Recasting Citizenship for Development - File UPI

The Sangha Mané 301
Sangha). This group had a plot of land that was underused. The men felt
that the women had proved themselves capable of good work. Without a
hitch, they transferred the plot to the women’s sangha within 40 days. The
women did not incur any expenses except for a small registration cost.
It is relevant to reflect upon the time taken in the land acquisition process.
The women of Marakunda took six years to acquire their plot. These
women had to deal with an unsupportive gram panchayat and face
opposition from the Kurubaru. In Kudli, the women got their plot within
two months, despite a GP that was not supportive at the outset. The women’s
husbands extended both mental and physical support. Banikuppe is the
exception, as the sangha women were able to acquire the land in 30 to
40 days. The men in this village were highly supportive of the sangha
itself. This seems to be a key factor in expediting the matter. In the other
villages, the time span ranged from five months to one year. The ability
to sustain their efforts despite opposition from many quarters is creditable.
One can see a range of strategies in operation. In Agasanahalli and
Banikuppe, the Gowdas seem to be more powerful than the elected representatives.
The fact that the women chose to approach these traditional
leaders before contacting the GP members is indicative of the women
using information they have internalised through exposure to village politics
and dynamics. The women also seemed to be imbued with sufficient
confidence to approach the chief secretary and local MLAs to request,
and even bargain with, them to promote their interests.
Sangha Mané Construction
Land acquisition was followed by the construction, which bought with it
a range of other developments. In all the villages except for Tuppankhanahalli,
the construction has been completed, and the sangha manés are in use.
Tuppanakhanahalli: In October 2001, the sangha women withdrew
Rs 5,000 from their savings accounts. They gave this to the Congress member
for starting the construction. Unfortunately, before the foundation
stone could be laid, he was (allegedly) murdered, by a member from the
opposition party. Distressed by this development, the women contacted
the MLA at Hagaribomanhalli. He reassured them and agreed to assist them
with the construction. In the meantime, a villager encroached upon the
allotted site and started constructing a house on it. The women put in