The Report - North 24 Parganas

Rabindranath has approached the panchayat committee with the request forpond excavation work. “I thought it would be very beneficial as our land is asingle crop land and especially in the summer when water for cultivationpurposes is scarce. So I ended up applying for NREGA. This happened only afterthe panchayat committee approached us with the benefits of NREGA. We needto have clean documents on the property we own however.”Rabindranath has not been able to utilize his 100 days of work quota. “We haveonly worked for 20 to 25 days and only on pond excavation. That too we havereceived the money after 3 months. How can we work if we donot receive themoney then and there? The program has been more effective in other villages.In our village the program is not that popular.”The Panchayat committee has not been very active on the projects,Rabindranath says. “Every year we have plans to build a road and every yearwe have discussions on why we need it but the plans are never put into effect.So I there is a lot of scope for work. I would always prefer to work in the villagebecause working outside village has it’s own hassles as well.” The situation is notconducive for work however. Every year the river water banks keep drowningand so the situation in the village is always very unstable. People are forced tolook for work outside the village.Rabindranath is however grateful that the work on pond excavation has beencompleted. He feels he can do rice cultivation and some vegetation. “I only wishthat the pond was a little bit bigger.” There are plans for fish rearing as well. Butowing to the huge loans that Rabindranath has, he thinks that most of it can onlybe returned by reviving the old sari business he previously had.Rabindranath also points out that they have been asked to possess bankaccounts or accounts at the Post office for payment through NREGA work. Andsometimes this is a problem.“We aware of the rules and regulations of NREGA. But who cares aboutcompensation for work or even work? We don’t have proper roads, supply ofelectricity and other facilities. Supply of water is not regular although thegovernment has set up a tube-well and a vat. It is very difficult to talk aboutbenefits and receiving the benefits. Even after Aila, we have not received theration from the government. People had to leave the villages for work.”Rabindranath feels there is ample opportunity for work and projects in the villagethat is not being utilized. “We also need to receive payments more frequently;otherwise there is little incentive for work.”