At Gadiya Daggad village of Dhani cluster drinking water scarcity was a burning issue for the villagers. There was a community well dug by the Panchayat. But it was not yielding sufficient water for all the villagers in summer months. Moreover it was monopolized by few influential people of the village and they were misusing the water for producing local brew (liquor) from Mahua flowers.
With the motivation and effort of Jeevika staff, this problem was discussed in the SHG/FC meetings by the members. Under the guidance of Jeevika, the community members have decided to convince the Sarpanch and local administration the need of freeing the well from the illegal control of few people, so that they can deepen the well with collective effort and labour, for getting more water for the entire village.
The Sarpanch and secretory of the Panchayat visited the spot and tried to remove the illegal possession and hand over the well to the Panchayat so that digging work can take place. They refused to oblige the Panchayat authorities. The SHG and FC members had prepared an application with signatures of villagers and Panchayat authorities and it was submitted to the SDM Dharampuri block.
With the result, the SDM made a visit to the village and verified the situation. He took possession of a motor pump and distillery materials from the site. He warned them of legal action, if they continued the illegal activity. The ownership and the use of the well was handed over to the village Panchayat and the people.
The village community decided to deepen the well to a depth of 10 feet with voluntary labour and local contribution. The Jeevika team agreed to arrange for machinery support for blasting the rocks and the rest of the work will be done by the volunteers. The work was started by the end of April.
By JEEVIKA IDSSS-Indore team
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