Asha Parivar

This campaign is to ensure that the benefits of various food related schemes like PDS, Mid-day Meal, ICDS as well as NREGA (whose previous incarnation was food-for-work program) reach the people. In a case going on between PUCL, Rajasthan and the Govt of India, the Supreme Court has decided that the abovementioned benefits not reaching the people will be considered as a violation of Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution.

The following brief is a part of the report prepared by Arundhati Dhuru, advisor from U.P. to the Commisioners appointed by Supreme Court in the above-mentioned case, on the state of affairs of NREGS and MDM in U.P.

Introduction of the report of U.P. Right to Food campaign, 2006 - 07

We are confronted with large-scale famine, which is thrust upon people by apartheid and anti-people policies of government. India has excess food stock, more than they can store and millions of people who are facing acute hunger. The problem is of access and control over food and of poor governance. At the same time vested interests represented by powerful global players such as Monsanto and Cargill and joined by research lobbies and groups in India are taking advantage of this incompetence of government machinery and putting pressure for privatization of these essential services and change in policies.

The situation in Uttar Pradesh becomes more severe due to geographical scale and density and sheer number of its population. In this state once known for its abundance not only poor are dying due to starvation but also farmers are committing suicides. State government continuously denies this. The recent state Agricultural policy that encourages contract farming and SEZ would further marginalize farmers and only add to pauperize starving population.

The central and state governments are liable to implement various schemes to address the situation of hunger and to provide food security to its population. But there is total failure on part of government to address the situation and to defend and promote the food security of people of India, particularly vulnerable people.

We all are concerned with this existing alarming situation and are trying our best to reduce hunger and guarantee food security. To take these processes further Advisor to Commissioners appointed by Supreme Court in the matter of Right to Food called a meeting with organizations from UP in Lucknow on 12th July and on 3rd Sept., 2006. A need was felt to do a complete situational analysis of Uttar Pradesh and take a stock of gravity of food insecurity and government response to concerns raised by various organizations and measures taken to deal with it. A consensus emerged to conduct surveys and studies, formation of people’s commission, which will hold public hearings at district places finally culminating in people’s court.

The group decided to focus on NREGS and MDM. NREGS was chosen as UP not only have the highest no of districts in which NREGS is implemented but this is the main issue where state wide data will boost people’s mobilization process to influence state policies.

A three-tier process was proposed: --

1. Surveys in all the districts (minimum 5 Gram Panchayats representing different blocks per district.)

Surveys to study (a) NREGS & (b) Mid day meal scheme.

2. Public hearings covering as many districts as possible by People’s

Commission.

3. The culmination of process in People’s Court with a focus on result of the studies and findings of people’s commission and represented by people from all the concerned districts of Uttar Pradesh.

There are various groups working on these issues and some of them are also working as an alliance but the group felt that looking at the enormity of task ahead it is better to carry this process under a banner of “Movement for right to food and employment” .

It was also decided that Arundhati Dhuru henceforth would carry this process further as Convener. A central committee comprising Sujit/Gyan (DAG), Sanjay Singh (Apda Niwaran Manch- Bundelkhand), Utkarsh Sinha (CSSR),Richa Singh (Sangtin, Sitapur) was formed to coordinate the efforts.

A meeting was held on 8th and 9th Oct. ’06 in Gandhi Bhavan, Lucknow. Jean Dreze designed the formats to study Mid-Day meal scheme and NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) and conducted the training. 200 activists representing more than 25 organizations and representing 35 districts participated in the training. The surveys were completed in 15 districts where NREGA is applicable and 28 districts for MDM.

It was decided to conduct Social Audit in 5 districts to supplement NREGS data. The districts were Hardoi, Sitapur, Jaunpur, Chitrkoot and Kushinagar. The training for conducting social audit was held on 6th and 7th of Feb.’07 by Shankar and Brahmachari (MKSS), Jean Dreze and others.

The People’s Commission hearings were held in following districts and were attended by hundreds of workers.
Date District Organiser
9 March Sitapur Sangtin, Asha Parivar, AIALA
12 March Jaunpur DAG
13 March Ghazipur DAG
14 March Sonbhadra DAG
15 March Lakhimpur Kheri AIALA, DAG
16 March Chitrakoot Vanagana, DAG
17 March Sahranpur DAG
19 March Kushinagar Asha Parivar, People’s Forum
26th March Lucknow Movement for Right to food and Employment

The People’s Court was held on 26th March’07 and was attended by 3000 people from more than 20 districts of Uttar Pradesh. People’s testimonies were presented before jury compromising of Commissioner Shri. Harshmander, eminent activist Aruna Roy and was chaired by Sandeep Pandey. Additional Commissioner Rural Development Shri Chandrapal Arun represented state government.

The hearing not only pointed out lacunas in the implementation of both NREGA and MDM schemes but it raised several issues pertaining to government apathy, hostility and it’s nexus with the vested interests.

On the other hand hearing also showed people’s determination to take this challenge as labourers come forward and resolved to stand for their rights, expose the government and “shining” lobby of contractors and politicians.

3000 persons gathering was a reflection of people’s power and therein lies the hope for future.

National Allaiance of People’s Movement (NAPM), Dynamic Action Group (DAG), Right to Food (UP), Sangtin (Sitapur), Parmarth (Orai), Asha Parivar (Hardoi, Chnadoli, Deoria and Unnao), Apda Niwaran Manch (Bundelkhand), PVCHR, Center for Contemporary Studies and Research (Lucknow), People’s Forum (Gorakhpur), Vanagana(Chitrakoot, Banda), Insaf (UP), Sai Jyoti (Lalitpur),Friends(Varanasi), Asra (Mirzapur), Gramya (Varanasi, Chandoli), CERT (Bhadohi), Sahyog (Lucknow), Ambedkar Mahasabha, Mahila Swarozgar Samiti(Sitapur), Lok Samiti (Varanasi), Savitiribai Phule Mahila Sangharsh Morcha, U.P. Khetihar evam Gramin Mazdoor Union, All India Agricultural Labourers Association.

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REPORT OF PUBLIC HEARING HELD IN GORAKHPUR ON 20TH DECEMBER, 2005 ON RIGHT TO FOOD

Organizers: National Alliance of People’s Movements, People’s Union for Human Rights, People’s Forum, Gorakhpur, Purvanchal Gramin Sewa Samiti, Gorakhpur and Asha Parivar

Venue: Purvanchal Gramin Sewa Samiti Auditorium, Gorakhpur

Members of Jury:
Prof. Ram Krishna Mani Tripathi, Convenor, People’s Forum
Kavita Sivastava, National General Secretary, PUCL
Arundhati Dhuru, Advisor from UP to Commissioners appointed by Supreme Court in matters related to Right to Food
Sandeep Pandey, NAPM & Asha Parivar
Shahira Naim, Correspondent with ‘The Tribune’

Report prepared by Manoj Singh and Narendra Misra of People’s Forum, Gorakhpur with inputs from Keshav Chand of NAPM & Asha Parivar.

CASES OF STARVATION DEATHS

1. Nagina Musahar was a resident of village Doghara, Block Dudahi, P.S. Turkpatti of District Kushinagar. He did not have any land and used to live on the outskirts of his village. He had an Antyodaya ration card but was not getting any ration. His family did not have any food for several days and for the last four days and he had even gone out to beg in Fazilnagar. He died on 27/10/2004 at the age of 30 years. His body was recovered by the police. The administration claimed that death occurred due to leprosy. The family did not have any wood to cremate him so they somehow buried his dead body. He is survived by wife Prabhawati and three children, all victims of malnourishment. Prabhawati came to the public hearing. The family continues to struggle whereas the state of PDS system remains the same. After Nagina’s death the ration shop owner Sampat Gupta hurriedly went and kept some food grains in his house. He used to keep all rations cards belonging to the categories of Antyodaya, Annapurna and BPL in the name of various villagers with him. After Nagina’s death he made fake entries on his ration card for the entire year. Upon the intervention of Commissioner appointed by Supreme Court in matters related to Right to Food, 55 more Antyodaya ration cards were issued and legal action was initiated against Sampat Gupta. There was no handpump in the village nor was anybody given any Indira Awas housing. After Nagina’s death an Aganwadi was started in the village and Nagina’s family was given one Indira Awas housing. The quality of this house is so poor that it has begun to leak. Prabhawati was given a widow pension and so were Mahrajia w/o Hiraman, Rugdi w/o Dhodha, Pramia w/o Hansraj, Basanti w/o Motilal, Phenkni w/o Sukhal and Kalawati w/o Gurmi. Prabhawati was also given Rs. 10,000 as part of the National Family Walfare Scheme. There are 78 Mushar families living here and all are living in situations of extreme poverty. They have to bring water from a distance. The Mushar Tola still does not have a hand pump. There had been a similar kind of death before in the village. It was discovered that the ration shop owner was running a rice mill in the name of this person. (Based on statements of Prabhawati and press reports.)
2. Shivanth Musahar was a resident of Village Basgaon Ghurpatti, Block Dudahi of District Kushinagar. He died on 30/1/2005 at an age of 35 years. The administration claimed that he died of TB. He is survived by wife Shubhawati, aged 32 years, and 6 children, Mohan (12 years), Mohit (10 years), Manoj (8 years), Geeta (5 years), Sita (3 years) and Atwaria (6 months). Shubhawati came to the public hearing. The family did not have any land. They had an Antyodaya ration card but were not getting the ration regularly. When Shivnath fell ill, a social activist from the area, Vibhuti Chauhan got him first admitted to the PHC and then to the Medical college in Gorakhpur. At the medical college he was diagnosed to have TB. He was released from the Medical College on 22nd January and then admitted once again to the District Hospital in Padrauna before finally succumbing to death on 30th January. The expenses for his cremation had to be collected from the villagers. The family received an Indira Awas House, which has started leaking now, and Rs. 10,000 under the family welfare scheme after the death of Shivnath. The wife works as agricultural labourer for a wage of Rs. 10 a day which is much less than the minimum wage and has received no benefit under the widow pension scheme even though it has been approved in her name. Their elder son gets only Rs. 5 a day as wages. The family continues to live under condition of starvation. (Presented by Shubhawati.)
3. Sani Musahar was a resident of Village Bhadauli, Block Bhanwarkol of District Ghazipur. He died on 10/10/2005. His estimated age was 50 years. He is survived by a blind wife Shubha and 3 sons between the ages 18 and 25 years. The family did not use to receive any ration on the card, nor was there any entry made on the card. They did not receive any other benefit from the State. At times they eat the roots of Gethi to survive. In their hamlet of 20 families only 4 have APL ration cards. The police constantly harasses the sons whenever there is a theft in the area accusing them of being involved. (Presented by Rajkumari Gandhi, social activist from Ghazipur. It was just before this report was going to be released that Sani’s brother Srinath Mushar too died of starvation on 5th January, 2006.)
4. Sobrati was a resident of Village Morwan, Block Ramkola, P.S. Ramkola of District Kushinagar. He died on 29/1/2005 at the age of 38 years. Sobrati had 8 Kathas of land which had to be disposed off to take care of his illness before death. He did not have any other work and used to beg. His mother Ananda had died some months back and wife Shahibun used to take care of the household somehow. Shahibun came to the public hearing. The family did not have a ration card nor was it given an Indira Awas house. The Village Pradhan gave the family Rs. 1000 after the death of Sobrati. The family was also alloted 5 Biswa of land but it has not been able to take possession of it. There were 3 deaths in this family 25 years back when the matter was even raised in the Vidhan Sabha. (Presented by Shahibun.)
5. Ramphal, a landless dalit, was the resident of Village Kahotari, Block Mardab of District Ghazipur. He died on 6/8/2004 at the age of 40 years. He is survived by wife and 4 children Pintu (18 years), Sitaram (7 years), Sugreev (4 years) and Neelam (2 years), who continue to struggle against starvation. His wife was given Rs. 10,000 out of national family welfare scheme after his death. The family had the Antyodaya ration card but no money to buy any ration. A plot of land has also been given to the family but it continues to be submerged. There are fifty families in the village who do not have any ration card and are struggling in extreme situation of poverty. (Presented by Vishvesh, social activist from Ghazipur.)
6. Sudarshan, a Kurmi by caste, was a resident of Village Dandapur, Block Mardab of District Ghazipur. He died on 11/9/2004 at an age of 50 years. His bank account had Rs. 1000. He is survived by wife and four daughters, two of whom are married, and one son. They do not have any kind of ration card nor have they received any kind of help from the government. After Sudarshan’s death the only help given to the family was 40 kg ration for 3 months free of charge by the ration shop owner. (Presented by Vishvesh, social activist from Ghazipur.)
7. There have been four deaths in a family living in Semarhana Village, Tola Barwani, Block Nawtanwa of District Maharajganj. Santram, his wife, and his 6 year old daughter died in September 2004. Lakhan s/o Bhagelu from the same village had died before them. The Pradhan Kamlesh Yadav had informed the administration about the state of malnourishment of several people from his village. Santram did not have any source of income and used to work as a labourer. Once he fell ill his wife started begging. But that could not sustain for very long and eventually Santram died. His wife and daughter also died soon thereafter. Mangaru and Kalpnath from the same village were also facing situation of starvation. The four cases of starvation deaths from this village were first highlighted by e-TV and then local print media also took it up. It was only after the appearance of media reports that the SDM A.K. Srivastava instructed the Tehsildar Durga Shankar Gupta to go into the village. The Thesildar gave Rs. 1000 per person and 50 kgs of wheat grains after the deaths. The administration ordered building a road with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 80,000 so that people from the village could get employment. A team of doctors came to examine the health of villagers. The SDM verified the deaths but did not agree to the fact that they were starvation deaths. (Based on press reports.)
8. Poonam, a dalit orphan girl of 15 years, living in Village Barparwa, Block Khalilabad, P.S. Ghanghata, District Sant Kabir Nagar died on 28th September, 2004. Her mother had died 5 years back and even her father passed away in 2003. She began working but being a dalit, people would not employ her for household/kitchen work. A sadhu living on the outskirts of the village used to provide her two meals a day. However, when the sadhu left for pilgrimage she was left alone. Her uncle Lalman used to occasionally provide her with some relief but was not in a position to support her completely. Her place of residence was a poorly constructed hut. When the activists reached there and asked about her death the village Pradhan Ramesh Kanaujia said it was due to illness to which the entire village objected and reiterated that the death was due to hunger and not due to disease. She was severely malnourished and had not received food for some days prior to her death. She was not given benefit under any scheme of the State. The Lekhpal also did not make the concerned authorities aware of her situation. No action has been taken against him. Even the uncle of the deceased is now a victim of hunger and is on the verge of death. (Presented by Advocate Rajnarain Mishra, a human rights activist.)
9. There were four deaths in November-December 2005 in a family living in Village Jungle Kurmaur, Block Padrauna of District Kushinagar. Durgawati (25 years) and Geeta (3 years), both daughters of Rajdeo and Durgawati’s son Rakesh (2 years) and daughter (1 year) died of malnourishment within a priod of one month. Durgawati was born of Rajdeo’s first wife. After his first wife died Rajdeo married again and had four children from his second wife. Durgawati was married 10 years back and gave birth to two children. Her husband had gone out to look for work after which she was left alone. She fell ill and could not look after her two kids. When Rajdeo learnt about this he went and brought Durgawati and her two children back with him. Rajdeo was not able to provide proper treatment to Durgawati as a result her condition worsened. In November Rajdeo’s daughter Geeta died and one after another Durgawati’s children died. Durgawati was the last to die, four days after her daughter. Rajdeo had a Antyodaya ration card but did not use to get any ration. However, the ration card (No. 0077322) has entries for rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene having been given out from February to December 2005. The ration shop owner Kailash used to keep their card with him. The family had to pawn their land. In his village Jungle Kurmaur there are 40 Mushar households with a total population of 300, including 100 children. Of these, only about 18 children go to school. Rest work as labourers. 8 families had got Indira Awas houses in 1998-99 but 6 of them are still without the ceiling. Rajdeo’s house is one such house. The people confirmed that they paid Rs. 3000-5000 as bribes to get their Indira Awas houses and in the end were not left with enough money to complete their houses. (Presented by Sanjay Srivastava of People’s Forum, Gorakhpur.)
10. Basudev s/o Harhangi was a resident of Village Sohrauna, Block Ramkola, Tehsil Hata of District Kushinagar. He died on 15/12/2005 at an age of 55 years on road near Kotwali in Padrauna. He is survived by wife Dhupa Devi (50 years), daughters Munni (30 years), Usha (23 years), Rita (11years), Anita (8 years), sons Ramesh (22 years), Rajesh (18 years) & Sandeep (6 years), of whom two eldest daughters are married and live with their in-laws. Ramesh is married too with a son. He was a carpenter but because of aging and weakness had to resort to begging in order to survive. Five years back he had got 8 dismil land from the Gram Panchayat but during eldest daughter’s marriage he had to mortgage this piece land and could never get it back. During the second daughter’s marriage he took a loan of Rs. 18,000. Eldest son is a drunkard and doesn’t contribute to the running of the family. Rajesh has gone to Lucknow to find work. Under these conditions Basudev had to bear the burden of running the family. Finding no work he had started begging in Padrauna. He had an APL ration card. To get a BPL ration card made he was asked to pay a bribe of Rs 200 by the Village Panchayati Raj Officer which he could not pay. After husband’s death Dhupa Devi is working as a labourer to make ends meet. Only the youngest son Sandeep goes to school. Rita and Anita work as agricultural labourers and are able to earn about Rs. 10-15 per day. A representative of the Village Pradhan Shamshul Nisha, Sameer Ahmad mentioned that Basudev should have got Antyodaya ration card but because of limited ration cards he could not be given one. According to him there are 71 families entitled for Antyodaya ration cards. (Presented by social activist Sanjay Srivastava of People’s Forum, Gorakhpur.)

CASES ON THE VERGE OF STARVATION

1. Vimala Devi is a resident of Barauli Village, Block Bharawan of Hardoi District. She is from backward caste and has a Antyodaya ration card. Her husband Nanhu is physically challenged and hence cannot work. She has four daughters and one son. One daughter has already died. The family is a ‘Bhadbhuj’ and they somehow manage a livelihood out of it. Vimala Devi does not have a land and lives on somebody else’s property. The family lives in a situation of extreme poverty. She doesn’t find any work in rainy season and gets ration only once in 2-3 months. The children are malnourished.
2. Sushila is a resident of Barauli Village, Block Bharawan of Hardoi District. Her husband died 8 years back. She is bringing up her children, two sons aged 8 and 12 years and a daughter of 14 years, by working as a labourer. She earns on a average Rupees 20-30 a day but she doesn’t get work all days of a month. She has a Antyodaya ration card but there is a very erratic supply of rations to them. Only the youngest son goes to school. The children have to sometime go hungry.
3. Ramrati is a resident of Baurali Village, Block Bharawan of Hardoi District. Her husband died 6 years back. She has two physically challenged children and one normal child. She has no ration card nor any pension. She does not have anyone to support her. She has 1 Bigha and 7 Biswas of land but no one to help her cultivate it and no other source of income. She has to beg sometimes or borrow from her parents’ home.
4. Munni Devi is a resident of Village Mishri Kheda of Block Sandila of Hardoi District. Her husband was murdered 9 months back. No action has been taken by the administration so far. She has three daughters. She doesn’t get widow pension or benefit from any other scheme.
5. Banwari Lal is a resident of Village Airakake Mau, Block Bharawan of Hardoi District. He does not have any house nor any land or any pension. He is a candidate for Annapurna ration card.
6. Ganesha, a poor widow from Village Baraiya Kasimabad, Block Sandila of Hardoi District, does not have any ration card.
7. Pyara, another poor widow from Village Baraiya Kasimabad, Block Sandila of Hardoi District, does not have any ration card.
8. Beche Lal of Village Barauli, Block Bharawan, District Hardoi is a landless poor without any house or ration card. He has two sons.
9. Kishan Kumar, a 10 years old victim of Polio from Muleh Kheda, Village Panchayat Purwa Man, Block Sandila, District Hardoi does not receive any benefit from the State.

IRREGULARITIES IN THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1. Pramila Devi of Village Jamuwar, Block Jagatbela of District Gorakhpur has an Antyodaya ration card but the ration shop owner gives ration only once in three months although he makes entries for all months in a year. Ramwati Devi from the same village had a similar complaint.
2. Phoolmati Devi of Village Jungle Chatradhari of Block Chargawan of Gorakhpur District has a BPL ration card but the shop owner owing to personal dispute doesn’t give her any ration at all and challenges her to do whatever she may wish. Prahlad s/o Pyare from the same village has submitted a written complaint to the District Supply Officer stating that the ration shop owner, Sushil, does not give him any ration on his BPL ration card and says that he should bring a Annapurna card if he wants any ration. Sushil is known to sell the food grains in black market. People have demanded action against the local shop owner by endorsing Prahlad’s complaint.
3. Ishwardeen of Village Lalpur Panchgawan of District Hardoi has five family members and he has to work as a labourer. He doesn’t have any land. Even then he doesn’t have any ration card. He mentioned that feudal forces rule in the village and poors don’t get any benefit out of any social welfare schemes. Satya Prakash and Ramkali of the same village said that even though they are candidates for the Antyodaya ration card they have not been given any card.
4. Amarjeet of Village Hiradalpur of District Hardoi claimed that the ration shop owner charges more money than prescribed and gives ration only once in three months whereas he makes entries on ration card for all months of the year.
5. Muneshwar of Village Bansgaon, Block Dudahi of District Kushinagar complained that the ration as part of the PDS system is given only once every 3 or 4 months.
6. Mukesh, the newly elected Pradhan of Village Nagepur, Block Araji Line, District Varanasi complained that he had been told by the ADO Panchayat to reduce the number by BPL cards from at present 26 to 23, whereas he thinks that 35-40 more people are entitled for these cards. His village has 9 Antyodaya and 5 Annapurna ration cards. Mukesh asserted that as Gram Pradhan it was his right to determine how many ration cards should be issued in his villages and this decision should not be taken by Block officials. He said he was able to provide good quality meal to children in Rupee 1 budget per child, which was being given as an excuse by other Pradhans not to run their mid day meal programme properly.
7. Ram Pravesh Nishad, Village Pradhan of Harpur, Block Tarkulwa of District Deoria, informed that there are 84 Antyodaya, 10 Annapurna among a total of 216 ration cards in his Village. There was large scale scam in food grains. He could obtain the list of ration card holders only with great difficulty from the Block. Upon enquiry it was established that some people possessed more than one ration cards. When he asked the former Pradhan he did not get a response. He has now complained to the officials but there has been no action taken so far. On 17th November, 2005 he got the ration shop owner caught selling the food grains in black market but there has been no action taken against the culprits even though the matter was reported in the press. The population of this village is 5000 and there are 22 pension beneficiaries. New list of people who are candidates for ration cards has been submitted by the Pradhan but no action has been taken so far. The Pradhan feels that amount of ration coming to his village needs to be increased.
8. In nagar panchyat Rampur Karkhana junpat devria an old widow has been denied regular payments of the pension installments and the pds system is ineffective and she has to buy kerosene oil for 30 rupees a liter
9. Janpat caucasia Vanagar Kushinagar people have not been given food for 3 months although they have the requisite card. For 9 months 300 tons of food is rotting in the godowns and the DSO has denied accountability and responsibility for the same
10. There are 12 complaints from Village Doghara Block Dudahi, Thesil Tamkuhiraj of District Kushinagar against former ration shop owner Patiram on notarized stamp paper of rupees 2 to the SDM asking him to foil the his bid to make a comeback. Patiram had not given any food grains or kerosens to anybody during the last five years and was selling it in black market.

IRREGULARITIES IN MID DAY MEAL SCHEME

1. In Village Jungle Dhushan, Badi Retwaria of Block Chargawan of District Gorakpur when the Mahila Mandal checked the food being given as part of mid-day meal scheme it was found to be infested with germs and unfit for consumption. When they asked the Pradhan to ensure cleanliness, the husband of the Pradhan Shanti Devi brutally assaulted members of the Mahila Mandal including Phoolmati. They staged a dharna and sought the intervention of local MLA. The culprits were arrested but released later on bail. The local MP has also spoken to the DM but no action has been taken so far. The mid day meal has also been discontinued for the time being.
2. Sajiwan Lal from Village Panchayat Purwa Maan of Block Sandila of Hardoi District informed that there are 198 students enrolled in the Primary School in this Panchayat but only about 130-140 are normally present. But the food is cooked only with 5 kgs of rice as a result of which only about 40% of the students get adequate amount. Rest have to make do with whatever is left. The students also tell that the food in not cooked hygienically.

IRREGULARITIES IN FOOD FOR WORK SCHEME

1. Local Samajwadi Party young leader Chandrashekhar Yadav of Village Dharhaura of Block Fazilnagar, District Kushinagar complained that machines were being used to dig the pond, which was violation the norms for NFFW programme. On 25th May, 2005 he discovered the anomaly and complained to the DM on 26th May. The tractor was seized and Contractor’s assistant was arrested. Because of pressure of a local politician the tractors were released after having been shown as seized under MV Act, even though the tractor drivers had given it in writing that they were employed to dig the pond. Even though FIR was lodged against the culprits because of pressure of the complainants but the enquiry report was manipulated to let go off the culprits. Second incident relates to Village Badhara where similar violations were discovered. JVC machines were being used. Chandrashekhar Yadav and colleagues resisted but the administration did not cooperate. A complaint was lodged with the CM and Chief Secretary and the charges were found to be correct in the subsequent enquiry but no action has been taken against the errant BDO.
2. Kunti Mushar of Village Koilaswan, Block Fazilnagar, P.S. Pateharwa of District Kushinagar informed that under NFFW programme road and drain were made in her area, in which 40-50 people from her village participated. Work was accomplished in June 2005, but the labourers haven’t received their wages till now. On paper the payment has been made. A complaint has been made with the Project Director.
3. Neelkamal from Hardoi District complained that under the NFFW programme full wages were not being paid. The normal payment rate is Rs. 40 per day which is well below the minimum wages per day in U.P. The only work known to be done without engaging contractors was performed, on 1 km stretch of Shyamdaspur Minor of a canal, by employing 144 man days. Out of the total wages of Rs. 14,200 due to the labourers, a payment of only Rs. 5000 has been made.
4. Rajen Dubey from Village Deepapur of District Varnasi informed that work being done on a pond was stopped when it appeared that it would rain. The contractor was hoping to make money without completing the work. A complaint was lodged with the BDO and an enquiry was conducted. In Village Nagepur of Block Araji Line payments have been made to the 72 workers on paper for digging a pond whereas the actual work has been done by machines.
5. Pokra- Tractors are being employed instead of manpower even though the food for work scheme is in place. Contractors are involved in the project though under the food for work this is not permissible
6. Drain project for 1 km was undertaken in Balua Shamsher shahi village under the nation food for work scheme with an estimated cost of 50000 rupees. The scheme was taken under the auspices of the land conservation department but was given to a contractor which is prohibited by the scheme. After the scheme was over the contractor tried to sell off the food. The villagers apprehended him but due to the negligence or rather the indirect support of the police he was able to misappropriate the stocks during the course of construction. They were given food only after the completion of the project although according to the scheme on a weekly basis.
7. Internal politics and pressure to the extent of involving the transfer of the DM and SDM in Gorakpur has been witness due to the contractorship issue.
8. Vishnupur- a lot of people are on the verge of death due to lack of work

Problems Faced by Activists
1) Fazilnagar Kushinagar district. Activists were agitated when they protested against the discrepancies in the national food for work scheme and police launched a case against the activists themselves.

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