Today, there is a strong need to accomplish efficient delivery systems for habitat services to ensure the regular livelihood of masons and protect their rights. The masons are the potential ‘agents of change’ of improved rural habitat conditions if their basic capacities are built to meet the needs and expectations of the clients. The Development Alternatives (DA) Group’s endeavours for masons’ capacity building have resulted in the formation of a masons’ association. After being officially launched on October 2, 2007, TARA Karigar Mandal has gone on to achieve several milestones in a short time.

The Mandal has various advantages; it works for the welfare of artisans and their families. It ensures that the artisans of the area as a group become sensitive to the needs and conditions of the rural people in housing and forecasting of marketable skills through the establishment of a labour market intelligence system. The Mandal will help institutionalise the skill and technology in the area to ensure regular livelihoods and better income opportunities. Quality control, training and certification, collective negotiating power for better and sustained livelihoods and accrued social benefits for the member masons are some important areas where the association aspires to work in. Considering the present scenario, there is an increasing demand for skilled labour on account of globalisation, and changes in technology as well as work processes. Production has become globalised and financial markets the world over are becoming integrated. As per the classification of a ‘Report of the working group on Skill Development and Training’, there are 8% skilled, 13% semi skilled and 79% unskilled workers available in the construction sector. This reflects the growing demand of trained artisans in this developing sector.

How Far Have We Reached?

Till date, approximately 120 masons from the villages of Bundelkhand district trained directly under the masons’ training programme have received practical learning on a variety of sustainable cost-effective building practices promoted by DA through its rural habitat work in this region. This skill up gradation results in the increase in the wages of masons and security of their livelihood. Now there are 120 members in TARA Karigar Mandal, delivering services in different types of quality work. Simultaneously, the Mandal is also looking after the mason’s on-the-job training. Recently, 25 masons were trained on 5 types of roofing options. In the field of renewable energy, 15 masons were trained in the construction of the Dinbandhu Bio Gas Plant.

Now these trained artisans are already delivering their services towards creating better infrastructure facilities. Some of the examples of the services provided by the Mandal include delivery of 200 houses by 67 masons in Karikal and also constructing precast toilets.

The Way Forward

In a very short time, the Mandal has carried out notable deliverables in the field of infrastructure development. The challenge ahead is to manage the growth potential of the Mandal in a manner that makes it applicable, pragmatic and sustainable.

The Mandal is planning to launch the mason as a ‘Local Engineer and Delivery Agent’. These exparts will be trained in small engineering tools. A catalogue was developed with drawings, designs and estimates for the masons. Thus, in the future, the mason will came out as the backbone in improving the social housing situation in Bundelkhand. Many developed and developing nations the world over have evolved a standard of certification of competencies at different levels. A person who has gained relevant knowledge and skills, formally or informally in a designated occupation, can undertake an Evaluation Test for certification and recognition of his/her qualification (of competencies). Considering the same, the TARA Karigar Mandal has planned to certify its 60 masons on Habitat Day, who have efficiently delivered their services in Karikal. In the near future, the central government, state government as also private builders will get trained manpower for constructions during the disaster mitigation and reconstruction work. The TARA Karigar Mandal will provide its efficient services anywhere in India. It will also act as a promoter of eco- friendly construction materials and green building technology in both rural and urban areas.

The TARA Karigar Mandal has defined its direction and is now gaining momentum to achieve new heights. q

Sharad Pant
spant@devalt.org

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