Rojgar Evam Swasthya Adhikar Pariyojana (RESAP)
The Rojgar Evam Swasthya Adhikar Pariyojana (RESAP), or Employment and Health Entitlement Programme, aims to ensure non-discriminatory access to livelihood rights and quality health services for socially excluded groups in the Maharajganj districts of Uttar Pradesh. The project leverages government schemes like MGNREGA, RSBY, and JSY to empower marginalized communities, enabling them to claim their entitlements. Supported by PACS (Peoples Action for Community Service), the program focuses on capacity building, advocacy, and creating sustainable linkages between community groups and government departments.
Key Highlights:
- Target Groups: Socially excluded groups, primarily focusing on women, scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and economically disadvantaged communities.
- Key Activities: Formation of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in 100 villages.
- Outcome: Increased awareness, improved access to entitlements, and empowered communities through local governance participation.
SS
Project Overview
The Rojgar Evam Swasthya Adhikar Pariyojana (RESAP), or Employment and Health Entitlement Programme, is an initiative designed to ensure non-discriminatory access to livelihood rights and quality health services for socially excluded groups in the Maharajganj districts of Uttar Pradesh. The project focuses on leveraging government schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY), and Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) to empower marginalized communities to claim their rights. This program is supported by PACS (Peoples Action for Community Service) and is set to run for four years.
Objectives
The primary aim of RESAP is to enhance the capacity of socially excluded groups to access entitlements under government schemes. The specific objectives include:
- Ensure non-discriminatory access to livelihood rights and health services for marginalized groups.
- Strengthen community-based organizations (CBOs) to facilitate village-level action plans for better demand for entitlements.
- Promote active participation of socially excluded groups in village committees and Panchayat and Gram Sabhas.
- Build strong linkages and foster relationships with government departments to streamline access to schemes.
- Advocate for the rights of marginalized communities to ensure their access to MGNREGA, RSBY, and JSY benefits.
Background and Rationale
In Kushinagar and Maharajganj districts, socially excluded groups—particularly women, scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and economically disadvantaged communities—face challenges in accessing their rightful entitlements under various government schemes. These groups are often unaware of available benefits or face discrimination in accessing these services. The RESAP project aims to bridge this gap by increasing awareness, building the capacity of local communities, and ensuring their active participation in local governance to claim their rights. Through RESAP, these marginalized groups will be better equipped to access government schemes such as MGNREGA, RSBY, and JSY, promoting social empowerment and inclusive development.
Planned Outreach
Districts: Kushinagar and Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh
Target Groups: Socially excluded groups, primarily focusing on women, scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and economically disadvantaged communities.
Number of Villages: 100 villages across the districts
Beneficiaries: Estimated to reach thousands of households, with a focus on the most marginalized populations in rural areas.
Program Duration: 4 years
Key Strategies
- Formation and Capacity Building of CBOs: Establish community-driven organizations at the village level and build their capacity to claim entitlements under MGNREGA, RSBY, and JSY.
- Promote Participation in Governance: Ensure active involvement of socially excluded groups in Gram Sabhas and Panchayat meetings to advocate for their rights.
- Linkages with Government Departments: Facilitate communication and collaboration between CBOs and government officials to streamline access to livelihood and health services.
- Advocacy for Rights: Implement advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of government schemes and ensure that socially excluded groups can access their entitlements.
- Local Capacity Building: Provide training in advocacy, policy influence, and leadership to members of the target groups to ensure their active participation in decision-making.
Core Activities
1. Formation of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
- Establish CBOs at the village level to drive advocacy for entitlements.
- Build the capacity of CBO members on MGNREGA, RSBY, and JSY.
- Develop village-level action plans to demand services and entitlements effectively.
2. Promote Active Participation in Local Governance
- Conduct training sessions for CBO members and other community members to take leadership roles.
- Encourage participation in Gram Sabhas and Panchayat meetings.
- Support advocacy for policy influence at the village level.
3. Building Linkages with Government Departments
- Organize regular meetings between CBOs and government departments.
- Foster communication with MGNREGA, RSBY, and JSY officials to ensure service delivery.
4. Advocacy and Lobbying
- Organize advocacy campaigns at the local, block, and district levels to raise awareness of government schemes.
- Lobby local government authorities to improve access to livelihood and health services for marginalized groups.
Achievements and Outcomes
- Formation of Active CBOs: Successfully formed CBOs in 100 villages, enabling local communities to drive advocacy and ensure access to their entitlements.
- Increased Participation in Governance: Socially excluded groups actively participated in Panchayat meetings and Gram Sabhas, amplifying their voices in local governance.
- Improved Access to Livelihood and Health Services: Targeted groups accessed their entitlements under MGNREGA, RSBY, and JSY, resulting in improved livelihoods and healthcare access.
- Increased Awareness: Community members gained knowledge about their rights under government schemes and the processes to access them.
- Stronger Government Linkages: CBOs built strong relationships with government departments, improving the efficiency of service delivery.
Conclusion
The Rojgar Evam Swasthya Adhikar Pariyojana (RESAP) has successfully empowered socially excluded groups in Maharajganj districts to access their rightful entitlements under government schemes. Through CBO formation, advocacy, and active participation in governance, the project has improved access to livelihoods and health services for marginalized populations. The project has not only contributed to the social empowerment of these groups but also fostered sustainable development through community mobilization and linkages with government departments. Moving forward, RESAP will continue to strengthen local organizations and advocate for further policy improvements to ensure inclusive development and better access to entitlements for all.
