Jan Chetna Manch Patamda

The organisation actively raises awareness about the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), a Government of India initiative offering 100 days of employment to eligible rural households. It educates rural communities in various villages, clarifying NREGA's intricacies and benefits. The organisation assists illiterate job card holders, guiding them through the application process and providing free printed forms. This support has enabled many job card holders to access NREGA employment. Over time, beneficiaries have become more aware of their rights and the Gram Sabha's role in planning and implementation. In Rasik Nagar Panchayat, Boram Block, a significant number of job card holders successfully applied for work, with transparent Muster Rolls facilitating employment for over 200 labourers in a local pond within 15 days.

Invited to the "State Level Training for Social Audit" by the NREGA Commissioner from 15th to 19th July 2009 at SIRD, Ranchi, the organisation actively participated, led by Mr. Pradeep Kumar, the Secretary. During the training, it joined a team responsible for conducting a social audit in the villages of Murto panchayat in Chanho Block, Ranchi district. The team included officials such as the Deputy Labour Commissioner (East Singhbhum), Labour Enforcement Officers (Patamda, Bahragora, and Chakuliya). This participation played a vital role in keeping the local administration informed about ongoing efforts to uplift the socially disadvantaged.

In pursuit of the NREGA labourers' rights, the organisation took action by filing cases in the District Labour Court, Jamshedpur, on 22nd June 2009, on behalf of 20 NREGS labourers from Rasik Nagar village under Section 15(2) of the Payment of Wages Act 1936. Due to the Court's intervention, these labourers received a total unemployment allowance of Rs. 1,30,200. Additionally, the organisation extended its assistance to over 100 labourers in submitting complaint petitions to the Lok Adalat (Camp: Patamda) regarding issues related to unpaid wages.

Since its establishment, the organisation recognized a crucial mission: to empower the marginalized sections of society with their rights and their exercise. It has undertaken significant efforts to educate the public about the Right to Information Act and its role in ensuring transparent implementation of NREGA schemes. Many NREGA beneficiaries have utilized the RTI Act to request copies of Muster Rolls and other critical information, leading to increased transparency in scheme implementation. Furthermore, the organisation's advocacy has prompted the Government to formally define the Labour Department's role in enforcing provisions of key labour acts for NREGA labourers, a matter initially declined due to perceived jurisdictional limitations. The diligent use of the RTI Act ultimately resulted in clarifications and expanded authority for labour department officials, including the Assistant Labour Commissioner, in resolving payment-related issues.

The organisation actively collaborates with local Labour Department officials to educate labourers about relevant labour laws based on their specific work activities. It organised a training program for over 100 NREGA labourers from various villages, where Mr Pawan, Labour Enforcement Officer (Bahragora), and Shri Rakesh Kumar, Labour Enforcement Officer (Patamda), explained the intricacies of labour laws. The organisation also participated in a 3-day training program for rural (NREGA) labourers organized by the Labor Department, where 40 participants received comprehensive insights into labour laws, including NREGA details. Mr. Pradeep Kumar of Jan Chetna Manch Patamda elaborated on the NREGA scheme, and a booklet containing labour laws' provisions, including NREGA, was distributed to each participant, with contributions from the Society.