs to respective Panchayats, under the "Strengthening Local Democracy" initiative. In most PESA villages, empowered community leaders engaged Local Self Governance elected representatives in meaningful dialogue to build their understanding on PESA provisions and to have the VDPs included in the GPDP on a priority basis.
In southern Rajasthan, 152 village assemblies have established community forest management committees. Not only are the village assemblies now engaged in the use and management of forest resources, they have
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20 also started playing an active role in the conservation, protection and promotion of bio-diversity in their forests.
In the prelude to the election to state assembly in Rajasthan, the Tribal Rights Resource Unit joined with other like-minded groups and undertook campaigns to put the issues of tribal communities before political parties. Some of the issues raised were included in election manifestoes of the parties.
In this year the Astha team has engaged in regular dialogue with tribal communities to explore the need to promote and preserve tribal culture, knowledge and sustainable traditional practices in the future. Along with the work that the Village Assemblies are already doing, they have the potential to become an important platform for understanding the negative and positive effects of the dominant development paradigm and can make collective plans for the promotion and preservation of the rich tribal culture and history. A need has been felt to further strengthen our work with Gramsabha along these lines so that the work of tribal development can be made more holistic and rooted in local wisdom and traditional knowledge. In this year an important issue that has been taken up is to understand the pros and cons of cultivation of BT cotton by marginal tribal farmers, change in agriculture, its affect on food security and land. Several Village Assemblies are already planning how to slow the spread of BT Cotton cultivation and instead bring back millets and other traditional food crops, and to maintain the sustainable agricultural practices that the tribal communities have followed for centuries. We foresee that this will be a big area for work and intervention in the future.
In this year, elections to Local Self Governance bodies in the state also took place. A good number of men and women associated with People's Organizations have stood and won in these elections. This has presented a good opportunity for Astha and People's organizations for follow up and implementation of Village Action Plans.
Astha's support for work with Single Women in Rajasthan and nationally has continued this year. With back-support from Astha a large number of single women are members of the mass based organization with mutual support groups in 575 Panchayats across 115 Blocks, with a presence in all 33 districts of Rajasthan. Through their organization single women leaders have worked on issues of violence, social and food security, demanding accountability from local administration, the organization is also an alternate family and support system for many members. A special objective of the work this year was to encourage single women's political participation. As a result 43 single women stood in local self governance elections and 29 members won the elections. As a result of special capacity building efforts 43 new block level leaders emerged in this year. Different government entitlements ranging from social security pensions to free surgeries, community hand pumps and work in the MGNREGA, reached thousands of single women across the state. In addition to this 5,398 Single Women facing different challenges, including violence, alienation of land and property, harassment, etc. were supported through peer counselling and collective action.
Nationally, Single Women organizations are active in 10 states and 1 Union Territory. Astha supports work with new organizations in Telengana, Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Astha also houses the Secretariat
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20 of the National Forum for Single Women's Rights, a platform for single women leaders from 11 states as of now, that enables sharing, learning, advocacy and expansion of organizations of single women.
Astha's intervention with strengthening elected women representatives have continued in this year. Desirous women candidates in the Khamnor and Kumbhalgarh blocks of Rajsamand district were supported prior to the election with information and skills to support candidates in filling nomination forms and standing in the elections. Efforts to support those that have emerged victorious through capacity building initiatives are ongoing.
In the area of work with differently-abled persons for their rights, Astha has continued work in 4 blocks of Dungarpur and Udaipur district. Efforts have been made to ensure the reach of disabled persons to all government entitlements like bus cards, health cards, pensions, etc.
Work on livelihood with differently-abled persons in both districts on poultry, jewellery making, organic colour etc. has also continued in the year. The Dungarpur livelihood training centre set up with the support of the Nagar Nigam continued its operations in this year with training of differently-abled persons. District- level membership based organizations of differently-abled persons have been formed in both districts and have been linked to the state level "Aapno Sansthan" and have engaged in state level advocacy on the rights of differently-abled.
Since 2002, Astha is working with the Jaipur based Budget Analysis Rajasthan Centre (BARC). Pre-budget workshop was organised by BARC with various civil society groups and the suggestions gathered were shared in the workshop organized by the state Government prior to its annual budget presentation. A special consultation was organized with objective of ensuring implementation of the tribal and Scheduled Caste Sub Plans (TSP and SCSP).
This year Astha started the process for developing a strategic plan for the next 3 to 5 years. A proposal has been developed by the senior team of Astha after the brainstorming on various issues. The Strategic Plan is mainly based around the objective of achieving sustainability of the people’s organisations in the current scenario, where financial resources committed to rights based work are decreasing and government mandated legal compliances and requirements are increasing. The Astha team has carried out detailed discussions with the leadership of all People's Organizations to identify their priorities and essential support they will require in the future. It is on the basis of this that the proposed strategic plan has been developed in this year outlining the future support relation in which Astha will serve as a Secretariat for the existing People's Organizations. Astha will not expand its work in the coming 3-5 years; it will work to support People's Organizations towards greater independence and sustainability.
Astha believes that development is a constant, reiterative process of learning, doing and teaching. It is in this process that we have worked hard and for long to develop People's Organizations, to create opportunities for people's collective leadership to emerge, for them to work independently on the problems that they identify, build their own identity and for the vulnerable sections in our democracy to gain visibility and voice through their organizations. Through the years, People's Organizations have
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20 worked successfully on several issues; they are a vital part of the civil society in the state and regularly engage with the state on their issues.
In this fast changing world we need to define new criteria for judging change to ensure that communities who have been pushed to the margins are not left bereft of dignity and justice. The villages and areas in which Astha has worked have social capital in the form of People's Organizations, that are important for achieving participative democracy through the ideal of local self rule, for all people to enjoy their rights, for women to enjoy equal status and communities to develop the insight to solve their problems, and have equitable access and control over resources while conserving them for future generations, for communities to live in peace and fraternity, passing on centuries old knowledge and practices that are near extinction. In the light of this Pandemic we need to develop new ways of working with the community, even as we try to achieve the same objectives. The Pandemic and resultant situation has once again proved that marginalized communities need to be aware and organized; so as to face challenges, define their development and work towards it collectively.
In this Annual Report 2019-20 we are presenting the most important activities, programmes and achievements of the past year, with the hope that this will add to our learning and understanding of Astha's work. As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions and feedback.
Bhanwar Singh Chadana Coordinating Director
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
INTRODUCTION "Astha" is a Hindi word which means "Faith". Astha has Faith in the people, in their abilities, strengths and knowledge. Astha believes that these capabilities are being suppressed by the dominant forces of the society and as a result, people themselves don't recognize their inherent capabilities. Thus, Astha decided to work with people to make people recognise their inherent capabilities.
Astha has a rich field-based experience of 33 years; the work area of Astha has been primarily Rajasthan, but also on the national issues and larger forces and policies affect the conditions in Rajasthan, and at the local level it addresses those as well. Astha believes that the capabilities of poor, tribal, marginalized and women; are being suppressed by the dominant forces, and the result is that people themselves don't recognize their underlying capabilities. All through these years, Astha was working with/on/for the issues of the poor, deprived, tribal, marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.
The activities and programme of the organization mainly focus on the rights-based approach – organizing the unorganized poor, marginalized, tribal and women, strengthening the local self-governance and discussion advocacy with government departments. Astha's rich experience of organizing and mobilizing people has led Astha and the associated People's Organizations into important leadership roles as part of larger campaigns and awareness in Rajasthan and at National level. Work of the organization is being assessed by the team through regular monitoring, periodic reviews, and internal evaluation process every year and major evaluation by the external evaluators, every three years.
VISION/MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION Mission: Astha's Mission is to help people to organise, expand their capacities and empower them to bring change in the condition of various deprivations under which they live.
Astha focuses on "bottom-up" strategy meant doing a solid piece of fieldwork, and getting involved with the lives of people.
The fieldwork strategy has evolved to one which helps people to become organised, and aware to work on the problems they face, through a combined strategy of empowerment and constructive action.
Because the problems facing the poor, oppressed, exploited are deep-rooted and complex, Astha also has the strategy of having Resource Units to do the research, networking, linkages and trainings so that those working at the grassroots can be effective in empowered through capacity building for constructive action.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
WHAT ASTHA THINKS ABOUT...... Astha does not believe that it is the role of NGOs to "parallel the government", to do what the government does or should be doing. Astha does believe that the poor and oppressed cannot wait for the government nor for the NGOs, for that matter, to come and solve their problems - they will have to collectively do that work themselves. Astha, as stated above, does believe in the strength and ability of the poor and oppressed, but we also know that in all the centuries of India's history, the poor have not usually gotten organized around injustice or exploitation, have not collectively analyzed their situation all by themselves. Some catalyst or outside intervention is necessary to get this process going and to nurture it to be strong. And that is the role of NGOs, to be that catalyst to help the poor to become organized and aware, to work on the problems they face. The Astha team of social activist educators does what they can do, and The People do what they can do, and together, we bring in a new society marked by more peace, justice, love, equality than what exists today!
OBJECTIVES:-
To work on the economic, social problems of the poor and disadvantaged by helping to bring into existence groups and organizations of the poor and disadvantaged, particularly in the rural areas.
To work with the groups of the rural poor on the problems they face. This work will include help with program planning, leadership training, issue- based training and linking with others with a similar concern.
To conduct continuing, functional, liberating educational programs, particularly for the underprivileged sections of the society.
To conduct participatory research projects on problems affecting the poor and disadvantaged in society, and to place the results of that research before groups, agencies, institution, departments etc, working in that field.
To collaborate, and maintain links with the other organizations, groups, and networks working with the poor.
To establish and maintain libraries and documentation resource centers for the related material.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
STRATEGY AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF ASTHA 1. Independent People’s Organizations – We have observed that deprived, exploited, poor people are normally unorganized, due to which they don’t understand their abilities and strength and that’s why they are unable to change their conditions. Astha, with its deep conviction about people’s strength, feels that until they are organized, they would not be able to recognize and use their collective strength.
2. The Necessity of Women’s Participation and Leadership - Astha believes equally that women’s participation and leadership in the processes of social change are very crucial. Through our experience, we feel that for sustainable development and social change, it is necessary that women participate in the process in leadership roles.
3. Knowledge is Power – Astha believes that knowledge is power, and knowledge comes from teaching and learning, from action/reflection, from analysis of root causes. Once people have the knowledge, they can make use of it. Thus, the Astha team has decided that one of our main strategies would be to do extensive training involving sharing knowledge and analyzing problems, working towards an action plan, carrying out the plan and then back together for reflection-on-action . Action-reflection is an effective medium for gaining knowledge.
4. Advocacy for Policy Change – The fourth main pillar of Astha's work is Advocacy for Policy Change in favour of the poor and deprived sections of the society. It was decided that Astha would focus its attention on bringing necessary amendments in existing laws, policies, schemes and Acts, and acting as a pressure group along with the People’s Organizations, to work for changes in laws, policies, schemes and Acts that are more “pro-poor”.
5. The “Macro” and “Micro” are linked – Astha focuses on developing an understanding in the People’s Organizations and in the structures of Astha itself, about how the global/national/ larger problems and regional/local situations are connected . Astha also focuses on how, in a democracy, government policies and laws are influenced by the collective action of people , and that people's organizations have the strength that is significant to make the government accountable and answerable to the citizens.
The above five dimensions along with the deep conviction in the strength and capacities of the people have made the dream come true as "Astha". Astha began its work with the commitment towards people and having faith in them. That faith has been confirmed and verified over more than three decades of work.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
PERFORMANCE: IMPACT AND ACTIVITIES TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE UNIT (TDRU)
Since its beginning in 1986, Astha has had a history of working on the issues of tribal communities inhabiting far-flung and remote areas of southern Rajasthan. The Tribal Development Resource Unit (TDRU) was restructured in the year 2016, with the aim to work more in the holistic approach for the development of tribal communities by making them inclusive within mainstream development paradigms. The Unit was engaged extensively in Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pali and Sirohi districts; and is mainly responsible for the following work –
A. Strengthen the implementation of the Provision of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act or PESA Act - which envisions and provisions village-level democratic institutions of the tribal communities that can function independently to exercise their control over local resources and also play part in the larger planning processes of the Gram Panchayats. B. Implementation of the Forest Right Act and asserting the community forest resources rights C. Networking with other tribal organizations and groups for amendment in the existing laws rules, policies, and schemes of the government at various levels - local, state and central levels for people-centric. D. Providing support to the five People’s Organisations (POs) of tribal communities of the Southern Rajasthan to take up grassroots issues affecting their survival. The unit supports these organisations through planning, training, resource, research and documentation.
In the year 2019-2020, the following outcomes has been observed in all the above aspects– A. Strengthen the implementation of the Provision of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act or PESA Act
The PESA Act has provisions of different powers to the Gramsabha (Village Assemblies) to exercise their control over local resources and also play indispensible part in the larger planning processes of the Gram Panchayats. This has been a strategic plan to strengthen the implementation of PESA at grassroots. The strategy was to saturate these Gram Panchayats with all villages under them functioning as per PESA norms so that the people can push their local agenda and demands at the Gram Panchayats forum with the greater assertion. Tribal Development Resource Unit was engaged extensively in the 475 villages in 4 districts of Southern Rajasthan (Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara and Pali) for preparation of VAP by respective Gramsabha and follow-up its inclusion in respective GPDP for sustainable development plan.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
1. Development of Village Action Plan: Preparation of Village Action Plan by 475 Gramsabha as a road map for social and economic development of rural population. The VAPs have been prepared to take into account both short term and long term needs of the community. 475 VAPs have been submitted to plan the socio economic development programs after intense field level exercises with the communities through various interventions like trainings, workshops, village immersions etc. The VAPs were prepared in a participatory methodology right from the problem identification, deciding priority matrix, resource mapping and resolutions taken by individual village assembly for proposing local village development projects. Resource mapping and other participatory activities were done at village level proved to be engaging exercises among community members. The action plans that were prepared also took into account the aspect of gender inclusion. The proposals for work covered a wide range of sector wise land development, forest rights, education, water resources and linkages to government programmes like public distribution system, social security pensions, and guaranteed employment in rural areas through MGNREGA and other government programmes, roads, infrastructure, water and social security dominated the priorities of the people. With an objective Gramsabha preparing Village Action Plan to develop effective VAP covering all the aspects of the development of village various initiatives have been done at different
platforms:
Capacity building workshop and review of the Village action plans: Capacity building workshop and regular review of VAPs at field and regional level with the support of resource persons and village leaders was done. Major emphasis was given on the time management and resource mobilization. Separate teams of facilitators were made for timely review of VAPs
Advocacy on VAP: To incorporate the VAP developed in PESA power Gramsabha in Panchayat development plan, demand letter was submitted by Tribal Right platform to Panchayati Raj department. Through these efforts order letter was released to include 8 tribal dominated districts in GDP and treat VAPs as Panchayat development plan.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
Status of PESA Power Practice in 475 Village Assemblies
500
450 Previous reporting period 400 Current reporting period 350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
PESA Description Power P1 Regulation and control on sale of intoxicating substances P2 Prevention of Land alienation and return of alienated land P3 Consent from Village Assembly before acquisition of land P4 Ownership over minor forest produce P5 Management of water resources Permission from Village Assembly before survey and allocating land for mining of small P6 minerals P7 Organization and management of local village market P8 Control of Village Assembly over credit P9 Identification of beneficiaries for schemes and programmes P10 Financial control and utilization certificate P11 Control and monitoring of government institutions
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
Following is the analysis of the findings:
1. We can see there is a decline in exercising of PESA power of regulation and control on sale of intoxicating substances by the Gramsabha, but this number is very few and indicates that Gramsabha are also focusing on exercising other powers such as prevention of Land alienation and return of alienated land and consent from village assembly before acquisition of land which is very good sign. 2. We can also see that practice of Power 4 and 5 of PESA has also been practiced in more Gramsabha respective of the previous six months but we found that there has been good increase in exercising of Power 6&7. 3. This is a good indicator that people have gained power to control the flow of credit but we need to find reasons less Gramsabha identified beneficiaries for schemes and programs run by the Government departments as it helps in regularising the Gramsabha meeting and people participate actively. 4. During these six months we found that more number of Gramsabha gained financial control for the work done in villages by various agencies and more number of Gramsabha have become efficient in controlling and monitoring village level government institutions. 2. Leadership development of Gaonsabha committee members:
Strengthening of 1900 leaders for better implementation of VAP in 475 villages was done.
Women Convention was organised to bring women in leadership role, to increase their role in Gramsabha so that women issues can be Leadership Training incorporated in it.
Follow up and campaigns were organised at block and regional level so that all the issues can be the part of VAPs.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
Leadership details at field level
2500
2000
1500 Female Male 1000 Total
500
0 April 2018 to Sept 2019 Oct 2019 to March 2020 Till March 2020
Above graph represents that a total of 2282 people (959 women and 1323 men) (42% women) have been participated in the leadership trainings from the 405 villages in the time period of April 2018 to March 2020. During this reporting period, a total of 338 people took leadership training and (45%) 151 women have emerged as leaders from the village assemblies.
B. Implementation of the Forest Right Act and asserting the community forest resources rights:
To create awareness among the community is the most important for the assertion of community forest rights. It requires the organized efforts of the community based organizations. Throughout the Community Forest Rights Display Board year regular advocacy and networking was done to ensure the forest management and forest conservation under the forest right (Individual and community). The process was presented with varying degrees of socio-political and administrative challenges but the village leaders regularly advocated on the issues of CFR and IFR claims, approval, corrections of rules for the Schedule Tribes areas and prepared a yearly calendar for the village assembly. Various efforts have been done to ensure the rights.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
1. Workshop on Community forest claim and forest management : With an objective to train block level trainers to prepare community forest claim, two days workshop was organized in which detailed discussion To resolve the void and pending claims, as done earlier prepared 190 community claims. After this workshop process to submit community forest claims were done in Gaon Sabhas.
2. Workshop of forest and land right: To build the capacity of voluntary and community based organizations working in tribal area on forest and land right, four days workshop was organized form 16 th to 19 th Sept. 76 members from 10 districts were oriented on the various provisions of land and forest rights and the present scenario of the same. After this workshop, administration organized one day meeting on 31 st October in which the decision to organize campaign to resolve the issues at grass root level was taken.
3. Campaign on Forest right: To resolve the pending and void claims, Chief administration secretary released an order to organize special gram Sabhas to resolve the claims, proper filing, approval of new claims and preparation of online repository of claims were mentioned. Special campaign was organized in 27 Panchayats of 5 districts from 1 st to 15 th June.
Status of Forest Management in 70% intervention villages • Total Villages 190 • Submitted Community Forest Rights Claim- 182 • 151 villages have started Forest Management work as per FRA
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
4. Documentation: PESA manual was developed on PESA power given to the villages, its objectives of creation and thought behind the village development plan. It’s a very useful document to understand the PESA act used by PO’s. Resource book on bio diversity was also developed. Pamphlets and posters were also developed on PESA power, various government schemes and used in the village meetings to create awareness among the community.
5. Linkages with Govt. schemes: The unit has supported following govt. schemes through the organizations in 5 districts:
C. Networking with other tribal organizations and groups:
Due to the rigorous efforts various laws and policies have been developed of the tribal community. But the execution at grass root level is not very effective, so that the impact group deprive from the actual benefits of the schemes and entitlements. Due to the weak implementation of the provisions, most of the time tribal people fail to access the entitlements. To meet the objective TDRU regularly works with tribal organizations for the effective implementation and need based amendments in the laws. During the year advocacy at state and national level on various issues like employment, food security, tribal issues, education etc was done through TDRU.
S.no. Events Issues 1 State level Tribal Convention Strong and transparent accountable laws, Organised on 25 th Feb. at Jaipur with the Common forest right, effective execution of representation of 276 members MNREGA with proper rules. 2 Manifesto on Tribal issues prepared and Land and forest right, agriculture rights, shared with Political representatives minimum wages law 3 Meeting with State Government Raised the issue to release the title papers Participated in state level meeting on 8 th of land to the deprived owners, community May and presented the issues forest right etc. In effect of this special Gram Sabhas were organized by Govt. to resolve the issues related to lands and faster the process of CFR. 4 Campaign for survival and dignity After the judgment of supreme court on land evacuation in tribal areas, a campaign was organized, proposals were prepared in Gram Sabhas and submitted to the state govt. 5 Campaign on Right to Information and Astha played an important role to raise the Right to Work issue at various platforms. Regular interaction with various state level dept. of food security, Panchayati raj, Tribal dept, I.T. etc. and shared the issues.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
6 Asian land forum Convention Raised the issue of land rights, illegal Asia land forum and Astha jointly transfer of tribal land, effective organised a Convention on 30 th Sept. with implementation of PESA act. an objective of collective and united efforts for land issue 7 State level dialogue of NREGA Discussed and raised the effective Active role played by Astha to organize implementation of NREGA with state level event. transparency. This resulted the execution of toll free no. 181 for issues related to NREGA 8 Advocacy on Education in tribal area Raised the issue of merging of approx Started a campaign names as “Neev”, 20,000 schools in the year 2017 and its raised the issues at state level forums. impact on tribal population. 9 Panchayati Raj Elections Played active role to create awareness towards Panchayati Raj elections held in January 2020. Prepared and submitted the demand list to the candidates, capacity building of CBO’s to fight the elections.
D. Support to People’s Organisations:
During the year, Astha through its Tribal Development Resource Unit supported the activity of 5 people’s organizations in Southern Rajasthan. These POs were formed by Astha and have been active for over two decades in different regions of Southern Rajasthan. Astha has been supporting these POs around various local issues such as land, forest rights, livelihood, women’s issues, social security schemes and tribal rule. Over the years Pos have grown in both membership and maturity in their ability to identify and mobilize the masses around issues affecting the socio-economic conditions of Tribal’s and gives voice to their concerns and grievances of administration.
1. Adivasi Vikas Manch (Tribal Development Forum): The Tribal Development Forum (TDF) was the first People’s Organization to be formed in 1992 by Astha Sansthan. Over the years, the men and women of the Tribal Development Forum have continued to work together on awareness, empowerment and have expanded their Forum to the neighboring Block of Jhadol in Udaipur District, and now the Forum works in 262 villages in Kotra, Phalasia and Pindwara Blocks in the Southern Rajasthan. During the reporting year forum focused on issues- implementation of tribal self- rule, land rights under the Forest Rights Act, sensitization of administration for betterment of education system, wage labour, women empowerment, migrant labour, and control of community on natural resources and access to various welfare schemes of the government.
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20
Activities undertaken in the year by AVM: (a) Strengthening Village Assemblies: 148 Gramsabha were strengthened through regular meetings, capacity building and training of organization leaders which increased the participation in village meetings as per the powers of PESA. 88 Gaonsabha have prepared their Village Action Plans (VAPs) and to ensure the quality of the plans, 4 training programmes, 176 meetings in 88 villages and one block level interaction with PRI and government officials was organized. Along with the plans, the village leaders also prepared their village and resource map, to plan and manage the village resource more efficiently. They also prioritised the issues related to women and ensured women participation in the process. During this period 92 VAPs got submitted to Panchayats and received the receipts of the same. VAPs were shared in special Gramsabha of 2 nd October and 26 th January. (b) Implementation of Forest Rights Act: 48 Villages are practicing Community Forest Management and have formed CFR Management Committee, Forest Protection Committees and Natural diversity committees, to protect and manage the forest. 40% of all these committee members are women and they are paying very active roles. These village assemblies have prepared their Forest management rules and regularly following up on their implementation. 30 village assemblies have placed their area declaration board, displaying the rules of forest management. During plantation drive, meetings were organized in 35 villages and 650 saplings were planted. The organization also planned several advocacy campaigns and programmes to facilitate the approval of Individual Forest Rights Claims. Field level and cluster level meetings were organized to discuss the issues related to IFR and the solutions to resolve those. Total 1425 IFR claims were submitted and 96 were approved during the process. During the drive, re-evaluation and physical verification of 341 claims were done. During this period 12 CFR claims were approved by the Forest department. (c) Leadership Development and Women Empowerment: Leadership development is the important aspect in the local self governance. AVM has total membership of 11425 in which 4991 are females and 6434 are males. During this year 329 new members were added in which 177 are females (which are 53.79% of the total new members). These 329 new leaders were trained during the year on PESA, Forest management; issue- based advocacy, documentation etc. Also, 6 cluster level drives were organized for 6 days to increase women participation and create awareness on women issues. The women participation has increased to 44.59% in Gramsabha. Block level event named as “Mahila Sangam” was organized in which 252 women leaders and discussed domestic violence, health issues, their participation in PRI and accessibility of women entitlements. 32 female leaders participated in state level Convention, where they raised their issues for advocacy.
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In 88 Gramsabha, equal participation of women was recorded and were successful to include women related issues in VAPs. (d) Along these interventions in Kotra, to nurture Adivasi Culture and Knowledge in tribal areas of Rajasthan for a sustainable society, Astha is implementing a model project for Adivasi communities to maintain their culture and prepare for the future and networking in selected ten villages of three Panchayats. Project based activities starts with 1500 HH in selected 10 Villages of Kotra block. They prepared VDP, including their social norms, tradition, agriculture needs. Following are some of the activities covered since the inception of the project: I. Workshop for capacity building of project team was organised which was attended by 15 people from Astha and 3 of them were female participants. II. During this period 30 Gram Sabha (Village meetings) has been concluded in which total 617 (234 female and 383 male) people participated. III. Two days workshop on tribal culture and knowledge was organised in which 35 people from 9 villages participated. IV. Two-day workshop with traditional village heads was organised which was attended by 24 participants. V. Total 49 people (21 female and 28 male) from 5 SMCs and 3 Anganwadis (Pre-School Child care center) were oriented about their roles and responsibilities and possibilities of integrating tribal education and values in Gramsabha at Khachan village in Kotra school and pre-school education.
(e) Other Activities: • MNREGA: Organisation is actively working on the actual implementation of MNREGA. This year application of 1502 families was submitted for MNREGA, received the receipt. In addition to this, it was discussed with Panchayat Samiti to incorporate the work of VAP under MNREGA. Also 5 villages from Kotra block was selected to develop model villages under MNREGA. For that 52 MATTS (supervisor) were selected for further capacity building programmes. • Food security : Monitoring of ration shops by Gramsabha and regularized the distribution of ration, 351 names were added under the scheme of food security. Also
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regularize the ration of 126 old families who were not getting the rations but their names were added in the list. Received the ration in new list. 23 forms for Palanahar schemes and 147 forms for pension (123 old age and 24 widow pensions) were submitted. 677 old pensions were regularized. • Annual event Milan Mela : Adivasi Vikas Manch organised its 26 th Milan Mela at Kotra on 23 rd -24 th February 2020, in which approx 5000 tribal people participated. It was an important annual tribal event platform where representatives of all PO’s shared and exchanged their learning’s Milan Mela 2020 at Kotra and discuss on the future strategic
movement. • Women Convention : Block level event named as Mahila Sangam (Women Convention) was organized in which 252 women leaders participated and raised their issues like participation of women in PRIs, domestic violence, health entitlements. • State level leadership Convention : 32 women leaders got the opportunity to participate in 3 days state level convention to raise their issues for further advocacy. • Information and support centre: AVM is running information and support centre in which 1259 people visited and got the information on various schemes. Total 3360 people got the benefit of 23 schemes like admission in hostel, college, adding name in Ration card, death-birth certificate, character certificate & BSTC application submission.
2. Adivasi Mahila Jagriti Sangathan (Tribal Women’s Awareness Society): The Tribal Women’s Awareness Society has been working in Jhadol, Phalasiya and Girwa blocks of Udaipur district and they have been working on the issues of gender equality, violence against women. The Adivasi Mahila Jagriti Sangathan is working in 121 villages spread across 41 Gram Panchayats of Jhadol and Girwa blocks. Major emphasis of working is on E-Mitra (Information & communication Centre at women issues, tribal self governance, Kotra campus)
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MNREGA, food security and education. Activities undertaken in the year by AMJS:
(a) Strengthening of Gaon Sabhas: AVM is working in Jhadol, Phalasiya and Girwa block with the focus in 76 Gaon Sabhas. Various training programmes were organized for the leaders so that effective VAPs can be prepared. 4 training programmes were organized for selected 51 leaders on the various aspects of VAPs like what type of issues can be taken and priorities them. Along with the plans, the village leaders also prepared their village and resource map to plan and manage the village resources more efficiently. They also priorities the issues and ensured the women’s participation in the process. Total 45 VAPs have been prepared and 22 submitted to the Panchayats. Remaining Gramsabha at Pai, Jhadol
23 will be submitted soon.
(b) Forest Rights Act Implementation: Forest rights are one of the major issues in the area and AMJS has been building awareness and understanding on this through training and meetings with the committees at the village as well as block level. With the 40% women membership, bio diversity committees in 20 villages have been established for forest management. 15 villages have prepared their forest management rules and practicing the same. Orientation of Community forest management committees of 14 villages have been done, 10 villages have their area declaration board where rules of all the forest management are mentioned. Regular meetings are conducted on Community forest boundary wall repairing biodiversity and forest conservation in 13 work by Community members in Jhadol villages, 15 villages have submitted information letter to S.D.L.C. Organisation is also doing advocacy for the approval of IFR and
CFR claims, total 26 CFR claims have been submitted.
(c) Leadership development and women empowerment: The leadership development in the village is another important aspect of strengthening local democracy and self governance. 426 women members with 82% are the part of AMJS. In 76 villages 304 members were
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selected for leadership training in which 153 were women leaders. 141 women leaders from 64 villages were trained on Forest management, issue based advocacy, PESA act etc. With an objective to increase the participation of women in Gram Sabhas organized on 2 nd October and 26 th January, 22 cluster meetings were organized in which 252 women participated. Through these efforts, presences of women in these Gramsabha were 49.2%. In a state level event Mahila Sangam, 82 women of 76 villages participated and shared their issues, village problems and importance of women’s participation in Gram Sabha.
3. Godwad Tribal Organisation (Gowad Adivasi Sangathan): The Godwad area of Women Convention at Bali, Pali Bali block in the Pali district is a feudal tribal area of Marwar cultural area of Rajasthan. It is the history of the area that dominant higher classes have exploited poor, marginalised and tribal of the area. In 1998, Gowad Tribal Association was formed with the objective that people will get organize and raise voice against exploitation and fight for rights. Gowad Tribal Organization is working with 129 villages of the Gowad Area (Bali and Desuri blocks of Pali). The mission of GAS is to establish a society free from exploitation where everyone can get access to their rights.
Activities undertaken in the year By GAS:
(a) Strengthening of Gramsabha: As per the target of this year, 78 villages have prepared their VAPs and 77 submitted to Panchayats. From 43 villages, 117 village leaders were trained on VAP formation. The impact of these efforts is that PESA concept has been established and Gramsabha are enough capable to present their issues legally in front of various departments.
(b) Implementation of Forest Rights Act: 25 Villages are doing Community Forest Management in their villages and 25 villages have formed CFR Management Committees and Forest Protection Committee to protect and manage the forest resources. These 25 villages have prepared their forest management rules and following the same on regular bases. Interference from forest department has been reduced; illegal mining and deforestation have also been reduced. In May 2019, 373 individual files were submitted online and 290 received individual rights.
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(c) Leadership development and women empowerment: Sangathan has strong belief in the women leadership and always ensures 50% participation of women in each process. In GAS 47.59% members are women, 54.22% women are in leadership role, and 58% women participated in village action plan. Various training programmes were organized on local self governance, PESA act, in Women Convention at Bali Women Convention at Bali which approx 200 leaders were trained. Also cluster level drives were organized to increase women participation and to create awareness among the issues related to women.
(d) Other Activities:
• MNREGA: Organisation is actively working on the actual implementation of MNREGA. This year application of 1867 families were submitted for MNREGA, received the receipt and out of which 712 families have completed their 100 days employment.
• Food security and education: Monitoring of ration shops by Gram Sabha and regularized the distribution of ration, 268 families received the ration in new list. 13 forms for Palanahar schemes and 524 forms for pension were submitted. 62 old pensions were regularized. In the area leaders of organizations are doing the monitoring of 30 schools, regularize the parents and SMC meetings, 43 SMC meetings were organized in which issue of proper functioning of school was discussed.
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Case Study - Pollution free Village
District- Pali, Tehsil – Nadia Panchayat, Revenue Village- Chingta Bhata The village namely Chigtabhata is situated in dence forest and surrounded by the Aravali mountain range. The village is quite rich in resource as it contain good quality of mining stone. Three years ago one contractor trapped Haraa Ram son of Sitaram Garasia who is the resident of the Chigtabhata village. Haraa Ram with greed of money accepted the contracto’s offer to start a stone mining on Haraa Ram’s land near the village.
The nearby farm lands and the village got poluted by the dust produced by mining work. The air and water quality detorited, and it started affecting the health and livelihood of the villagers. In the leadership of PESA gramsabha leader(President of Gramsabha) Shri Dhuparam, villagers got united and submitted their complaint to Sub Divisional Officer and Thesildar of the area.
After investigation it was found that the mining grant was given for a different pice of land and the contractor has undertook miniung activities ilegaly in the village. The contractor also hide this information from the villagers and did not took prior permission from the gramsabha. Taking cognigent of this tituation the Sub Divisional Officer and Tehsildar took action against the contractor and stooped all mining activities and initiated legal action against the contractor.
Today Community is happy and in peace and their confidence on gramsabha has also increased. The most intersting part is community got an efficient leader(Shri Dhuparam). This led to persuade the community to elect Shri Dhuparam as wardpanch and now he is the Vise Sarpanch of the village, and providing and very effective and efficiant leadership to his community.
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4. Vagad Majdoor Kisan Sangathan- Dungarpur: (Vagad Labourers and Farmers Organization); the association was established in 1997 in Dungarpur district and at present it is working in 6 blocks of Dungarpur. The Vaghad area is a Bheel community dominated Tribal area and comes under the schedule V areas. The VLFO is working on issues like Forest Rights Act, minimum wages under MNREGA, tribal self governance under PESA act and its implementation etc. The objective of the formation of Public Hearing at Dungarpur (27-28 February 2020) People’s Organisation is to organize people around the issues that are affecting to the large group and fight to get justice to them. The organization is working in 6 blocks. During the year major focus of the organization was on establishing local democracy, community forest rights; work on power mentioned under PESA act, the formation new village assemblies, accessibility of government schemes. Most of the villages of the working area fall under the scheduled area, so the prime agenda was to prepare the village for declaration as to Village republic according to provisions of local self
governance and to strengthen the PRIs.
Activities undertaken in the year VMKS-D:
(a) Strengthening of Gramsabha: Total 247 Gramsabha were empowered through various capacity building initiatives, so that selected leaders can actively participate in village meetings and can develop the village action plans. In this year 122 females and Gramsabha Capacity Building 120 males were trained VAP, 54 VAPs
were submitted to Panchayats and received the receipt of 43 VAPs.
(b) Implementation of Forest Rights Act: 54 villages have formed CFR Management Committee, 40 villages forest have prepared their Forest Management Rules with regular follow up, and 38 have their area declaration board where all the rules are mentioned. Tree plantation drive was organized in 7 villages. In this year 12 CFR claims have been submitted. Sapling distribution to community forest 251 IFR received order right letter. In addition members
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to this organization planned several strategic movements of advocacy for the approval of Individual claims. Cluster level meetings were organized to discuss the concerns and their resolutions related to IFR. 602 Claims were submitted at Gaonsabha level. During the campaign 1027 old claims were submitted for rechecking and physical verification.
(c) Leadership development and women empowerment: Organisation has always a concern for the women leadership and their role in the society. In VMKS 52% members are women, 48% women are in leadership role, and 55% women participated in village action plan. Various training programmes were organized on local self governance, PESA act, in which approx 250 leaders were trained. Also cluster level drives were organized to increase women participation and to create awareness among the issues related to women.
(d) Increased accessibility of Government schemes through Gramsabha: Through the participation in Gramsabha, members tried to identify actual beneficiaries for the various Government entitlements like pension, Palanhar, NREGA, Ration card, PM Awas Yojna etc. Regular monitoring of ration shops by Gramsabha and regularized the distribution of ration. 5037 new application forms were submitted under NREGA, 268 families received the ration in new list. 45 beneficiary received services from Palanhar schemes and 310 forms for pension were submitted, out of which 53 for disabled people, 155 for old age and 102 for widow women. 75 old pensions were regularized. Also 321 labour cards were submitted.
(e) Trainings and workshops: To strengthen the organization and its functionaries various training programmes and workshops were organized throughout the year which impacted in the task done by them. Details of the capacity building initiatives:
S.no Training/ Workshop Date Female Male Total 1 Training of women elected PRI members 17 April 25 0 25 2 Refresher training 3-4 June 46 80 126 3 Leadership training for Sagwada 20-21 July 7 16 23 members 4 Leadership training for Simalwada 4-5 August 31 75 106 members 5 Leadership training for members 24-25 Aug 36 34 70 Dungarpur and Jhothri 6 Training on making of action plan 25-26 Sept 25 31 56 7 Training on women leadership 27-28 Sept 50 15 65 8 Workshop for PRI election candidates 21-22 Oct 50 69 119
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Local Democracy program:
Apart from the above interventions, Vagad Majdoor Kisan Sangathan Dungarpur, with support from Ajim Premzi Philanthropy Initiative, undertook an initiative to increase people’s participation in village institutions thereby improving local governance systems in 197 villages of Dovra and Bichiwara blocks of Dungarpur. The project has successfully completed three years. This report entails the information of the project implementation period of 2019-20.
In the last three years, Astha has formed and regularised 184 Gramsabha of 62 gram Panchayats. We have trained 938 Gramsabha Committee Leaders who are actively involved in regularization of Gramsabha of 62 GPs. They are playing an importantrole for organizing the Gramsabha regularly, identifying the beneficiaries for government schemes, and facilitating them to access the schemes by filling up forms, submitting applications in concerned departments for grievance redress. Further, VDP preparation by Gramsabha many of the leaders are working as custodian of constitutional rights, accountability and transparency of local governance institutions, raising issues at the Gram Panchayat level for the development of village and following-up the VDPs for their implementation.
The training provided to PRI members has improved the capacity of the PRI members such as better understanding of local democracy and higher awareness level. Further, the team worked for submission, follow up and implementation of Village Development plans submitted by the Gramsabha .
During this period 909 Village Plan Facilitator were trained, and these facilitators took further the village planning processes in their respective villages. As a result, 193 VDP were formed and submitted in Gram Panchayats, apart from this the team trained 100 youth leaders at Gram Panchayat level and conducted follow-up trainings.
These VDP works have been incorporated in GPDP and are being implemented in their respective villages. Thus, with increasing participation of people in local democratic processes, education, implementation of welfare schemes and other development works have improved in Dovra and Bichiwara. Many of our leaders were elected as PRI members in the January 2020 PRI elections of Rajasthan.
Refresher Training of Gramsabha Committee Members Refresher training of Gramsabha In Refresher training of Gramsabha Committee Members out members of 299 members 154 were trained about PESA provisions
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20 and capacitated with strategies to regularise Gramsabha. In the training, participants were trained to develop plan and strategies to follow up the Gram Panchayat’s work and implementation of VDPs. Overall, we have trained, 938 Gramsabha Committee leaders, in which further 745 GSC leaders got refresher training.
Regularisation of Gramsabha
In 197 villages of 62 GPs, we have formed 190 Gramsabha and further 184 Gramsabha have been regularised over period of three years. In year 3, the active Gramsabha committee members conducted meetings in their respective villages and further conducted Gramsabha. Further, an average 10,361 people participated in their respective Gaon Sabhas from May 2019 to March 2020 in 184 regularised Gaon Sabhas .
The following table shows the details of people participation in the respective blocks.
People's Participation in Gaon Sabha 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 May June July August Sep October Nov Dec Jan Feb March
Dovra Bichiwara
The following table shows the details of female-male participation in Gaon Sabhas. (Gender Ratio in the Gaon Sabha Meeting)
Gender Ratio in the Gaon Sabha Meeting
12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 May June July August Sep October Nov Dec Jan Feb March
Female Male
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Awareness generation and identification and ensuring access of 5 Government schemes –
People participated in the Gramsabha majorly involved in identifying beneficiaries of government schemes such as NREGA, Ration, social security pensions, labour cards, food security, Palanhar, PM Awas Yojna, Swach Bharat Yojna and so on. After identifying these beneficiaries, the Gramsabha members along with animators supported the identified people to fill their forms in getting benefits. With the support these Gaon Sabha 19236 people got benefits of major government welfare schemes in year 3. Further, Gramsabha followed up for the effective implementation of Village Development Plans and discussed about the people’s agendas for the PRI election in the month of Jan, 2020.
The following chart shows the people able to access different government schemes during reporting period.
Government Scheme Number of people (May. 2019 – March 2020)
NREGA 15165 Social Security Pension 991 Palanhar 109 PDS 207 Labour Card 356 Other 2408 Total 19236
PRI pre-election dialogue with potential leaders
Astha has trained 94 potential leaders out of 120 for PRI elections to create awareness about the Panchayati Raj Systems and the importance election processes in a democratic setup. The dialogue informed the participants about eligibility criteria and qualities of PRI leader to contest in an election. Further, they were oriented about the model code of conduct and precaution to follow it.
In January 2020, the Panchayat Raj election was conducted in Rajasthan. In the election, 20 Sarpanchs and 143 wardpanch won were change agents in their respective Gramsabha.
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Story of Lakshmi Ahari – From a community Mobiliser to Sarpanch
Laxmi Ahari’s journey began the moment she got to know about the local democracy program (Gramsabha Sasaktikaram Karyakaram) happening in her village Khempur. She is young and wanted to bring change in her area. Thus,
she started att ending the various training as part of our program.
In year 2, when we expanded our field team, she was selected as one of Community workers. She started working to strengthen local democracy in her field area. Gradually, she became aware, got exposed to the Gram Panchayat process and got confidence to speak out against patriarchy in the Laxmi Ahari Sarpanch of Khembur society. Thus, she started working on the issues of women and raised the issue Panchayat, Block Dovda of banning alcohol. Many women came together in Vagdari Gramsabha and went to the District level official asking them to stop the sale of illegal liquor in their area. As a result, she got recognized as a vibrant women leader in her panchayat. The women Gramsabha members chose Laxmi as their candidate for Sarpanch in Panchayati Raj election conducted in January 2020.
Khempur Gram Panchayat seat was an unreserved seat. Generally, unreserved seats are considered as male seats and women do not contest on unreserved seats. Also, on reserved seats where women become sarpanch, mostly their husband, Father in law or Brother in law work as sarpanch, take decisions or influence the decision- making process.
Laxmi took it as a challenge and decided to continue her candidature for Sarpanch. She was the only women sarpanch candidate in her GP in PRI elections .She was threatened by her opposite candidates to withdraw candidature and her other family members were also stopped from contesting. But Laxmi was firm on her decision and continued her campaign. Adding to that, she did meetings with women groups, got full support from women voters.As a result, she won the elections. After becoming the sarpanch, she wants to work for the development of her Gram Panchayat and wants to improve the status of girls and women. She has provided space for women to do meetings near Panchayat office. Also, she is planning to increase livelihood opportunities for people in the village.
5. (Vagad Majdoor Kisan Sangathan- Banswwara): (Vagad Labourers and Farmers Organization) Vagad Majdoor Kisan Sangathan (VMKS)- Banswara has been active in Vagad region since the past 19 years, working towards the development of tribal farmers and labourers. The Sangathan covers Kushalgarh and Sajjangarh, blocks of Banswara which are completely covered under Schedule V of the Constitution. The major focus of work by the Sangathan includes implementation of PESA Act (1996) and Rules (2011), Right to Information Act, linking grass- root beneficiary with Government-sponsored social security and welfare schemes.
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Activities undertaken in the year by VMKS-B
(a) Strengthening of Gramsabha: Total 77 Gramsabha were empowered through various capacity building initiatives, so that selected leaders can actively participate in village meetings and can develop the village action plans. In this year 154 females and 154 males were trained on VAP, 58 VAPs were prepared and 43 submitted to Panchayats and received the receipt of 43 VAPs. Along with the plans, the village leaders also prepared their village and resource map to plan and manage the village resources more efficiently. They also priortised the issues and ensured the women’s participation in the process
(b) Implementation of Forest Rights Act: Forest Rights are one of the major issues in the area and major emphasis of VMKS on the awareness and capacity building of community people on Forest Rights so that they can raise voice for their claims. In this year 5 villages have formed CFR Management Committee, till date 23 villages have prepared their Forest Management Rules with regular follow up. During the campaign 1539 old claims were submitted for rechecking and physical verification and 1319 cancelled claims were submitted at district level.
(c) Leadership development and women empowerment: Organisation has always a concern for the women leadership and their role in the society. 50% women participated in village action plan and incorporated their issues. Various training programmes were organized on local self governance, PESA act, in which approx 154 women leaders were Leadership Training at Banswara trained. Also cluster level drives were organized to increase women participation and to create awareness among the issues related to women.
(d) Other Activities:
• Food security: Monitoring of PDS (Public Distribution System) shops by Gramsabha and regularized the distribution of food grains, 5 new families were added in the list and 5 old were regularised. Submitted 45 forms for Palanahar schemes and 177 (109 for old age, 34 for widows and 34 for disabled)
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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT RESOURCE UNIT
Astha first approached the problem of Single Women in the year 1997. At that time the work targeted widowed women. It soon expanded in vision to include, along with widows - divorced, separated, older never-married women, and those whose spouses suffered from serious physical or mental conditions. Astha recognized the vulnerability of Single Women in a patriarchal society, where marriage continues to be the cornerstone on which women's lives are built. For low-income Single Women, the dual vulnerabilities of being women and of being single are further compounded by resource poverty and low levels of formal education. Astha also recognized that Single Women were strong women. They managed to survive, raise children, sometimes stood up to families and communities for their rights. Most were not living in Ashrams, nor were they dependent on family members. The numbers of Single Women in India are large - over 5 crores as per the Census of India 2011. Given this, the question was "What strategy would support large numbers of single women, who had hidden strength and potential, live lives of dignity?" Astha believed that if Single Women were organized, to help each other, they could together work to change their situation.
Since then Astha has helped bring into existence and continues to support the Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan, ENSS (Association of Strong Women Alone) - a mass-membership based state wide organization of single women and the National Forum for Single Women's Rights - a national platform for state organizations of single women to advocate for the cause of single women, expand organzations to states where there are none and encourage sharing and learning between various state level organizations of single women. In addition to these two organizations Astha has shared its experience and expertise of working with Single Women with back-support organizations in other states helping to bring into existence independent Single Women's organizations in 9 other states.
Astha has worked to stregthen and empower women elected representatives in local self governance bodies. This work continues in 2 blocks of Rajasamand District - Kumbhalgarh and Khamnor.
Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan, ENSS/ Association of Strong Women Alone, ASWA The Astha backed support team and the ENSS leadership worked hard to set up a system of Single Women groups' monthly meetings in 515 Village Panchayats in 115 blocks. Earlier regular meetings were held at the Block Level, the change to meetings at the Village Panchayat level has been made to take the work deeper, create more opportunities for leadership and reach more Single Women. Through special efforts to identify and train new single women leaders in this year 23 second line leaders have taken responsibility for supporting block level work, while around 2500 single women are taking a leadership role at the Panchayat level across the 515 Panchayats.
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ENSS Completes 20 years!
The year 2019-2020 marked the 20th Anniversary of ENSS and was marked by a large Sisterhood Convention held in the state capital Jaipur, attended by the Chief Minister, the Minister of Women and Child Development, other distinguished guests and more than 500 Single Women from all over the state. A speical booklet of case studies documenting the journey and growth of single women's leadership in the state was released at this function. The large event was conceived, managed, organized and financed mainly through local donations raised by single women themselves. The Astha back support staff was needed only to provide limited assistance. The Single Women of Rajasthan have indeed come far!
Release of the Book - Single Women -Agents of Change. Lto R - Ms. Kent, Canadian Deputy HC; Dr. Ginny Shrivastava, President - Astha Sansthan; Sh. Ashok Gehlot, CM; Smt. Mamta Bhupesh, Minister- WCD, Govt. Of Rajasthan; Ms. Lali Dhaker, President - ENSS Single Women from across the state celebrate Sisterhood
ENSS members dressed in red, raise slogans for social change!
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Below we are sharing with you the major achievements of ENSS in 2019-20 - 1. 5,519 new members joined ENSS this year, taking its total membership to 2. ENSS supported and encouraged 43 Single Women candidates in the LSG elections, of which 29 emerged victorious! 3. In a big effort 46 new block level single women leaders were mentored this year. 4. Government entitlements numbering 13,181 reached thousands of single women across the state. 5. Through peer counselling and collective action ENSS supported 5,398 Single Women facing different challenges, including violence, alienation of land and property, harassment, etc. 6. Initiation of work with women farmers in 32 Panchayats for their rights, recognition and sustainable agricultural practice. In addition, to these challenges the greatest benefit of ENSS continues to be the feelings of strength and togetherness it builds in its members, which helps them confront and solve the many challenges, discriminations and exploitation they face as women alone in a patriarchal social order. ENSS is indeed an 'alternate family' and support structure for many of its members.
Maan Kanwar Wins Against All Odds !
Maan Kanwar, resident of Dillipura Panchayat in Sangod block of Kota is a senior member of ASWA. She is a widow and a woman farmer. She has been a leader and advocate for the rights of Single Women and those of other marginalized groups. She is regarded as a strong, aware and social-minded person by many in her village. This year she decided to stand in Panchayat elections for the position of ward panch. However, she faced opposition from a proxy candidate, the wife of a powerful local man, who has good family relations with Maan Kanwar and is her Rakhi bhai 1. Maan Kanwar, Upsarpanch Dillipura Panchyat Well aware that Maan Kanwar a strong independent woman would stand for justice and would not be influenced by him or other dominant people in the village the man insisted that Maan Kanwar should take her nomination back. He threatened her and said that if Maan Kanwar did not let his wife win he would break all ties with her. After Maan Kanwar refused to back down the man and his cronies tried to get her disqualified by saying that Maan Kanwar has 4 children, the toilet in her house is 'kutcha' 2 , etc. Maan Kanwar's husband had married twice and 2 of the children had a different mother, she had a functional toilet in her house and could not be disqualified. After overcomig all the hurdles that were laid out for her Maankanwar not only won the election with a handsome margin, she was also appointed up-sarpanch. Maan Kanwar is happy that her efforts for single women and other marginalized will be strengthened by the information and resources at her disposal in her new position.
1 a brother adopted by symbolic Rakhi tying 2 The government has made rules for diqulaification if the candidate has more than two children, is not literate or does not have a toilet in their house. 33 | P a g e
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National Forum for Single Women's Rights
The National Forum for Single Women's Rights, a network of low-income Single Women's mass- membership based organizations from various states, was established in 2009, with the triple objectives of, a) lobbying and advocacy for the rights of Single Women to live with dignity, b) promoting organizations of Single Women in states where no such organizations exist c) promoting sharing and learning between state organizations.
In the year 2019-20, the Secretariat of NFSWR housed in Astha continued to raise funds, organize meetings, and coordinates this network. In this year organized Single Women associated with this network through 11 state level organizations number 1, 44,620. Key Single Women leaders from all states took part in a leadership group meeting in August 2019, while the Annual Advisory Committee Meeting Single Women present a tableau on the importance of Organization of 10 leaders from each of the member states was held on 14th-15th October in New Delhi. Single Women leaders met and oriented leaders of major political parties in the prelude to the General Election, as a result some demands from the Single Women's charter were included in political party manifestoes for the General Elections held in April- May 2019. Astha, through the Secretariat, works closely with the Centre for World Solidarity, Village Resource Centre for Women and Mahila Haat (Women fair) to support the newly emerged Single Women's organizations in Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and Uttarakhand, on the understanding that after a few years of initial support the local back-support organization will take over fund raising responsibilities. The experience so far has been mixed on this front. The current funding scenario is challenging for Astha and for other civil society organizations, also it has not been easy to bring to fruition the concept of NGO workers providing 'back support' while creating opportunities for grass root single women to take the lead in all the states. Single women farmer association: “Mahila Kisan Abhiyaan” (Single women farmers Champaign) A program is being implemented by Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan with single women farmers those are socially and economically marginalised. The program aims minimise the gap of food availability to these poor single women farmers, the organisation is constantly making special efforts in this direction for social empowerment and Single Women Farmers at Shilpgram, Udaipur
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20 livelihood program. Women are learning methods of sustainable, climate smart, native, traditional and organic farming through various workshops, exposure visits, monthly meetings and field visits organised by the Mahila Kisan Sangathan of 32 Gram Panchayats in 14 Districts of Rajasthan. On 29 th November to 1 st December 2019, 10 women farmers participated in “Organic Festival 2019” organised by Organic farming Association of India” at Shilpgram, Udaipur. Participation in this festival provided them an opportunity to understand the process of organic production of spices, vegetables, cereals, pulses- oilseeds and variety of other food products. They also got an opportunity to interact and share experiences with other organised farmer groups from other parts of the country. Similarly on 5 th of January 2020, 15 single women farmers of Pali and Barmer districts visited KAZRI Central Arid Research Center in Jodhpur and got an opportunity to introduce with local nutritious grass, mineral salt bricks for cattle and sheep. Apart from this they also got an insight to the contribution and importance of local fruits-vegetables, various desert vegetations, livestock, milk products and indigenous food products. On 23-24 February 2020, a visit was undertaken in Single Women Farmer at Kazri, Jodhpur the work area of Prayasrat Anandi Sansthan in Morbi district of Gujarat for capacity building and experiences sharing with 18 other organisations from the region. Another intervention of the program is to promoting kitchen gardens on the available land near the house or in the agriculture farm land of single women farmers. Organic seeds of vegetables i.e, Tomatoes, Brinjal, Okra and Ridged Gourd have been distributed to 32 single women farmers per Panchayat in 32 gram Panchayats. To promote this initiative further, a solid waste organic compost fertiliser production has been initiated at every individual single women famer’s backyard. At present, vermicompost beds have been facilitated at ten single women farmer’s farms in Morus of Sirohi district of Rajasthan and Selana Panchayat of Udaipur district. This exercise will help 10 to 20 women farmers from each Panchayat to move forward for organised and mass farming in future. Women farmers have been motivated to save some seeds from the kitchen garden vegetables and submit them to seed bank and for self use for the future. The seed bank will ensure the availability of organic seeds for future use and for other farmers. We believe, earthworm manure produced from vermicompost beds and vegetables grown in kitchen garden will definitely reduce the gap of nutritious food availability to the single women farmers in future. For these single women farmers, organic vegetable production, organic seed bank and vermicompost Single Women Farmer with manure can be an alternative and sustainable means of livelihood. Vermicompost bed
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Besides, fortnightly meetings have been organised regularly during the last one year and information about the schemes of the Central Government were discussed and efforts were made to link these single women farmers with various social security schemes.
ASTHA’S WORKWITH WOMEN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVESIN LOCAL SELF GOVERNANCE Astha Sansthan always believes in the empowerment of women and actively working for the capacity building of elected women representatives. In the year 2019-20 Astha emphasized on the capacity building of women elected representatives of Khamnor and Kumbalgadh block of Rajsamand district. Simultaneously also supported to strengthen the Women Panch Sarpanchs committees of 22 blocks Leadership building workshop of women PRI members of 9 districts. This unit has organized 4 days workshop on leadership building for 411 women elected representatives. They were oriented on the issues of domestic violence, gender sensitization and social security for women, health, and education and women entitlements. Through the collaboration of Gramsabha with the community participation the process of GPDP was done in 20 Panchayats. SWEEP campaign (Strengthen and women empowerment through electoral process) was conducted before the Panchayat elections to create political awareness among women which resulted in 153 active women participated in elections, out of SWEEP campaign with women representative which 53 women representatives won the elections.
1. Activation of MNREGA: Advocacy done through this unit for the faster process of MNREGA works in the villages. Women leaders took the lead and followed the process. 2. Advocacy was done through the networks for the improvement in election process, so that
campaign time was raised to 7 days in place of one day.
Analytical details of work of the last one year of Women representatives committees: • Regular meetings of the committee in every 3 months with active participation. • Women get representation in various committees like Gram Sakhi, Pastureland development committee etc. • Active participation in the making of GPDP.
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• Special camps were organized with the collaboration of ANM at Aanganwadi centers on children’s proper nutrition and health status. • Committee members have spread awareness on PESA act in 16 and 15 villages of Kumablgadh and Khamnor blocks.
DISABLED PEOPLE’S RIGHTS RESOURCE UNIT
Astha is implementing the work with this unit in Dungarpur and Udaipur districts from 1 st August 2014 to empower persons with differently abled. The unit focuses on creating a conducive atmosphere of livelihood opportunities for PwDs. This unit also focuses on advocacy through Disable People’s Organisations.
Outcome-1: SECURED and sustained livelihood opportunities for people with disabilities
• Livelihood Skill Training: Livelihood skill trainings on poultry and Person with differently abled herbal product making were provided to 262 SHG members received a tricycle including 164 male and 98 female from Dungarpur and Udaipur districts. • Livelihood linkages: Total 13 SHGs from each district were linked with livelihood initiatives and able to involve in poultry, Goat farming during the period. • SHGs meetings: Since the inception of the project we are able to form 60 SHGs in project intervention area. A total 399 SHGs meetings organised in Dungarpur with 1616 participants 885 Male and 731 Female and 428SHGs meeting in Udaipur with total membership of 2378 (1492 Male and 1076 Female). All the group members meet ones in a month throughout the year. • SHG’s approach to the banks: During the period 18 SHGs from Dungarpur and Udaipur districts were able to open bank accounts on their group name. • Market linkage of the Groups products: Most of the group members were linked with market to sale their products produced by group members.
Outcome – 2: Empowered DPOs advocating for the rights of the People with Disabilities Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) is the key stakeholder/ action group of this project. Total 981 disabled people (570 male and 401 female) received membership in Block and District level DPOs in both Dungarpur and Udaipur. The DPO organised advocacy campaigns and dialogues with administration on the issues of the PWDs such as on service delivery, awareness about differently abled community members and expansion of DPO in adjacent blocks and districts.
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DPO has been organised following meetings during the year: • State level DPO meetings : As per the plan two State level DPO meetings were organised Jaipur on 5th August and 30 th Dec 2019 respectively. Four other state DPOs meetings were organised by other partner’s organisation. Registration of DPO and action plan prepared and implemented by DPO. Advocacy on issues such as MSY, Roadways Bus pass, and reservation in government schemes by DPO were discussed. Thereafter presented memorandum to Director RSRTC Jaipur and Commissioner Disability, all the state level members have participated in this meeting. • District DPO Meetings: As per the plan during the reporting year, two district level DPO meetings were organized in Dungarpur and Udaipur. In Dungarpur 109 DPO members (34 female and 75 male) actively participated whereas in Udaipur district 34 DPO members have participated (26 female and 8 male) during the meetings major emphasis was given on the strengthening of the DPO and active participation of male and female members in the meetings. • Block Level DPO Meetings : Various block level DPO meetings were organized in both Districts. Total 24 block meetings in Dungarpur with the participation of 899 male including 533 males and 366 females, whereas a total 42 block meetings were organized in Udaipur with the membership of 822 participants including 350 male & 272 female. During the meetings various advocacy issues were discussed with regular follow up. Advocacy issues raised by DPO i. To get the bus pass benefit for more than two members, advocacy was done with Rajasthan Roadways. ii. DPO took active participation in equipment distribution for PwDs, which was organised by department of Social Justice & Empowerment. iii. DPO has maintained a good rapport with the district administration which resulted in acknowledgement by District Collector and Election Commissioner during various activities. iv. DPO was able to get allotted a space from Municipal council for training cum production centre at Dungarpur district head quarter.
Outcome –3: Enabling environment ensuring effective implementation of policies • The environment for differently abled people is being conducive now as district administration & concern departments are giving priority to issues related to PwDs. • Welfare activities and equipments distribution camps were organised by Department’s initiative in collaboration of DPO. More number of people is accessing with social security schemes and technical support for online registration for Unique ID.
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• DPO is in continuous engagement with block and district level government officials. It also reaching schools & NGOs working in the project area on the issue of social inclusion of PWDs. • Getting benefits from various government schemes: With an objective of easy accessibility to various government schemes, all essential forms and documents are made available to PwDs.
S.no. Name of the schemes Dungarpur Udaipur Male Female Total Male Female Total 1 Assessment of disability 21 14 35 101 81 182 2 Disability certificate 30 24 54 116 85 201 3 Roadways bus pass 151 49 200 98 60 158 4 Pension 72 51 123 93 49 142 5 Saving bank accounts 95 51 148 70 38 108 6 Assistive devices - - - 14 5 19 7 Ration card - - - 20 15 35 8 Aadhar card 5 6 11 15 10 25 9 Voter ID card 27 20 47 38 25 63 10 PM Avas 24 11 35 - - - 11 MNREGA Job card - - - 15 15 30 12 BPL Card 29 5 34 - - - Total 963
Challenges: 1. Due to the household work pressure, active and regular participation of female members was a quite challenge, to resolve the same various efforts were undertaken like discussion on the importance of their representation in various forums and time management. 2. Some processes like to complete the requirements to avail the government schemes were time taking which needs regular and constant follow up.
Achievements 1. Able to extend work in new nearby blocks of Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur districts. 2. Visibility of DPO’s at district level by doing their regular efforts and advocacy on the
various issues of PwDs. Livelihood training centre for Persons with 3. 622 new members in Dungarpur district differently abled at Dungarpur and 369 members in Udaipur were added
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in DPO which shows the effectiveness and work efficiency of the group. 4. All the DPO members were trained on their rights and entitlements by the Master Trainers. 5. DPO representatives were involved in the collaborative efforts of the Social justice department and local administration in voters awareness programme for the Parliament election 2019. 6. DPO members got the opportunity to attend the workshop on Fund Raising process at Jaipur.
RAJASTHAN BUDGET ANALYSIS RESOURCE CENTRE UNIT Budget Analysis Rajasthan Centre (BARC), Jaipur is a programme of Astha, Udaipur. It was setup in 2003 as a budget study and policy research centre with the aim to analyze the state government budget to understand its policies and examine if the commitments made by the government at various forums (policy documents, election manifestos) and at international forums are matched by the financial provisions in the state budget.
Major activities conducted in the current year A. Pre Budget activities 1. Government organized a pre-budget consultation on June 23, 2019 to seek suggestions from the CSOs. BARC representatives participated in the pre-budget consultation and presented its suggestions with analysis. 2. Consultation on TSP and SC-SP: BARC Trust organized one day state level consultation on legislating the TSP and SC-SP with the collaboration of Action Aid, SR Abhiyan, Rajasthan Adivasi AdhikarManch (RAAM), AIDMM, CDR, Ambedkar Social Equity and Empowerment Mission. Various state government representatives participated with law to implement the sub plans for the deprived and tribal’s more effectively in their states. There is a demand from the CSOs to implement the act in the state of Rajasthan. In the consultation it was decided that this should be taken up as a campaign. Draft memorandum of this effect was prepared by BARC Trust and shared with various grass root organisations to submit it to the state government. 3. BARC also participated in the Chief Minsiters Pre budget Consultation organized to take the suggestions from the CSOs before the presentation of the state budget 2020-21 and presented our suggestions and submitted the Charter of Demands.
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B. Post Budget Activities - Budget Analysis 1. Responding to the Budget 2019-20: The modified budget for the financial year 2019-20 was presented by the state government in July 2019. The budget was analysed in detail and findings were shared with the media and the CSOs as well as with the elected representatives and posted on the BARC’s website. 2. Responding to the Budget 2020-21: The state government presented its Budget for the year 2020-21 on February 2020. After the announcement of the Budget, BARC Trust shared the analysis of the State Budget with the media, researchers, civil society organizations and MLAs. BARC article and analysis was shared on with the CSOs and social media. 3. Responding to the Union Budget: The union government also presented its budget for the year 2019-20 in July 2019 and for the year 2020-21 in February 2020. On both occasions BARC came out its analysis of the union budget which was published in newspapers.
C. Knowing Human Rights and Combating Violations
1. Workshop on Human Rights for Students and Youth Workers
BARC with PUCL and Sophia College Ajmer organized two parallel 4 day long capacity building training programmes on Human Rights. Key highlights of the event are mentioned: a. Workshop was attended by 107 students from 12 various institutions such as IFIM Law School, Institute of Law, Nirma University, NUSRL, Ranchi; HPNLU; NLU-Assam; Jindal University; S.S. Subodh Law College; RGNUL; UPES Patna Women’s College; St. Xavier’s College etc. b. For the social activists from across the state of Rajasthan: More than 55 social activists from various parts of the state participated in the said event. Senior social activist Aruna Roy, Prof. Apoorvaa, Irfan Engineer, Advocate V Suresh, Kavita Shrivasatav, Bhanwar Meghwanshi and many other senior Human Rights experts participated in the two workshops.
D. Study on Gender Sensitive Boys: How supportive are the government programmes
BARC with the support of International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) conducted a study on “Gender Sensitive Boys! How supportive are Government Programmes?” with the following objectives: Objectives of the Study: • To identify and to prepare the list of programs in different departments this has budget allocation for school programs with specific focus on elementary school for the last two years. • To Review and analysis of budget allocations and expenditure of allocated resources of school programs of identified departments at the state level.
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Methodology: The study on “Gender Sensitive Boys” How supportive are government Programmes? in Rajasthan is based on both qualitative and quantitative data and information. For this study, two districts named Sirohi and Udaipur of state were selected. Initially the relevant departments have been selected and identified the programs in different departments. Then a list of programs in different departments which has budget allocation for school programs with specific focus on elementary school for the last two years was prepared. The detailed components and budget of the schemes at state level and in select districts were analysed. The qualitative and quantitative data and information were also gathered in a questionnaire and through discussion with key officials of the select departments at state and district levels.
Major findings The study based on data collected from the selected departments at the state and district level in Udaipur and Sirohi was prepared and submitted to ICRW. a. The report mainly highlights the existing activities/components for gender sensitization of boys and girls as well as the scope for such activities in the select programmes of departments. b. The study reveals that the education department has some programmes for promoting the gender equity among the girls and boys like Meena- Raju Manch (elementary education), Gargi Manch etc. Besides these, there is also Adhyapika Manch of lady teachers of elementary and secondary schools at the block level that is responsible for providing gender discrimination free environment and facilities for girls as well creating security and health care facilities in schools. c. As far as other departments (health, women empowerment, child rights, social justice &empowerment and tribal area development) are concerned, there are not specific programmes for gender sensitization of school children in the state. However there is scope for such activities under the programmes and schemes of the departments.
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Support Units 1. Administrative Support Unit: The Administrative Support Unit extends its support and nurtures the Resource Units of Astha and People’s Organizations associated with Astha, with administrative services. The Unit is based at Central Office (Udaipur) constituting of accounts section, computer section and support staff. 2. Account and Finance: Proper books of accounts are being maintained for FC and Local funds using fund accounting method. The books of accounts are maintained on a day-to-day basis. The financial reports are being prepared as per the requirement of funding agencies (quarterly, six-monthly, and yearly) and final accounts of the organization (audited statements of accounts) being prepared at the end of the financial year (April-March) duly signed and sealed by Auditors and authorities of the organization. At present, there is four full-time and 1 part-time staff working in the accounting section of the organization. Astha produces annual accounts/ institutional audits. Astha maintains computerized books of accounts using Tally 9.0 accounting software since 2008. The internal auditor has been appointed and auditing regular books since 2008. The internal auditor has been appointed and auditing regular books for the last five years. 3. Computer Section : The computer section extends its support to the Resource Units and POs for typing of reports, newsletter, preparing press notes, and publication of booklets, pamphlets, and leaflet. The staff of the section is the capable in publication and maintains data for survey and small research studies. 4. Human Resource Cell: The cell is responsible for managing the records of human resource engaged in the resource units, with POs. It provides support in workers/ staff etc., keeps personal records, and helps in extending security (insurance for personal accident, vehicle, and property). Students from social work institutes come to Astha for an exposure visit to and worked with the resource complete their placement period and gain working experience from the organization. 5. Astha Training Centre, Bedla: Capacities of grassroots workers and the Health, literacy, communal harmony, and food security; budget analysis, gender biases, and drought relief; soil and water conservation, safe motherhood, and so on participants showing the regular engagement of training centre i.e. almost throughout the year. The Astha Training Centre facilities are used to strengthen those working with poor, exploited and marginalized. During the reporting year, a total of 189 events (training/ workshops/ meetings) were held at the Astha Training Centre and a total of 6564 people participated in these events. 6. Planning Monitoring & Evaluation (PME) Support Unit: Monitoring is an integral part of any social development initiative. The PME Support Unit at Astha has been engaged in tracking the progress of interventions at the central level but it has further scope to be strengthened and institutionalized at the grass-root level. The PME Support unit constantly engaged in collecting,
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Astha Sansthan Annual Report 2019-20 filtering, managing, processing and analyzing data from the field to assess the outcome and impacts of ongoing interventions. This also helps in better planning at central as well as the grass-root level. It is Astha's aim that field workers and community leaders become aware of themselves about the concepts of monitoring. Astha has formed an Outcome and Impact Monitoring team comprising of senior programme coordinators, leaders from People’s organizations and the PME Support Unit which regularly monitors programme implementation and respective outcome indicators. Monitoring was done by field visits to sample villages in the project area and interaction with community and collection of data related to planned activities.
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Media Coverage
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Annexure
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Staff List
Sl. No Name Sl. No Name
1 B.S.Chadana 19 Ramesh Nagda
2 R.D.Vyas 20 Prem Shanker Paliwal
3 Ashwani Paliwal 21 Man Singh
4 Ramesh Paliwal 22 Kirti Joshi
5 Rajkumar Jalora 23 Hemlata Shrimali
6 Manglesh Joshi 24 Prakesh Dodiyar
7 Sanjay Suman 25 Mangi Lal Meena
8 Ganesh Gancha 26 Dheeraj Kumar Salvi
9 Jitendra Agrawal 27 Pradeep Kumar Pradhan
10 Sharda Jain 28 Mrs. Parul Choudhry
11 Alka Shrimali 29 Natavar Lal
12 Shyam Lal 30 Bhawani Shanker
13 Mangi lal Gurjar 31 Rajat Kumar
14 Vagta Ram 32 Rajesh Paliwal
15 Sohan Lal Gameti 33 Bheru Lal Dangi
16 Pawan Udhani 34 Ganpat Singh
17 Reena Sharma 35 Lehar Singh
18 Kamlendra Singh Rathod 36 Manohar Singh
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ELECTED EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2019
Sr.No. Name and Address Designation 1. Dr. Ginny Shrivastava, President 2. Sh. Ashwani Paliwal Secretary 3. Ms. Anita Mathur Member 4. Ms. Madhu Sarin Member 5. Smt. Shiraz Prabhu, Member 6. Ms. Sofia Khan Member 7. Sh. Nand Lal Pande, Member 8. Sh. Bhanwar Singh Chadana Ex-Official
THE GENERAL BODY MEMBERS
2019
Sr.No. Name and Address Designation 1. Dr. Ginny Shrivastava, President 2. Sh. Ashwani Paliwal Secretary 3. Sh. Bhanwar Singh Chadana Member 4. Smt. Shiraz Prabhu, Member 5. Ms. Anita Mathur Member 6. Mrs. Suneeta Dhar Member 7. Sh. R.D. Vyas Member 8. Sh. Nand Lal Pande, Member 9. Sh. Avdhesh Kaushal Member 10. Ms. Madhu Sarin Member 11. Ms. Sofia Khan Member
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Financial Statements
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