Gram Sabha Project Execution Committee (GSPEC) consisted of members from each Tola of the village. This is a village level committee for implementation of activities of the project in the village. Each GS-PEC has a management committee comprising a Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. This management committee is overall in-charge of the activities including opening and managing bank accounts. Rotation in the leadership of GS-PECs is ensured by two members of GS-PEC compulsorily retiring every year. A total 330 GSPECs were formed during Jharkhand Tribal Development Project(JTDP) and 1733 during Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods project(JTELP).
SHG mobilization in India is normally linked to micro-finance, bank linkage and formation of SHG apex structures. But JTDS mobilized SHGs in order to facilitate the community to make progress on the social development growth trajectory. Savings and credit system development amongst SHGs are being used to promote financial literacy and to enable the members to move out of exploitative relationships with money lenders and to avoid distress sale of assets for cash-flow smoothening. GoJ is in the process of rolling out NRLM covering all Blocks and Panchayats. NRLM’s main strategy is to mobilize SHGs and support them for bank linkage and formation of federations and cluster level organizations. Financial intermediation through village level federations and also provision of capital subsidy are part of NRLM’s plans. In view of this, the JTDS mobilized SHGs and trained them using NRLM operating procedures and facilitated them to become building blocks of pan-village institutions to be mobilised by the project to ensure participation of poor and women in management of these institutions.
Total no. of SHGs formed under Jharkhand Tribal Development Project (JTDP) are 1462 and under Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods project(JTELP) are 5265. The project provided INR 10,000 as seed capital in two installments to each SHG after six months of mobilization. In case of SHGs comprising more than 70% PTG members the seed capital is INR 20,000 per SHG to be paid in two installments. The JTDS handed over the SHGs to NRLM so as to receive benefits from NRLM.
The Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods project mobilized some 812 Youth Groups to creatively engage the younger generation. This is an important element of community institution development with the Left Wing Extremist Groups trying to lure the younger generation into violence. Youth Groups have also undertaken savings and credit activity. The project provided support of INR 40,000 to each Youth Group in two installments. The Youth Groups facilitated to take up activities related to promotion of sports, music and drama. In addition, the Youth Groups facilitated to take up activities related to road clearing, cleaning of water sources, social development issues, etc. Youth Groups have utilized the seed capital to purchase sports and music equipment or income generation activities. In addition, Youth Groups are being facilitated to become book writers for SHGs and also to take up voluntary work for the benefit of the community.
Community Empowerment
The very first component on which JTDS works is Community Empowerment. Under this component, formation and capacity building of different Community based organization being done. Mobilisation and Empowerment of community is important for implementing any activity in the village. These community based organizations are the main owner and monitoring agency for any activity in the village.
Total number of Community Institutions is –
Under Jharkhand Tribal Development Project:-
Under Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Project (JTELP)
These institutions are now empowered and trained for looking after any activity in the village. Gram Sabha Project Execution committee is main nodal institution for implementing any activity in the Village. They have their own account number and office bearer from the village only to manage the physical and financial progress of any work in the village.SHG mainly focuses on Women empowerment. All SHGs formed b y JTDS have their own account number and they have got seed capital from JTDs for starting any income Generating activity in the group. Now, all SHGs are handed over to National Rural Livelihood Mission for further handholding and monitoring.Youth Groups are formed covering both male and female youths of the village. Groups covering young girls are called as “Kishori Samuh” while groups of boys are called as “Yuva Samuh”. They are also provided with seed capitals in their respective bank account of the group to involve in any social, cultural and economical activity.
Story of Aandhi Toofan yuva Samuh
This Group is named as “Aandhi Toofan Yuva Samuh” of Tilabad Village of Godda district. The group constituted in year 2016 under JTELP project of JTDS. The group received Rs. 40,000/- from JTDS and Rs. 25000/- from Chief Minister’s Welfare fund as seed capital to start any group activity for income of members.The members came up with an idea to make Panchhi Saree (Traditional Tribal costume) and they started making some. After selling first lot they found that the profit was good and the material has high demand in the local market. Then they received some additional support from JTDS in terms of machinery for manufacturing purpose. They are also provided with different trainings like, book keeping, Leadership, awareness generation etc for proper management of the group. They have also got training on handling the machine.
Now, they earn profit and distribute it equally among members. Other Youth Groups from nearby districts come for exposure visit to see the success of Andhi toofan Yuva Samuh. They are Role model for other groups formed by JTDS.
Story of Dwarka Oraon – A farmer from Latehar
Dwarka Oraon is resident of Jungur village of Manika block under Latehar district. He is one of the beneficiaries of agricultural activities done by Jharkhand Tribal Development Society. He is traditional head (Pradhan) of the Village and also the president of Project Execution committee formed by JTDS.He is thoroughly involved in development activities in the village and acknowledges the good work done by JTDS. He says that after agricultural intervention in the village, the change in production is observed by each and every beneficiary. He says that in the year 2018, the JTDS provided training on line sowing method to the villagers for Paddy and other crops and also provided with seeds for all three seasons in the year.
But from 2020 onwards JTDS only provided handholding support in terms of training and field demonstration but still farmers are continuing doing farming through line sowing method as it increase production.
Interaction with one of the GSPEC members in Jhungur Village Block-Manika District-Latehar .Jharkhand Tribal Development Society.
The farming pattern has been changed in the village and farmers are thankful to the JTDS for providing them knowledge and new skill of farming. Different irrigation facilities like – Pond, Irrigation Well, Shallow Well, Dobha etc. being constructed by JTDS to fulfill irrigation need of the farmers. Now as the new technique and irrigation facilities are there in the village, it has dropped down the migration in the village.