Launch of Chhattisgarh Water Centered PESA Awareness Campaign in Kanker District

The Chhattisgarh Water Centered PESA Awareness Campaign launched on 5 April 2013 in Korba district, was flagged off in Kanker district on 11 April 2013.

At the inauguration, Mr. Keshav Shori, Director, DISHA shared details of the campaign and its coverage in Kanker district. The President of Kanker District Panchayat, Ms. Shiro Komre, flagged off the Jagrukta Rath to inaugurate the campaign in the district. Even though a number of schemes and acts have been framed for villagers, in the absence of information/awareness, they are unable to access the benefits provided for under these schemes. In her speech, Ms. Khomre highlighted PESA, which had been enacted in 1996, but the common man was still not aware about the various provisions of the Act 17 years later. She hoped this campaign would help bring awareness about PESA and the importance of gram sabha in water management. She emphasized that elected representatives, the government and civil society organizations need to make regular effort to make citizens aware about acts/schemes. Representatives from other civil society organizations and the local media were present at the event.

The first campaign meeting was organized in Hatkacharam panchyat at 2:00 pm on the same day. The sarpanchs from four other panchayats – Charbhatti, Risewada, Umradaha, Chawad and Nagar – of Narharpur block, and the president of Narharpur panchyat participated in the meeting where IEC material was distributed to the community.

The campaign in Kanker will cover 10 panchayats (Hatkacharama, Charbhatti, Risewada, Umradaha, Chawad, Badepinjodi, Belodi, Kolyari, Tumasnar and Fufgaon) in two blocks, Narharpur and Antagarh. Various communication methods like songs, community meetings and dissemination of IEC material (posters and pamphlets) will be used during the campaign.   

The Chhattisgarh Water Centered PESA Awareness Campaign is a joint initiative of PRIA, Arghyam, SROUT  (Social Revival Group of Urban Rural and Tribal), DISHA Samaj Sevi Sanstha, Path Pradarshak and Jankalyan Samajik Sansthan. Read more about the campaign at http://www.pria.org/events/general-events/details/148-chhattisgarhwater-centered-pesa-awareness-campaign2013-chhattisgarh-jalkendrit-pesa-jagruktaabhiyan2013