EVALUATION OF THE PEACEFUL SOCIETY BANDORA
A REPORT
by
MUKKAVILLI SEETHARAM
1989
Evaluation
Objectives of P. S.
The Project
Women Development
Western Ghat March
Final Analysis
Observations, Conclusions and Recommendations
LIST OF TABLES
-
Projected and Actual expenditure of the Project
-
Beneficiaries of the Project (1986-88)
The evaluation was undertaken at the request of the
Gandhi Peace Centre. Through no formal terms of reference were specified, the
terms, which emerged during preliminary consultations, were: -
1. Examine
the planning process for activities and perspective for future.
2. Understand
the conceptual appreciation and methodology.
3. Assess
the potential for continuation and follow up.
4. Ascertain
the infrastructural capacity of the organisation.
5. Know the nature of organisation of the women, the youth and other beneficiaries, and
6. Analyse
resource mobilisation strategy.
Methodology for the evaluation was based on
participatory approach. The data collection was done through fie1d observation
and interviews sponsor representatives, project carriers, other personnel and
the target groups. The quantitative data were supplemented by secondary data on
project activities. The project area vas visited once for a few days and the
activities observed.
Limitations
This
is basically a quick assessment devoid of elaborate social surveys of the
beneficiaries and others. Accordingly the outcome affords an essentially trend
comprehension and impressions on the nature of project and organisational
performance. This limitation needs to
be kept in mind while making generalisations. Undoubtedly, the evaluation by
external consultant affords an unbiased feed back for the management of
Peaceful. Society on its overall performance and realisation of results
and thereby introduce remedial measures.
Acknowledgements
The
evaluation was sponsored and supported by the GPC as part of their overall
organisation development efforts in partner NGOS. The brilliant Chief of the
GPC and a deeply committed social worker, Shri Balakrishnaji kindly spared his
precious time for consultations regarding the evaluation and extended the
eruditious guidance. The moving spirit behind the exercise was Shri T. Harnath,
the able and efficient coordinator of GPC, who lent many insights by virtue of
intimate knowledge of P.S., Shri Kalanand Mani and his team at Peaceful Society
extended cooperation and supported wholeheartedly.
The Peaceful Society (P.S.) in Goa bas a long
history of service to mankind. The principle promoter of the P.S. is endowed
with rich experience of mobilising people, origin of which can be traced to the
J .P. Movement In Bihar wherein the Secretary of the PS, Mr. Kalanand Mani took
part as an organiser. Young and enthusiastic, he served the Goa Lok Samithi, which
was later on christened as Peaceful Society. True to its title, PS aims at
promoting peace and harmony through development Initiatives based on Gandh1an
values and approaches.
Setting
Goa
is a small state situated in the southern edge of the country. An erstwhile
colony of the Portuguese under colonial domination till as 1961, the state of
Goa faces problems of poverty, destitution and inequalities. Tourism, through
foreign exchange spinner, played havoc with the moral fabric and decline of
social values special1y among younger sections. Patterns of land ownership are
highly skewed and terms of exchange in tenancy are discriminatory against the
interest of small and marginal peasantry. Environmental degradation is alarming
despite forest legislation. The Goan Society 1s in a state of flux. The
problems of alcoholism and drug abuse are on the rise along with unemployment.
Forests are threatened by denudation. In this "socio-economic milieu, PS
came forward to redeem the problems by application of Gandhian principles.
Objectives
of P.S.
The objectives of PS
are:
1. To
undertake various socio-economic measures in agriculture, industry, irrigation,
animal
2. Husbandry,
which will increase the economic conditions of those below poverty line.
3. To
strive and work towards a creating a more balanced eco1ogy,
4. To
organise training programmes for Youth for effective involvement in
development activities;
5.
To
conduct, organise and undertake social, health and motivation education
programmes and
6.
To
present the Gandhian model of ideal life and environment before the people
The
organization has 64 members in its General Body including the office bearers
who essentially consist of a President, a Secretary and others. 1he
organizational chart of the Society indicates a Project Coordinator who has an
overal1 control on the activities and stationed at the Central Office at
Bandora. He is assisted by three programme in-charges located at the three
different Talukas in which the Society is operating. Two Community Workers
positioned at Pernem and Cotigaon blocks assist the programme in-charges. At
the Central Office, the supportive staffs include a Typist-cum-Accountant.
The
PS launched its activities in pursuance of the objectives. Voluntary action is
limited in Goa. However, the churches and temples play a major role in
rendering social service. It started its activities at Bandora. in Ponda Taluka
during 1983-84. After a social survey the PS started a women's employment
programme with the aid of South Asia Partnership, Save the Children's Fund,
British Colombia, Canada. As part of it, production of agro-based materials was
taken up. Subsequently, the PS launched the rural development project in
collaboration with EZE, West Germany and Gandhi Peace Centre.
The
Project
The
project (EZE aided) was designed jointly by PS and Gandhi Peace Centre and was
grounded in April-June 1986. The project aims to improve the socio-economic
conditions of the target groups. The project proposal envisages three
objectives with corresponding activities.
|
OBJECTIVES
|
ACTIVITY |
|
1.
To
land lessees with agro-service centres |
1.
Establish
three agro-service centres |
|
2.
To
train women and provide employment Khadi polyester; provide charkhas and
Working capital. |
2.
To
train in agro-based industry and |
|
3.
Community
living and health care |
3.
Educate
and serve |
The
major components of the project are agriculture and animal husbandry,
development of Khadi and agro-based industries, community education and
programme coordination at an estimated cost of Rs.11.9 lakhs of which external
aid accounted for 58.6% and the rest on own means basis.
The
original project proposal of PS envisaged establishment of three Agro-Service
Centres in the ratio of one for two villages, training of women in
Agro-industries and polyester Khadi, and community education and health care.
It also proposed the development of forums of women and elders. People's
organisation through education and mobi11sat1on too was env1saged.
Agro-Serv1ce
Centres
The
PS bas established two Agro Service Centres as a part of the project. The f1rst
one was established in October 1986 at Deusu Kargaun Panchayat situated in
Pernem block in Goa. It is situated at a distance of 63 Kms. from Bandora. At
this agro service centre, the machinery available for small and marginal
farmers includes one power tiller, one sprayer and two water pumps. The power
tiller is rented out to local peasants at the rate or Rs.3O/- per hour. This
includes the cost or fuel and the driver's expenses. Similarly Rs.2 per day is
the rent for sprayer. Beneficiaries of the sprayer felt that it helped them to
cover vegetables and cashew trees. At the time of the field visit both the
water pump is not working due to lack of electricity connection. The difficulty
with electric connection is identif1ed as the lack of no object1on certificate
from the landlord. The diesel water pump is not working due to non-availability
of spare parts. The functionaries of the agro-service centre are a
centre in-charge and a field worker. The office is situated in a private
building on rental basis. The staffs of the centre are engaged in a
socio-economic survey of the local v1l1age population for programme planning.
The
second agro-service centre was establ1shed at Cotigaon, which is situated at a
distance of 73 km. from the project headquarter at Bandora. The estimated
population of Cotigaon Gram Panchayat is 1800 divided into 283 fam1lies. This
is a predominantly tribal area located in an interior place. The major castes
of the area are Dhangar, Kumbi and Maratha. Interviews with a cross section
reveal that there widespread poverty due to low employment, low wages and
landlessness in the region. The average period of employment is 6 months.
Illiteracy is high and governmental programmes have not made any headway 1n the
interior villages, among tribals. The programme in charge at this centre is ex Sarpanch of
the vil1age. The centre has an electric water pump, which is benefiting 20
families. The power tiller for the centre has not been put to use as yet. In
this area. The centre has bean striving to change the cropping pattern from
commercial crops of sugar cane to cereal crops, to satisfy the basic needs of
the growers. Simultaneously, it is also promoting the concept of natural
farming in order to reduce the expenditure and save the environment.
Women Development
The women development programmes were initiated at
the project headquarters, Bandora. There is a lady programme in charge that is
assisted by others including a tailoring instructor.
Orig1nallly the agro-based production centre was
started as part of an earlier project. The agro-based product programme
involves production of jackfruit wafers, ready to eat snacks and papers. The
jackfruit wafer proved extremely popular and production increased from 43 kg.
in 1986 to 700 kg. in 1988. Subsequently however the production dropped to 200
kg. The reason attributed related to the problem of marketing and storage. It
is understood at a particular point of time retailers refused to market the
production account of alleged fungus growth. The PS tried to commission many
experts to analyse the causes for the same. In the light of its efforts the
organisation is planning to make the wafers in a big way in the near future to
cater to the market need and ensure employment for the poor rural women.
Another aspect of women development in Bandora block
is vocational training for women. The PS is offering short employable skill8
with potential for income generation. For this purpose it has commissioned the
services or a crafts instructor. Based on this programme 37 women were given
loans to launch self-employment ventures in tailoring, embroidery, coir,
production, paper making etc.,
Community Education
Community
education was given considerable importance by the organisation. It has
successfully organised the people or a few villages threatened to be evacuated
for the purpose or setting up a wi1d1ife sanctuary. In these efforts it mobilised
the local tribals, educated them on the issues and through
vibrant campaigns succeeded in its efforts. As a consequence of the
mobilisation efforts the organisation gained a firm foothold in the villages.
This was also facilitated by the fact that; the local population were by and
large homogeneous, hailing from one or two caste groups.
The organisation through the support of the press
highlighted the dangerous consequences of denudation and halted with the local
people's support the felling of 100 trees in Murray village.
Interest free
loans
The
PS has extended interest free loans to needy persons in the project area for
the purpose of purchase of buffalos, construction of cowsheds and setting
up of self-employment units. Likewise 84 women in Bandora were selected in the
meetings of the local people for loans.
A
unique achievement of the organisation as part of Community Education component
in the project was the organisation of a march in which the representatives
from more than 5 states of the region took part. The PS acted as Central
Organising Committee with Shri Kalanand Mani as Coordinator. The march began
simultaneously in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra on 1/11/87 and concluded at
Goa after covering a distance of' 3500 kms. The purpose of the march was to
educate the people about ecology, need for forests, preservation of
forests and Promoting a dialogue. The PS also received a special grant for the
purpose from the Department of Environment; of' the government of India.
Strategy
The
project was grounded in 1986. In terms of process the PS and GFC designed the
project jointly. The original project envisaged development of agro service
centres of which only two were set up. It was decided not to set up the 3rd in
view of the unfavourable experiences of' the organisers. The organisation made
considerable progress in works to promote women development. However the
development of polyester Khadi units as proposed in the project design vas not
attempted at all. The organisers attributed this to lack of market potential
and the high cost or labour involved therein. The organisation started adult
education but discontinued subsequently as it felt the
Government is doing the same thing. It proposes to set up balvadis for
children.
Final
Analysis
The current activities of the PS call for certain
integration in order to make a visible impact on the target groups. Perhaps an
exercise in strategic planning become inevitable along with demarcation of the
long term, mid-term and short term goals. There has not been any mid tem
evaluation so tar. The monitoring needs to be improved and for this purpose
certain indicators based on activities could be identified in consultation with
the target group to make it more participative.
The
project could be strengthened further through activation of people’s
organisations at the village and block levels. For this purpose women
association, youth association, etc., can be set up to ultimately further the
grassroots management and supervision of activities. The distant location of
the agro service centres from the headquarters tends to cause heavy strain on
the coordination efforts. Hence there is need for decentralisation accompanied
by posting of trained manpower that could be vested with higher responsibi1ities.
SOLUTIONS,
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The PS did commendable work as part or the community
education component of the GPC-EZI project. The Secretary, Shri Kalanand Mani
shouldered the responsibility of coordinating the Western Ghat March involving
persons from five states. This amply demonstrates the leadership qualities of
the project holder. However awareness generation and sensitisation regarding
ecological issues undertaken during the march alone do not suffice. Follow up
action for conversion of the ent1nlsiasm and awareness into concrete action
among the concerned 1s required in order to make a lasting impact on
environmental improvement.
In
the field of agriculture the PS made sustained efforts for over two years. Out
of three contemplated agro-service centres two were put in action. The society
needs to take stock of its successes as well as drawbacks in running the
agro-service centres in order to overcome teething problems of mechanical
break-down of engines, spare part non-availability, securing of power
connection, etc., These issues point towards the need for organisational
preparation as well as service centre planning to make the programme more
effective. The PS succeeded to a great extent in attracting and assisting the
small and marginal farmers and tenants through the sprayers and the
power-ti1ler. The programme needs rejuvenation and it is quite wise on the part
of the Society management to postpone the introduction of 3rd
agro-service centre contemplated in the original project plan.
The
organisational structure and the management composition of the Society reflect
the association of persons intimately familiar with rural environment
and problems. The Chief Executive Shri Kalanand has the useful background of
association with the JP movement and subsequent organisational experience in
mobilising peop1e through Goa Lok Samithi. Similarly, the programme in-charges
numbering 3 are also locally drawn persons. The experience of the
personnel at higher, middle and lower level in the organisation should be
strengthened through professional training appropriate to their job
requirements. The GPC and the PS in this direction for better service delivery
could evolve a suitable training plan jointly.
The
implementation of the project shows that there has been deviation in the
originally planned activities and the activities actually taken up. The PS
management to operational difficulties and inadequate preparatory time
attributes this. In view of this the performance has been a mixed one. The
society had to operate in difficult circumstances owing to lack of
infrastructure such as land, building, means of transport, and personnel
turnover according to the Secretary.
The
need for a realistic and scientifically formulated plan of action became
evident during the study of the programmes. Concurrently a perspective plan for
the Society is desirable in spelling out the priorities, the conceptual
integration of activities and the plans of action for each sector. This
has necessarily to be a joint exercise with competent expertise on one hand and
the Society and target population on the other. It would, it is hoped, minimise
at least some of the problems experienced in project implementation. The
project is being carried through the sincerity and dedication of those staff
that constitute a functional team located at different places in project area.
Nevertheless constant monitoring of the operational and fiscal performance is
essential to improve productivity. It is understood that there has been no
mid-term evaluation of the project. However a system of periodical riling of
reports with GPC is in vogue. Hence it is imperative to introduce a management
information system in the organisation to cope up with the increasing workload
and resource utilization. This would help in monitoring of the quantitative and
qualitative performance at regular intervals and introduce correction and
intervene where necessary. Simultaneously a comprehensive evaluation of the
activities of the organisation would help it to grow and develop further and
serve larger number of weaker sections in Goan situation where the number of
NGO's is very limited and disparities are high.
On
the whole the PS under able guidance of Shri. Radhakrishnaji and Shri Harnath
of GPC performed with sincerity and dedication and established excellent
rapport with the community despite many constraints. The Society deserves
encouragement and resources to overcome its genuine difficulties to reach out
to more and restructure its programmes.
Table - 1 Projected and Actual Expenditure of the Project
|
S. N. |
Activity |
Project |
Percentage |
Actual Expense |
Percent |
Difference (I) |
|
1 |
AA |
300000 |
25 |
902312 |
41.49 |
- 16.49 |
|
2 |
VI |
680000 |
56.66 |
691486 |
31.80 |
- 24.86 |
|
3 |
CEO |
120000 |
10 |
439748 |
20.22 |
10.22 |
|
4 |
P. Coordination |
60000 |
5 |
112322 |
5016 |
0.16 |
|
5 |
Res. / Aud |
40000 |
3.33 |
28411 |
1.30 |
- 2.00 |
|
|
TOTAL |
12,00.00 |
100 |
2174282 |
100 |
|
Notes:
(1) Based
on the Budgeted costs and sources or Funds.
(2) Statement
or Year wise & Programme Expenditure and own means chart furnished by
Peaceru1 Society on 9.2.89.
(3) Escalation
in actual expenditure without additional Commitments from EZE oou1d be due the
devaluation or rupee & letter exchange with Delitsche Bank (e.g.in1986 1DM
4INR 1n 1988 – 1DM= INR
VI.
Vl1lage Industry
C.E.O.
Community Education.
TABLE 2 BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROJECT
(1986-88)
|
SN |
Activity |
1986 |
1987 |
1988 |
|
1 |
Agro service & Animal
Husbandry |
213 |
138 |
589 |
|
2 |
Village Industry/Women
Development |
27 |
52 |
119 |
Sources -The
P. S. Bandora (personal communication)
Notes: Date
on Law Education excluded, as Benefits are diffused v1dely.
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