IMPACT: Camera Gets MGNREGA Payments for Baiga Workers
Channel: VideoVolunteers
Date: 2015-07-31

Mungeli district, Lormi block, Chhattisgarh | Deena Ganveer
89 people hadn’t been paid the wages due to them for a road construction project under MGNREGA, India’s national rural employment generation scheme. Deena helped them get their wages by filming these testimonies and taking the workers with her to the District Forest Official who was in charge of settling the dues. 

A study in Madhya Pradesh, with a considerably larger Baiga population, suggests that the average sources of livelihoods for the community are dwindling. This has been a direct result of Baigas being forced to move away from the forests they depend on which meant income from basket-weaving, fishing and shifting agriculture among other activities. With few choices they now seek work as wage-labourers in mines or construction sites across Chhattisgarh and it’s neighbouring states. 

There is an increasing dependence on schemes like MGNREGA. In this scenario it is important that schemes like MGNREGA which aim to provide employment and minimise migration work effectively.

See more: http://www.videovolunteers.org/baiga-tribals-alienated-by-government-schemes