VISIT TO REACHD ON 18/08/02: Although several plans were made to visit the organisation time and again since December last during the visit of Dhanada Mishra & subsequent visit of Srigopal Mohanty, never it was possible on the part of both me & Prof. Swadhin Pattnaik due to one or other reason. I feel ashamed of sighting different reasons on several occasions to show my difficulties. Secondly, even we tried to make it at different times to visit the place, but one or other problem occurred either in case of Swadhin babu or me. Even Mr.Behera of REACHD had invited both of us several times over telephone to visit the place and see the work done. Hence, after discussing with Swadhin babu I planned to visit the organisation on my own. Since Dhanada babu had also asked me to visit another two organisations on behalf of AID, I preferred to complete my visit to REACHD, which was on the same route. On 18th August reached Patnagarh and went to village Bagbahali alongwith Mr.Ramachandra Behera of REACHD. As the situation was drought like in the entire state of Orissa, Patnagarh was no exception. The lands on both sides of the road were lying dry due to insufficient rain( Photograph No.: 8 & 9 ). In between I could see some small patches of land green, where the farmers had facilities to lift water. When I was approaching the village, found a large patch of greenery, where people were busy in the fields. It was learnt from Mr.Behera that, the large patch belonged to the villagers of Bagbahali, and the patch was a part of the catchment area of the irrigation facility provided to them( Photograph No.: 10 ) with assistance from SEEDS. We went to the site of the installation of pump and the pipelines. As the villagers were busy in the fields, it was not possible to discuss with the group members during the day. Hence, it was decided to meet the villagers in the evening. Went around the village in the company of Mr.Behera and the President & Secretary of the group to see the sites of installation of Ring well, Electric poles, transformer, pipelines and the switch board. Thinking to meet the villagers in the evening, left the village. Again, came back to the village in the evening and found most of the villagers gathered in the village leader’s verandah. Held an informal meeting with the members present sharing the situation in the village this year. It was learnt that, although there was insufficient rain in the region, but it has not affected them as now they have a facility and the perennial source(river) has given them a support. They also told about their contribution on this project, that’s in shape of labour, watching the pump and installations in the night among them on a rotation basis. I could see laughter on their faces this time, which was not their during my last visit. The reason of their laughter was that, this year they were not supposed to leave the old people and the family at home to search for bread and butter for their support any more. At last getting an assurance from them in the matter of repayment of loan after harvesting, left the village with the following observations; OBSERVATIONS: It looked like the proposal was not right from the beginning. As the project was quite new for REACHD and the organisation hadn’t handled any project of this sort, so it was for me. Many things lacked in the proposal, which should have been included in the original proposal. If you go through the original proposal and my observations, you can find that, so many things have been included while executing the work. Hence, the organisation has made adjustments in the budget, like part of the budget allocated under the head Food for Work, has been spent on other heads. 1. A 10 HP ( TEXMO- Aquatex ) monobloc pump has been installed at the proposed site on the bank of river Suktel at Bagbahali under Tamia G.P. of Patnagarh Block in Bolangir Dist. The pump has been installed on a concrete base ( 4’ x 6’ x 1’ ) alongwith an iron angular frame( not mentioned in the original proposal ).They have spent Rs.18,000/- towards the cost of the pump, but the budget estimate was for Rs.15,000/-, which shows an excess of Rs.3,000/-. 2. Three(03) Electric poles have been installed in the village for bringing electricity to the installation point of pump with proper wiring. A transformer ( 65 KVA ) has been installed in the middle of the village near Bagbahali Govt. Primary School ( Photograph No.: 11 & 12 ). A sum of Rs.12,000/- has been spent towards the cost of three electric poles and wires. The organisation has paid the amount to the Dept. through the village committee. 3. 8” ( eight inch ) PVC pipelines have been spread underground measuring 1370 ft. and 30 ft. G.I. pipelines have been installed with the pump which has been fixed with the PVC delivery pipeline( Photograph No.: 3,13 & 14 ). Total 1400ft. pipeline has been installed for supply of water to the catchment area. Each joint of the pipeline has been covered with concrete mixture ( not mentioned in the original proposal ). In the original proposal, provision was made for 4” PVC pipeline. But considering the technical difficulties for a 10 HP pump, it was required to go for 8” PVC pipe instead of 4” one, as the water force of a 10 HP pump would have damaged the 4” pipeline. When checked the records and the committee members, it was learnt that, a sum of Rs.1,20,460/- has been spent towards the cost of PVC & G.I. pipe. There was allocation of Rs.70,000/- in the budget on both the heads. The organisation has made an adjustment of Rs.25,000/- from the budget allocated under the head of Food for Work. Hence, an additional amount of Rs.25,460/- has been spent towards the cost of pipeline ( PVC & G.I. ). 4. Two concrete tanks ( Depth-4ft & Dia-3ft with one ft. wall ) have been constructed along the pipeline for two distribution channels. The two tanks were not mentioned in the original proposal. Looking to the need, REACHD has constructed the two tanks taking loan from other sources. A G.I. Tee point has been fixed on the pipeline in the first concrete tank for the first distribution channel, which can provide water supply to almost 50% of the total catchment area ( Photograph No.: 15 ). This was also not mentioned in the original project proposal. The organisation has spent a sum of Rs.6,000/- towards the construction of both the tanks. Besides that, the organisation has incurred an amount of Rs.5,120/- towards the concrete work done in the making of pipeline joints, making the concrete base for installation of pump and installation of a Tee on the pipeline, which was not mentioned in the original project proposal. 5. A starter and a mainswitch ( both Bentex make of 33 AMP for 3 phase connection ) has been installed on the electric pole near the Water pump. I couldn’t find a meter anywhere to ascertain the consumption of power by the villagers. Later it was learnt that, the Dept. has not yet supplied the same due to unavailability of the same. 6. All accessories have been fitted with the pipelines as per the requirement. A sum of Rs.12,502/- has been spent on the accessories, which shows an excess of Rs.2,502/- from the budget allocated. 7. A ring well ( 6’ diameter with 8’depth ) has been constructed on the river bed. 4 inches G.I. pipe has been fitted with the water pump for the purpose of suction of water from the well ( Photograph No.: 3, 16 & 17 ). The length of pipe is 20 ft. Originally they have constructed 12 nos. of concrete rings, but utilised only eight nos. and kept the rest as reserved, which can be utilised once the water level goes down on the river bed. It was found from the cash book that, the organisation has spent a sum of Rs.7,260/- out of Rs.10,000/- allocated in the budget. 8. The villagers have contributed labour for the installation of pipeline and pump. They have contributed 557 mandays labour for which they have been paid @Rs.40/- per manday. It was learnt in the village meeting that, REACHD has made adjustments in the payment part under the head of Food for Work in the following manner( Please refer Original Proposal ). In the original project proposal, Rs.65,000/- had been allocated under Food for Work programme. Out of the total amount, Rs.22,280/- has been paid to the beneficieries for their labour contribution. Rs. 17,700/- has been paid to different hired skilled labour for installation job. Necessary resolutions have been made in the village meeting before making the adjustments and spending the amount on purchase of pipelines, i.e., Rs.25,000/-. 9. Till date, REACHD has received Rs.2,64,515/- from SEEDS in two instalments ( First- 1,43,090/- and Second-1,21,425/-). Total funds requested in the Original proposal was for Rs.3,32,800/-. Out of that, Rs.2,64,515/- has already been paid to REACHD for utilisation. The balance amount has to be paid to them. But the changes brought in the installtion of pipelines and construction of two tanks alongwith additional fittings has increased the budget. 10.A sum of Rs.20,000/- has been distributed among the twenty beneficieries as agricultural loan. In the original budget, provision was made for an amount of Rs.1,00,000/- for providing assistance to the beneficieries for agricultural use as loan. Out of that, Rs.20,000/- has already been distributed to them and the rest needs to be distributed at the earliest, as this is the peak period of the season and the activities are going on in full swing. POINTS OF SUGGESTIONS: (A) The pump remained unprotected ( See Photograph No.: 1,2,3 & 4 ). It is needed to be protected from getting damaged or theft. Hence, it is suggested that, a pump house needs to be constructed which should be made of iron angle and G.I.sheets. (B) The main switch and the starter also needs protection ( Photograph No.: 5 ). A box needs to be made from iron angle and G.I.sheet to protect from external damage or theft. The height of the box should be risen from the present height of the pole to avoid the reach of cattle or others. (C) The two water tanks meant for distribution channel are half made and needs to be completed at the earliest ( Photograph No.: 6 & 7 ). SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET: 1. It has been estimated that Rs.9,000/- would be required to build a pump house and a safety box for the mainswitch, starter and the meter. I haven’t checked the administrative expenses. The organisation has to submit the Utilisation Certificate for the expenses against the receipt of the second instalment. When roughly calculated, it shows that, the organisation is supposed to get the balance amount of around Rs.1,05,000/-which includes, balance loan of agriculture assistance and the administrative expenses. As per the budget, they were entitled to get the balance of Rs.68,285/-. But with the addition of extra work done, they need a supplementary amount of Rs.36,715/- for completion of the project. As the major portion of the project has already been completed, the balance amount of Rs.1,05,000/- may be released at the earliest to enable the members to get the maximum benefit of the project and to help the organisation to start the process of recovery. I might have failed to present the report in a proper manner, as I lack in knowledge. Please manage with the submission of report. I’m going to send the photographs and the relevant documents through courier, as I don’t have knowledge to send the photographs through scanner. I’m just waiting for the Utilisation Certificate from the organisation.