JMMS Chakai: Fight against Corruption

Coming face to face with rampant corruption in the implementation of the provisions of MGNREGA, the women of Jivan Marshal Mahila Sangh refuse to buckle down to the local oppressors and an apathetic bureaucracy.

“AAPE TINADHABI HASA LA RIYA MASIN thanate bai idiyada, unadhabi aale log to note se khoy bai ruodah (We won’t leave the police station until you forfeit the JCB machine),” Lalita Hansda declared in Santhali to the police officer, and talking about the JCB machine, which was being used to dig soil at the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) construction site on the boundary of her village.

Background

J ivan Marshal Mahila Sangh (JMMS), Chakai, is a block-level women’s collective with representatives from the Santhal and the non-tribal region. Formed by PRADAN in 2013, its aim is to inculcate the concept of solidarity among the women in the block. Beginning with 1,500 women, there are now approximately 8,000 women in the Federation, spread over 11 panchayats of the Chakai block with more than 700 Self Help Groups (SHGs). JMMS acted not only at the social level but also worked on creating awareness about citizenship and empowering women through that knowledge.