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Deputation to The Block Development Officer at Jaynagar-II, Nimpith:

Nimpith, Jaynagar-II, 21st November, 2017:- A team of 15-20 members from different organizations had submitted their deputation to the Block Development Officer Sumanta Debnath  of Jaynagar-II block, Nimpith, South 24 Pargana regarding the demands on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), new Ration card distribution, Maternity Benefits, Public Distribution system (PDS), Mid-Day Meal, Pradhan Mantri Aabas Yojna,   Mission Nirmal Bangla, Drinking Water and Old Age Stipend. Much to the surprise of the participants, the BDO had commented that he had nothing to do to most these demand as the District Magistrate is not co-operating with them and has ordered to stop all such benefits. He advised them to submit a deputation to the District Manager but when the members of the team protested against it he promised to take some steps as follows:

NREGA: the BDO was truly interested to do something about the women self-help groups who were denied work. He suggested to identify those groups and advised to give applications for those individual groups so that he can take steps about the matter to provide jobs to those groups.

Mid-Day Meal: the main complaint was that Mid-Day Meal workers are paid for 10 months whereas they work for twelve months. The BDO said that those who were not yet paid can give applications individually. Only then he can take steps.

Maternity Benefits: BDO said that the matter is in Central Government’s hand.  So unless Central Government gives any instruction he can’t take any step about it.

PDS: Those who have complaints about low quality and worm affected rice or wheat can give a mass petition about that so that he can take steps. When the members of the team complained about the lack of dealers in many areas he suggested to find out those areas and people who are interested to take the responsibility of the dealer can apply.

Mission Nirmal Bangla: The team members complained that many poor people had applied and given money for the toilets but had not yet received services. The BDO expressed his regrets and said that it was not in his hand as they are not provided enough materials centrally and people need to contact at their Panchayats individually and if the Panchayat applies to the BDO, only then steps can be taken.

Pradhan Mantri Aabas Yojna: The BDO said that the project had ended for this year and he had nothing to do in case of the people who were rich enough but got the facilities unless they surrender by themselves. And when the team members asked him to take steps to give facilities to the needy people he replied that the Socio Economic Caste Census will start from November or December of 2018. These people can apply then.

Drinking water: In this matter he said to identify those areas and submit mass petitions for every individual area so that he can take steps.

Old Age Pension: the BDO commented that the P&NRD list renews automatically. Unless anyone dies from that list no new name can be added.

The team consisted representatives from Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity(PBKMS), Shramajibi Mahila Samity(SMS), Paschim Banga Swarojgari o Radhuni union.

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