Advocacy

	An advocacy meeting to press for Bundelkhand package
	A still from impartial gram sabha meeting during drought and famine

Bundelkhand Region Finally Declared Drought Hit

The intensive engagement and rigorous advocacy efforts of Parmarth and its associated networks, alliances helped in declaration of drought in Bundelkhand region in the year 2006. Drought had forced 25 farmers to commit suicide. The organisation has highlighted the vulnerability aspect and suicide cases as stories in various regional and state level print and electronic media. The organisation has also facilitated dharna and rallies at the district headquarters and Vidhan Bhawan, Lucknow.

Various Benefits Reaped through NREGS

Parmarth’s advocacy efforts on NREGA helped in creating awareness among larger masses about NREGA provisions, which finally helped community groups in getting work under the NREGA. Parmarth had organised Jago Aur Jagao campaign and cycle yatra with the support of community leaders under the banner of community-based organisations and reached to 8,500 villagers in 86 villages. The campaign was effective in ensuring distribution of 443 jobs card out of 856 applications to potential

beneficiaries. This campaign was also helped in providing 198 BPL card to eligible families.

Public Hearing

In the recent past, Parmarth organised three public hearing exercises in the presence of government officials - Commissioner, District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Chief Development Officer, Tehsil and Block officials. Public hearing transparency exercises were instrumental in increasing the rate of realisation among community groups.

As a result of three such public hearing camps, open pits were covered in two schools, boundary wall and kitchen constructed in five schools and the Commissioner announced for the appointment of 17 teachers in schools where appointments were found necessary. The Commissioner also announced distribution of cards under NREGA and BPL schemes.