Govt's 'Shramadan' initiative gathers dust

With modernisation, values and traditions that our forefathers have laid down are diminishing and ‘Shramadan’ — community service — too is no different. There were times when a particular day was dedicated in a week for ‘Shramadan’ in the villages.

The day would see people together cleaning the tank, roads, planting saplings, or such works. Usually, Monday was such a day. Those who would remain absent for the ‘Shramadan’, they were penalised. But today, for any work, people just point their fingers towards the local civic bodies and leaders.

A few years ago, the government had attempted to have ‘Weekly work’ through the Panchayat Raj Department. And it had fixed Monday for ‘Shramadan’ and a circular in this regard was sent. But the circular never saw light of the day.

To ensure good environment in villages and also create awareness on cleanliness among people, a novel programme ‘Swachategagi Shramadan’ was launched. According to it, gram panchayats should hold ‘Shramadan’ in its villages on Monday and it should involve volunteers, residents and even schoolchildren. The programme was initiated by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

Under the programme, meeting should be held every month in gram panchayat and taluk levels and later, report should be submitted. District level officers if paid visit to schools or anganwadis on Mondays, they must involve in cleanliness programme. Gram Panchayat members and councillors should inspect drains and school premises in their respective wards. “

They were expected to take people’s assistance in such programmes,” but such a programme is gathering dust in government files.

With the recent success of ‘Shramadan’ held by the district administration to clean up temple ponds, people feel that the department’s novel initiative should be implemented.