Swabhiman Samiti organized a series of community meetings in 4 Gram Panchayats of Siddharthnagar district to raise awareness about the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and its benefits. The program aimed to inform local communities about the provisions of the Act, particularly regarding the right to work and employment opportunities available under the scheme.

  1. Objective of the Program:

The primary objectives of the MNREGA Awareness Program were:

  • To inform the community about the provisions and benefits of MGNREGA.
  • To help marginalized workers understand how to access employment through the scheme.
  • To encourage local laborers to demand work under MGNREGA and ensure they know their rights under the Act.
  1. Community Meetings and Work Demands:
  • Swabhiman Samiti held community meetings across 13 hamlets in 4 Gram Panchayats: Ajgara, Tal Natwa, Phulwaria, and Hathiwad Tal.
  • These meetings focused on explaining the importance of MGNREGA and encouraging workers to make written demands for work under the scheme.

The work demand process was as follows:

  • Ajgara Gram Panchayat: 36 laborers submitted written work demands.
  • Tal Natwa Gram Panchayat: 18 laborers made written work demands.
  • Phulwaria Gram Panchayat: 16 laborers made written work demands.
  • Hathiwad Tal Gram Panchayat: 28 laborers submitted their written work demands.
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  1. Work Provided under MGNREGA:

As a result of the work demands made by the laborers, the following work opportunities were provided under MGNREGA:

  • Ajgara Gram Panchayat:
    • From 12th November 2010 to 27th November 2010, 84 laborers were provided 16 days of work.
  • Tal Natwa Gram Panchayat:
    • From 2nd December 2010 to 8th December 2010, 32 laborers worked on the project from Jhauahwa Tola Bhandhe to the riverbank for 7 days.
    • From 21st December 2010 to 30th December 2010, 20 laborers were provided work in the Tola Natwa area.
  • Phulwaria Gram Panchayat:
    • In Goura, 18 laborers worked on drainage construction from 2nd December 2010 to 31st December 2010.
  1. Impact of the Program:

The MNREGA Awareness Program had a significant impact on the communities:

  • Increased Awareness: The program ensured that local laborers were aware of their rights and how to demand work under MGNREGA.
  • Access to Employment: The program successfully facilitated 84 laborers in Ajgara, 32 laborers in Tal Natwa, and 18 laborers in Phulwaria with work opportunities.
  • Improved Livelihoods: By accessing MGNREGA work, these workers were able to earn a living, contributing to poverty alleviation in the region.
  1. Conclusion:

Swabhiman Samiti’s MNREGA Awareness Program played a pivotal role in connecting marginalized laborers with employment opportunities under MGNREGA. Through community engagement and awareness sessions, the program empowered workers to demand work and understand their entitlements under the Act. By facilitating the written work demands and ensuring work opportunities, the program helped improve the livelihoods of rural laborers, fostering economic security and sustainable development.

Swabhiman Samiti continues to ensure that communities are informed about government schemes and have access to the resources they need to improve their living conditions.