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Home > Environment & Bioregion > Villages around Auroville > AVAG > Village Action News > No. 2 |
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Purpose of the meetingAVAG Development Workers had requested the meeting, so that the village leaders, with whom they are working, could gain a clear and comprehensive picture of Auroville Village Action Group. It was also an opportunity to discuss the possibilities for village development through common projects and the necessity of forming a Village Council in every village.
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After the guests had introduced themselves and everyone got acquainted, AVAG presented its main areas of work: the educational activities in village schools, the community development programme including men's and women's clubs and microprojects, the particular activities with women and young people, such as savings and loan schemes, income generation projects, legal counselling and leadership trainings. AVAG also brought into light its joint efforts with other organisations such as JIPMER hospital, PIMS (Pondicherry Institute of Medical Science), Field Publicity Office, DRDA (District Rural Development Agency), Vallalar Grameen Bank, Auroville Health Centre, Palmyra and Pitchandikulam. |
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The importance of forming a Village
Council, where the traditional as well as the elected leaders
could meet and plan, together with representatives of the women's
and men's clubs, was stressed. One of AVAG's experienced coordinators
explained that to be able to work effectively with the government
and other development agencies, such a firm base that involves
all the people of the village, is an absolute necessity.
Some of the possibilities, like improving availability of drinking
water with the help of DANIDA, taking the initiative of waste
management and then connecting with EXNORA and starting self-help
groups for income generation under the government programmes,
were explained.
The Namaka Nameh Thittam programme of the government, which
can provide funds for taking up village improvement projects such
as deepening the pond, making road, digging new wells,
was discussed. Presently this fund is under-utilised in this area
due to lack of collaboration between the people and the leaders.
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The assembled leaders were very happy to learn about these opportunities, expressing eagerness to take them up for the benefit of their villages. Leaders who had worked with AVAG before spoke enthusiastically about their projects. They expressed their eagerness to meet more often and regularly focus on village development. |
Some leaders voiced the problems they face while working with the government. The funds they are allotted never come to them on time. Whenever they require funds for small village improvements (e.g. hand pump) there is no money in the government treasury. Then suddenly the government releases a big amount of funds for erecting a public toilet. And the toilet project gets precedence while the villagers keep struggling for drinking water. They have tried to explain this to government officers but nobody seems to be taking heed. The leaders strongly feel that if we invite these officers to our meetings, the situation might improve.
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Another difficult task related to working with the government is the drawing up of a list of all the people in the village who fall "Below the Poverty Line". This BPL list is a very important one for selecting beneficiaries for the government programmes. For some reason the previous leaders had not been able to present a genuine list. This had made the implementation of government programmes difficult, something which AVAG itself had experienced. Now, the newly elected leaders would like to make the new lists with the help of the AVAG women's and men's groups. |
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The conclusion of this already very positive meeting was a strong determination by the Panchayat Leaders to get a Village Council established in each village. This should be accomplished within two months, and that would mark also the next regular meeting of the Panchayat Leaders and AVAG. They would like to continue meeting every two months to strengthen their cooperation with AVAG in the development of the villages.
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