First official Gram
Sabha at Allapur - contd

6.Opening of bank account

As soon the WMC’s first meeting is held on coming Monday, the bank account will be opened with two joint signatories (one male & one female). MYRADA will transfer funds on quarterly basis and payment / withdrawal by WMC should be through cheques.

7.Office premises

It was placed before the villagers to identify a room for WMC for meeting and transaction and fix a nominal rent, which would be paid from the project.

8.Rate norms

There were lot of discussions on deciding the cost / rate norms for various watershed interventions. The ISPWDK’s cost norms were placed before the villagers to discuss & decide. After a long discussions, mainly by men, the rates were agreed & finalized. The details for other interventions in agriculture, livelihoods etc. still has to be discussed.

9.Three monthly Gram Sabha

It was agreed to conduct a Gram Sabha every three months for sharing and decisions.

Overall Observations

From PSMU, it was shared about the origin of the idea and how the ISPWDK & SDC/IC is looking forward to this experience of watershed on loan basis. The community was called for greater responsibility, ownership and support. The Gram Sabha was organized under a tree shade, where everybody can assemble. There were around 70-75% of total households who participated in the meeting. The women joined late but participated well in the discussions except for the cost norms. Either they were not aware of cost norms or left the decisions with men. I was informed that villagers interact quite often with Kodli villagers; hence they are aware of cost norms & activities taken up by VDS. The level of participation and involvement has to be improved still. But I also feel, the same would get developed as the activities and meetings takes place more regularly. MYRADA need to play active role in the beginning.

The drinking water problem seems to be first on the mind. There was setback while drilling the borewell. It was suggested to go for more sustainable open wells or sunken ponds. During the process of nominating WMC members, villagers avoided ‘trouble makers’ in a very non-threatening manner, which was very appreciable. MYRADA will bring out a detailed minutes of the meeting and share with PSMU and community. The first meeting of WMC with new members is planned on Monday, the 10th May, 2004. The roles & responsibilities, bank account and other aspects will be discussed in greater details.