The essence of the rural employment guarantee scheme lay obscured in many villages of Punjab, veiled by the shadows of ignorance. But a women's collective is helping to empower beneficiaries across nearly 3,000 villages.
The art of decision-making within panchayats often remains untaught, the notion of choosing projects through democratic voting left unexplored. Workers, the lifeblood of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) initiative in Punjab, are left wandering in the haze of unawareness, oblivious to the facilities bestowed upon them by the scheme. Myths and misconceptions, like vines, entwine the very roots of this endeavour, hindering its growth and potential impact.
However, this lifeline for rural employment is undergoing a quiet, transformative journey, catalysed by the tenacity of women from Nabha block in Patiala district of Punjab. What began as a modest effort in 2013 with four villages has now blossomed into a powerful force, touching the lives of 2,997 villages in the state.
The catalyst for change came as these women, realising their rights, embarked on awareness campaigns and launched Democratic MGNREGA Front in 2013. Comprising over 10,000 members, this group now operates at the village, block and district levels, steering awareness campaigns.
Raj Kaur, a resident of Thuhi village, vividly recalled the days when they perceived MGNREGA as charity, responding to the requests of panchayat leaders for sporadic work. However, a revelation dawned upon them — MGNREGA mandated 100 days of work annually, not as a benevolence but as a demand-based right.
“If we demand work, we will get it, not at the request of any panch or sarpanch,” Raj Kaur said.
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Fuelled by this insight, she, along with her fellow villagers, embarked on a journey of awareness campaigns for MGNREGA workers. The narrative shifted from mere acceptance of sporadic work to actively filing applications and demanding their rightful employment. The change was palpable — where once they toiled for 15 to 17 days a year, they now revel in a prideful reality of securing 100 days of work annually.
“It is a matter of pride for us,” Raj Kaur said. This transformation stands not just as a personal triumph but as a testament to the collective awakening in the heart of rural Punjab.
They have shifted the paradigm — from relying on others’ requests to confidently demanding their rightful employment through MGNREGA in Punjab. Harpal Kaur of Lubana village declared their mission to encompass every village in the state.
“Now we go to work with an appointment letter,” Harpal Kaur said, underscoring the newfound pride.
The journey has not only been about awareness but also about safety. Earlier, without appointment letters, untoward accidents led to financial burdens and debts for medical treatments. Today, armed with these letters, they access free government healthcare, an invaluable shift achieved through awareness campaigns.
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“We were cleaning our village pond. MGNREGA workers had to walk into the pond and dozens of workers were bitten by snakes. We were aware of the law that each worker could get treatment under the scheme. This was the first time something of this kind happened in Punjab. It was only possible because of the awareness campaigns,” Harpal Kaur said.
Sunita Kaur, a resident of Kaidupur village, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the untapped potential of MGNREGA beyond labour. She envisioned creating opportunities by recruiting junior engineers and data entry operators. Through this, educated youth can find gainful employment without burdening the state budget.
Large gatherings, resonating with their collective demands, mark the efforts of MGNREGA Democratic Front. A recent gathering in Sangrur drew over 18,000 workers, underscoring their resolve. Their fight extends beyond awareness, demanding the proper implementation of MGNREGA as a demand-based scheme.
The central flaw they address is the need for gram sabha approval of the MGNREGA annual budget, grounding it in democratic decision-making. As gram sabha meetings become scarce, these women find themselves at the mercy of officials, reinforcing their commitment to a cause that transcends rhetoric — shaping their destiny through MGNREGA’s transformative power.
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The lead image at the top shows a group of women with appointment letters for jobs under MGNREGA. (Photo by Kiranjit Kaur Jhunir)
