SFG3915 Government of Nepal Ministry of Irrigation Department of Irrigation Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project Vulnerable Community development plan Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project Phase II Prepared By: DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION RANI JAMARA KULARIYA IRRIGATION PROJECT TIKAPUR, KAILALI December, 27 -2017 PREFACE This document is the sixth of eight volumes, which describes the Vulnerable Community Development Plan (VCDP) conducted in relation to the Modernization Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme (MoRJKIS) in Tikapur Kailali Districts, Far West in the Province Seven of Nepal. This study was conducted by project proponent (Department of Irrigation, Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project) between April to November 2017 and finalized on December 26, 2017. The Report has been prepared in compliance with the GoN Law and World Bank Safeguard Policies. The report of these studies comprises eight volumes, which are arranged as follows: Volume 1: Executive Summary (combining the finds of EA, BIA, IPM, SA, VCDP & RPF) Volume 2: Environment Assessment (EA); Volume 3: Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA)-; Volume 4: Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM); Volume 5: Social Impact Assessment (SIA); Volume 6: Vulnerable Community Development Plan (VCDP)-this document; Volume 7: Resettlement Planning Framework (RPF); Volume 8: Stakeholder Consultation Proceeding conducted at Tikapur on December 14, 2017. The relevant inputs received from the stakeholders during consultation have already been incorporated in respective reports. It is enclosed for reference only. Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. THE PROJECT ............................................................................................................................................... 1 2. OBJECTIVE OF THE PLAN......................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Specific Objective of the Plan ..................................................................................... 3 3. METHODOLOGICAL PROCESS ................................................................................................................ 3 3.1 Review of Literature /Desk Study: .............................................................................. 4 3.2 Use of existing information ......................................................................................... 4 3.3 Consultations ............................................................................................................... 4 3.4 social and resource Mapping of the Project sites ........................................................ 4 4. RELEVANT POLICY FRAMEWORKS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES ............................................................................................................................................. 5 5. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS OF THE SOCIAL ASSESSMENTS .................................................... 6 5.1 Summary of Social assessment ................................................................................... 6 6. REVIEW OF VULNERABILITY ISSUES IN PROJECT AREA .............................................................. 7 7. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND PARTICIPATION ......... 11 7.1 Key Issues Raised during consultation:..................................................................... 12 7.2 Key Information Disclosure and Dissemination ....................................................... 13 7.3 Continued Consultation and Participation................................................................. 13 7.4 Strategy for Participation OF Vulnerable Communities ........................................... 14 8. VULNERABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN ...................................................... 16 8.1 Budget and Financing:............................................................................................... 20 9. GENDER ACTION PLAN............................................................................................................................ 21 9.1 Overview of Gender issues in development sector ................................................... 21 9.2 Irrigation Sector specific gender issues: .................................................................... 21 9.3 Gender Action Plan ................................................................................................... 22 9.4 Budget and Financing:............................................................................................... 26 10. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT, MONITORING AND GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ................................................................................................................................................ 27 10.1 Institutional Arrangement for VCDP and GAP Implementation .............................. 27 10.2 Monitoring and Evaluation ........................................................................................ 27 10.3 Grievance Redress Mechanism ................................................................................. 28 List of Tables Table-1: Summary of Consultation ..................................................................................... 11 Table: 2: Vulnerable Community Development Action Plan .............................................. 17 Table 3: VCDP Budget Breakdown .................................................................................... 20 Table 4: Gender Action Plan (GAP) ................................................................................... 23 Table-5: GAP Budget Breakdown....................................................................................... 26 Table 6: Monitoring Methods and Responsibilities ............................................................ 27 List of Figures Figure 1- Location Map of RJKI System........................................................................................ 1 Figure 2: Structure of Grievance Readdress Mechanism ............................................................. 29 i|Page Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATION CBS Central Bureau of Statistics CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women DOA Department of Agriculture DOI Department of Irrigation FGD Focus group discussion FMIS Farmer Managed irrigation system GAP Gender Action Plan GESI Gender Equality and Social Inclusion GoN Government of Nepal GRC Grievance redress committee HH Household HYV High Yielding Variety IFC International Finance Cooperation IP Indigenous people KIC Key Informants Consultation M&E Monitoring & evaluation NFDIN National foundation for the development of indigenous nationalities NLSS Nepal Living Standard Survey O&M Operation and Maintenance RJKIP Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project NRs Nepalese rupees SIA Social Impact Assessment SIMF social Impact Management Framework VC Vulnerable community VCDP Vulnerable community development plan VDC Village development committee WB World Bank WUA Water user association WUG water user group ii | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 1. THE PROJECT The Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation System (RJKIS) is the largest farmers’ managed irrigation system in Nepal and was constructed by farmers of the Tharu community. According to the WUA record, Rani was built by farmers in 1896, Jamara in 1960 and Kulariya 1972. At present, Rani has 18 branches, Kulariya, 17 and Jamara, 15. In addition to the branches, each Kulo has large number of outlets and tertiaries to supply irrigation water to the farm fields. The water from the Jarahi Nala, a western branch of the Karnali River, has been diverted to irrigate the land in a traditional way. Over the past few years, the flow in the Karnali River has been shifting towards the East, leaving the Jarahi Nala with less and less water. The farmers are contributing huge number of labour to divert water by excavating a long supply channel up to the Karnali River, which is getting more and more difficult now days. Even after the operational difficulties, these systems are being managed and operated by farmer communities with little input from government and external organizations. For system operation, there exist close ties between the three kulo systems. All of three systems share a common source of water and contributes labour and other resources requires annually for source maintenance while diverting water into canal system. There are three Water Users’ Association, one in each kulo and one apex committee (Federation) that links the three systems together and coordinates for various activities. Figure 1- Location Map of RJKI System To address these issues, the Government of Nepal (GoN), as per the request of the irrigation users of the Rani, Jamara and Kulariya, set up Rani, Jamara, Kulariya Irrigation Project (RJKIP) Office at Tikapur, in Kailali District in FY 2009/2010 to implement the Project activities. The project started procurement activities for the construction of Intake, main canal and feeder canal along with associated structures on the fund allocated to the project by the GON. In the meantime, GON 1|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan requested the World Bank to provide financial support for the remaining works of modernization of RJKIS. The World Bank agreed to provide financial assistance for the Phase-2 for the modernization of RJKIS Proposed Modernisation of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project, Phase II: The major activities in the Phase-2 includes Command Area Development (CAD) work, Command Area Protection (CAP) work, Rural Agriculture Road Improvement work and Agriculture Extension works. The modernization shall also focus on addressing the existing lower-order irrigation system (such as- sub-branches, tertiary canals and water courses) so that irrigation water can reach farmer fields with the optimal flows. Under modernization activity, three pilot area pilot area of each about 300 ha each has been designed down to watercourse level. While planning and designing existing canals alignments have been followed. The Phase 2 will further provide continuation to the WUA/WUG support program along with the implementation of a comprehensive agricultural improvement program. 2. OBJECTIVE OF THE PLAN The overall objective of the VCDP is to ensure that indigenous peoples and vulnerable communities affected by the RJKIP get special attention and all the adverse impacts on them are 2|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan minimized and addressed in a sensitive manner. However, all of the interventions planned in the project are on existing schemes, land acquisition and/or physical displacement are not envisaged. The underlying assumption for the need for protection is that ‘indigenous people’ are frequently susceptible to changes that are normally promised by the development processes. To this end, the project, through the VCDP confirms that IPs and vulnerable communities will receive culturally appropriate social and economic benefits without having adverse impacts due to project intervention. 2.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE PLAN Create enabling environment for the participation of the poor, marginal land holdings and other disadvantages people in the entire process of preparation, implementation down to the monitoring of project activities. Capacity building of poor, small and marginal land holdings and other disadvantages people to enable them to voice their needs and hold the system accountable for their benefits Ensure that project benefits will accrue to all groups and any adverse impacts are mitigated. Define the institutional arrangement for screening, planning and implementation of the plan for projects including grievance readdress mechanism. Define the monitoring and evaluation processes with responsibility of key stakeholders. 3. METHODOLOGICAL PROCESS The VCDP is prepared based on the existing social impacts assessment conducted for the Phase-II of the projects. The processes adopted are summarized in following paragraphs. 3|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 3.1 REVIEW OF LITERATURE /DESK STUDY: In order to understand the participatory system improvement process applied for the modernization of RJKIS, the consultants reviewed the literatures that include both published and unpublished sources of information such as project documents, published and unpublished reports, aide memoires of the WB mission, government policy and program related to social and environmental safeguarding, etc. Much focus was laid in reviewing the documents providing insights to socio-economic and cultural setting of the project area. The following materials were reviewed as a part of information collection.  Various Project documents (aide memoire, DINE survey report 2017; Socio economic census survey 2017 of pilot scheme  Social Impact Management Framework (SIMF; Resettlement Planning Framework; and Vulnerable Community Development Plan prepared under scope of Phase-I 3.2 USE OF EXISTING INFORMATION In order to analysis the socio-economic situation of the study area, information from recently conducted baseline survey 2017 of the entire project area, Census survey conducted for three pilot schemes were largely utilized during data analysis. Additionally, the data from the population census 2011 and Nepal Living Standard Survey 2010/11 were used for the propose of study. 3.3 CONSULTATIONS Focus Group discussions (FGD), Key Informant Interviews (KII) and field observation were the principal tools applied for social assessment and data collection. The FGD with WUA member were focused to understand the general impression of farmer on on-going practices of system modernization and the degree of information and consultation being adopted by project. Free prior and informed consultation were organized in each canal section with women group, occupational caste group and Indigenous people. A total of 515 WUA members, key informants, women and occupational caste attended the FGD. Interactions and consultations with concerned staff member of DOI at project implementation offices, concerned staff of the world Bank were carried out to understand the conceptual framework applied for the modernization of RJKIS. Additionally, consultation meeting and discussion were carried out with the members of main committee of WUA and other three branch WUAs separately. Ongoing system modernization activities were observed in all three irrigation systems. The physical facilities (WUA office) made available under WUA strengthening component were visited and observed in all three locations. Further, on-going WUA operation practices (meeting conduction process, list of beneficiaries with land holding, status of membership distribution and renewal, financial transaction with auditor's reports etc. were looked during office observation In addition to the focus group discussion, key informants were identified and interviewed to record in- depth information required for satisfying the scope of the study. Elderly citizen having knowledge on the history of system evaluation, WUA officials, progressive farmers, women, people from occupational cast, representatives from divisional chapter of DOI, district offices of Agriculture, district forest office were interviewed. 3.4 SOCIAL AND RESOURCE MAPPING OF THE PROJECT SITES Social and resources mapping tool was used to map the exact locations of irrigation systems, major settlement of IPs and other vulnerable communities. Additionally, current and traditional areas for natural resources and cultural sites were identified and marked during the exercise. 4|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 4. RELEVANT POLICY FRAMEWORKS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES In absence of comprehensive and inclusive national policy & regulations for development projects, safeguard related issues in Nepal are being addressed through project specific guidelines prepared in accordance with donors' safeguard policies. Additionally, the provisions articulated in the various legal policies and acts are taken as a basis for social impact assessment. The Constitution of Nepal 5|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 2015, National Foundation for Upliftment/Development of Indigenous Nationalities Act 2002, Local Self-Governance Act, 1999, Forest Act 1993 and Forest Regulation 1995, Irrigation Policy 20113 and periodic Plans have placed significant emphasis on delivering basic services to the disadvantaged and indigenous people, occupational castes, women, disabled and other vulnerable groups. The project triggers the World Bank’s Operational Policy on Indigenous Peoples (OP 4.10) which requires to conduct social assessment. to identity potential effect and prepare plan to ensure that indigenous peoples receive social and economic benefits that are culturally appropriate. The plan is based on the 5. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS OF THE SOCIAL ASSESSMENTS 5.1 SUMMARY OF SOCIAL ASSESSMENT The population of the project area composed of different castes and ethnicity. Indigenous Tharu community has highest population (48%) followed by Chhetri (17%), Brahmin (10%), occupational caste (15%) and others (10%). Subsistence agriculture is the main source of livelihoods, especially for the poor and Tharu ethnic groups. The vulnerable community/people mapping exercise shows that people living in unregistered (ailani) land near forests, people from occupational castes, mukta kamaiya, female headed households, HH with differently abled persons, people living below the 6|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan poverty line are considered relatively more vulnerable in project area .Recurrent natural disasters, basically droughts and floods further added number of poor in the project command areas. Majority of population (66.52%) belonged to age group range 15-60 years in pilot scheme area. These groups of population are considered as economically active population, and can engage in construction activities of the proposed irrigation infrastructure improvement. The occupation in the project area is a mix of farm and non-farm activities. Based on the DIEM baseline survey 2017, 59.9% and 21.7% of household's primary occupation is agriculture and daily wages as main source of livelihood. During the FGD it was reported that more than 80 percent male are used to go India for searching temporary job after paddy plantation and they came back for harvesting. The land holding size between 0.1 ha and 0.5 ha occurs highest in the project command areas (45.4 %) whereas land holding with less than 0.1 ha is 34.1 percent. Nepal Living Standards Survey (NLSS) - 2010/11 reveals that the incidence of poverty has been found to be less among households having more than 1 ha of arable land. The DIME survey revealed that around 79% farmer are "small farmer" having less than 0.5 hectare. This implies that the agriculture component of the RJKIP phase II should have the extension activities focused to these groups of the farmers. The landless and non-titleholders (7%) are directly excluded from participating in WUA activities and enjoy the project benefit because they do not own land in command area. The landownership further affects the women as in the project area, only 11.7% women have land titles. This deprives them from formally participating in WUA activities. The project need to work out on amending WUA constitution to provide HH based membership. Disability is one of the indicators of vulnerability. The HH survey reports of the three-pilot scheme revealed that 270 (1.8 %) persons are differently abled out of 15260 population in pilot project areas. Likewise, disability found in 1.7%of BCTS; 2.0% in Hill Adivasi/Janajati 10 1.8% in Terai Adivasi/Janajati. The data showed that the percentage of differently abled population is highest in hill originate occupational cast (2.6%) group followed by hill originate Indigenous people (2%). Three branch level and one system level WUAs are duly registered and renewed in accordance with government rules. All four committees (Rani, Jamara, Kulariya and Main) have their written constitutions, and all have their offices provided under WUA strengthening component of RMKIP-I. All Badghar from the villages are integrated into formal WUA structure who have influencing role over rules of water allocation, labor mobilization, and imposition of fines and penalties at the village and sub-branch levels. 6. REVIEW OF VULNERABILITY ISSUES IN PROJECT AREA In the project area, there are two major indigenous group, Tharu and Mahar. Out of the total beneficiaries of the project area, about half (48%) of HHs are Tharu followed by Brahmin and Chhetri (27%), and occupational caste (15%) and other constitute around 10% population of the project area. The findings of social assessment shows that the impacts on particular group, whether positive or negative, are generally not different from those on others with the same socio-economic status and land size, like occupational caste or poor Chhetri, because most household in project area do not have different types of livelihoods from other groups. Not all indigenous people are vulnerable or disadvantaged, available resource and poverty remains more important than caste or ethnicity. 7|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan The major ethnic communities – the Tharus – are not in disadvantaged position in terms of their participation in the current governance structure of the irrigation systems as they are more than 71% of WUA functionaries. The presence of dalit is relatively low (4%) in comparison to their population (15%). Furthermore, all Badghar from the villages are integrated into formal WUA structure who have influencing role over rules of water allocation, labor mobilization, and imposition of fines and penalties at the village and sub-branch levels. In project organized training program around 60 % 1 participants were from indigenous communities. This shows the common issues of exclusion and low level of participation from indigenous group does not exist in the WUA. The marginal and small holders located in the tail reach of the system, are relatively disadvantaged as they receive limited irrigation water and are mainly concerned about the timely and equitable water distribution. To this end, appropriate representation of tail enders in a decisive position in WUA is important to ensure that water allocated to all the reaches of canal section. During FGDs it was reported that around 80% of households in project area migrate seasonally for employment. Migrant households often fail to benefit from irrigation because the benefits are not big enough to keep the men at home, while the men are needed to capitalize on the new opportunities. Women left alone at home were often not able to manage the new intensive agriculture. This group needs guidance in simple business planning to allow them to make basic cost-benefit analysis comparisons between investing time at home or migratory labor. When formulating VCDP activities, special attention should be paid to those that are seasonally absent. For those migrants that belong to the most marginal groups a little extra assistance might make the difference between staying at home and migratory labor. While designing the safeguard measures and identifying target group for specific support, land holdings are the best indicators to use as selection criteria for determining specific disadvantages and poverty issues that the plan should address. Nepal Living Standards Survey (NLSS) - 2010/11 reveals that limited land holding in Nepal is a major trigger for the incidence of poverty in rural Nepal. The same report highlights that the incidence of poverty has been found to be less among households having more than 1 ha of arable land, means the larger the size of land holding is, the lesser the incidence of poverty is found. The DIEM report 2017 revealed that around 79% farmer are "small farmer" having less than 0.5 hectare. This implies that the agriculture component of the RJKIP phase II should have the extension activities focused to these groups of the farmers. All poor and disadvantaged groups have mostly the same constraints and mostly the same issues. Generally, these groups are less informed less educated and has very little experience or access to external assistance and external institutions. This therefore decreases their chances of receiving assistance due to inept and naive about the requirements and possible benefits. The concerned of these groups is relatively more focused to equitable benefit sharing, affordable O&M expenses and proportionate to the benefit received. They need opportunities that come along with the project like capacity building, income generation, labor opportunities, water use for other than irrigation. A specific awareness program regarding project support and likely benefit need to be organized through utilizing all means available. Households who having differently abled family member are more frequently suffer from economic difficulties, show more traditional gender role arrangements (usually the women/ mother, is forced to stay at home longer to provide care for such child/member), more frequently in bad health, and have lower well-being than families without disabilities. HH survey report of pilot area shows that around 2% population in pilot area are differently abled and needs care. Depending on whether the disability is mental or physical and depending on its severity, the families having such members may have more 1 RJKIP Project report 2017 8|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan financial difficulties, modified work and leisure activities, limited social life, and greater time constraints due to care demands. These factors make the household having such family members more vulnerable compared to others. Generally, occupational caste and indigenous people are taken in small, marginal land or land less categories, but focusing on these proxy poverty indicators sometimes excludes few really poor Brahmin-Chhetri households, who are also among priority target groups recognized for any kind of support activities. the project need to focus on the specific issues of this category. Even within the Tharu community disparities exist in term of big and small landowners, and male and female-headed households as well as the household situated in head and the tail reach of the command area. Majority of the Mid-hills migrants in the area are from mid and far western regions of the country. Hill communities during the focus group discussions highlighted that Tarai land is considered more appropriate and fertile for farming than the one in the Midhills because of its productivity. Thus, the tendency is that Mid hills' communities invest in purchasing land in the Tarai and migrate gradually for decent life. In addition, living adjacent to Tikapur and surrounding areas is a key attraction for those whose livelihood source is seasonal out-migration to India. In all WUAs of RJKIP, the representation of women is less that what is expected to fulfill the requirements of the Irrigation Policy. Reviewing the existing gender inclusion in WUAs, none of the WUAs have 33% women in their executive committee. In order to meet the legal requirement, it has been practiced that the female members are being selected through the provision of nomination by executive board, and this particular practice makes female member more loyal towards the chairperson and ultimately limits them to express their feeling freely. Further in key positions (chairperson, secretary and treasures) the presence of women is almost nil. Apart from the social barriers existed in the indigenous Tharu community; lack of leadership skill could be one of the reasons that prevent them to take over the principle responsibilities in WUA. This also indicates the need to (a) organize separate leadership skill development training for female member of WUA and, (b) specific provision in the constitution related to selection/election process for women member. The project area of RJKIP is spread over eight VDCs (two municipalities and one rural municipality). while discussing the women's low participation in WUA meeting2, majority of participants were of the view that participating in meeting took more than 2-3 hour to reach the WUA office and sometime and unavailability of public transportation caused delay or forced to miss such meetings. Most of the participants were found aware on agriculture program implemented under Component-C of the project but were unware on process required to get involved in the agriculture production support program. This indicates the need to organize more extensive consultation and review the effectiveness of project public consultation strategy. The project report shows that about 26% out of 2 Daft report Consulting Services for Command area development study of Rani, Jamara and Kulariya irrigation systems phase- ii: Institutional Development Component - 2016 9|P a ge Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan total participants during information dissemination workshops were female however discussion with participant during FGD revealed that the effects are limited because they were not trained and guided to play effective roles in organizing village level consultations and acting as a go between the WUA and their village's women and men. Household census survey -2017 of three pilot scheme shows that around 18% HHs are headed by female in RJKIP area. These HH with dependent children without adult males (sons) are somehow at more disadvantage than other. Once single and poor, women cannot find time to engage in intensified agriculture due to multiple duties at home. While designing the support program for these HHs, care should be taken to correctly identify FHH and not include the wealthier FHH and women in whose name land is registered, but who are still under the male household head. Participants of FGD expressed that close-knit communities generally help single women through labor exchange mechanisms and are also helped by relatives. Their needs and constraints are similar to women in general but more intense: social exclusion, poverty, time constraints. During the FGD, it was informed that family members from more than 9% households have been identified to be migrated abroad and about 80% seasonal migration occurs within the country. Better economic opportunity and livelihood are some of the major causes of migration from rural areas. In this sense, women from migrant family have constraints similar as that of FHH or single women. The literacy rate of women is found lower than the man. However the group discussion witnessed that the cultural barrier are slowly getting weaker as most of women are now participating in the public meetings (25% participants during FGDs), taking part in training program (about 22% in WA training, above 82% in farmer field school), operating the sewing and knitting centers (can be seen in Tikapur market), working as a member of WUA (25%), openly putting their views in the in the mass , dialogue with front of stranger and in some cases it was clearly visible that they were putting their arguments strongly with their husbands while discussing on the gender role in decision making. These are some of the indicators showing relatively better social status of women in the project area. Based on the social assessment and focus group discussion, the following section of the society should be treated as more vulnerable than other.  HHs with Small and marginal land holding whose livelihood largely depends on wage labour  Female headed HHs  Tail end user, especially if they are small holder  Dalit as majority of them possess small land size.  HH having differently abled family member  HH below poverty line 10 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 7. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND PARTICIPATION During the course of social assessment for VCDP preparation, a total of 23 consultations were conducted with IPs and vulnerable communities at different locations of RJKIP command areas. In order to make the consultation free, prior and informed, the meetings were organized after obtaining the consent from indigenous and other vulnerable communities. Before each consultation meeting, indigenous and other vulnerable community's leaders, activists and their organizations were asked to come up with their key concerns/issues associated with the RJKIP. Each consultation meeting was started with a briefing on what the future project activities would be, and what sorts of impacts (both positives and negative) the people might suffer from if the RJKIP phase II activities are executed. Table-1: Summary of consultation Participants by Caste/ethnicity of the Participants Location Date sex Total Male Female Dalit IPs/Tharu others Tikapur 7/25/2017 44 3 - 31 16 47 Manuwa, Janaki 7/26/2017 12 4 - 13 3 16 Jamara Kula (Layakpur, 2074/04/31 - 10 5 5 - 10 Rajipur and Tikapur) Jamara Kula (Tikapur) 8/15/2017 9 - - 7 2 9 Jamara Kula (Tikapur 8/15/2017 9 3 - 10 2 12 Pahadipur, Kulariya Kula 8/14/2017 14 - - 5 9 14 Pahadipur, Kulariya Kula 8/14/2017 - 7 2 2 3 7 Pahadipur, Kulariya Kula 8/14/2017 10 - - 8 2 10 Simreni (Uttar, Dakchin 8/12/2017 - 5 5 - - 5 and Padampur) Rani Kula Simreni (Uttar, Dakchin 8/12/2017 - 3 - 3 - 3 and Padampur) Rani Kula Simreni (Uttar, Dakchin 8/12/2017 6 - 2 3 1 6 and Padampur) Rani Kula Simreni (Uttar, Dakchin 8/12/2017 - 9 - 9 - 9 and Padampur) Rani Kula Simreni (Uttar, Dakchin 8/14/2017 7 2 1 5 3 9 and Padampur) Rani Kula Padhalnapur, Bhagriya, 9/15/2017 26 4 - 20 10 30 Kulariya Kula Salyani Tole, Bhagriya, 9/15/2017 26 3 1 2 26 29 Kulariya Kula Layakpur, Jamara Kula 9/15/2017 24 28 - 52 - 52 Bhagatpur, Jamara Kula 9/15/2017 12 4 1 11 4 16 Naya Tikapur, Jamara Kula 9/15/2017 18 5 - 23 - 23 Layakpur, Jamarakula 9/15/2017 30 2 11 6 15 32 Bhagatpur, Jamara Kula 9/15/2017 37 1 8 6 24 38 Rajipur, Jamara Kula 9/15/2017 39 7 - 35 3 46 Aampur Bhagriya, Kulariya 9/15/2017 28 1 15 1 13 29 Kula Simreni, Rani Kula 9/15/2017 37 26 4 47 12 63 Total (23 Community meetings) 388 127 55 304 148 515 11 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 7.1 KEY ISSUES RAISED DURING CONSULTATION: As a series of free, prior and informed public consultation meetings with indigenous and other vulnerable communities were conducted at different locations at the project. The participants of the consultation voiced several concerns during the meeting. They openly expressed that the project should not be implemented undermining IP's and other vulnerable community's rights (land, river and natural resources). Key concerns, expectation and suggestion expressed by the IPs and other vulnerable communities during consultations are summarized below:  The participants consistently raised concern related to their involvement in all decision-making throughout RJKIP implementation process.  The participants showed their positive attitude towards RJKIP expecting fair compensation and replacement if needed of lost assets including land and natural resources occupied by the local communities. Lands and natural resources have been regarded a s a physical representation of their culture, their spirituality, and their identity.  All the issues related to the rights of IPs and other vulnerable communities that are related to land and natural resources should addressed in line with the provisions spelled out in ILO 169 and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).  If land acquisition, resettlement and relocation is unavoidable, it should be done with the consent of the affected people, with their active participation in the planning processes, and with fair compensation for their losses.  IPs and vulnerable communities focused livelihood restoration programs including provisions of skill trainings, on-farm training, interest free loans for economic activities.  In-sufficient consultation with farmer during the survey, alignment and construction of the irrigation canals.  Water logging, siltation, undomesticated livestock (damage of agricultural crops) problems and solid waste management issues particularly in Tikapur Bazaar area.  Members of IPs, women, and other vulnerable families should get the first priority to benefit from the project including project related employment, skill training and other project induced income and livelihood enhancement opportunities.  Resettlement and rehabilitation package programs that include opportunities for job, capacity building, livelihood restoration package, financial support or soft loan for income generation activities, skill and vocational training, financial support to their traditional organization, community forest user groups, religious institution, NGO, school, business etc.  Special income generation programs should be designed and implemented targeting women and IPs (e.g. skill training and monetary assistance for improved agricultural practices, livestock rearing (goatry, piggery, poultry, dairy etc.), vocational training and monetary assistance for plumbing, wiring, electronic (mobile, TV) repairing, vocational 12 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan training and monetary assistance to run small business-like hotel, tea and coffee shop, bakery etc.  Representation of project affected IPs and vulnerable groups in each phase of project cycle-- planning, implementation and monitoring. 7.2 KEY INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND DISSEMINATION The VCDP will be disclosed and disseminated through project websites, national newspapers and community Radio. In order to ensure more transparency in planning and creating enabling environment for active involvement of vulnerable communities and other stakeholders, the executive summary of the draft VCDP will be translated into local languages and shared with IPs and other stakeholders at different project locations. The VCDP and other relevant project information will also be made available at public places as prescribed by the Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan prepared for RJKIP. Similarly, information related to works progress (related to the implementation of safeguarding plan of RJKI P), potential temporary disruptions to access during construction, grievance redress process, subsidies, employment and other benefits available under the project and procedures for access etc. will be disseminated all concerned stakeholder as prescribed in the VCDP. The VCDP also acts as a depository of documentation and recording of all the public and community consultations related to RJKIP. 7.3 CONTINUED CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION The project management office of RJKIP will have to continue consultation and disclosure process particularly with IPs, vulnerable communities and other local stakeholders throughout the project phase II. Two-way flow of information between the stakeholders and RJKIP is considered vital during all phases of project cycle to ensure the environmental sustainability and social acceptance of the project. The project has emphasized equally for both sharing of project information and getting maximum feedback from the stakeholders for the planning of mitigation measures acceptable to the affected communities and other stakeholders. Thus, continued consultations with and participation of IPs, vulnerable communities and other stakeholders is required during the implementation and operation phase of the project. Such consultation and two-way feedback will be instrumental to address the issues and concerns of the communities while implementing the measures as stipulated in the VCDP and other community development plans. The primary responsibility of the public consultation and disclosure during project implementation and operation lies with the RJKIP. key strategies:  Mobilization of the women representatives or educated women/girl from the occupational caste, or indigenous community for social mobilization and communication for specific target group/community. Use of poster visualizing message will be adopted for those communities where literacy rate is below the average.  Utilization of existing indigenous communication structure "Chiragis" which is widely used and effective in communicating the message relating to resource mobilization in RJKIP area. This will be very effective to communicating with the primary stakeholders, the beneficiaries.  Defined key message for various stakeholders according to their level and need during particular stages of project implementation. A dedicated unit to look after the communication 13 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan affair at PIO will be established and made responsible for ensuring the efficient transparent/ flexible system to respond to the queries/ concerns of the stakeholders  Use of the local FM are very effective and widely listen by the rural people as radio with FM frequency are available in cheaper price as well as can be listen in simple mobile phone. It is believed that the local FM broadcast their program in local languages in a more effective way than other means of communication  Organize period workshop to aware and orient project official on GESI, issues of vulnerable community and other social concerns which are integral part of the project. 7.4 STRATEGY FOR PARTICIPATION OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES The preparation of VCDP followed a participatory approach to enable local communities, particularly the indigenous and other vulnerable communities to have their role in the planning and development process of this plans. During the course of VCDP preparation, indigenous and other vulnerable communities have been interviewed on an individual basis, consulted in group discussions and meetings in order to understand and collect their needs, priorities, and preference regarding the project implementation. Separate focus group discussions were held with indigenous communities and other vulnerable communities to assess the project impacts and benefits to these groups. Accordingly, VCDP has been prepared with their feedback of concerns, requests and recommendations. The VCDP implementation will continue this participatory approach to ensure free, prior and informed consultation with indigenous and other vulnerable communities. The project ‘s VCDP includes a strategy for the ongoing involvement of affected people, including vulnerable groups, in project preparation and implementation. Core components of this strategy are: (a) the representation of affected people/vulnerable groups on VCDP implementation structures; (b) a grievance management system for the resolution of grievances and disputes; and (c) monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track implementation issues. The key provisions proposed in VCDP for indigenous communities and other vulnerable communities will be disseminated through appropriate means of communication. The RJKIP will use a range of communication/information dissemination mechanisms, including written documents (information sheets and newsletters), FM radio broadcasts through local radio stations, community meetings, focus group discussions and social mobilization. A key focus of the future consultations will have to be on mitigation measures specified in VCDP. These topics will be further discussed extensively to ensure that individual households are aware of the proposed benefit maximization measures targeted to them. In particular, it will be important for the indigenous and other vulnerable households to have a thorough understanding on the activities articulated in the plan The project will adopt both mainstreaming and targeted approaches to maximize the project benefits and opportunities for indigenous communities and other vulnerable communities. Mainstreaming approach includes increased participation and proportionate representation of indigenous communities and vulnerable communities in various user groups and committees formed under the project promoted and sponsored social and community development activities so that their needs, priorities, interests and perspectives are reflected in project planning and implementation. 14 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Targeted approach will cater poor and disadvantaged indigenous communities and other vulnerable communities through livelihood enhancement skills training activities to enable them to take full advantage of project opportunities and benefits, including employment opportunities. Livelihood enhancement skills training will be targeted to these groups on the basis of their specific needs and priorities. 15 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 8. VULNERABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN Generally, it is believed that appropriate income generation activities, infrastructure development and capacity building programs improve the livelihoods of the poor and socially excluded groups. The RJKIP specific VCDP is expected to contribute to all 3 aspects of social development: income generation, infrastructure development and capacity building. To this end the project will directly contribute to increasing agricultural productivity and production through improved access to year- round irrigation that will create/enable condition for crop diversification and increased cropping intensity. The action plan is largely deals with addressing the issues of small and marginalized farmer to ensure their participation and create enabling environment to share the benefits. Table 2 depicts the vulnerable community development action Plan of the RJKIP area. 16 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Table: 2: Vulnerable Community Development Action Plan Activities Target group Result indicator Responsible 1. Improved access to information Orient project implementation staff on the objective, Project staff and WUA Number of PIO + Agriculture staff member PIO process and procedure of VCDP through regular/periodic executive board receives orientation on VC and GESI issues workshops Awareness raising on project scope and benefits utilizing ALL beneficiaries - 60% of participants in consultation are from PIO + system wider ranges of communication such as: (a) local FM; marginal/small farmer or landless category. HH level WUA poster; pamphlets, (b) consultation programs at various are informed how to access the government level of canal system, (c) Utilization of existing indigenous support provided through RJKIP communication mechanism "Chiragis" for delivering project information to beneacaries and (d) Train and mobilize - 50% of social mobilizer are recruited are from representatives from the Dalit, women or indigenous dalit and indigenous communities community for disseminating information. - Number of Chiragis oriented on process and procedures of stage II of the project Periodic consultation with key stakeholder to share the DADO, forest office, civil Number of consultation and number of participants PIO project updates society' local chapter of with social disaggregated data FNCCI, elected local government entities etc 2. Creating enabling environment for the Participation in project activities Re-organization of WUAs and associated sub-committee to Small & marginal farmer The WUA reorganized and the appropriate PIO + system make more inclusive and geographically balanced from tail end number of marginal land holder, dalit and FHH level WUA representation included in WUA governance structure. Formulate inclusive participant selection criteria to ensure Small & marginal and Guidelines prepared and endorses by WUA, 40% System level the participation of the target group in all the training and landless farmer of participants are from vulnerable group WAU + PIO + capacity development efforts organized by the project Agriculture component Prioritize the participation of land less beneficiary as wage Land less and farmer Strategy developed and streamlined in WUA PIO + system labour in construction site having less than 0.1 ha operation; Number of landless and small holder level WUA (0.1 ha) engaged in construction Establish a mandatory provision to organize consultation at Beneacaries Number of consultation organized PIO+ concerned concerned canal and present the draft final design providing WUA 17 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Activities Target group Result indicator Responsible enough space for modification to address the diverse need of farmer through multiple use of the irrigation water. Establish special cell or sub-committee under each sub- Land less and farmer Number of sub-committee established PIO + sub- branch committee with special mandate to voice and having less than 0.1 ha 50% of member in sub-committee are from branch WUAs safeguard the needs of landless and ultra-poor landless or ultra-poor 3. Agriculture support program Ensure the participation of target group in commercial Small and marginal land 40% of training participants are included from the PIO+ Agriculture agriculture activities holding farmer target group component 20% of targeted farmer involved in commercial farming activities. Link target group with agriculture mechanization support Small and marginal land MOU signed between the DADO and apex WUA Agriculture program under agriculture support component of the project holding farmer, specially on liking the target group with agriculture component + FHH and HH with component system level differently abled people WUA Link target beneacaries with post-harvest and marketing Small and marginal land Out of the total participants, at least 20% are from Agriculture support program under agriculture component holding farmer small, marginal farmer or from differently abled HH component Differently abled HH Marginal and public land support program (Riverbed Landless and ultra-poor- Farmer's group formed for riverbed farming and Agriculture farming, flood plan public land etc) (less than 0.1 ha holders) 30% participants are from landless category component Link target beneacaries with Livestock production support Landless and ultra-poor- % members are from target group in each Agriculture program under agriculture component (less than 0.1 ha holders) livestock support program component 4. Capacity support Leadership development training Executive members Number of WUA executives (those represents tail PIO representing Small and reach, marginal and small land holding, dalit and marginal land holding other vulnerable class) provided leadership farmer and female development training Income generation training (poly house vegetable Small and marginal land 20% of participants receiving agro based income PIO link with production, green house for high value crop etc) holding farmer generation activities are form relatively vulnerable Agriculture group component 18 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Activities Target group Result indicator Responsible Linking with existing civil society organizations providing Small and marginal land Number of training classed organized Farming; marketing and financing literacy and technical training holding farmer; 20% of training participants are from target group Differently abled HH 5. Integrated approach to work with various service provider Facilitation of improved access to rural credit/inputs Small and marginal land Number of small and marginal farmer receiving PIO through linking groups to cooperative, agro vet service holding farmer service from cooperatives and other service provider etc. providers 19 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 8.1 BUDGET AND FINANCING: The Plan will have to be tied with the project implementation schedule and is thus driven by it. It requires no additional resources; however, some resources may require to organize capacity support events and to initiate the integrated approach to establish functional relations between the WUA and other disadvantaged group with various service providers. Table 3: VCDP Budget Breakdown Total number of Budget Amount Budget line Activities activities/events (US$) Awareness campaign  Orientation to project staff member 5 - one each year and orientation program internalize VC issues in its working procedure  Orientation to WUA executive's 2 – one to each newly 27,000 member to internalize VC issues in elected committee its working procedure  Orientation to locally hired social 5 - one in each year mobilizer, Chiragi  WUA – to internalize the VP issues 2 in its working procedure of WUA Capacity support  Specific leadership development 20,000 training to EC member representing VC 5 Agriculture support  Commercial farming program Link with Agriculture  Income generation component  Link with market Integrated approach to Joint workshop with various work with various service organizations involvement in social provider development focusing to the issues of  Access to rural credit 10 15,000  Access to input supplier  Access to health, water and sanitation services Cooperative formation Workshop + support for office 3 (one in each 110,000 establishment branch) Social Mobilization Recruitment of local social mobilizer 215-person days 43,000 20 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 9. GENDER ACTION PLAN 9.1 OVERVIEW OF GENDER ISSUES IN DEVELOPMENT SECTOR In rural Nepal, institutional and structural barriers exist to exclude women from playing a meaningful and equitable role in society. For example, women are subjected to the dominance of patriarchal values including, in practice, the denial of rights to landed property, despite the Constitution and law gave women equal rights over ancestral property. In reality, the property is inherited to men in particular land, house and other assets. This limits woman in accessing loans from formal banking institutions by putting the assets as collateral. Division of labor by gender within households is also inequitable as women shoulder more responsibility than men, particularly regarding household chores including farm activities. Likewise, traditionally, participation, control and mobilization of public activities falls within the domain of men and thus minimize the mobility of women to participate in community meetings, capacity-building exercises and other opportunities provided by development organizations, including those offered by the project that they are associated with. Analysis of gender differences and inequality is important for irrigation project design because women are prime users of irrigation systems, as they, more than anyone else, are the ones that cultivate the fields, and use systems for domestic purposes (drinking, doing dishes, bathing children, laundering, livestock raising and kitchen gardening). On the other hand, they are, compared to men, hardly involved in the planning and design of the infrastructure. 9.2 IRRIGATION SECTOR SPECIFIC GENDER ISSUES: Land ownership (titleholder): Lack of land ownership is key barrier for women's participation in irrigated agriculture: This is because : (a) land titleship is prerequisites to get the formal membership in WUA which ensures the participation in WUA election with voting right and other activities; (b) access to credit facilities through financial institution for investing in improved irrigated agriculture has not been possible without land certificate; (c) not being a member, most of the women are not consulted during system design and structure layout which have negative effect such as water management, labor contribution etc among the excluded. For instance, irrigation water can also be used for washing, livestock etc and such tasks generally falls in the domain of female. The consultation during design can incorporate a modification to use the water for washing and other purposes and to return it to canal - enhance multiple use of the irrigation water. Consultation with the users while placing a water structures is important to address the users need in the design. For this reason, all user's participation, specially women's in formal water organization to implement irrigation activities is the important. Women do most agriculture related work: In Nepal, women contribute significantly to agriculture sector, which is getting progressively feminized over the period time. Women, due to traditional gender division of work, have less understanding about matters and experiences associated with community work. However, due to out-migration of male members from rural area, women have stepped into more aggressive leadership roles than they traditionally had. According to national census figure of 2011, one out of ten, have migrated from rural area in search of better employments. Women’s labor contribution to agriculture was 30.4 percent in 1971 which has now climbed up to 75 percent by 20153. Similarly, more than 70 percent of livestock farmers comprised of women. These figures are enough in themselves to justify the need to introduce women friendly technologies substituting labour intensive agriculture operation in rural areas. 3 TA 48218-001 NEP: Agriculture Sector Development Program: Project Preparatory Technical Assistance: Interim Report, 2016: 21 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Irrigation is considered as male dominant activity: Mainly it involves construction works involving technical people/engineers etc. However most of the training program planned and organized related to water allocation, distribution and system maintenance are targeted to male only. Furthermore, women have practical ideas about irrigation at household and community level, however, the project consults naturally more with men, as these have more time and are of same gender as most project staff are men. Women are more reliable partners for a project because they are sincerer, ensure benefits to reach the whole family and remain in the area almost all year and largely involved in O&M of canal due to the out migration of male. 9.3 GENDER ACTION PLAN Key strategy to enhance the roles and opportunities of women farmers and households is reflected in specific gender-focused plan prepared for RJKIP. Under the scope of this project women will have improved access to irrigation, a proportionate role in its management and access to participation in all activates including the training. The role of women in WUAs as well as other agriculture associations will be enhanced to maximize their benefits from irrigation. Improved access to farming technology will also be linked with agriculture component of the project. The social mobilization process will put its sharpened focus on bringing women’s participation rate beyond the minimum threshold of 33% as required by the DOI for all registered WUAs. Since the WUAs have failed to achieves minimum representation, the project will have to work for increasing women participation ensuring a constructive role for women in leadership and decision-making through specific capacity support. To enhance the impact of their participation, the WUAs will be oriented towards:  Providing extra group management skill training for WUA/WUG members.  Provide extra trainings for women functionaries in required skills.  Sensitize WUAs and WUG to adjust meeting venues, times and styles to support women’s needs and preferences. To support this, the project will focus on increasing participation, confidence and technical capacity of women in irrigated agriculture and, will work to make improvements in the social environment of the WUA. To this end, the Project will provide gender sensitization training to the leadership of WUAs of RJKIP to help develop a more cooperative attitude and facilitate an increased and more active participation of women in WUA activities. Women do a major share of community labor contribution and are also part of the construction labor force in RJKIP. The WUA and project will ensure that work conditions are conducive to women’s participation, e.g. by choosing suitable construction seasons and time for voluntary labor. The WUAs/RJKIP shall also ensure that equal payment for work of equal value shall be paid to women. This should be a mandatory obligation on the WUA, specified by a special condition in the WUA agreement. The project has provision of M&E system that monitors overall progress with gender and social inclusion through internal progress and benefit monitoring, and external benefit monitoring and participatory monitoring mechanisms undertaken by consultants that include evaluation and social audits. All relevant indicators are disaggregated by gender. 22 | P a g e Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Table 4: Gender Action Plan (GAP) Key issues Activities Targets group performance indicators Responsibility Lack of information Prepare/update socio- economic data disaggregated All beneficiaries All project data are PIO about the status of by gender caste and ethnicity gender/social disaggregated women Awareness-raising on the various aspect of project All man and women At least 40% women PIO and implementation beneficiary participation agriculture farmers in the Project area proportionately from diverse component Gender issues will be included in information, caste and ethnic groups in all materials and messages for subproject planning,  Men and women of major consultations WUA capacity building, system construction and targeted households, agricultural extension  Officials and members of Less access to WUA Use of wider ranges of communication such as: (a) information local FM; poster; pamphlets, (b) consultation programs at various level of canal system, (c) Utilization of existing indigenous communication mechanism "Chiragis" for delivering project information to beneacaries and (d) Train and mobilize representatives from the girl/women from Dalit, or indigenous community for disseminating information to specific target group. Aware and orient WUA to include more women in % of representation and executive board at least one in key position presence of women from different socio-economic groups in all meeting All sub-committed constituted in accordance with project requirements are fully inclusive % of the women included in low level of WUA the WUA executive Facilitate WUA in drafting policy for minimum 33% PIO- SEIDU participation women participation in all training and events (president, secretary, and organized in the scope of project treasurer) Aware WUA to fix female friendly meeting Venue that Gender friendly guidelines so women can feel free and uninhibited in their prepared discussions Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Orient WUA towards amendment of WUA Constitution providing more space for female representation, special provision for women headed HH and migrants HH and guidelines for their meaningful participation Membership based on husband and wife from to be WUA constitution amended to revised in the WUA Constitution provide HH based membership Design and organize specific capacity building Women in WUA executive at least 40% of participants of PIO- SEIDU programs for women groups/FHH with focus on skill boards and women leader the program are women management, communication skills, book-keeping, from respective Poor leadership decision-making processes, governance, branch/tertiary canals. qualities accountability and transparency at least 20% of participants of Agriculture Study tours both within and outside the Project area the study tour program are component districts. women Gender sensitization training (with focus on the both male and female number of training organized PIO- SEIDU change of power relationships - Male + Female) member from HH Create conducive environment for women’s number of female started to participation following core labour standard such as work as paid labor Gender disparities equal wage, no child labour, no force labour Gender sensitive physical facilities i.e. separate sanitation/lavatory facilities in construction sites. Organization of work and its implementation conducive to Gender need Establish functional linkage with extension and other PIO- SEIDU services provided under the scope of agriculture At least 50% of total trained Limited access to component farmers are women/ Female services or less Women farmer involved in farmer familiar with Farmer field school and short agriculture skills training commercial farming technologies conducted with reference to women's existing skill Agriculture level and constraints on time and need 50% of the women farmers component have access to extension Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Focus on female headed households on HVC services provided by agencies production, processing, post-harvest activities, marketing, irrigation management, and farm No of women farmer involved mechanization in agro-based entrepreneurship Possible increase of Link with modern technologies (use of small farm Female headed % HH adopting new Agriculture workload due to machinery) supported by RJKIP agriculture households + HH with technology component involve in extensive component differently abled family irrigated agriculture member Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 9.4 BUDGET AND FINANCING: The Plan will have to be tied with the Strengthening Water Users Associations/Groups and Agricultural Production Support component of the RJKIP-II and implemented with the resources allocated to these components. However additional resources may require to organize capacity support events and to initiate the integrated approach to establish functional relations between the WUA and other disadvantage group with various service providers. Hence some budgetary provisions are proposed. Table-5: GAP Budget Breakdown Total number of Budget Amount Budget line Activities activities/events (NRs) Awareness campaign  Awareness events at prject level and orientation program  Orientation to project toward gender 5 – one event (two sensitive planning and events a year for three year) 25,000 implementation  Drafting gender friendly WUA operational guideline  Specific leadership development 10 (two events per program for women functionaries in year for 5 year) Capacity support 20,000 WUA  Commercial farming Activities will  Income generation have to linked Income generation 4  Link with market with agriculture  Link with service provider component Integrated approach to  Joint workshop with various work with various service organizations involvement in social provider 2 (once a year) 5000 development focusing to the issues of women Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan 10. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT, MONITORING AND GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM 10.1 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT FOR VCDP AND GAP IMPLEMENTATION The key agencies involved in implementation of this framework are the Ministry of Irrigation, Department of Irrigation, the RJKIP PIO Office. The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources will be responsible for overall coordination of VCDP -and GAP related activities. The PIO will have the planning and implementation responsibilities. All the activities articulated in the VCDP and GAP are to be carried out as part of the project implementation process and procedures through the same institutional set up for project execution. The Social, Environment and Institutional Development Unit (SEIDU) in the office of the PIO will lead and supervise the activities related to the preparation and implementation of the vulnerable community development plan and gender action Plan. The SEIDU will work together with the engineers in the Project Office on-site to make sure that the basic principle of safeguarding will be followed during project implementation. 10.2 MONITORING AND EVALUATION The Planning and implementation of social safeguards compliance will be monitored both internally and externally. The purposes of both monitoring are to provide feedback to the management to take timely corrections in the implementation procedure and improve the performance both outcome and impact levels. Major objectives of monitoring are to ensure the followings: (i) actions and commitments in the mitigation plans (RAP, VCDP and GAP) are implemented (ii) Mitigation measures are effective in sustainabily enhancing (or at least restoring) affected people’s living standards and income levels (iii) complaints and grievances lodged are followed up and appropriate corrective actions taken. Two monitoring systems will be applied ; 1. Internal Monitoring: The internal monitoring is undertaken on a regular basis to track the problems and performance against the planned activities and schedules. The Project will be responsible to undertake internal monitoring which will include mainly the indicators of VCDP and RAP implementation. The indicators to be captured are normally the progress on benefit enhancement activities targeted to the vulnerable people, supports to severely affected people, restoration of income and livelihood of Aps. The project will produce quarterly monitoring report and submit to the Bank. 2. External Monitoring: An Independent expert or Agency will be hired to undertake external monitoring of RAP and VCDPs. Overall objective of external monitoring is to provide unbiased and updated status on implementation of social safeguard measures including compensation, resettlement, rehabilitation, training, income generation and livelihood improvement. Table 6: Monitoring Methods and Responsibilities Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Performance/results Type of Tool, Frequency Against Responsibility monitoring process/Method Field visits, progress Branch and sub- Process Day to day Action Plan review, public branch hearing/auditing WUA+PIO Field visits, progress Progress Quarterly/annually Action Plan review, public PIO hearing/auditing Involvement party/group Quarterly, annually Work plan, Field visits, progress Internal progress report, review, public WUA+PIO field visit report hearing/auditing Occasionally as Issues based, Progress review. needed but at least progress or field interaction with Independent Independent once during the report primary stakeholder experts hired by implementation PIO period At the end of the Progress review. All stakeholder Joint implementation of Action plan interaction with involved including plan primary stakeholder 10.3 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM Grievance Redress Committees (GRC) are locally constituted committee in accordance with the project provision for dispute resolution with regard to overall project intervention. The GRCs established at the various level of the project will mandated to receive and facilitate the resolution of APs' concerns and grievances about physical and economic displacement including other impacts due to project intervention, paying particular attention to the impacts on vulnerable groups. The project Grievance readdress mechanism (GRM) consists of three layers. The first layer of the GRM will be at Mauja or settlement level led by Badghars. This will be the continuation of existing indigenous practices of grievance resolution The second layer of GRCs will be created at branch canal level, led by the secretary of Branch committee whereas the project level, the GRC will be led by the by elected chairperson of rural/municipalities. The structure of GRM is presented in following figure. GRC procedures: The information about the existence and working procedures of GRCs will widely be disseminated in the project area. The committees are mandated to address the concerns of APs’ and complaints promptly, using an understandable and transparent process that is gender responsive and socially inclusive, culturally appropriate, and readily accessible to the APs at no costs and without retribution. The APs may submit their concerns or grievances verbally or in writing to the Committee. All complaints/grievances received are documented properly at branch and system level GRCs. Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Respecting the indigenous practices of grievance handling at Mauja/ settlement by Badghar, documentation of complaints/grievances will not be mandatory, however the project will encourage them to document grievance received at settlement level too. Third Layer of Grievance Readdress Committee (Project Level) Chairperson - Chairperson of Rural/Municipalities Member - Representative of Main WUA – one male one female Member - Representative of AP Member - Project Office Second Layer of Grievance Readdress Committee (Branch Canal Level) Chairperson - Secretary of Branch Committee Member - One female member Member - WUA secretarial staff Member - Project Office Member - Representative of concerned ward chairperson (Other member can be invited as the nature of grievances) First Layer of Grievance Readdress Committee Chairperson - Badghar of concerned Mauja/Settlement Figure 2: Structure of Grievance Readdress Mechanism The followings steps are followed for grievances management Steps 1: APs file the complaints in GRC at settlement level. Complaints of APs on any aspect resulted due to project intervention or issues related to land donation, compensation, relocation or unaddressed losses is in the first instance are discussed and settled verbally or in written form with GRC at settlement level. The GRC at this level will have to respond within 7 days from the date of complain registration. Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Scheme Phase II Vulnerable Community Development Plan Steps 2: If no understanding or amicable solution reached from the GRC at settlement level, APs can appeal to their respective branch level GRC. While lodging the complaint, the AP must produce documents to support his/her claim. The Committee will have to make field-based assessment to verify and examine the grievances. After proper examination and verification of the grievances, the committee will facilitate WUA, APs, and other concerned parties to agree on a time-bound action plan to resolve the grievance if found to be genuine. The GRC at branch level will have to provide the decision within two weeks from the registration of the appeal. Step 3 If the grievances are not settled at branch level APs can appeal to the project level GRC. While lodging the complaint, the AP must produce documents to support his/her claim. The working procedures of the committee will be decided by itself. The GRC at project level will have to provide the decision within one month from the registration of the appeal. Steps 4: If AP is not satisfied with the decision of project level GRC or in the absence of any response of its representatives, within one month of the complaint, the AP, in his/her last resort, may file the case to the appropriate courts of law and access the country’s legal system.