People’s Panchayats and Priority Defined

by Indra

July 2, 2006

Bihar always surprises the nation and the world. Here is a story of empowerment uniquely credited to Bihar. Ramesh Yadav, a charwaha (shepherd) has been elected mukhia (village head), defeating powerful candidates in panchayat elections, days after a beggar woman was made head in another village.

Ramesh is poor and in his 40s. He was just a shepherd till a few days ago. Today, he is the mukhia of Sahartelpa panchayat in Arwal district's Karpi block. Ramesh is a resident of Chainpur village. Perhaps, he would not have ever dreamt of becoming the village head. But as the villagers confirm, it was his honesty and dedication towards society that won him the support of people.

Karpi is a stronghold of Maoists. But Ramesh knows how to win. A few years ago, Ramesh successfully supervised and constructed a small project for irrigation under the legislator's development fund against all odds. Ramesh proved his steely self-confidence. He mortgaged his small patch of land for arranging money to construct the project. Ramesh has many dreams. He aims at turning his panchayat into a model for others in Bihar.

I don’t know Ramesh and many of the village heads elected this time. As I understand many of them are women because of the fifty percent reservation. Here is another hope for Bihar to bring a change. And many like me wish them to succeed. Some simple priority will help them change their villages.

Firstly, they can make the village teachers attend the school regularly and work with sincerity and efficiency, so that the kids get properly educated.

They can devote on the cleanliness and sanitation, get the government aid to construct toilets to avoid open defecation, the worst seen in any village in Bihar.

They can get the existing water bodies repaired and use it for fishery. By creating self-help groups, they can enhance the earning of the poor households. They can go for plantations of commercial trees including plants for bio-diesel on the government land along village roads, and canals and invest in future prosperity. Animal breeding, hatchery, and organic manures are other areas that can provide engagement and extra income.

These village heads will take advantage of the schemes under Bharat Nirman to get for their villages electricity and road connectivity to bring heaven in villages.

The story of Ramesh provides the hope for a better Bihar.

But this is only one aspect of things happening in Bihar. After a long time, Bihar’s schools will have teachers. I was stunned when I heard that many high schools are hardly having 3-4 teachers. It will soon change.

Nitish Kumar is giving the much-needed boost and will appoint 2.36 lakh teachers on a permanent basis - 2.13 lakh teachers for primary and middle schools, and 22,000 for secondary schools. The salary will be good. As reported, "At the primary and middle school level, teachers will get a consolidated salary of Rs 5,000, at the secondary level Rs 6,000 and Rs 7000 at the Plus Two level. The jobs will be permanent, but there will be review every three years for increments, which will not be less than Rs 300. At the primary level, 50 per cent of the teachers will be women."

All the Shiksha Mitras will now be absorbed as Panchayat Shikshaks on a consolidated salary of Rs 4,000. (Presently, they get Rs 1,500).

Panchayats will play a big role in the appointment and management of education at the primary level. The government also must create some competitive atmosphere in primary education at the block and district level by creating number of incentives and awards for the best 10 schools and 100 teachers too. Teachers must get their due respect in the society, but must also work up to the exemplary standard.

I wish some independent agencies such as Pratham were brought in to check and monitor the quality of education at primary level in place of old inspector raj, and teachers are made to concentrate on educational assignment rather on census, election and other data collection.

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