Development with Determination knows no Boundaries
Chandana, a village in the heart of Kaithal District, blessed with a young, educated, tech-savvy leader, made the extra effort to overcome technology barriers and become limitless in its own way for betterment of the village with a relentless focus on upliftment and development.
The Chandana Gram Panchayat, led by Sarpanch, Sh. Surendar Singh Kalaramna since 01.08.2010, has played a pioneering role in improving the infrastructure of the village while engaging the local folk in different activities along with eradicating the social evils and working for the human welfare at the grass root level.
While India struggles to ensure the effective implementation of transparency laws such as the Right to Information (RTI) Act and faces resistance on the part of officialdom over posting data in the public domain, Chandana panchayat offer a refreshing contrast. With a population of 9000 people, 4300 of whom are registered voters, this Panchayat has successfully not even created its own website but also keep it updated regularly.
Sarpanch with his creative thinking was able to convince the other members that going online would work to the advantage of the village. One of the main effects of digitizing panchayats is creating awareness about the Internet and digital literacy. It leads to achieve transparency even without being asked for it. In order to strengthen the system of budgeting, accounts and audit using e-enabled processes, the Gram Panchayat has computerised their records and updated their website. They have also maintained Chandana Gram Panchayat accounts on-line.
For Chandana, the move also allowed its people to forge a bond with history. Panchayat members and the younger people in the village became engaged in finding out about their own past in a bid to generate content. All the information that was collected, apart from multimedia content such as photos were uploaded and then the website ‘http://chandana.epanchayat.in’ was set up in 2011.
The panchayat then took the project forward by scanning in documents and posting details about funds and meetings, keeping it relevant. Aside from serving as a psychological boost, going digital also means higher officials can easily access information about the village, resulting in the swifter clearing of, say, grants.
It working is equipped with strong vision of progression of the villagers and society. There accounting entries and records are also updated in the PRIASoft. This online availability of information enables Institutional accountability processes such as voluntary disclosure of information and transparent social audit component and thereby lessening the number of RTI applications.
Gram Panchayat, being India’s smallest local self-governance unit taking their first steps towards promoting transparency through digital empowerment and showing how it can help. Panchayat members are fully aware that digital empowerment by itself does not ensure the effectiveness of Gram Sabhas and work needs to be done on the ground to get the full benefit of such initiatives.
Chandana Gram Panchayat also explores a window of opportunity in its local manpower, a resource which could be used to address the structural requirements of the village. In order to Strengthen the institutional structure for capacity building of Panchayats, selecting suitable partners for capacity building, and improving outreach and quality of capacity building, several construction projects have been undertaken after due discussions in the Gram Sabha. Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra was constructed and is well maintained with proper infrastructure (containing tables, chairs, computer and printer) and all facilities (including sanitation). A hall of size 75X25 Sq. feet area is under construction adjoining Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra.
The assets under construction also include Choupal. Infact, Dr Ambedkar Bhawan is yet another useful asset in the village which was built by efforts of Sarpanch in 2012 from MP (Member of Parliament) land Grants. It is also used as a Health Centre in the village because of worse condition of health centre building. These are certain examples of the capital assets being created diligently by the Panchayat.
Seeking out the best possible conditions for the villagers to live in and grow, this Panchayat constitutes regular and timely Gram Sabha meetings in the Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra which are attended by one and all. These meetings served as a platform to discuss the issues faced by the villagers and also served the dual purpose of scrutinizing the steps taken by the Panchayat towards remedying the same. The proceedings of all Gram Sabha meetings are duly video graphed and recorded for future reference and follow up activities, thereby leading to Strengthening of Gram Sabhas. Cash books and other registers like Stock register, Muster Roll Register are also properly maintained.
Chandana has distinguished itself in more ways than one, infrastructure, is one such area. In order to ensure devolution of funds, functions and functionaries properly, several initiatives are undertaken in field of public health and sanitation and in respect of power department also by the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabhas have put seamless and dedicated effort towards constructing pakka roads and linking them with nearby villages. Effective, as this approach can be called, it resulted in providing outstanding facilities like proper drainage system in all the houses and roads and along with improved electricity supply across the village.
The Sarpanch made tremendous efforts to repair and change the electricity wires and electricity poles to reduce the electricity failures. Proper care has been taken to address the issues of sanitation and importance of cleanliness in the village by the Sarpanch.
The Chandana Gram Panchayat has undertaken several activities to improve the standard of living of its people. Adequate measures have been taken to provide the families with safe and clean drinking water under various sanitation schemes of the panchayat. 500 taps were distributed free of cost in the village by the Panchayat. Chandana village was also awarded a sum of INR 50000 by the Public Health Department for the commendable efforts in controlling water wastage.
Under this MNREGA, the village has constructed a 3 pond system for cleaning and proper disposal of waste water in 2012. Under this system, all the waste water of the village is collected and passed through various pipes conjunctively and filtered water then gets stored in third pond. This clean water can further be used for fish breeding or any other cause. These measures will help in strengthening the institutional structure of the Panchayats.
Under the strong leadership of its enthusiastic Sarpanch, Chandana village increased its Own Resources Income drastically. The increase in own funds from Lease of Pond was from Rs. 9,00,000 (as in FY 2009-10) to Rs. 17,80,000 (as in FY 2014-15) because of cleaner water in Ponds. And also substantial increment is observed in income from Lease of Land from Rs.8, 50,000 (in year 2010) to Rs. 22, 25,400 (in year 2014) with the help of Submersible water pumps in the agricultural fields.
House tax is also a major source of income from Own Resources in the village. It can be well said that Chandana Gram Panchayat is making its way to enhance its revenue and performance and thereby strengthening the financial base of Panchayats by assigning appropriate taxes, fees, etc.
Identifying youth as the future and valuing the importance of education in this dynamic world, Chandana Gram Panchayat has smartly invested in their younger generation. Village has 3 Government schools operating with proper infrastructure and equipped with deserving faculties. Senior Secondary School is having all the major streams (Arts, Commerce, Medical and Non-medical) with proper laboratories for the practical. It is the efforts of Sarpanch that the School got extended from 10th class to 12th Class.
Facilities such as Library Room and Computer Lab (with latest 20 computers) are also provided to the students for assisting in their studies. The other two schools are Girls Govt. Middle School and Govt. Primary School for kids. Through these efforts in field of education, Gram Panchayat is ensuring the real objective of convergence with line departments resulting in devolution of 3Fs. With its relentless follow up and seamless planning the Chandana Panchayat had budged past several barriers with ease on its way to glory.
The Gram Sabha of Chandana has also planned and undertaken several human and social welfare activities like Blood donation camps and Eye Donation camps. The Sarpanch himself is one of the regular blood donor in the blood donation camp and is also awarded by HSBTC (Haryana-State-Blood-Transfusion-Council) and thereby setting an example and motivator for other fellow village members.
Eye Camp was started in year 2012 and is organized every year for the village people. Panchayat was also selected for the Night Camp in year 2011 in which DC came and stayed for a night in the village. Members from Chandana also performed and participated at the Independence Day function held at district level (Kaithal) in 2013.
Apart from doing their best on the technology front and societal welfare, Chandana Gram Sabha has also taken several steps to increase the sex ratio in the village. Kanya Bachao Muhim was started in Year 2012 and as per the updated population record; it has resulted in increased ratio than before. In Chandana, this revolution is part of a bigger picture in which young, enlightened leaders want to make their village a better place.
It would be apt to say Chandana Panchayat has done a marvellous job in planting a firm foothold in their journey towards a developed path. With their continuous efforts and dedication, all sections of society irrespective of gender, caste and age differences will usher into a future brighter than we can imagine.