Raising Awareness in Local Government

Nishtha project Officer, Mohinder Sharma is greatly interested in local village government. Representing Nishtha, he has over the past two years attended several meetings held by an organisation called PRIYA who are working to inform the local village people about their rights and role in local government and the welfare of their communities. The Panchayats are the elected councils of groups of hamlets containing 2,000 voters set up all over India. In this system the responsibility for carrying out local development projects is devolved to the village councils by the Government of India. This system, which effectively gives the power to the people was Mahatma Ghandi’s bequest to the rural poor. However, ignorance and the blatant flaunting of people’s rights by the rich and powerful marginalizes the greater proportion of the population, allowing the powerful to use government resources for their own gain. Most people are no longer aware of their rights and role in local governance, therefore this program is of immense value to society.

In December 2005 local elections were held in Himachal Pradesh. Nishtha Youth Club worked to stimulate the Rakkar village people’s interest in the election process, particularly through our women’s and youth groups, focusing on the illiterate and marginalized sections of society. A face to face meeting was held between the candidates and voters at the Community Centre in which the local youth were able to bring their questions and complaints directly to those standing for office. The meeting was highly energized and raised a great many useful and relevant points and had a strong positive influence on the elections.

Since the new government took office, the youth have been working consistently to increase their impact on the decisions taken by the council. Their campaign to encourage young people and those with grievances to go to the village council meetings has been highly effective. It is now very clear to everyone in the area that they should attend the 3 monthly planning meeting (Am Jallas) which is open to everyone but very often concealed by the officials in order that they can control what development work is undertaken in the area. The Youth Club further formed a pressure group in order to get the No Objection Certificate required for the protection and improvement of the village sports ground which is being readily encroached upon by traders and local residents.

It is a privilege to be working in partnership with PRIYA, an organisation committed to promoting justice and transparency in India.