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PROGRESS REPORT

By:

JANPATH

B-3,SAHAJANAND TOWERS, JIVRAJ PARK CROSS ROAD,

AHMEDABAD – 380051; GUJARAT INDIA

www.saltpanworker.blogspot.com; ahrmgujarat@gmail.com

www.janpathgujarat.bogspot.com; janpathnetwork@gmail.com

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Introduction:

Gujarat produces 72% of India‟s salt. Salt making is termed as “Salt farming”

(Mitha ni Kheti‟) and has been livelihood activity for Chunvaliya Koli, Miyana,

Sandhi communities of Gujarat.

Two types of salt is produced in Gujarat, the one which is produced in Little Rann

of Kutch, using sub-soil water (LRK) is called as „inland salt‟ while the one which

is produced along sea shore using sea water is called as „sea salt‟.

Traditionally both types of salt was produced manually, however in past few years,

along sea shore, various multi-national companies have started mechanized salt

production on huge scale. Mechanized salt production method reduces labour

requirement by around 90% and it is also contaminated ground water resources,

because of high seepage rate.

Status of Agariyas ;

Agariyas belong to nomadic and de-notified tribe, which is socio-economically

marginalized community. They are producers of salt but do not have access to

capital, or to market and have been exploited in the hands of traders. Agariyas

work in almost bondage labour kind of situation and advance trade their salt from

generations at the price which is as low as 23 to 25 paisa. As per study conducted

by CESS, 71% of Agariyas fall into below poverty line category when measured in

context of 17 various indicators of deprivation like food intake, education status,

debt etc.

Efforts by Govt:

As said above Agariyas are self producers. However their conditions are worst then

a casual labourers. As “salt production‟ falls into the purview of industries,

Ministry of commerce and industries (at central) and department of industries (at

state) implement some welfare schemes.

However challenges are too big and require much more comprehensive approach

by both state and central government.

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Efforts by other players:

Shri Kurien Verghese, who successfully developed milk co-operative movement

had initiated work in salt sector too. However he did not succeed. In past 50 years,

various social, political players or civil society organization have tried working on

this issue. Unfortunately none has made much impact. The failure was mainly

because of “top-down” approach, and resistance from “traders lobby”.

JANPATH’s initiative:

Agariya Heetrakshak Manch (AHRM) was initiated by JANAPTH 1999-2000.

During initial period it was learning cum action forum of organization and

individuals who were concerned on issues of Agariyas. Gradually group realized

the reasons of failure of initial efforts by Kurien and others and decided to focus on

empowerment of Agariyas at grass root, and facilitate their coming together, build

their capacities/vision through training, exposure and link them with government

schemes and programmes.

This approach was very difficult, time consuming, required lots of patient and

consistent efforts. However organization has been successful in building grass root

(community) leadership. Agariyas have started dreaming of their freedom and have

collectively started working for realization of their dreams.

Tools and strategies used:

Community meetings, Multi-stakeholders consultation, leadership training, co-

ordination with block, district, state and central government, (Industries, health,

education, labour, water supply, social defense dept etc) use of Right to

information Act, MGNREGA etc & Community Radio Programme (weekly).

Details of activities conducted since January 2012

1. Community Meetings: Frequent meetings with community is key component of our entire programme. During reporting period more than 86 meetings were conducted in various parts of little Rann of Kutch as well as in the villages during off season (June-sept). No of attendees for each meeting range form 25 too 100. Review of status of water, health, education service and other govt

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programme is one of the key agenda. Agariya speak, criticize government for quality of services, draft their memorandums, make representations, also argue for solutions, alternatives. They also criticize or analyze critically performance of Bharatbhai, Ghanasyambhai and Marutbhai and complaint for their absence or any pending work. This sets the accountability, and also transparency in functioning. These all are informal meetings. Cost of the tea or small refreshments are usually born by agariya who hosts the meetings, while field fellows goes at their own expenses. We do not make it a habit of offering TA, DA and refreshments becoz that may reduce their ownership in these meetings. 2. Community Leaders training:

Agariyas are spread over Little Rann of Kutch, i.e over 5000 sq. km area. To cover this huge area, we require more work force. Thus we identified leaders from within the community and developed their capacity. Today each of the fellow has around 150 community leader volunteers in the desert. Community leader is known as “Agariya Agewan”. There are principles and values that Agariay Agewan follows while they are working. Some among these are:

Agariya Agewan will not aceept any money from community for his work.

She/He will not take benefit of any of the schemes unless that benefit is reached to every family.

She/He will not accept bribe, and will not pay bribe too.

She/he will attend all meetings, programmes held in the Rann and within his district and will share information back in the community.

Every month fellows will have short training session for the Agariya Agewan. It is becoz of this volunteer team, we can reach to the Rann within no time. They are our eyes & ears for the desert. Training consist of making community leaders familiar with tools of advocacy, monitoring, participation, and build “Right based perspective” in them. Sometimes, we invite people from struggles and movements to share their experiences. Sometime special exposure visits are organized for them. Agariya Agewan play key role in awareness generation, data collection, programme monitoring, and community mobilization.

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3. Agariya Sammelan: Annual Convention for Agariya held on September 4, 2012 at Santalpur. Over 700 Agariyas participated from all over. We had expected around 400. Convention was marked by presense of government officials from health, Education, Industries, and also scientist from CSMCRI. We also invited expert Smita Bajpai, from CHETANA to talk on importance of maternal Health. Paulomee from DISHA organization, who is key person from MGNREGA worker’s union was also invited. Entire food expenses was born by Agariyas of Santalpur Region, as they hosted the event. While Agairya participated with their own travel cost. (which is approximately Rs.150 per person) Annual accounts of membership received was also read out. It was unanimously decided that the membership amount be kept reserved for the legal advocacy in context of wild Ass Sanctuary issue. Opening Balance =Rs.6,78,000/-

Membership fee during year =2,74,000/-

Total Amount = Rs.9,52,000/-

Exp during year =47,000/-

(printing of I-card, Meetings) -

Balance remained =Rs.9,05,000/-

Cash on hand =10,000/-

4. Workshop on Forest Right Act:

On 2nd October 2012, one day workshop was organized for Agariya leaders. Trupti Parekh, expert on Forest Rights act, conducted the workshop. She explained the process of claiming community rights in the sanctuary area. However, due to code of conduct, notification for non-forest area is not issued yet. However, once that is done, village or Rann forest right committees can be formed and community can put their rights. Forest rights Act was passed in 2006, during its early years of enactment, we were not clear whether it will be applicable in Little Rann of Kutch, which is sanctuary but not forest and salt is not “forest produce”. However in the month of September, we could discuss this in details with Shri Ashish

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Kothari (Kalpavruksh) and other other experts, who advised us to go ahead with FRA application.

5. Multi-stakeholders meeting during on and off season: This is one of the most successful and effective tool for community empowerment. In multi-stakeholders consultation Agariya, Traders, co-operative societies, government departments, media and larger society are invited on single platform. During early days, Agariyas use to not speak a word about their problems. And traders & govt department use to give lectures. However with time, agariya leaders started raising their issues. Then other agariyas joined them. Today, 70% of the time in the consultation, is for Agariyas to represent their problems, and government department has to report for what they have done. They also share their planning for next few months. Agariyas give critical feedback on the quality and regularity of various services in the desert. Traders do not speak much. Media covers these issues in the form of stories and articles. People from larger society get to learn about Agariya life and problem, which increases their involvement. During reporting period we organized 6 such consultation in the desert as well as in the villages. We have realized that though services are reached to the desert, their quality is very poor and also gender perspective is not taken care. These are issues to be advocated hence forth. Consultations for Bio-diversity Conservation and Rural livelihood Improvement programme (BCLRIP) funded by World Bank This project is being implemented in Uttarnchal and Gujarat, simultaneously. Project aims at improvement of livelihood of communities depending on Little Rann of Kutch. Pre-project consultations were held at 35 villages of Patan, kutch,Surendrangar and Rajkot district. Consultation invited farmers, shepherd community, Fisher folks and Agariyas and understand the issues that creats conflicts between them and forest department. Also how they are depending on LRK and what are the requirements of the community for livelihood improvement as well as conservation of community. For past many years because of conserved approach of Forest department, there have been many incidences where

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community was harassed by forest department. This was for the first time that communities role in conserving bio-diversity of LRK was recognized. However this project has many limitations. Like for ex. Project is for 5 years of time. However it do not recognize their rights of livelihood under Forest rights Act. JANPATH will make detailed representation to World Bank in near future. We will also require support from AID for the same..

6. Health Survey This survey was conducted by Dr. Vaishali saudagar (Indian Institute of Public Health) and Agariya Community volunteers. Though sample size was very small, this survey was eye opener for Ghanashyambhai. When Dr. Vaishali was sharing analysis of the study, he realized that health issues should be given extreme importance and attention. Study revealed that ratio of miscarriage in Agariya women is high. Reason Also percentage of women & men who knew about contraceptives. Most of the women do not talk about their health problems to anyone. For 8 months they hardly come out of the desert, and health van has male doctor with whom they do not feel comfortable to talk about their problems. Survey of 36 village health, Sanitation & Nutrition committees: Field fellows with support from community leaders conducted this survey. Survey revealed that the committees were not formed as per norms, and most of the cases they were defunct. The village health funds of Rs.10,000 is also not utilized appropriately. VHSNC members are not aware of their duties, powers, and functions. These gaps are now agenda for advocacy.

7. Dialogue with elected Representatives:

Agariya Agewan from Santalpur, Kharaghoda area of Rann met MLA, Minister, President District Panchayat and made written representations to them on various issues like scarcity of water, sanctuary and entitlement rights, appointment of female health worker in mobile van etc, allocation of separate funds for health, nutrition of salt workers migrating to little ran of Kutch. President, of dist. Panchayat Patan has already issued such letter to District Health officer. In other three other district, follow –up meetings required.

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8. Health camps organized during on and off season: During last season 4 health camps were organized for Agariyas. Health cams were organized with the help of district Panchayat, Primary health centers and community health center. Specialist doctors were present during the camp. Around 450 women participated in the camp. Around 150 were identified with severe problems and were given treatment. Similarly health camps for skin diseases were conducted with help of salt deparment. Recently, on 20th October 2012 , an eye check up camp was organized with help of AID volunteer Dr. Bipin patel at Patadi, Surendrangar.

9. Monitoring of Government schemes, programmes for salt workers: Agariya leaders, and field fellows monitored government services for Agariyas, budget allocation, its expenses. Also feedback was given during district and state empowered committee, and also during multi-stakeholders consultation.This has lead to improvement in its implementation, community participation, and most important accountability towards communities. In state empowered committee, the chairperson and member secretary (commissioner of Industries) asks for our critical feedback and takes note of the same. Like for example, water supply in the desert areas has many issues. When Pankti raised this issue during state empowered committee and filed RTI application to get the details of expenditure, Industries commissioner called for urgent meeting at state level for action taken report.

National Science congress event at New Delhi: JANPATH was invited for Science congress held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, by department of science and technology. This conference invited scientific institutions and organization that have extended technology for community empowerment. Our experiment at Amereli district for quality improvement was shared at the conference. Session was chaired by Shri Sm Piroda, who had good discussion with scientist of CSMCRI and Harineshbhai regarding Agariya issues and possible innovative solutions/alternatives.

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Planning Meeting held by Ministry of Commerce and Industries: Pankti participated in National Consultation held by Ministry of commerce

and industries, GOI. Meeting was to discuss strategies for developing salt

industries. JANPATH was the only voluntary organization invited for this

meeting. We made presentation issues of right to livelihood, and it needs

recognition, and also issues to health, educations etc. This meeting very

much useful for making ministry aware of grass root realities.

Empowered committee meetings: As “salt making is considered as industrial activity, it is being looked by

Industries commissionerrate. There is state level committee called Empowered

Committee which is suppose to plan development programme along with salt

industries. Seven years back, this committee was not having any representation

of Agariyas. As a result of which, most it budget was utilized for development

of Salt Industries. After lot of advocacy efforts, repeated use of RTI,

community making

Agariya and three field fellows Bharat Somera, Ghnashaym Zula, Marut

Baraiya (field fellows) has membership in the committee. Through this

committee, we could influence state welfare budget in a big way.

Implementation of safety kits scheme, housing support scheme was done in

most participative method. Agariya leaders took responsibility of conducting

survey for eligibility, supported government to reach to most needy families,

also monitored implementation.Field fellows also helped development of new

schemes in the interest of the community.

Since Jan committee met 4 times in each district and 3 times at state level,

where in Agariyas and field fellows participated actively. We did written as

well as oral representations to influence committee in following way:

1. Permanent water pipeline in Patan and Kharagoda district (LRK) for water

supply. Government was reluctant to approach for permission from

Sanctuary officials. Field team raised this issue at district and state

empowered committee. Finally, it was brought to the notice of Minister of

Industries. Where he asked department to go ahead with pipeline proposal.

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2. We advocated and

supported for proposal

for strengthening

infrastructure in the

schools on the

periphery of LRK.

There was great need

for infrastructure

improvement in most of

the government as well

as Govt aided schools

on periphery in Agariya

areas. Field team

demanded that support for having library, laboratory, support be given to

these schools, this will help improving quality of education in these areas.

3. Social welfare department was not member the district empowered

committee, FBharatbhai put this request before the committee, to invite this

department. Agariyas fall into DNT, OBC category. Thus if all the concern

department converge their schemes, that will give more impact.This request

was accepted by the committee and social welfare department was invited as

member of the committee. This will help to build linkages between its

schemes and programmes and salt workers.

. Training Centers for Agariyas: Agariya training cum livelihood centers will be ready after some months. These centers are located at three corner of Little Rann of Kutch (Patan, Surendranagar, and Rajkot). For past two years, we were busy completing formalities for acquiring land for the same. Government departments played many tricks to delay this work. They indirectly asked for bribe for every permission. But all three fellows patiently followed up the matter, made representations at various levels, and rightfully got 1000 sq feet of land (from wasteland) for construction of centers. Centers will have training hall, kitchen, library and 4 rooms with capacities of 2 each. Once construction is over, we need to put in more resources for taining equipments and infrastructure. But these centers will act as livelihood training schools for experiments, meeting space for agariyas, their common library, as well resource-information center.

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Radio Programme “Gangdo Lage Whalo”: Weekely radio programme for Agariyas focused on Maternal health, Health Insurance schemes, and issues related to sanctuary. This programme is live training for community as well as for field fellows. Smita Vajpai, programme director from CHETANA was invited as resource person on maternal health issues and entitlement in context of Agariya women. Three episodes were done on the same. Harineshbhai, Truptiben also talked about forest rights act and wild ass sanctuary isuse. While CSMCRI scientist explained in very simple language the tricks, and techniques of eliminating impurities from salt to improve the quality. Rinkal Bagadia, Bharat Rajgor, Archanbhai were key person for developing the script as well for recording and broadcasting. All the episodes got good response from the community. AID Volunteers visits and interaction with Agariyas: During reporting period Bhaveshbhai Mody & Rupa Patel (AID JHU) visited JANPATH in May 2012 and salt pan workers area. As that was end of the salt season, they could not meet agariyas in large number. However Rupa and Bhavesh had interaction with agariyas who are settling in Patadi (refugees from Zinzuwada) as well as some salt workers involved in loading and un-loading on issues of health. Their key observations & recommendations were: 1. Health Prevention: Incorporate an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)

volunteer system for the community. Women from the local community with basic

education can be trained at the training center. In addition, many other health,

hygiene, and behavior change programs can be taught to selected local community

liaisons.

2. Specialty Camps: There can be specialty camps where, locally, the diagnosis,

treatment, surgeries, and patient stay can be arranged at the Community Health

Center in Patadi and/or the new training center. The first camp recommended can

be an eye camp where first all the children are screened for night blindness and for

refractory errors followed by provision of spectacles. Then a cataract program can

be set up. There is a PHACO (emulsification) machine at Reliance Hospital

available for use by contracted ophthalmologists for cataract surgeries for the rural

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underserved [conversation between Dr. Bipinbhai Patel and Harineshbhai Pandya

Sunday June 24, 2012).

Skin specialist camp will be also useful as most people have chronic skin issues

due to work in salt manufacturing. Occupation specialist can be called to guide

them to use personal protective measures that are feasible in their work

environment.

3. Women’s Health Program-Gynecology Services: there may be a provision

from the government for transportation to gynecology services at Surendranagar

for this population. Please contact the district authorities of Surendranagar. In

addition, there can be an active effort to find a female to fill the post of the female

health assistant on the mobile van. Applications can be sent to the government

district office. Furthermore, a letter to Gandhinagar can be written for other

services needed for the community. (copy of the report attached) Santosh Rohit from AID buffalo was on his Gujarat visit in July 2012. He visited Santalpur Agariya center, attended consultation with forest department at Adesar, and also met all three fellows during monthly planning meeting. He recommended to focus on providing credit and market access, Education, MGNREGA as supportive livelihood during off season. (copy of the report attached)

Dialogue with media:

Field fellows had very good

association with vernacular local print and electronic media. Media can become very effective awareness and advocacy tool. However, one needs to be very careful in judging where to make use of it and how. We are glad that our field fellows are learning this. In past few months following issues were highlighted in print and electronic media. Issues covered

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were Vacant post of female nurse in mobile health Van,Role of Agariyas in bio-diversity conservation.,Issues regarding sudden release of water from Narmda Canal,Camp for insurance Scheme for Agarias, Health camp for Agariya women and children in the Santalpur Rann, Village health and sanitation committee role/responsibility/gaps etc etc. In addition to above Bharat also wrote article on Agariyas life and struggle which was published in leading Gujarati newspaper. Impact and Achievements (Qualitative & Quantitative)

AHRM successfully advocated to modify existing Insurance Scheme to be

extended for Agariya community. Janashri Bima Yojana under which every

BPL family can avail medical treatment upto Rs.30,000/- free. As on today,

only 10% of the Agariya are included into BPL list.This is mainly becoz

survey is conducted in the villages, and Agariyas reside at worksites for

most part of the year.

During consultations, we

and community had raised

this demand for having

insurance scheme to be

extended. The are serious

occupational and general

health issues in salt

workers. The communities

narrated in detail the

amount spent on health.

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The written representation were also made at state level. The state

empowered committee meeting, where in we one of the members, Harinesh

Pandya made detailed presentation for need and rationale for extending this

scheme to Agariyas. Later on, a director insurance were requested to work

out for viable scheme to cover over 45000 Agariya for medical insurance

cover. After one and half years of consistent efforts, finally this scheme was

extended for Agariyas. Second important achievement was that, our

organization was included for survey, and co-ordination of this scheme.

Facilitation camps were conducted for filling up forms for availing benefit of

the scheme.

Within two months of themore than 3800 families were given health cards,

after survey.Three fellows Bharat, Marut, and Ghanashayam along with over

110 community leaders played key role in the same. Mid-day meal was started in 8 schools in the desert by District

Education Officer Patan. Special budget of Rs.35 per child per day was

allocated for the same. Though this seems un-viable due to high budget

requirement but has lead us to a step foreward towards formation of seperate

mid-day meal for desert schools. In case of group Panchayat, there was only one VHSNC, which was

incorrect, after field fellows had dialogue with block level officers, separate committees for each villages were formed. Similarly, Village health,

sanitation and Nutrition Committees were changed after fellows had

dialogue with Block Helath Officer for the group Panchayat. One of the remarkable achievements was regarding Wild Ass Sanctuary

issue. Due to consistent pressure from Agariyas through written representation, signature campaigns and efforts by Agariya Heet Rakahsk Manch at state and national level, forest department had to agree/admit role of Agariyas in conservation of wild assess. As part of Bio-diversity conservation and livelihood improvement programme supported by World bank, Agariyas were consulted as one of the key stakeholders during pre-launching phase. However, advocacy for creating & maintaining space during entire project phase is important task which lies ahead.

Agariyas from Amreli-Bhavnagar improved quality of salt to fetch prices that were 500% more than regular prices they get. Quality improvement training was given jointly by JANPATH and Central salt Marine Chemicals Research Institute with support from GoG.

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Agariyas during last season raised their voice against cheating done by traders while weighing their salt. They asked their educated children to monitor the weighing scale. Traders protested. Salt workers got together and launched complaint with “Weighing and scaling dept, (GoG). Finally traders had to agree for community monitoring. Credit goes to Bharatbhai for organizing training with community leaders on these issues during last season.

Agariya families rehabilitated in Patadi after they left their village because of harassment from Darbar community. Bharatbhai and Agariya leaders played key role in giving moral support, advocating with government as well as with elected representatives to get order for allotment of separate land for these refugee families.

We had series of meeting with Managing Director, Hindustan Salt for marketing of salt made by traditional Agariays. As agariyas are highpy depending on traders for credit, only 50 agariyas will trade their salt this year to Hindustan Salt Ltd (PSU). These Agariyas will be partially supported by JANPATH and partially by Hindustan Salt by paying transportation cost in advance. However the price decided after three meetings between HSL and Agariya Agewan higher and has thus has influenced market price. If this experiement is successful this year, we may increase number of Agariyas next year.

Things which could not be done:

1. Training of all village health, sanitation, & nutrition committee in

context of their duties, responsibilities, and decision making. 2. Identification and Appointment of Female field co-ordinator in three

districts.

Planning till December:

Meetings in Rann for Forest Rights Act.

Meetings with Agariya women on health issue.

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Planning for the next year (broadly)

Capacity building of community health workers. Advocacy for appointment of female doctor and nurse in mobile health

unit. Advocacy for change in National Rural Health Mission, to include Little

Rann of Kutch with seperate budget allocation be done for the same.