Getting Rations: A Continuing Struggle

Grit, perseverance and determination in a single woman become the catalyst for change in a tiny village in Bihar. The training conducted by PRADAN helps raise awareness of the villagers’ rights and entitlements. Women take the lead in seeking and demanding justice for themselves

“Hum log bahut door jangal taraf se aate hain aur aanae-jaane ka koi sadhan nahi hai. Aapko hum logon ka baat aaj hi sunna padega (We come from far off, from near the forest and there is no transportation. You have to listen to us today),” said Chhotaki Hembrom.

I n January 2015, Chhotaki, along with other Santhal tribal women from Naudiha panchayat, went to complain about the irregularities in the Public Delivery System (PDS) to the Marketing Inspector (people call him MO). The women wait till the MO finishes his work. He listens to their plea and checks the records of their dealer. He tells the astonished women that the records showed that they were receiving food grains and kerosene regularly. Chhotaki tells him that they do not receive the rations regularly and the other women nod in agreement. They tell the MO, “Hum logon ka faisla aapko hi karna padega. Kripa karke aap hum logon ke gaon aayiye (You have to solve our problem. Please come to our village).” The MO promised them that he would visit their village.

A month passed; the MO didn’t visit them and the dealer continued with his exploits. The women met the MO again; this time gave him a written application, and insisted he visit their village. The next day, the MO came to the PDS shop. More than 100 women from the gram panchayat-level Federation (GPLF) gathered at the shop. Chhotaki led the crowd. Soon, a heated argument began between the women and the dealer.