Testimony

Buragaon is a village located about 22 miles away from the main road from Bhalukpong to Bomdilla. The roads are winding and the terrain is mountainous. There is absolutely no public conveyance. The village gets cut off from supply of essential commodities especially during the monsoon season due to landsides that block the roads.

Although the village was getting sufficient supply of rice as guaranteed to the lower income families through the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, the fair price shops were charging an exorbitant amount which directly affected those who could not pay. In 2017, Fr. Valerian conducted a training program on National Food Security Act, 2013 and MGNREGA in Buragaon along with Fr. Ravi Sagar SJ. Enlightened by the training, a few of us decided to enquire about the NFSA scheme with the Extra Additional Commissioner (EAC). Upon enquiry, it was found that the rice was to be distributed in three categories, namely:

i) Below Poverty Line (BPL)

Rice to be distributed in this category as per the NFSA was Rs. 3 per Kg and 5Kg per head in a household, irrespective of the number of family members.

ii) Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

Rice to be distributed in this category as per the NFSA was Rs. 3 per Kg and 35 Kg per family, irrespective of the number of family members.

iii) Above Poverty Line (APL)

Rice to be distributed in this category as per the NFSA was Rs. 13 per Kg.

However, it was found that nowhere in our district this scheme was implemented according to the NFSA stipulated norms. The ration rice was sold at Rs. 10 to 25 per kg in Buragaon, which was a direct assault on the legitimate rights of the people as well as grave injustice to the poor. We, the SHG leaders, along with the village leaders, held a meeting with the EAC and complained about the anomalies in the application of NFSA norms. As a result, the EAC ordered that all the ration shops should abide by the NFSA guidelines and soon, rice was made available at Rs 3 per kg for the BPL and AAY categories.

However, within the next month, the three fair price shops decided to raise the price again to Rs. 5 per kg. The Village Head, Zila Parishad Member (ZPM), and few villagers supported the rise in price by the fair price shops because of the transport cost. We were at a loss. We contacted Fr. Valerian, who noted that the transportation cost is borne by the government and advised us to go to the District Commissioner (DC) with a written complaint. He drafted the letter and asked me to meet the DC along with the SHG leaders with their seal and signature on the letter. In the meanwhile, when I informed in the village that I am going to complain to the DC, the ZPM asked me to run the fair price shop instead of complaining but at Rs. 5 per kg like the other two. I replied to her that I am not selfish and our fight is for the 75 per cent of the village population who cannot afford the high price. In retaliation to my response, I was accused of illegal work to the extent of being excommunicated from the village. Some even questioned my right to live in the village because I was married into another community and therefore, I have forfeited my rights in my own maternal village, as per the tribal custom.

Further, the villagers were led to believe that this fight against the exorbitant pricing would result in the deprivation of whatever little they were previously getting. While some villagers turned against us, others pleaded with me to drop the fight. Determined to fight against this injustice, we courageously fought the battle. I was accompanied by three most courageous and encouraging women of the SHG: Anita Jebisow, Nenchim Sorisow and Geeta Jebisow, and was later accompanied by Anil Jebisow. We owe our gratitude to Fr Valerian for encouraging us to fight this fight with ready support and guidance. Meeting the DC was a huge challenge. We went without prior appointment and the DC was extremely busy that day. We waited outside her office from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. Finally, we succeeded in gaining her attention. Upon submission of the letter and discussing the issue, the DC was indeed very happy to register and recognise our concern. This was the first time that women had submitted a written complaint to the office. The office was prompt in its response and sent a ground staff for enquiry the very next day. The issue was resolved without delay and the price of the rice was restored to its original rate as per the NFSA 2013. As a result, not only Buragaon but the entire West Kameng District benefitted. Although, there are still few villages where the norm is not enforced, I am hopeful that soon we will be able to tackle that as well.

This is one of the most significant events in my life in which I learnt that if we fight together with definite purpose and proper plan, we can overcome any difficulty. It is because of God’s grace that we came to know of SHGs in 2014 and with support from the Purvanchal Pragati Samaj we emerged victorious in 2017 after three months of continuous struggle for the justice. I am also grateful to my family members for their constant support despite the immense pressure from few village leaders. This victory was welcomed by the entire village and our expenses were jointly reimbursed by the youth club of the village and by the Sarpanch from his own pocket.

As a chain reaction, in Ramda village under Palizi circle a group of SHG women, spearheaded by Abina Sidasow the animator, emerged victorious when they filed an Right to Information (RTI) complaint inquiring about the faulty management and implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). Upon enquiry, it was found that there were multiple cases of submission of manipulated bills against poor quality work and that the rightful workers were denied of their wages as the act guaranteed. Abina had to go through a lot of struggle and tension, even threat to life. She received unreserved support from Fr Valerian, SHG animators and SHG. Like me, she too had to fight against her own relatives to deliver justice for the greater good. After much push and pull, the RTI was registered. It took its due course and justice was meted out. Thus, we were successful in delivering justice to the poor.

These incidents have truly encouraged me and a lot of women in the village which is evident in their participation in the SHG activities and training programs. At present, there are 5 SHGs in my village through which every family of the village is involved in the SHG. Having heard our story, recently a nearby village has also come forward to form SHGs. The SHG movement in our district is fast spreading. All this has been possible largely because of the SHG training and movement initiated by the PPS and Jesuit Fathers in my life.

I am also helping Fr. Vijay D’Souza SJ on a language documentation project of the Hrusso Aka community which has not only empowered me but also encouraged me to converse and conduct SHG monthly meetings in my own language in the otherwise rapid growth and use of Hindi language in our village. As much as the other languages are important, our language too is equally important as it is the most efficient and effective language which enables us, the Akas, to understand the social reality and concerns in depth. I am grateful to father Vijay who taught me the importance of my own language to which I was earlier indifferent.

Being an animator of Purvanchal Pragati Samaj, I have gained much experience in dealing with people and in handling cases. I am empowered through the training programmes. The encouragement that I have received from the Jesuits and my own people has brought me thus far and I am sure I will take the fight forward to secure further justice for my people.