| West Bengal Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation Ltd. |
| |
| Set up in 1976 under West Bengal Co-operative Societies Act, 1973 the West Bengal Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation Limited, under the patronage of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Govt. of West Bengal, has been functioning exclusively for the development of the tribals. This organization administers mainly through 151 Large Sized Multipurpose Co-operative Societies (LAMPS), which operate at the block level as primary co-operative societies in 15 districts of the state, excepting Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia and Cooch Behar. LAMPS in the state, despite their lapses, is the only organization at the grass root level working sincerely for the poor tribals. |
| |
The West Bengal Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation Ltd., under the aegis of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Govt. of West Bengal, was set up as an apex body of the Large Scale Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS), under the West Bengal Societies Act, 1973 (now WBCS Act, 1983) in 1976.
Through the decentralised machinery of the WBTDCC's regional offices in Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram and Jalpaiguri and branch offices at Malda and Suri, it plays a pioneering role in promoting socio-economic development of the tribal population of the state. |
| |
This Corporation is mainly responsible for looking into all non-credit and development-oriented functions of LAMPS and also for extending credit for tribal members to meet their consumption and social requirements.
The following are the major activities of the WBTDCC and the LAMPS undertaken and adopted during 2007 - 2008 : |
| |
| Procurement of Non Timber Forest Produces (NTFP) |
| Top priority is attached to NTFP operation as they provide seasonal employment to tribal people living in close proximity to forests. The operation is confined to Bankura, Purulia and West Medinipur only and relates to Kendu leaf and Sal seeds collection. While the Kendu leaves collection including pruning provides employment to the tribal people most of whom are women, for a period of 90 days (pruning- January & February, collection of kendu leaves- Mid-April to May), Sal seeds collection gives employment for 30 days from middle of May to end of June. On an average a collector (Kendu leaves as well as Sal seeds) earns an amount of Rs.98/- per day. LAMPS in North Bengal are participating in Citronella plantation and Apiary scheme (honey bee keeping) since 2008. Other LAMPS have also proposed to undertake tea plantation with assistance from WBTDCC. |
| |
| An innovative approach to lac cultivation |
| The Corporation was on the look out for exploring some other possibilities for alternate minor forest produce along with the existing ones. During such endeavour, it came to the notice of the Corporation that Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG), Ranchi has been successful in cultivation of lac in a short height plant namely “Flemingia Semialata” instead of traditional Lac host plants like Kusum, Palash, Kul etc. which are on the decrease due to deforestation. It has been tested and proved by IINRG that such farming commands a potential and fast growing global market with a bright prospect. Convinced of the potential of lac cultivation, the Corporation has undertaken during the current crop year a research and development initiative at Gopiballavpur-1 block of Paschim Medinipur district. The initiative has been launched on a research basis on a stretch of 25 acres of fallow land out of adjoining 500 acres of barren land which may subsequently be covered. The focal point being employment generation, a couple of supportive projects will also be added. Depending upon the outcome of the pilot project so launched it will be replicated to other districts like Bankura, Birbhum and Purulia where vast stretches of fallow lands belonging to the tribal people are available for the said purpose. |
| |
| |
| MFP Operation |
| Top priority has been attached to Minor Forest Produce operations as they provide seasonal employment to tribals living in close proximity to forests. The position of collection and marketing of kendu leaves and sal seeds covering the forest areas of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore during 2007 crop year is as follows: |
| |
| Total collection of kendu leaves |
8490.58 qtl |
| Total mandays created |
170996 |
| Sale value |
Rs. 1,42,13,638.00 |
|
| |
| Total collection of sal seeds |
1408.13 MT |
| Total mandays created |
66074 |
| Sale value |
Rs. 47,17,236.00 |
|
| |
|
| |
| Adivasi Mahila Swashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) |
| |
|
AMSY is a micro credit project implemented by LAMPS since 2003-2004 for empowering the poor tribal women, offering loans as well as subsidy facilities on easy terms for poverty alleviation and generating self employment. The maximum project cost involved is Rs 50,000 with the provision for subsidy upto 50 percent, subject to a maximum of Rs 10,000. The loan is granted at an interest rate of only 3%. The AMSY covers schemes like sal leaf plates making, grocery, paddy husking, goatery, piggery, house dairy, and various such schemes suitable and cost effective for the tribals. Schemes under AMSY have proved to be highly effective for economic development of the poor tribals because the schemes are executed entirely by the tribal women who unlike their male counterpart, plan for the future. Technical trainings are also provided to facilitate proper implementation of the projects. |
|
| |
| National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation (NSTFDC) sent a team of officials to West Bengal to assess the performance of the LAMPS under WBTDCC Ltd. The team, during their visit for five days from 18th to 22nd August, 2008 to different parts of West Bengal, was moved to see the success of AMSY in the state and mentioned that the delivery mechanism adopted by WBTDCC has been something unique which other State Channelising Agencies should replicate. They were happy to see how the implementation of the project is providing poor tribal families with an alternate additional source of regular income. It may be mentioned that the National Scheduled Tribe Finance & Development Corporation has documented the achievement of AMSY in West Bengal as a significant part of their country-wide effort to highlight the success of their working in tribal upliftment. It is unfortunate to note that since the matching subsidy under TSP has of late been withdrawn from such a popular project, the project is in a dying process. 24,145 families (beneficiaries) have been brought under AMSY during the period from 2003-04 to 2010-2011 involving a total outlay of funds amounting to Rs.47.32 crores, district-wise details of which are as follows; |
|
|
AMSY (2003-04 to 2010-11) at a glance |
| Name of the districts |
Number of beneficiaries |
Amount of loan
(in lacs) |
Amount of subsidy (in lacs) |
Total outlay
(in lacs) |
| Purulia |
6168 |
735.51 |
748.63 |
1484.14 |
| Bankura |
4601 |
429.95 |
368.62 |
798.57 |
| Paschim Medinipur |
3106 |
290.29 |
291.66 |
581.95 |
| Jalpaiguri & Darjeeling |
1698 |
158.75 |
156.94 |
315.69 |
| Maldah |
2510 |
234.62 |
238.83 |
473.45 |
| Birbhum |
3086 |
288.22 |
294.16 |
582.38 |
| Bardhaman & Hooghly |
653 |
62.07 |
54.48 |
116.55 |
| Dakshin Dinajpur |
637 |
59.51 |
61.46 |
120.97 |
| 24 Pgs (N) & 24 Pgs (S) |
1624 |
150.62 |
95.66 |
246.28 |
| Purba Medinipur |
62 |
5.82 |
6.20 |
12.02 |
| Total |
24145 |
2415.36 |
2316.64 |
4732.00 |
|
| |
| Sl. |
No of Training |
No of beneficiaries covered |
Fund sanctioned |
Fund received |
Trades Covered. |
Remarks |
| 01 |
18 |
720
(40 Trainees per batch) |
2.52 Lakhs |
1.26 Lakhs |
Goatery, Piggery, House Dairy, Sal leaf plate Mkg, Rope Making etc. |
Training Programmes are going on. |
| 02 |
30 |
1200
(40 Trainees per batch) |
4.20 Lakhs |
Nil |
-Do- |
Yet to start. |
|
| |
| AMSY Form |
| |
| Technical Training under AMSY |
| For successful implementation of the programme, imparting of training to the beneficiaries is a vital element. NSTFDC provides grant up to 100% of recurring expenditure and Channelising Agencies are to arrange such programmes. |
| |
| In the year 2006-07, 18 numbers of technical training programmes were held for about 700 AMSY beneficiaries involving the total cost of Rs. 2, 55, 600.00 out of fund allotted by the State Government. In the year 2007-08 NSTFDC had sanctioned Grant-in-Aid of Rs. 2.52 lakhs for organizing training of 720 beneficiaries in 18 batches on different trades. The Training Programme, in different districts, have successfully been completed. Further NSTFDC has sanctioned training for 30 more batches comprising 40 trainees in each batch, covering 1200 AMSY beneficiaries. |
| |
|
| |
| Grain Bank |
| A centrally sponsored scheme of Grain Banks in tribal areas was launched in the year 1996-97 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and was implemented through Tribal Cooperation Marketing Federation of India Ltd., an Autonomous Body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. At that time it was implemented only in the villages having 50% of tribal population. As recommended by the Standing Committee of Union Ministers and State Chief Ministers in the year 2001, the scheme was extended in all the endemic, drought and migration prone areas with concentration of tribal population and other non-tribal areas. Accordingly it was proposed to include all eligible families living bellow Poverty Line in the grain bank scheme. In November 2004, the scheme was transferred to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & public Distribution for revision and implementation. The scheme was revised in 2006 after sharing views with different NGOs, Government Organizations. |
|
| The main objective of the scheme is to provide safeguard against starvation during the period of natural calamity or during lean season when rural people do not have purchasing power. Such people in need of food, may borrow food grain from the village grain bank, set up within their locality, till they are able to repay the loan. |
| |
| According to the revised guideline, about 30-40 BPL families may form a grain bank. One quintal of food grains is allotted per family as one time grant. An Executive Committee comprising 3-5 residents of the village with at least one woman is formed to run the bank. There is a provision in the scheme to train up the members of Executive committee on functioning of the grain bank. For construction and other purposes cash component @ 14,000/-per unit is allotted to each grain bank. |
| |
| To implement the scheme, The Department of Food & Public Distribution makes allocation of food grains, according to which the Food Corporation of India through their area offices releases the food grain. Similarly, after getting fund from the Govt. of India, WBTDCC allocates the same to different LAMPS through its Region/Branch offices. Finally, LAMPS take necessary measures to drop the grains at grain bank point and hand over the fund to the Executive Committee of the concerned grain bank. |
|
| |
| Income Generating Activities |
| The details of Income Generating Schemes undertaken during the year 2007-08 are as follows: |
| |
| Sl. |
Name of LAMPS |
Region/Branch |
Name of Scheme |
Sanctioned Amount (Rs) |
| 01 |
Ausgram Bl II |
Suri |
Bakery Unit |
3,83,000.00 |
| 02 |
Durgapur |
Suri |
Clean Credit |
3,50,000.00 |
| 03 |
Chattadianmari |
Jhargram |
Fertilizer Business |
2,00,000.00 |
| 04 |
Totopara |
Jalpaiguri |
Marketing of Beetle-nut |
50,0000.00 |
|
| |
|
| Disha under TSP |
| During the current financial year, WBTDCC has launched a scheme under the nomenclature of Disha through Self Help Groups (SHGs), each comprising 10 beneficiaries. Each group is being provided with Rs 1 lakh subsidy. 500 groups was identified in the three districts of Bankura, Purulia and Pashchim Medinipur. These tribal SHGs have been tutored to compulsorily deposit a part of the income generated from investing the money in their own account in the LAMPS, which will serve as a revolving capital for the beneficiary SHGs. Keeping in view the long run advantage of the tribal population, this has been a unique approach of WBTDCC in utilizing the TSP fund. As at the end of the previous financial year, we have provided funds to 470 SHGs with an aggregated amount of Rs.526.40 lacs. |
| Name of the Districts |
Total No. of SHGS |
Total No. of Beneficiaries |
Schemes
undertaken |
Project Cost |
Total amount.
disbursed |
| Bankura |
157 |
1890 |
House Dairy,
Piggery, Goatery |
@ RS.10,000 per unit |
1,89,00,000 |
| Purulia |
185 |
2067 |
Do |
Do |
2,06,70,000 |
| Paschim Medinipur |
128 |
1307 |
Do |
Do |
1,30,70,000 |
| TOTAL |
470 |
5264 |
|
|
5,26,40,000 |
|
| |
| Non-Technical Training (2007 - 08) |
| |
| The Technical Training activities have been found very useful. The performance during the recent years would indicate a positive impact. Read More |
| |
| Organisation / Registration of New LAMPS |
| LAMPS are organized with a view to bring more tribal people under the fold of LAMPS, so that they can get the benefits of economic and other activities of the Govt. executed through the machineries of LAMPS. |
| |
| As per the schematic pattern, its organizational setup comprises one CEO (Chief Executive Officer), one manager-cum-field officer, one accountant, one sales man and one night guard-cum-weigh man. However, a few LAMPS with wider range of activities have got sanction for additional posts of night guard-cum-weigh man and sales man. Each LAMPS is to have a minimum of 500 members in its operational area (not more than one from each family). By a subsequent decision by the Board of WBTDCC, LAMPS in hilly areas may be constituted with a minimum of three hundred ST members. Each LAMPS has got 9 tribal directors out of which 2 are women. The total membership coverage of all the LAMPS is 3,19,814 families, covering almost 38.50% of tribal families in 15 districts of West Bengal. |
| Read More |
|
| Micro Credit Scheme |
| In parallel to AMSY and Disha under TSP, WBTDCC has taken up micro credit schemes from the financial year 2010-11. 8683 numbers of beneficiaries (families) in the districts of Jalpaiguri, Malda, Uttar & Dakshin Dinajpur and Bankura was identified for agriculture and allied activities under the scheme. This scheme, being entirely a short term loan based project without any subsidy component unlike AMSY and Disha at a very low rate of interest, has been targeted to impart a sense of self reliance without subsidy-relief to which the tribals have been used. The Corporation has planned that these SHGs, after their successful execution of the schemes and repayment of loan thereof will be entitled to further support under TSP. Out of the identified families stated above, the corporation has already disbursed funds to the tune of 512.20 lacs as at close of the previous financial year, district-wise details of which are as under; |
| |
District-wise disbursement details of Micro Credit |
| Name of the district |
Number of beneficiaries |
Amount of loan (in lacs) |
Maldah |
825 |
82.50 |
Uttar Dinajpur |
165 |
16.50 |
Dakshin Dinajpur |
2559 |
255.90 |
Bankura |
587 |
58.70 |
Jalpaiguri & Darjeeling |
506 |
50.60 |
24 Parganas (North) |
480 |
48.00 |
Total |
5122 |
512.20 |
|
| |
| Monitoring of income generating activities |
| In order to ensure successful implementation of all income generating schemes under AMSY, Disha and Micro Credit, 144 supervisors and 100 Sahayikas (one Sahayika for 10 to 15 SHGs) have already been engaged. While the Sahayikas will help the SHG beneficiaries in all phases of execution of developmental schemes, the supervisors will maintain a liaison between the LAMPS and the Sahayikas in the field. |
| |
| Appointment of Prani Mitra |
| Veterinary support being one of the most vital components in animal husbandry schemes with which the tribals are traditionally involved, the Corporation has decided to attach one Prani Mitra with each LAMPS. 50 Prani Mitras have already been trained up and attached to different LAMPS. A dialogue is on with the Animal Resources Development Department of the state government for extending the required support in the form of medicine, vaccine, training etc. to the Prani Mitras. |
| |
| Low cost housing |
| The LAMPS in the district of Jalpaiguri, North Bengal have undertaken construction of 1,000 low cost housing, each worth Rs. 1.16 lakhs by themselves for the homeless poor tribals. While out of the targeted number, 500 houses have already been completed, the construction of the rest will be undertaken on receipt of government funds. |
| |
| Participation in ICDS project |
| During the current financial year, WBTDCC has participated as one of the suppliers of food stuff to ICDS projects in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur. Soon the Corporation is going to extend this activity in other districts in the state. After the system is in place, SHGs under LAMPS will be involved in the activity. |
| |
| An innovative project on “Sud Bandhaki” |
| To restore land unofficially alienated from the tribals under the existing Sud Bandhaki practice, the Corporation has identified 200 such families in the Dhupguri block of Jalpaiguri district. A project proposal of Rs. 80 lakhs has been submitted to Govt. of India for funding, a response to which is awaited. The project, if implemented, will definitely make a history in the state. |
| |
| Rehabilitation for the Aila affected Sandeshkhali |
| An exclusive planning beyond the conventional temporary relief initiatives, WBTDCC Ltd has identified twelve (12) islands spread over 8 Gram Panchayats in Sandeshkhali-I and partly Sandeshkhali-II blocks to be taken up for sustained economic rehabilitation. With the active participation of tribal SHGs under Sandeshkhali LAMPS residing in those remote islands of Sunderban, two projects namely, (1) developing a delivery mechanism for marketing essential grocery & stationery commodities in beneficiary-islands by SHGs and (2) vending fuel-wood by SHG women in far-off islands, will be carried out in the current financial year. The project proposal of Rs17.83 lakhs has already been sanctioned and is in the process of implementation. In the second phase another project on Shrimp Farming in the tidal wetlands involving Rs. 99.48 lakhs will be taken up. |
| |
| Special Share Capital Grant |
In accordance with the recommendation of the high-power committee constituted by the Chief Secretary vide his notification no. 1197/DP/P/P-2C, dated. 20.04.04, Special Share Capital Schemes @ Rs. 1,00,000 on an average, had been sanctioned by the state Govt. for revitalizing the weak LAMPS with new income generating activities and programmes.
The Lamps have duly taken up their earmarked work with the fund. The types of schemes undertaken are piggery, goatery, fertilizer business, hardware shop, etc. Constant surveillance and back up in regard to their progress is there from the head quarter and Regional / Branch offices as well.
Status : 100 LAMPS had been identified (28 in 2004-05, 35 in 2005-06 & 37 in 2006–07) for this purpose. Out of the sanctioned cases, 18 are in Purulia, 14 in Bankura, 11 in Jhargram 15 in Jalpaiguri 8 in Malda, 12 in Dakshin Dinajpur, 3 in Uttar Dinajpur, 8 in Birbhum, 6 in Bardwan, 2 in Murshidabad, 2 in Hooghly and 1in North 24 parganas. |
|
| Adivasi Sanchay-o-Dadan Ara (Mini-Banking) Scheme |
| To promote thrift and saving habit among the tribals, the Corporation has planned to install deposit mobilization schemes, popularly known as mini banks, at each LAMPS. With a view to keep a close surveillance over this banking system, one General Manager, Deposit Mobilization has been appointed at the Corporation Head Office. This is a highly popular and effective scheme. Resources and infrastructure along with necessary training has been provided to about 62 LAMPS for installation of such banking services to cater to the financial needs of the tribals living in remote areas. Remaining LAMPS will be covered in phases. The tribals, who could hardly afford a square meal a day, in general, have no perception of tomorrow in their life philosophy. Functioning of mini banks will enable the poor tribals to save the surplus money, however meagre it may be, that they earn from various income generation schemes provided by the LAMPS, and different other government organizations. The NREGS has now become a good source of earning for them. The mini banks, besides developing thrift habit among the tribals not used to it will help the LAMPS in maintaining a regular contact with their member tribal families. |
| |
| Sl |
Name of LAMPS |
Region |
Sanctioned
Amount
(Rs. In lakh) |
Total
No.of member |
Amount
Deposited
(Rs.) |
| 1 |
Sidhu Kanu Birsha |
Jalpaiguri |
1. 00 |
1172 |
16,53,544.00 |
| 2 |
D.R.M.S. |
Bankura |
1. 00 |
2573 |
38,01,643.10 |
| 3 |
Simlapal Adibashi |
Bankura |
1. 00 |
1894 |
5,64,991.50 |
| 4 |
Bonpukuria |
Jhargram |
1.00 |
2804 |
1,58,449..00 |
| 5 |
Chirudih |
Purulia |
1. 00 |
245 |
1,62,235.00 |
| 6 |
Bandwan South |
Purulia |
1. 00 |
2980 |
95,354.00 |
| 7 |
Baradighi |
Jalpaiguri |
1. 00 |
2066 |
4,33,004.00 |
| 8 |
Udayan |
Malda |
1. 00 |
3325 |
7,95,246.00 |
| 9 |
Jalghar |
Malda |
1. 00 |
1782 |
12,620.00 |
| 10 |
Sandeshkhal |
Head Office |
1.00 |
1470 |
21,39,279.92 |
| |
TOTAL |
|
10.00 |
20,311 |
98,16,366.00 |
|
| |
| Agriculture based development of Shabars in Purulia |
| With a view to mainstreaming the Shabars, WBTDCC Ltd, has planned to undertake a phased intervention with a long run target for economic development of the Shabar population in Bandwan block of Purulia district. To begin with, Choto Parashia Shabar village (one of the 25 Shabar villages under the LAMPS) with a total population of 185 in 33 families, have been identified as a suitable area to be adopted for development as a 'model' to be replicated in phases in the neighbouring other Shabar villages under the LAMPS. The project proposal involving an amount of Rs 8.70 lakhs, is awaiting implementation. |
| |
| Tribal Festival |
| Dance and music being the part and parcel of tribal life, WBTDCC tries to extend all support to such festivity. During the financial year 201-11, WBTDCC organized a cultural festival in Kolkata which was participated by the tribal people under LAMPS. 151 LAMPS had cultural programme at the district level to select the three best performing teams who took part in the state level programme held on the 1st & 2nd October, 2010. The programme created a lot of enthusiasm. This helped in building up amity, integration and sharing between the LAMPS and the apex body. |
| |
| Research Cell |
| A research cell has been constituted to evaluate the impact of different developmental activities on the tribal people under LAMPS and recommend necessary steps for better implementation of the programmes. The cell also spots the lacunae, if any, in the functioning of the LAMPS, suggests ameliorative initiatives to be undertaken by the LAMPS and WBTDCC. The Corporation has involved the Director, Tribal Research Institute and an Assistant Professor of a government college in the cell for objective study and views. |
| |
| Computer LAB |
| A computer LAB has been set up at the WBTDCC Head Office under the guidance of National Informative Centre, Government of India. A website on the activities of the LAMPS under the aegis of WBTDCC Ltd. has been prepared for launching. Very soon, the regional and branch offices and some promising LAMPS will be connected. The computerization programme envisages video conferencing for better monitoring. |
| |
| |
|
