I come from a middle class family and was elected with the support of the
women of my Panchayat in 2005. This has been my first experience of working
within the Panchayat system, not having ever contested elections before. Since
I have been elected, I have been exposed to the many problems that the people
of my Panchayat face. In addition, since then, I have been working towards
solving these issues.The biggest problem in my Panchayat is the lack of drinking water and
improper distribution of food-grains through the Fair Price Shop. Attempting
to solve these two problems were the first tasks I undertook.Apart from this, I concentrated on addressing issues of education and health.
The rate of school dropouts for girls in my Panchayat is high. I identified the
dropout children in my Panchayat and motivated their parents to re-admit them
to school. Today, twenty dropout children have been enrolled back to school.
The Panchayat also had an adult literacy program, which was not functioning
properly. I took immediate steps to reopen the Centre and motivated the adults
to join it. Some students who find it difficult to afford higher studies approached
me for financial help. I arranged for them to continue their education with
some financial support from Panchayat funds and the remainder through bank
loans. The Panchayat Secretary helped arrange these with me.When I took over, the Aanganwadi centre in the Panchayat was not functioning
well and the rate of absenteeism was high. I motivated both the teachers and
parents and now it has become a model for others to follow.The health facilities available in my Panchayat are very poor. It is situated in
a remote area and the ANM’s visits are very infrequent. I spoke to the higher
officials at the Primary Health Centre and ensured that she starts coming
regularly. I have ensured that pregnant women have access to both pre and
postnatal care through the various government Schemes they are entitled to.There are individuals in my Panchayat who are afflicted with different health
problems for which I have been trying to get medical and financial assistance.Renuka
President
Panchayat: Namagondlu
Block: gowribidanur
District: Chikkaballapur