The Risky Climb of Ratnapandi

1. The Risky Climb of Ratnapandi Rural Economic Environment And Policy Learning Group-1

2. ISSUES • Shouldn’t these people deserve to get- a genuine land reform, education, health, shelter, work opportunities. • No support from Government through any schemes. • Falling prey to the vicious cycle of debt trap of commission agents. • Backwardness and illiteracy. • Return on investment is very less. • Nadars, prone to severe diseases.

3. MAIN ACTORS 1) Ratnapandi Nadar(“panaiyeri”)- Risks his life to climb. 2) Rani- cooks the juice in a huge open vessel. 3) Commission agents( tharagar)-charge high rates of interest from the Nadars. 4) Karukavel Nadar and his associates- victims of absentee landlords and commission agents. Tamil Nadu Kisan Sabha activists

4. EXPERIENCE FROM RLLE • No relief measures for the Rai community in the tribal villages in the Santhal Pargana region in Jharkhand. They are very poor people who are devoid of Government schemes. • Middlemen in the village Bhutti of Langigarh block used to exploit the leaf plate makers by paying less price. • In Kandhamal district of Orissa, most of the farmers were traditional turmeric growers but now they are discouraged to grow due to over exploitation of middle men and lack of Government support.

5. GROUP PERCEPTION • Drinking Toddy is very much prevalent in various areas. In the villages people use the date palm juice more for making Toddy for their personal consumption. Mostly Sugarcane is used for producing jaggery. • Due to no direct exposure to such an area where the business of producing jaggery from Date Palm juice is prevalent, we have limited understanding of the real life scenario. Thus we present here a few suggestions that we as a group thought would be helpful in improving the situation of the Panaiyeris.

6. SUGGESTIONS Intervention of a NGO/ Government – story before the MFI movement, does MFI ever reach the real poor? Organising them into SHGs Bank Linkage (for Savings and Finance) Technology linkage with KVIC, palmgur federations, innovation networks etc. Improved market for palm jaggery due to eco-consciousness!

7. It's amazing how reading 8 lines in a book can have such an effect on me... I read this and closed the book. It went untouched for several days. What was really scarry is that two days later while I went for a 4 hr walk on the cliff hills of Mirissa -  I spotted a man who was climbing coconut trees.  I sat down and watched him for 15 minutes - moving from tree to tree with only a rope around his feet and a machete tucked into his trousers just picking coconuts.  Abhay(1) Praveen(31) Abhiroop(2) Rashmi(38) Dheeraj(12) Sambit(41)

8. Group No.2 Recycling Energy - Godda style Amit Kumar Garg- 08 Prashant Sharma-30 Sanjeev Mohapatra -43 Shruti Rao- 48 Siva kumar- 51 Vikas-59

9. The issue • Dearth of alternative livelihood opportunities • Underpaid Wage Mechanism • Threat to existence Case Facts • Daily Wage earnings (as low as Rs. 10/day), as compare to the prevailing minimum wage rate of Rs. 30.50/day • Source of livelihood for 3000 families engaging 1000 cyclewallahs functioning on daily basis • Livelihood based on illegal practices • High level of corruption • Increased susceptibility to diseases like TB, chest pain, torn muscles, respiratory ailments etc.

10. Key characters • Koilawallahs • Corrupt contractors on government schemes, policemen, Local Thugs • Housewives • Rajmahal officials (the coal source) Situation Analysis • Hazardous and muscle tearing livelihood activity • Multi caste Activity • Coal Supplier (Raj Mahal Coal Mining Project officials) state it as a ‘National Saving’ • How long a man can take it……do they have other remunerative options???

11. RLLE • Location- Villages of Madhupur block of Deoghar district of Jharkhand. • One can frequently see the koilawallahs carrying quintals of coal on their cycles in this area. • The area is a potent tusser cultivation hub. Can entrepreneurship in the same be an option?

12. LOCATION EXPERIENCES LG 2 Recycling energy, Godda style

13. koilawallahs • I’d meet koilawallahs – porters specialising in carrying charcoal into town. In fact, it was these porters, who were able to carry double their own weight - over 150 kg - that amazed and intrigued me. • What was their life really like? What did they go home to? What did they dream of? Were there any other opportunities for them? How much were they in control of their own life? Was the charcoal they were making leaving the mountains deforested or providing a motivation for them to grow more? - J. Gabriel Campbell ICIMOD

14. “The leaf that topples governments” LG 3

15. Key Players Madhya Pradesh Govt. Private contractors. The Phar munshi (official incharge) The tendu-leaf collectors (Puthuli, Pyari) Politicians (power), poor (survival), manufacturers (beedi), undoing of cooperatives. Forest department,

16. Case Earlier private contractors used to purchase tendu leaves from the tendu-leaf collectors, paying them a pittance. The tenduleaf collectors then started selling the leaves to the ‘Tendu Marketplace’ to the official incharge, the Phar munshi. During Arjun Singh’s tenure a three-tier cooperative structure was formed to sell the tendu leaves. But, when SunderlalPatwa (BJP) came into power he brought in the traders again, which led to the toppling down of the BJP government. Among all this, the tendu leaf collectors were the worst sufferers. The hardship that they faced in the face of all these changes was immense.

17. Tendu scam in UP & changing contexts • Besides, it has also been alleged that he was involved in the ‘tendu patta’ scam which cost the state exchequer crores of rupees in revenue losses. Coincidentally, an enquiry into the tendu patta controversy was earlier conducted by K Prasad and it was alleged that the bundle size of the tendu leaves was deliberately increased to exclude the smaller traders from bidding in the auction held on March 26, 2002 and, in addition to this, the bigger tendu patta traders were favoured by selling these tendu pattas at a much lower price. • Ekta Parishad welcomed the nationalisation of tendu patta (leaf) trade, but now it is fighting the corruption in the system to achieve the legitimate entitlements due to the tribals. • the Chief Minister (MP) and contractors were now being engaged in the State for tendu leaf collection.

18. Story of Ama Sangathan A tribal women's federation of 21 Mahila Mandals in Kashipur Block used to sell brooms to the government. They were not getting a fair price. Now they have organised themselves into a group and have started selling brooms to the private contractors wherein they get more benefits than what they received earlier.

19. Rural Economic Environment and Policy The Vanishing World of Birhors.

20. Issues • Deforestation • Endangered livelihood of the Birhors • Ineffective public distribution schemes (health, Red Card, housing). • Tisra fasal • Marginalised yet not criminalised ‘non-acquisitive dignified people’.

21. Characters • Birhor tribals • Government Officials • Panchayat • Intermediaries in the development schemes aimed at the tribals • Political Activist (Mr. Narendra Chaubey) • Census officials in classifying Birhors

22. Relation to the RLLE • Santhal tribals of Giridih, Jharkhand affects their livelihoods (MICA excavation) due to decreasing cover of forests. • Decrease in the collection of NTFP due to deforestation (Juang & Baiga tribes). • Exploitation of Jhuria tribes by TDCC.

23. Contrary to the commonly held view, the Birhor population has not been diminishing; rather they are getting redistributed as a result of the dismantling of their traditional economic activity. http://epw.org.in/epw/uploads/articles/209.pdf

24. ORISSA’S BRICKS OF BURDEN Presented by Learning Group - 5

25. MAIN ISSUE Crude exploitation. Need for a comprehensive and integrated labour reform legislation. Regulation of the unorganised sector. Improper wage employment, irrigation programme. MAIN CHARACTERS Landless / marginal farmers of Bolangir (Orissa), working as brick-kiln labourers. Supervisor.

26. Similar Experiences (RLLE)/Summers The fishermen hiring the net and boat from its owner are forced to sell the fish catch to the owner of the boat and net, at a price much below the market price, and are thus trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty (Ganjam, Orissa). Similar plight of industrial workers in Solan (H.P.) Are these migrant populations?

27. Issue of labour laws – have they changed recently?One who goes of his own volition and not through contractor has no redressAIDS and migration.Has migration decreased or increased in these areas? Have they been moving elsewhere?

28. Surguja’s Unwritten Silent Ban on the use of Bullock-carts Issues • Poverty: Even a bullock-cart is an advanced & costly technology. • Unemployment • Silent Ban – Cost benefit Analysis done by people reasons other than emaciated bullocks and dangerous forest trails

29. Main Characters • Bullock & Bullock-cart • Poor and rich farmers • N S Ramaswamy and CL Narasimhan on contribution of the cart economy Relating Case To RLLE / Summers • During RLLE, we thought it to be the poorest district or place

30. How situation has changed since then? • Nishi did summers in Surguja • Agriculture is not the only source of livelihood. • Introduction of various govt. schemes • Wahan admi aur bayl mein ab farak hai. Presented by LG 6

31. Surguja Bullocks • The question of visibility – where do we look for the poor, bullock carts, moneylenders etc. • Other signs of poverty and distress – role of bullocks • Silent contribution to the economy of bullocks and the poor

32. Hills of Hardship LG 7 ISSUES Merciless exploitation of poor and helpless Paharia people by the mahajans (moneylenders / traders) Development of the region: Unfulfilled promises! Human Beings: just another “mechanised objects” The most deserving, the least benefitted!

33. Main Characters The Victims - Dharmi Paharini (firewood) - Guhy Pahariini (water) distance of Bombay to Delhi 4-5 times a year! - Chandrasekhar Paharia (crop) Giridhar Mathur ( Santhal Paharia Seva Mandal) Dr. Suman Daradhiyar and Dr. P. K. Verma (Investigators) NGOs, political struggles

34. Relation with RLLE / Summers Similar plight of Lanjhya Saura tribes of Gajapati District, Orissa with respect to water, connectivity and livelihood. Korva tribals of Musakhol village , Surguja , Chhattisgarh have to travel 22 K.M. to fetch water from the river. Bhil / Bhilala tribe, Jhabua , M.P. : Resources in plenty but no channelization.

35. Scenario after 15 years: our view • Participatory development is practiced but at a slow pace • Role of facilitators between the govt. and the beneficiary is increasingly felt • Question of sustainability and independence still to be addressed • New jargons and initiatives: inclusive growth, India shining, microfinance …where it will lead to ??

36. www.ignca.nic.in/cd_05019.htm Sachidananda INTEGRATION OF ENDOGENOUS  CULTURAL DIMENSION INTO DEVELOPMENT The steps taken by government for their welfare have largely bypassed them, and they remain one of the most backward tribal groups in the state. the Badlao Foundation has shown ways in which the tribals in the area and other people can help themselves. It has also set an example for other voluntary organisations to work for sustainable development in tribal areas.

37. Rural Economic Environment& Policy Presentation by Group 8 On The plight of Kahars

38. Our Case – Main Character Kahar (also Kadar or Kadhar) community • Inhabitant of Santhal Pargana region • Concentrated in districts of Godda, Banka and Bhagalpur • Population around 15,000 • Previously bonded labourers • Traditionally agricultural labourers, porters, animal rearers and unskilled workers

39. Issues confronting Kahars Social sanctions • Treated as pariah • Ostrasiced • Alcoholism and dwindling numbers Economic marginalisation • No land • No permanent employment • Negligible purchasing power

40. Issues confronting Kahars Educational deprivation • All pervasive illiteracy • A few educated, but unemployed Political insignificance • Out of radar • No reservation • Unawareness about rights

41. Commonness with our RLLEs Lack of year round employment opportunity Illiteracy Alcoholism and illiteracy Unawareness about minimum wages Possessed no agricultural land, rampant migration Educated unemployed

42. Securing Rights: Citizen report on MDGs • Sainath observes that the peculiar links between land, labour, credit and market have trapped the peasants into perpetual penury and dependence. Efforts to strengthen the human resources of the poor must recognise that, unlike the non-poor, the absolute poor are trapped in a situation in which economic growth and social development are interdependent. The strong interrelationship between economic growth and social development highlights the vicious circle wherein low growth spawns low growth and poverty breeds poverty …. The legacy of poverty is often passed from one generation to the next.

43. And His Name Was Tuesday Group 9

44. The Issue • Plight of Bondas due to • backwardness and popular prejudice (has this changed over the years, their literacy rate!) • Implications of growing exposure to outside society • Lack of house building skills

45. Main Characters • Bondas • Outside society • Malkangiri Collector: Mr. G.K. Dhal • Bonda Development Agency • Mangraj (school teacher) & Ahilya (helper) • Mangala Chalan (first matriculate) • Gusum& Adibari (first working women) • Police Officers & Bus drivers

46. Relation to RLLE • Nat Community (nomads): Anjani (Dist. Saran, Bihar) • Zuang Tribe in Gayalmunda (Dist. Keonjhar, Orissa) • Similarities: • Mores and folkways • Traditional practices in conflict with the outside world • Society in transition: pros and cons

47. UNICEF and Bondas • a joint initiative between the Department of School and Mass Education, Doordarshan (The National Television) and UNICEF. Its aim was to build positive advocacy for girls’ education and encourage parents and community to enroll more girls in school. • In Orissa, there are 320,000 out-of-school children, of which almost 200,000 are girls. There is a huge gap between the educational achievement of boys and girls. Twenty out of the state’s thirty districts have female literacy rates lower than the national average. Only 44 percent of the children enrolled are girls and tribal girls make up only 18 per cent of the total girls enrolled.

48. RURAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND POLICY ARTICLE: FOOTLOOSE,NOT FANCY FREE PRESENTED BY, LEARNING GROUP- 10 LEARNING GROUP - 10

49. THE ISSUES • The article expresses the difficulty in designing a plan for the “footloose” migrants, so as to defend their rights. • Footloose migrants are those who go anywhere they believe it is possible to scrape out an existance. • Hence the foremost problem is to trace them. • People do so when there is lack of alternate Income Generating activities in the local area when the agricultural output fails. • High expenditure of the families that migrate leaving the elders in the village and then visit them weekly to share food. LEARNING GROUP - 10 1

50. The MAJOR CHARACTERS LEARNING GROUP - 10 Marriappan Family in Puddokkottaidistrict. Manickam Family Raj Kumar, an economist who participated in the project to tract representative groups of Migrants. A.Kalidos, a Kisan Sabha Leader in Tirukkattapalli who pondered on unionizing the regular agricultural labour. Muthuswami who lived in Thanjavur- who threw light on the case of families that migrate leaving the elders in their village. Dr. K. Nagraj of the Madras Institute of Development Studies – did research on the footloose migrants 2