I am the Ward Member of Anagha village of Kadamasing gram Panchayat in
R. Udayagiri Block in gajapati District. I was elected in 2007. Soon after the
newly elected representatives assumed office, I attended a training programme for
women representatives, where we learnt about the powers, functions, and roles
of different posts in the Panchayat. From here, we learnt of the role of a Ward
Member, and as one, I realized that I had to play an important role in the working
of the Panchayat. The biggest positive of the training was that now I know that
no work on part of the Panchayat and no work in the Ward can be carried out
without the approval of the Palli Sabha (ward meetings), of which I am the head.As per the provisions of the Forest Right Act, a Forest Right committee needs
to be set up in every village. To assist in its formation the BDO sent a school
teacher to my Ward. The teacher was in favour of merely getting the signatures
of all the members of the Ward and then constituting the committee. However,
I realized that by doing so she would not only be going against the rules
and regulations but also shirking her responsibility. Accordingly, I decided to
call for a Palli Sabha and then got into the act of mobilising people for the
meeting. Many people and a heartening number of women turned up for the
meeting, during which the provision of the Act was explained and the Forest
Right Committee set up.In another instance, a road was being constructed to my village, but I had
no knowledge of it. I immediately asked the work to be halted and asked the
Panchayat as to why the Palli Sabha and I not been consulted. The issue was
also taken up in the Palli Sabha.My active use of Palli Sabha has been a revelation to the other Ward Members
who have not realized the full potential and importance of the Sabha. The
Panchayat often overshadows the work of Palli Sabha, as it is the lowest rung
of the ladder in the Panchayat structure. However, it is the Palli Sabha, which
brings people together at the local level and identifies local problems. It is a
forum, which can be effectively used for political empowerment of the people,
can help them play a greater role in the gram Sabha. My success lies in realizing
the importance and potential of Palli Sabha and making maximum use of it.Banabasi Pradhan
Ward Member
Panchayat: Kadamasing
Block: R.Udayagiri
District: gajapati