Evaluated-19-1-2022

Village Fieldwork Segment

PRM 42

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Exploratory Study of the Village

Village: Bilpank

Gram Panchayat: Bilpank

Block: Ratlam

District: Ratlam

State: Madhya Pradesh

Prepared by:

Aditi Agarwal (P42173)

Reeya Thakur (P42146)

Shaurya Sharma (P42215)

GROUP NO. 47
 Executive Summary - Exploratory Study of the Village
Bilpank Village, Madhya Pradesh

Objective and Scope of Study:

The objective of our ESV is to have a comprehensive understanding of Bilpank’s society, polity, economy
and day-to-day functioning, and to understand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the same. The study
encompasses household information related to occupation, agriculture, economic status, income-
expenditure pattern, awareness and benefits of various schemes, assets held and their perception about
basic amenities provided to them. Demographic studies, geographical and topographical studies and
institutional systems and facilities within the village have also been studied.

Methodology and Sources of Data:

For the household surveys, we did a random sampling within each segment of the village divided on the
basis of community i.e., SCs, STs, Patidars, Jaats and OBCs to name a few.
Surveys were conducted in all institutions. Schools were surveyed to understand the enrollment patterns
and quality of education.. PHC and a few private clinics within Bilpank were surveyed. All the three
Anganwadi centers were surveyed to collect data on childcare. KRIBHCO was surveyed to understand the
cost of agriculture inputs, types of inputs sold, and sales patterns. FGDs and personal interviews with
farmers and those engaged in organic farming were conducted. While working on the Rural Tourism
project of Virupaksh Temple, a shop listing survey was conducted of all enterprises in the village. We
gathered information from the key leaders and influential people in Bilpank like Sarpanchpati, Ashok
Patidar, Reena Panchal, and other political and community heads.
PRA provided data about daily routines, annual cropping patterns, politics and influences within the
village and water supply. Apart from the primary data, we also used the secondary data provided by the
Gram Panchayat.

Analysis and Findings

Data on various verticals of agriculture, water facilities, solid waste and greywater management, alternative
livelihoods, land use and institutional data was collected.
99% of the households are dependent on agriculture. The major crop sown is Soybean in the Kharif season
and Garlic, potato, wheat, onion, pea, and gram in the Rabi season. A majority of area in Bilpank is under
the Forest Department due to which the development of the village is limited. The Gram Panchayat is
headed by the Sarpanchpati and Gram Sabha meetings are held occasionally with very low attendance.
Healthcare is provided by the PHC, two clinics, one veterinary hospital and three anganwadis. There is an
open drainage system throughout the village and drinking water is supplied every three days to all
households. There is no waste disposal facility anywhere in the village. There are four schools in the
village consisting of two private and government schools from primary to higher secondary level, teachers
commute daily from Ratlam. Bilpank has a religious significance due to the Virupaksh Temple where
lakhs of devotees visit during Mahashivratri and a mela is organised in the village.
Other key issues found are related to lack of public lighting, major water scarcity during summers and
unequal development throughout the village.

Challenges and Lessons

One of the main challenges we faced was gathering the accurate information as there were varying
perspectives provided to us. Given the size of our village and the various communities with more than 650
households, it was a challenge to cover all the households from different communities.
Lessons learnt while carrying out on-ground surveys were managing social obligations and observing
without interfering in local practices and belief systems.