Oxfam in Action: Community-Based Monitoring to Claim Right to Food in Jharkhand

Overview

Chetna Vikas and Oxfam have set up village-level Food Security Committees, locally known as the Gram Ahar Raksha Dal (GARD), in 35 villages in two districts, Deoghar and Dumka, in the Indian state of Jharkhand. The GARD provides a platform to the community and for the different food schemes, including the Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Public Distribution System (PDS), to come together, discuss, demand and monitor implementation. The formation of these committees has helped monitor the schemes as well as understand the problems faced by the functionaries in dispensing their duties. These committees have a fair representation of women. Oxfam works in 36 villages of which 35 have set up GARD. Oxfam has been working with Chetna Vikas since 2011.