and the Secretary. Today, we ask them about new development Schemes that
have come for the Panchayat. We argue about the income and expenditure of
the Panchayat.
I have had to struggle to include the name of a single woman in the BPL list.
Her name had been included in the submitted list but when the final list came
out her name was missing. I put a requisition before the Panchayat again and
took this matter up to the BDO. After repeated attempts, her name was finally
included in the list. She is now getting a house under the IAY Scheme.
I have also undertaken other development work such as spending one Lakh of
rupees to construct drains in the village. Several unemployed people worked
on this project. I managed its budget and accounts. I have also facilitated the
construction of grates to block rainwater gushing into agricultural fields: with
an eye on the economically marginalised farmers. People and especially women
were employed under the NREgS to construct the crates. I have also collected
data regarding problems related to reproductive health and have encouraged
other Panchayat members to do the same. We then set up health camps at the
Panchayat level where women were given free medicines.
This work has left me with a sense of empowerment where I have gained the
courage to speak in the Panchayat without any hesitation and fear. I have
sharpened my understanding of women’s issues and have begun taking them
up before the Panchayat. I have established my own identity and have gained
confidence to move ahead. I want to contest the elections for the post of the
President in the next elections.