When tons of grains are rotting in the go downs of India, the poor villagers in Sardhapur village of Nuapada district are deprived of their right to BPL grains.
It is a matter of great surprise and concern that forty four BPL house holds of Ward Number 8 of Sardhapur Panchayat in Khariar block have not been provided the BPL cards although they are enlisted as BPL in the 1997 BPL list (Page 92 of the list). The villagers have reported that they have been deprived of their rights and benefits for last 10 years.
These villagers have requested the block and the DRDA officials time and again about this but no one has listened to them. It is difficult to understand why the concerned officials have failed to address such an urgent issue. Who is responsible / accountable for such insensible action ?
Forty out of the total neglected households belong to two Adivasi groups (Gond and Paharia). You ask the people and they will answer – “the government officials are snatching our daily food for last 2 elections”.
22 households of the mentioned deprived families live in Jubrajpur hamlet (part of the Ward – 8) of Sardhapur village which is at a distance of 3 kms from the main village. The children and the women can not cover this distance to reach to the Anganwadi centre to take their share. They have demanded their names to be included in the list of Majhipada Anganwadi centre located half km far from their village. But their demand has not been accepted.
The BDO, Khariar was informed about this matter a few days back. Verifying the BPL list available in the block office, he has found that the matter is true. The villagers say that all the previous BDOs have also found this truth but no one has taken the step to frovide them their share.
There is no accountability. Thus there will not be any urgent action also.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Land Distribution by Government not benefiting Landless
Tikchan Majhi, a tribal of Birighat village in Nuapada district became speechless, when he heard that the 2.34 acres of land which was under his possession for six decades has been distributed to 39 homesteadless households of his village in 2002. In the morning of 27th Dec 2009, the Revenue Inspector came to the village and started land demarcation to identify the plots distributed to homestead households. Tikchan got lost when the measuring chain of the RI covered all length and breadth of the lands he is cultivating. In the process it was found that the whole plots cultivated by Tikchan have been distributed to the homesteadless households.The RI asked Tikchan to vacate the plots.
Tikchan and his two brothers have inherited this land from their forefathers who had cleared the forest during early 50s and made that cultivable and fertile. Tikchan and his brothers have toiled hard to make the land more productive because this is the only source of income for their families with 12 members.
“I have obtained the lease patta of this land just a few years before the last settlement. I do not understand how it would be given to others when I have the lease documents.” Said Tikchan.
Records of Right of last settlements show that the land has been under Jabar Dakhal
(encroachment) of Tikchan and his ancestors. On the basis of this a lease patta has also been allotted to Tikchan. But unfortunately the same land has been recorded again as “Basti Yogya” (suitable for homestead) during last settlement and redistributed to the homesteadless households.
“My joy knew no bound when I was allotted a lease patta for the 2.34 acres land by the Tahasildar, Khariar just before the last settlement. I forgot that this cost me an expenditure of more than 17 thousand rupees. Now I do not understand why I was made landless again.” Said Tikchan.
Four decimal of land has been allotted to each of the 39 households from the 2.34 acres. But it is interesting that no one of them is interested to take that in to possession even after the demarcation and identification of the plots. “We do not want to make Tikchan landless.” Says Chhelia Majhi a homesteadless person of the same village who has been allotted a 4 decimal plot in the land of Tikchan. All other homesteadless express the same sentiment. “We are homesteadless no doubt, but we can not avail the lands at the cost of a poor man” they express.
It shows that the villagers are more sensible than the administration. This is the reason why this matter has not led to any conflict between them.
What is more peculiar is that, the land allotted to the people is on the bank of river Sundar and is flooded every year during the heavy rains. “We can not construct houses in that allotted land to face the wrath of nature” adds Anta Parabhoi – a beneficiary.
Tikchan has hired an advocate to fight his case in the court. He has already paid more than 7 thousand rupees for this but is uncertain because the court has not yet started any hearing. The cost of court case has now created a loan burden on Tikchan.
The Tahasildar, Khariar had asked Tikchan to obtain a stay from the court. “The Tahasildar has given me one month of time to obtain the stay but how can I do that? Asks Tikchan.
The Tahasildar on the contrary has expressed his helplessness. “I have to follow the rules. Tikchan must vacate the lands for the benefit of beneficiaries. There is no more suitable homestead land in the village to be allotted” he said.
This is not the only case of irony in Nuapada district. There are thousands of such cases where the homesteadless have been allotted lands decades back but the actual possession has not been given.
Dukhi Bhoi, Anta Bhoi and many other homesteadless families of this village are staying in the varanda of other households for years together. They have kept the pattas very carefully with the hope that a suitable plot will be allotted to them one day.
“I was allotted the Patta more than 7 years ago. I had requested the RI and the Tahasildar to identify the land but no one has paid a heed to my request.” Said Dukhi Bhoi.
In Dabri village of Khariar block 62 homesteadless households were allotted patta in the year 2003. The land was demarcated in May 2010 and it was found that the lands allotted are located on inaccessible hill slopes.
“We want to relocate the people of Dabri by canceling the present lease but unfortunately there is no more homestead land available in this village too.” Says Susanta Mishra. the Tahasildar of Khariar.
Land distribution programme in Nuapada district has not been implemented properly, which has made the physical possession impossible for the poor section of the society. In Ranimunda village such mindless distribution has led to conflict and court cases. Hiradhar Mangraj of
this village was allotted 0.97 acres of land in 1989 in 4 different places. He has not been allowed to enter the plots by the people who are cultivating these lands for long years.
“When I went to the plots to repair the embankment, Ganesh Hati who is cultivating the same plot came with an axe and threatened me to murder” said Hiradhar. Haridash filed a case with the Police. Ganesh agreed before the police to vacate the land but latter on shown another piece of barren government land. With hard labour Hiradhar converted that land in to a low land yielding 2 begs of paddy during Kharif. But he has not able to obtain the record of right.
“More than 50% of the beneficiaries of the land distribution programmes have not taken the lands in to their possession although they are continuously paying taxes.” Says Ajit Panda – a social Activist who had conducted a study on land distribution programmes in two Panchayats of Khariar block. According to this study only 41 percent of the allottees are in clear possession.
The district administration in Nuapada has allotted more than 20 thousand acres of lands to 36000 beneficiaries since independence. But the ground realities reveals that a large chunk of the beneficiaries are still struggling to have the actual possession.
“Land allotment to the landless has become a populist programme of the government to gain popularity. Achieving target may bring the change in numbers in pen and papers, but what is needed is a strong land reform for a real structural change in the land relationship.” Says Fanindam Deo – a researcher and the Principal of Khariar College.
Tikchan and his two brothers have inherited this land from their forefathers who had cleared the forest during early 50s and made that cultivable and fertile. Tikchan and his brothers have toiled hard to make the land more productive because this is the only source of income for their families with 12 members.
“I have obtained the lease patta of this land just a few years before the last settlement. I do not understand how it would be given to others when I have the lease documents.” Said Tikchan.
Records of Right of last settlements show that the land has been under Jabar Dakhal
(encroachment) of Tikchan and his ancestors. On the basis of this a lease patta has also been allotted to Tikchan. But unfortunately the same land has been recorded again as “Basti Yogya” (suitable for homestead) during last settlement and redistributed to the homesteadless households.
“My joy knew no bound when I was allotted a lease patta for the 2.34 acres land by the Tahasildar, Khariar just before the last settlement. I forgot that this cost me an expenditure of more than 17 thousand rupees. Now I do not understand why I was made landless again.” Said Tikchan.
Four decimal of land has been allotted to each of the 39 households from the 2.34 acres. But it is interesting that no one of them is interested to take that in to possession even after the demarcation and identification of the plots. “We do not want to make Tikchan landless.” Says Chhelia Majhi a homesteadless person of the same village who has been allotted a 4 decimal plot in the land of Tikchan. All other homesteadless express the same sentiment. “We are homesteadless no doubt, but we can not avail the lands at the cost of a poor man” they express.
It shows that the villagers are more sensible than the administration. This is the reason why this matter has not led to any conflict between them.
What is more peculiar is that, the land allotted to the people is on the bank of river Sundar and is flooded every year during the heavy rains. “We can not construct houses in that allotted land to face the wrath of nature” adds Anta Parabhoi – a beneficiary.
Tikchan has hired an advocate to fight his case in the court. He has already paid more than 7 thousand rupees for this but is uncertain because the court has not yet started any hearing. The cost of court case has now created a loan burden on Tikchan.
The Tahasildar, Khariar had asked Tikchan to obtain a stay from the court. “The Tahasildar has given me one month of time to obtain the stay but how can I do that? Asks Tikchan.
The Tahasildar on the contrary has expressed his helplessness. “I have to follow the rules. Tikchan must vacate the lands for the benefit of beneficiaries. There is no more suitable homestead land in the village to be allotted” he said.
This is not the only case of irony in Nuapada district. There are thousands of such cases where the homesteadless have been allotted lands decades back but the actual possession has not been given.
Dukhi Bhoi, Anta Bhoi and many other homesteadless families of this village are staying in the varanda of other households for years together. They have kept the pattas very carefully with the hope that a suitable plot will be allotted to them one day.
“I was allotted the Patta more than 7 years ago. I had requested the RI and the Tahasildar to identify the land but no one has paid a heed to my request.” Said Dukhi Bhoi.
In Dabri village of Khariar block 62 homesteadless households were allotted patta in the year 2003. The land was demarcated in May 2010 and it was found that the lands allotted are located on inaccessible hill slopes.
“We want to relocate the people of Dabri by canceling the present lease but unfortunately there is no more homestead land available in this village too.” Says Susanta Mishra. the Tahasildar of Khariar.
Land distribution programme in Nuapada district has not been implemented properly, which has made the physical possession impossible for the poor section of the society. In Ranimunda village such mindless distribution has led to conflict and court cases. Hiradhar Mangraj of
this village was allotted 0.97 acres of land in 1989 in 4 different places. He has not been allowed to enter the plots by the people who are cultivating these lands for long years.
“When I went to the plots to repair the embankment, Ganesh Hati who is cultivating the same plot came with an axe and threatened me to murder” said Hiradhar. Haridash filed a case with the Police. Ganesh agreed before the police to vacate the land but latter on shown another piece of barren government land. With hard labour Hiradhar converted that land in to a low land yielding 2 begs of paddy during Kharif. But he has not able to obtain the record of right.
“More than 50% of the beneficiaries of the land distribution programmes have not taken the lands in to their possession although they are continuously paying taxes.” Says Ajit Panda – a social Activist who had conducted a study on land distribution programmes in two Panchayats of Khariar block. According to this study only 41 percent of the allottees are in clear possession.
The district administration in Nuapada has allotted more than 20 thousand acres of lands to 36000 beneficiaries since independence. But the ground realities reveals that a large chunk of the beneficiaries are still struggling to have the actual possession.
“Land allotment to the landless has become a populist programme of the government to gain popularity. Achieving target may bring the change in numbers in pen and papers, but what is needed is a strong land reform for a real structural change in the land relationship.” Says Fanindam Deo – a researcher and the Principal of Khariar College.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Social Audit of Land distribution scheme
Social Audit of Land distribution Scheme.
Place: Ranimunda and Birighat of Khariar Block
Date:13 & 29/12/2009
Process adopted:
1. Information from the Revenue department on land distribution obtained.
2. Collected information from the beneficiaries on the status of the land allotted to him/her. Compared information obtained from Tahasil to find out discrepancies.
3. Social Audit at Panchayat level conducted involving the Revenue officials and other stakeholders to make the land distribution programme effective.
4. Follow up action undertaken: Immediate identification and demarcation of land in favour of the beneficiaries was taken up by the Revenue Officials.
Social audits of land distribution were conducted at Ranimunda and Birighat Panchayats of Khariar Block in Nuapada district respectively on 13th and 29th of December 2009. A total number of 124 People of 4 villages of Ranimunda Panchayat had participated in the programme conducted at Ranimu.nda. In the programme of Birighat the number of participants was 108. Tahasildar and the Revenue Inspector / Amin were present from the government side. Two advocates had also been invited to go in to the complexities of the cases. The other participants were the Journalists, Lecturers, NGO personnel and Social Activists. The objectives of conducting this programme were,
• To discuss about the status of implementation of land distribution scheme of the government and efforts of the Government officials to implement the same.
• To understand how land distribution has been helpful in increasing socio-economic status of the landless house holds in the villages.
• To review how the land distribution schemes have achieved its primary objective of increasing access of the landless households to land.
• To involve the government officials especially of the revenue department to take action to help people to have access to the lands that they have been allotted.
Social audits in all the villages of Ranimunda and Birighat Panchayats had already been conducted prior to the Panchayat level programmes. Informations gathered at village level social audit programmes had been consolidated and all the land related problems had been placed in 5 groups,
1. Beneficiaries who have got pattas of homestead lands in 1989 (4 decimals each) but have not seen the same. They have requested the Revenue officials several times for identification and demarcation of lands but have failed to get their support. 70 such cases were identified
2. Beneficiaries / households who had got patta of the lease lands and have the lands demarcated but are not in possession of the said lands due to encroachment by some other farmers in the village. 9 such cases were there in the Panchayat.
3. Beneficiaries who have been shown homestead land by the revenue officials more than a decade back but the pattas have not been issued to them.
4. Beneficiaries who have got patta of lease land but have not seen the land. They had paid rent of the lands for 3 years but after the land settlement operations the rent is no more taken from them.
5. Landless households (sukhbasi) who neither have homestead nor agriculture land. 34 households were identified landless.
All the above mentioned issues were discussed in detail in the Panchayat Level Social Audits. It was found that the administration has not initiated any step in the past years to identify and demarcate lands of the beneficiaries. The R.Is. and the Tahasildar have visited Ranimunda and Birighat villages just before the Social Audit programmes and demarcated lands of a total of 83 beneficiaries.
The following decisions and steps were taken,
1. In the case of non-identification of 4 decimals homestead land it was found that, the beneficiaries have not adopted the due procedure. They have just asked the R.I. for identification and demarcation and the R.I has not responded.
The Tahasildar instructed the Revenue Inspector present in the social audit to demarcate the lands of these beneficiaries. All the 70 beneficiaries were given the possession of the lands immediately.
2. The beneficiaries in group two were assured of demarcation and eviction of encroachment through police protection.
3. In case of the beneficiaries in group 3 it was decided that the people will apply for land immediately and the plots in their possession will be settled in their name if they are homesteadless.
4. The case in group 4 could not be verified immediately because that needed a Hal and Sabik comparison to ascertain status of the said lands. The lands might have reverted to the government Khata in the last settlement. It was thus decided that if the Kisam (type) of the said lands are still unchanged, then the beneficiaries would be given the possession and due steps would be taken to update documents. But in case the Kisam (type) are already changed to reserve categories then the beneficiaries would be given some other lands in the village.
5. The homesteadless households were asked to file application in the Tahasil immediately. It was assured that steps would be initiate immediately.
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