Success Story  

Case Study –3 (Chhattisgarh) 

Success on International women’s day…..

Mogra Baraj Dam project in undergoing in Chauki assembly segment of district Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh affecting 14 such villages in which 300 acres of land belonging to 125 families whould be submerged. A dharna (sit out) was organised by such families getting affected by submergence on 20^th Feb. 06. On 22^nd February, a memorandum was submitted to local Tehsildar after a rally and dharna continues till 7^th March 06. No action was taken by the government to listen to the poor sufferers. On 8^th March 06, a road blockede (Chakka Jam) was done at Ganghi Chauk, Chauki and then the Tehsildar turned up to listen. People told their problems and asked for genuine compensation for the submerging land.  The compensation was raised from 20 thousand to 40-50 thousand based on the nature of the land.

Struggle

Case-1

Women’s group in village Tikar

 In the absence of any government action in terms of distribution of land a group of 20 women of Tikar village in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh captured 27 acre of government land in the year 1994 through their long struggle as a part of taking control over livelihood resources.  At this stage they are cultivating this piece of land as a community and have established a democratic system of development, in terms of management of the land and in the share of other resources.  This is a group which as piloted the reclamation of land in Tikar by setting up a very good example of a successful demonstration on getting organized in order to fight poverty.  At present a well has been dug by them and bought pump set  in order to irrigate the crops.

This group of women are an example to the rest of the country who are struggling for their rights.  They are in the process of introducing ‘Grain Bank’ system and Community Bank’ system for their upliftment.   

Now the government of Madhya Pradesh sanctioned the Gokul Gram (were every one get a home, every one involved in the process of developing the village even including the village mukhiya and our M H G ) in our village and the responsibility is given to the same group  

Maja Koene Award committee also giving award them the Maja Koene Award for the year 2005 as a token for their successful struggle and consistent vision and efforts for upward social mobility, and also look forward to the encouragement rendered to those who are fighting against larger structures for their proper function in which one is housed.