Draft National Land Reforms Policy for comments till 31.08.2013

Dear all, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has released draft National Land reform policy for comment and feedback. Just go through the document at http://dolr.nic.in/dolr/NationalLandReformsPolicy_Notice.asp and share your feedback. We all are working mainly with the farming community, it would be good if as a joint initiative from Sanjha Samvad we could give comment on the draft policy. Share your comment at sanjhasamvad@gmail.com , we will consolidate it and send it to the concerned department. Last date of sending comment on policy is 31st Aug 2013

In brief context in the draft policy is: India, being a predominantly agricultural society, has a strong linkage between land and social status of an individual. The fact that close to 70 % of the population is dependent on land, either as farmers or farm laborers, means that it is imperative to address the issue of land in such manner that it provides livelihood, dignity and food security to millions of Indians. India has the largest number of rural poor as well as landless households in the world. Landlessness is a strong indicator of rural poverty in the country. Land is the most valuable, imperishable possession from which people derive their economic independence, social status and a modest and permanent means of livelihood. But in addition to that, land also assures them of identity and dignity and creates condition and opportunities for realizing social equality. Assured possession and equitable distribution of land is a lasting source for peace and prosperity and will pave way for economic and social justice in India. Land reform was a major policy initiative in the country in the 1950s and early 1960s. However, after abolition of Zamindari and Proprietary Rights, other measures like ceiling on land holdings, while became a part of the legal framework, did not get implemented in the true spirit except in some states like West Bengal, Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir. In other parts of the country, the petty attempts of declaring surplus land for distribution to the poor was caught up in the web of infinite litigation. In order to shift the policy from providing benefit to recognizing the right of the sovereign people over land, radically different and comprehensive approach will be required. The way land use has shaped up in recent years raises several issues and land reform has become much more relevant today than ever before. The increasing demand of land acquisition for housing, industrialization and several other purposes; diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes; the stagnating agricultural yields and the empirical evidence on the utility of small farms, all point towards the revisiting the issue seriously. More importantly, inequitable distribution of benefits from the new land use, insufficient quantity of compensation, and rehabilitation not being implemented properly is leading to enormous dissatisfaction among the affected people. This ultimately is leading to social unrest and violence in some parts of the country. To address these, it is imperative that grievances of those affected are met adequately thorough a revisit to a comprehensive land reform agenda. Increasing participation of women in agricultural labour and other farm activities also calls for a policy strategy that addresses the issue of access and land holding rights to women. In short, to address a number of critical issues related to land in the current juncture, the need for a National Land Policy today is more urgent than ever before. Such a policy would be based upon Tehsil, District, Region and State level master plans. This will clearly delineate areas unfit for agricultural use and therefore reserved for industrial and other non-agricultural purposes, obviating and minimizing the need for acquisition of land that gives rise to displacement, landlessness and unrest. This policy outlines a very clear strategy of creating a large pool of land so that every family’s right to land is fully honoured. The policy proceeds to suggest a just and equitable method of allotting land on a priority basis to the marginalized, especially marginalized women. Policy provisions are also made in Draft for Discussion Purposes and Comments such a way that common property resources supplement the needs of the poor and deprived. Regards Vinod Pandey

Let’s read something traditional from the field of CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA!

With Caritas India JEEVIKA we along with community , KVK and NABARD promote sustainable agriculture ( with low input cost) in tribal pockets of Madhya Pradesh in concern with the same in last 2 months ( may-june 2013) we have trained poor and marginalised farmers on various aspects of sustainable agriculture ( making of organic inputs,, organic pits, soil testing, traditional methods of ploughing, exposure to KVK, NABARD etc.) before soweing of Kharif crop and with all this practices this time in Khalwa block of Khandwa district in total 210 korku tribal farmers have opted for practicing sustainable agriculture on 50% of their land!

We work in Khandwa through our local partner organisation KDSS-Khandwa

For more on sustainable agriculture log on to www.caritasindia.org or www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

I can help you to get the first instalment of the scheme but in turn you have to help me to ………

Panbihar is a village which is situated around 30 kms away from the district quarter of Ujjain. The villagers are mainly engaged in farming of flower and sell these flowers in various markets outside the district and state also. The people this village is least interested with the Jeevika project and its benefits. Team had long months of hard work in the village but their hard work did not find any result in the field. Other staff in the project could identify the struggle Mr. Radhesyam had in the village. He lost his hope that he can do something for the welfare of the people in the village. It was the time Mr. Vinod Pandey did his field visit in the village. Problem was placed in his friend. He told “You start with what is the necessity of the people then they will cooperate with you”.

Last quarter the project team made change in its strategy and made door to door contact with the people to understand the needs of the people. In this effort cluster coordinator came in contact with Mr. Haru Nguji who had the dream to make a good house for his family. So he approached the village pancahayat for government scheme for the construction of the house. Village panchayat asked him to give application under MikhyaMandri Awaas Yojna. This project got sanctioned. Panchayat secretary asked him to start the work of construction.

Mr. Naguji thought that he will get the first instalment very soon. So he took money from his friends and started the work but unfortunately the village panchayat did not give the first instalment. He had taken money from the friends so had tuff time because he had no money to give back his friends. After hearing that sad story cluster coordinator empathised with Mr. Haru Nguji and toled that I can help you but you have to help me in-terms of formation of SHGs. He agreed with the condition. Cluster coordinator is having good report with the Gramsevak. Cluster coordinator did regular follow up with the Garm Sevak and the first instalment was issued to Mr. Haru Nguji. He was very happy and is helping cluster coordinator to form the first SHG in Panvihar. The end of the reporting month formation of the SHG was almost completed.

By KRIPA Ujjain JEEVIKA team ( Monthly report June 2013)

“You start with what is the requirement of the people then they will come to you” said.......

Pardipura is a village which is situated around 25 kms away from the Ujjain district quarter. The name of the village came after the name of their cast “Pardi”. These people are nomadic in nature. Most of them are migrated to distant places like Delhi and near places of Delhi for eight to ten months for selling warm cloths. Rest of the people are living in the village and go for work in the field of other farmers in near by villages. From the people we learned that they do not have any appreciation about the panchayat and government schemes. They also were cheated by social workers from some other NGO. They have formed the group and took the money and went away from the people. Hence people were not ready to cooperate with the project. This was the situation where the project was still last month.

Project team visited the village on regular basis and motivated the people to get their support for the proper implementation of the project. Team explained them about the Jeevika project and its benefit for the people. How this project will help them to improve their life style especially their livelihood. They whole heartily welcomed the project and its strategies but they never materialised the activities in the project or be part of the programme. So we team had to report Caritas India about the hard situation and suggested that we need to change the villages namely pardipura and panbhihar. When Mr. Vinod Pandey visited Ujjain then Kripa took him in these villages. After the visit he counselled the cluster coordinator telling that “You start with what is the requirement of the people then they will come to you”. Of course since last three months cluster coordinator and coordinators in the Jeevika project were trying to identify the needs of the people and team become successful in finding out the requirement of the villagers. The project team identified the person who took the money of the villager and disappeared from the villages. On the request of the team that person came to the village and apologised his mistake and agreed that he will give back the money to them. After this incident villagers started to extend their support to the project. Mean while team also strengthened its relation with the panchayat. Following are the achievement at the Pardipura village.

• 15 house holds are ready to participate in the Gram Sabha

• One each farmers club and self help group formed in the villages

• 4 house hold in the target group submitted their application in the Panachayat for BPL card

• 20 farmers gave their soil for testing and received the result

• Community started to give positive support to Jeevika Staff.

By KRIPA Ujjain JEEVIKA team ( Monthly report of June 2013)

Children died in Bihar because of eating Midday meal food!

Since morning keep on reading and listening about 'children died in Bihar -because of eating mid day meal in school...a lot of ho hungama..a lot of discussion on media..a lot blame games..a lot of politics.....but hardly anyone think on the fact that in most of the schools midday meals is being considered as 'one task' to complete rather than providing nutritional food to school coming children! task completed things over and day complete with mid day meal! Who cares what has cooked and what has not cooked…important is something has cooked! I think best suggestion would be we all must contribute our one time meal for the school children in remote areas..probably that would be best mid day meal for them...spare some time.....go to nearest govt. school -where mid day meal operates. Sit with them ..share your lunch with them...love them....! i hope this will really work.....also policy makers of schemes like midday meal must think on its for lovely children not just they need food..but food with love and nutrition! See news on:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/11-children-die-after-eating-midday-meal-at-Bihar-school/articleshow/21111023.cms On youtube (NDTV): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikARIU6JMuM

With this message I request you all to have sharing and discussion on procedure, delivery and importance of mid day meal with not only with school children but with government department involved in it…its not the problem of system, but it’s the problem of follow-up, programme design of Mid day meal is quite well but problem is in implementation…..but the big question is who will look in to better implementation?

Think on it! And make things possible! Let’s come together so that no child would die because of food scarcity or food poisoning! Feel free to get back to me for any support from my end!

Regards Vinod Pandey

Revolving fund for SHGs@ JEEVIKA Indore

Five active and vibrant SHGs of Khurda cluster have been identified and seleted by Jeevika for providing revolving fund from BOI. Each group will receive Rs. 25000 for this purpose on 11th July 2013. Decision for helping SHGs was taken during the camp organized for this purpose at Khurda. Rs. 1,25,000 has been leveraged. The responsibility of monitoring and evaluation will be with Jeevika team on monthly basis. The revolving fund will be a means of strenthening SHGs and economic progress of the SHG members.

For more on CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA log on to www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

By JEEVIKA IDSSS-Indore team (Monthly report June 2013)

Application on water scarcity submitted to MLA Dharmpuri@JEEVIKA

We have submitted an application to MLA Dharampuri, Mr. Panchilal Meda for construction of a water tank and Pipeline in Girwalpura village. MLA has already given promise for solution of water scarcity problem in Girwalpura during the Jeevika Review meet field visits. We have taken the follow up efforts in June. Mr. Meda has given us word for it that water tank will take shape before elections.

For more on CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA log on to www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

By JEEVIKA team of IDSSS-Indore

Our first saving is going green... @JEEVIKA Shivpuri

Shivnagar-Tighra is one of the village from our 14 target villages under JEEVIKA project. A village which is surrounded by stones in place of trees. We (Jeevika Shivpuri) with community people decided to make it green and formed two SHGs Bala Jee SHG and Sidhdha Baba SHG (both are female shgs with 12 members/group) and decided to plant trees from theitr first saving. every member given Rs. 10 from their 1st saving, so we collected 240 Rs. and purchesed 26 trees from Horticulture Deptt.to plant at Shivnagar. On 8th July we distributed plants to members of both SHGs and planted trees there with community people. Remaining 24 trees will be purchesed and planted by Jeevika-Shivpuri as quickly as possible. That day the thirsty clouds were ready to pour rain (in one image you can see highly awaited clouds) so we left Shivnagar after distributing plants. Plants of Mango, Lemon, Guava, Amala (Indian Gooseberry), Sitaphal (Sugar-apple), Jamun (Syzygium cumini) and other plants were distributed there.

By JEEVIKA team of GCSS-Gwalior (from Shivpuri field)

SHGs meetings in common places to protect environment: an innovative thought!

In June 2013, JEEVIKA team at GCSS-Gwalior has been the part of monthly meeting of 13 SHGs and 11 farmers Club in Shivpuri district. Interesting thing is SHGs meeting are majorly in common places rather tha someones house and mainly in environment friendly surroundings , so that members should also understand the importance of 'so called environment'! Caritas India with its various projects actively work on protecting environment and promoting thought process changes in adopting sustainable techniques to protect environment. For more log on to www.caritasindia.org or www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

Is this not creative?

Is this not creative? a painting by a local village painter in Shivpuri ( JEEVIKA project vilages). Wall communications are the key source of mobilising community in tribal pockets of madhya Pradesh and with Caritas India JEEVIKA we accentuate on adopting such traditional techniques. For more on 'community communication' feel free to log on to www.caritasindia.org or www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

I have a question!

I have a question: How many of us are able to realte health and livelihood? At my personal level I find it bit difficult, but when I read a news story in Raj express news paper from the JEEVIKA field of Shehore ( implemented by ANWC-Bhopal) where in through generating habit of better health practices we are working on securing sustainable livelihood! I felt bit surprised and was not able to understand how this so, because in our entire project document no where we talked about health! I called the JEEVIKA coordinator (Ms. Archana) at ANWC-Bhopal and discussed with her, she explained me that it’s a system they are inculcating in SHGs that there must be not only saving, credit, or livelihood but also they need to adopt better health practices to reduce oultflow of money! I asked a question to her there are no doctors and dispanceries near by the project vilages, so how come they expend on health , she said in serious cases they go to Shehore and even Bhopal and it cost a lot on anaverage about 250 per month and thus probably with basic health practices they could be able to save their expenditure on health and in long run it not only contributes to sustainable livelihood but better health also! She said this training they have organised in collaboration with ICDS and thus its pur non-budgeted and leads to strong linkages also!

Its good many times we get clarity from our coordinators and it strengthen the process of learning from each other!

Find attached news paper cutting of JEEVIKA in raj express!

For more on CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA log on to www.caritasindia.org or www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

Vinod Pandey

Learn SRI from JEEVIKA!

LERAN SRI from CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA partner organisation from Umariya (JDSSS-Jabalpur). For more on JEEVIKA log on to www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

Strengthening sustainable agriculture through SRI@JEEVIKA Umariya

SRI (Systems of Rice Intensification) is one of the most affordable, cheapest technique for getting better production with minimum input cost. With CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA IN Umariya .We have accentuated on promotion of this and in this season 28 small and marginalized farmers have adopted the practices of SRI. We have initiated this process in collaboration with agriculture department from where seeds for SRI has been provided to 40 farmers and finally 28 has initiated the process of SRI.

With SRI practice and process CARITAS INDIA through its JEEVIKA initiative along its partner (JDSSS-Jabalpur) in Umariya accentuate on ensuring food security for the poor and marginalized tribes. For more on CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA log on to www.caritasindia.org or www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

VOTE for Caritas India Photo !

The Hindu, in association with Birkbeck, University of London, and the Centre for Law Policy and Human Rights Studies, Chennai, announces a national photo competition ‘The Working Elderly’.

Research undertaken by Birkbeck, University of London, and the Centre for Law, Policy and Human Rights Studies, Chennai, has found that elderly people work in every sector of Chennai’s economy, particularly in low-paid work. Typically their work is invisible or denigrated and their status as workers is unacknowledged. Research into the work of the elderly people across the country is negligible — generally because it is assumed that old people are not working.

The aim of the contest is to reverse this situation by uncovering the work of the elderly people across the country, revealing the diversity of their work and demonstrating their contribution to family, society and economy through their determination and endurance.

From Caritas India we have also submitted a photograph (titled: closed doors-Darwaza Band hein) from the field of JEEVIKA ( Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh), we request you to log on to http://thne.ws/12zh5hE and vote for Caritas India photograph and also share this for more votings! At present we are having the maximum vote , lets continue to vote for the photograph from our own field and lets make our photograph to advocate for brining change in life of old age people.

Hope for maximum votes!