GOOD GOVERNANCE AT GRASSROOTS 

From December 2007 to December 2008 SSS implemented a project titled as “Enhancing Accountability and good governance in Dhenkanal District” covering 96 Gram Panchayats of 8 Blocks with involvement of we 8 Network NGO partners in order to mobilize people in 200 rural backward villages of the District. The Partners had focused on creating awareness on Panchayat Raj system, building capacity of PRI members and potential leaders for ensuring good governance at the grass roots. Social Watch Groups comprising seven trained personnel promoted in all the 96 G.Ps for active involvement in PRI, development process and for working in close association with the village development committee (VDCs). They have taken up monitoring of human rights violation and Panchayat development activities such as Social Security & Food Security Schemes, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), RTI Act etc. Ninety six volunteers called as Social Watch Monitors were involved in promotion of the project through empowerment and good governance at grass roots / down to Palli Sabha level. In 4 Blocks we conducted Social Audit of MGNREGS work, the result was a Junior Engineer of a Block and a Secretary of a G.P was suspended. A lot of manipulations in various ways were un-earthed. This action of ours with blessing from higher level District administration has given a shudder to the lower officials and Panchayat representatives