Covid-free Village Program: Preliminary Assessment Report | Oct'21

Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana Pune
Covid-free Village
Program
Preliminary
Assessment
Report
October 2021

Covid-free Village Program
Preliminary assessment to understand stakeholder acceptability, enablers
and barriers in empowering village communities for Covid-19 risk-reduction
– Pune District, Maharashtra
October 2021
Study Report
Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana
Pune

© Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana, 2021
Data analysis and report preparation by:
Shri. Gopal Kulkarni
Senior Biostatistician and M&E Consultant, Pune
Shri. Gopal Kulkarni has over twenty-five years of experience in public health research, primary and advanced
statistical analyses, impact evaluation, and in designing Measurement, Learning & Evaluation (MLE) systems
for health and development programs. He has a Masters in Statistics and has undergone training in statistics
and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
Level 8, Muttha Chambers II
Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune – 411016
Maharashtra

5
Preliminary Assessment Report
Table of Contents
Headings Page
Table of Contents 05
List of Tables 06
List of Figures 07
Glossary of Abbreviations 08
Executive Summary 09
Introduction, Study Design and Methodology 15
Section 1: General Information of Study Villages
• Distribution of villages by population size 20
Section 2: Training of Village Task Forces
• Training methods and content 21
• Coverage of training 21
• Summary of Village Task Forces (VTF) covered under training 22
Section 3: Initiatives by Village Sarpanchs for Making their villages Covid-free
• Training of village Sarpanchs 24
• Exposure to people’s movement video 24
• Activities carried out by village Sarpanchs 24
Section 4: Awareness and Covid Appropriate Behaviours
• Activities carried out by VTF-1 27
• Awareness activities carried out by VTF-1 28
• Summary of activities carried out by VTF-1 30
Section 5:Support for Tracing, Tracking and Testing for Covid-19
Section 6: Facilitating Services at Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres
• Working mechanism adopted by VTF-3 to identify patients who need admission in quarantine
centres/Covid care centres
35
Section 7: Increasing Utilization of Covid-related Government Schemes
• Working mechanism adopted by VTF-4 to identify potential beneficiaries of Covid-related
government schemes
39
Section 8: ImprovingCoverage of Covid-19 Vaccination

6
List of Tables
Headings Page
Section 9: Performance ofVillages Task Forces
• Cumulative performance of VTFs 44
• Best practices shared by Sarpanchs 45
• Barriers and Challenges shared by Sarpanchs 46
Section 10: Conclusions and Recommendations
• Conclusions and recommendations 47
Annexure 1: Data Collection Tool 51
Title Page
Table 1 Distribution of villages by population size 20
Table 2 Training of VTFs 22
Table 3 Distribution of villages by frequency of VTFs covered under training 23
Table 4 Activities carried out by village Sarpanch for Covid-free Village 26
Table 5 Activities carried out by VTF-1 28
Table 6 Awareness activities carried out by members of VTF1 29
Table 7 Activities carried out by members of VTF-2 32
Table 9
Working mechanism adopted by members of VTF-3 to identify patients who
need admission in quarantine centres/Covid care centres
34
Table 11
Working mechanism adopted by members of VTF-4 to identify potential
beneficiaries ofCovid-related government schemes
40
Table 13 Best practices shared by Sarpanchs 45
Table 14
Barriers and challenges experienced by village Sarpanchs while implementing
the CFV program
46

7
List of Figures
Title Page
Figure 1 Distribution of activities carried out by members of VTF-1 30
Figure 6
Distribution of activities carried out by Sarpanchs and all five VTFs (Out of 30
CFV activities)
44

8
Glossary of Abbreviations
Abbreviation Full Form
ASHA Accredited Social Health Activist
BCC Behaviour Change Communication
BDO Block Development Officer
BJS Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana
CAB Covid Appropriate Behaviours
CAPI Computer Assisted Personal Interview
CCC Covid Care Centre
CEO Chief Executive Officer
CFV Covid-Free Village
CMK Covid Madat Kendra
Govt. Government
GP Gram Panchayat
IEC Information, Education & Communication
QC Quarantine Centre
SD Standard Deviation
THO Taluka Health Officer
VCC Village Covid Committee
VHSND Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Day
VHSNC Village Health Sanitation Nutrition Committee
VTF Village Task Force

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Executive Summary
Covid-free Village (CFV) is a community-led initiative that takes responsibility for protecting villages from the impact of the
pandemic. The objective is to empower villagers to take ownership and create a people’s movement for containing the
pandemic through collective action by forming village level Task Forces (VTFs). Social mobilization led by the Sarpanch, and
village leaders facilitates an enabling environment in the village for Covid risk-reduction and resilience. The CFV program
was first initiated on 1st
August 2021 in rural areas of Pune district.
The objective of the study was to assess the current situation of the CFV program implementation in the
intervention areas and understand:
The study was conducted from 13th
to 22nd
September 2021 in 11 rural blocks of Pune district covering a total of 144 villages
where VTFs had been established. Since the study was conducted within 45 days of the program launch, only the villages
in which VTFs had been formed were selected. A structured questionnaire was designed and pre-tested for the study
using CAPI. Information was collected from the Sarpanch and a randomly selected member of each VTF. Field work for
data collection was carried out by Taluka Coordinators who were oriented on the methods of conducting interviews, data
collection and quality assurance. District and Taluka Administrations were mobilized through linkages with the CEO Zilla
Parishad, and other officials at the Taluka level.
A total of 144 village Sarpanchs were interviewed. Out of the 144 villages surveyed, 8.3 percent were hamlets, 28.5 percent
small villages, 43.7 percent medium-size villages, 13.9 percent large-size villages, and 5.6 percent very large-size villages.
Five VTFs were established in each ofthe study villages. It was found that all the VTFs were established as per the program’s
prescribed norms. BJS has created an audio-visual tool to facilitate an enabling environment for implementation of the
program as a people’s movement. The study assessed the level of exposure to the people’s movement video and found
that a substantially high proportion (70%) of Sarpanchs had seen the video, and more than 70 percent of them rated it as
mostly useful (7 out of a 10-point scale) to implement the program in their respective villages.
• Stakeholder acceptability of the program model and key implementation approaches.
• Reach and coverage of activities implemented by Sarpanchs and VTFs.
• Enabling factors and barriers faced by villages during program implementation.
Results

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Training of VTF members was undertaken by BJS staff using an online platform. The training duration was approximately two
hours. Two audio-visual tools were used during the training viz. 1) a video on creating people’s movement, and 2) videos
on the specific roles and responsibilities of each VTF, with a 3 minutes’ session for reflection and summary in between.
Implementation guidebooks for Sarpanch and each VTF were used to reinforce learning of the roles and responsibilities of
each target audience. This was followed by a discussion on the use of BCC/IEC material developed by BJS to support each
VTF in their work.
It was found that, of the established VTFs, 32.6 percent of VTF-1s, 32.6 percent of VTF-2s, 31.2 percent of VTF-3s, 26.4
percent of VTF-4s, and 24.3 percent of VTF-5s had attended the online training during a little over one-month period, i.e.
between inception of the program and up to just prior to the commencement of the study. In most of the study villages,
VTFs had been established very recently and the process of training was ongoing. During this short duration 23.6 percent
villages reportedly completed training of all five VTFs.
About 70 percent Sarpanchs attended the online training program of two hours’ duration conducted by BJS. The training
consisted of sharing the people’s movement video, followed by a discussion; sharing of a video on CFV program, again
followed by a discussion; and sharing of implementation guidebooks describing the specific roles and responsibilities of
the Sarpanch and each VTF separately. The training included sessions on use of technology and digital media for program
implementation.
Among the village Sarpanchs who attended the training, 63.4 percent had reportedly conducted meetings with village
leaders, seniors and champions for CFV orientation and for planning of people’s movement. Half of the Sarpanchs had
undertaken follow-up action on adherence of allocated responsibilities in the orientation meeting. About 24 .7percent
villages had functioning Covid Madat Kendras (CMKs), and 26.7 percent villages spent their own monetary resources for
setting-up the CMK in their villages. A total amount of Rs.1,49,750 was mobilized by village Sarpanchs to establish CMKs in
their villages. About half of the villages had conducted activities to create an enabling environment for Covid risk-reduction,
while about 70 percent village Sarpanchs had initiated at least one activity under CFV in their respective villages.
More than 91.5 percent of the trained VTF-1s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. It was seen that
about 65.9 percent of the trained VTF-1s utilized the BCC/IEC creatives in their village by locally printing them to create
an enabling environment for Covid risk-reduction. The VTF-1s that utilized BCC/IEC creatives spent an average of Rs. 3,000
generated from within the village for conducting such activities. A total amount of Rs. 1,58,700 was mobilized by VTF-1s
in 49 villages. About 78.8 percent of VTF-1s initiated home visits to create awareness on Covid Appropriate Behaviours
(CAB), and 72.3 percent met key stakeholders from the village to sensitize them on CAB. While 68.1 percent of VTF-1s
undertook mass messaging via Dawandi, display of posters, wall paintings etc., about half of them conducted monthly
review meetings to monitor the progress of awareness activities to improve CAB. Data reveals that, even in the villages
where VTF-1s werenot covered under training, CFV activities were initiated on the basis oftheir exposure and engagement
with the people’s movement video.
Training of VTF Members
Activities Carried Out by Village Sarpanch
Awareness & Covid Appropriate Behaviour

12
More than 85 percent of the trained VTF-2s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. It was seen that
80.8 percent of the trained VTF-2s monitored surveillance of Covid symptoms conducted by ASHA volunteer in their village.
While 57.5 percent of the trained VTF-2s compiled available emergency contact numbers for helping patients in need,
29.8 percent referred the patients with Covid symptoms for testing. They have referred an average of 7 patients a month
even when rural areas of Pune were witnessing end of the second wave with substantially decreased incidence of cases.
About 27.7 percent of the trained VTF-2s helped in undertaking tracing, and 46.8 percent had review meetings to monitor
progress of tracing and testing for Covid-19 in their villages.
While about 47.4 percent of the trained VTF-4s compiled lists of all Covid-related government schemes available in
their respective areas, 42.1 percent made efforts to create awareness on such schemes among the village population.
About 34.2 percent of the trained VTF-4s initiated activities to identify potential beneficiaries for the schemes, a similar
proportion of the VTF-4s provided support to needy beneficiaries for utilizing the schemes. On an average, they supported
18 beneficiaries per month. About 28.9 percent of the VTF-4s conducted review meetings to monitor progress of utilization
of Covid-related government schemes by eligible beneficiaries.
More than 70 percent of the trained VTF-5s had facilitated Covid vaccination camps in the study villages in coordination
with the Taluka Administration, while about 60 percent had prepared separate due lists of people for Dose-1 and Dose-
2Covid vaccination in their villages. About 51 percent of the trained VTF-5s helped senior citizens, comorbid, and other
needy people with transportation to reach vaccination centres, and 37.1 percent VTF-5s conducted review meetings to
monitor progress of Covid vaccination coverage in their villages.
MorethanhalfofthetrainedVTF-3screatedworkingmechanismsintheirvillagestoidentifypatientswhoneededadmission
in quarantine centres/Covid care centres - the most documented practices being checking of Covid test reports, supporting
ASHAs for ILI surveillance, facilitating referrals for Covid testing, facilitating transportation for patients etc. About 46 percent
of the trained VTF-3s facilitated patients for admission in quarantine centres/Covid care centres andhelped the centres in
logistics support. They have facilitated an average of 20 patients per village even at a time when Covid cases in rural areas
of Pune were witnessing a declining trend towards end of the second wave. About 40 percent of the trained VTF-3s helped
in setting-up quarantine centres and Covid care centres as required, and 46.7 percent of the VTF-3s had review meetings to
monitor progress of tasks undertaken to improve facilitation at quarantine centres and Covid care centres.
Support for Tracing, Tracking, Testing
Increasing Utilization of Govt. Schemes
Improving Coverage of Covid-19 Vaccination
Facilitating Services at Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres

13
An effort was made to assess the performance of VTFs in terms of initiating and reaching out to the community. A composite
score is derived by considering the work done by Sarpanchs and the five VTFs in a village. Out of the villages with trained
VTFs, about 40 percent performed highly, 31.3 percent performed moderately, 25 percent had low performance and 4
percent had poor performance. It was found that about 70 percent villages performed satisfactorily during the short period
of intervention.
The CFV program was launched by BJS in rural areas of Pune district effective 1st August 2021. The study was conducted
from 13th to 22nd September 2021 in 144 villages of the district where VTFs had been established. Out of the 144 study
villages, 23.6 percent reported completion of online training of all VTFs. While a significant improvement in performance of
trained VTFs was seen, the overall performance was satisfactory considering the short implementation period of just about
45 days prior to the study. Meetings with the District and Taluka Administrations were held by BJS teams to share the nature
of activities to be undertaken in villages as a people’s movement. The program was initiated towards the end of the second
wave of Covid in rural areas of Pune, and the period was marked by relaxation of Covid norms by authorities following a
drop in number of daily new cases reported in the district.
The study demonstrated significant increase in implementing activities and coverage by Sarpanchs and VTFs after they
received training. Among the trained VTFs it was seen that most of the VTF-1s (90%) had initiated at least one activity
to create awareness and improve CAB. More than 80 percent of the trained VTF-2s monitored and motivated ASHAs to
undertake surveillance for Covid symptoms. Even after slowdown of the second wave of Covid in the study area, about
half of the trained VTF-3s proactively undertook activities to facilitate patients’ admissions at quarantine centres and
Covid care centres, and also helped existing centres in arranging the required logistics support. A substantial proportion
of trained VTF-4s started listing of potential beneficiaries in villages to avail Covid-related government schemes. They
helped beneficiaries in filling-up applications and in providing the requisite information. Most of the trained VTF-5s made
their significant contributions towards supporting vaccination camps in their villages, with a large proportion of them also
organizing transportation support for needy persons to reach vaccination centres. Even in the villages where the VTFs were
not covered under training, a substantial number of them were found to have started CFV activities in their respective
villages as they were exposed to the video on people’s movement. It is evident that, the people’s movementvideo made a
positive impact to motivate the VTFs for undertaking program activities even before they received formal training.
Establishment of VTFs, awareness activities for CAB, vaccination camps in villages, support for setting-up of and logistics for
quarantine centres and Covid care centres, awareness through mass messaging, felicitation of Covid warriors, distribution
of masks and sanitizers were documented as best practices in the course of the 45 days of the program prior to the study.
On the other hand, the study listed the following key barriers faced by Sarpanchs and VTFs: 1) time spent on mobilizing
people for CFV activities, 2) hesitancy for Covid vaccination among villagers, 3) accessibility and availability of Covid
vaccines, and 4) non-adoption of CAB by villagers.
More than 70 percent villages that had performed highly had their Sarpanchs along with VTFs making positive contributions
to strengthen Covid-resilience in their villages. The study demonstrated that village Sarpanchs and VTFs accepted the
CFV activities. Most VTFs had utilized the BCC/IEC creatives, the technology platform, guidebooks, and the audio-visual
learning material. All of the above program material were provided to Sarpanchs and VTFs through an easily accessible
online Knowledge Management Platform from where villagers downloaded and printed them locally spending their own
monetary resources, and utilized them for Covid risk-reduction activities in their respective villages.
Cumulative Performance of VTFs’ Work
Conclusion and Recommendations

14
Considering the positive response in the study villages, the program needs to expeditiously complete the training for the
rest of the Sarpanchs and VTFs. There is also a need to improve the coverage of monthly review meetings by all VTFs for
planning, supervision and monitoring of activities to sustain villages as Covid-resilient.
The study findings conclude that the training and support provided by BJS resulted in empowerment of villages to take
ownership and create a people’s movement for containing the pandemic through activities undertaken by VTFs.

Introduction, Research
Objectives, Study Design &
Methodology

16
Introduction
Covid-free Village (CFV) is a community-led initiative that takes responsibility for protecting villages from the impact of
the pandemic. The objective is to empower villages to take ownership and create a people’s movement for containing
the pandemic through collective action by forming Village Task Forces (VTFs) that take responsibility for specific Covid-
containment measures. Social mobilization facilitates preparation of the village for collective action led by the Sarpanch
and village leaders like Gramsevak, Talathi and village seniors. Village Task Forces serve as strong community platforms for
Covid containment by:
Increased awareness on Covid-appropriate behaviour, enabling environment for risk-reduction, Covid containment
measures implemented by Village Task Forces, and linkages established with district and taluka administrations are
expected to empower the village to protect themselves from the pandemic.
BJS has designed and developed the CFV program with clear frameworks, strategies, and processes. Program resources
have been developed for training and handholding of Village Task Force members and other stakeholders.The interplay
of roles and responsibilities of stakeholders has been articulated within the program design to ensure clarity at all levels.
A pilot of the CFV program was initiated in rural areas of Pune district from 1st
August 2021. The program is being
implemented in 13 blocks covering a total of 247 villages for a duration of six months. Following activities have been carried
out in first 45 days of the programimplementation:
1. Mobilizing village communities to create an enabling environment for Covid-appropriate behaviours and risk-
reduction through awareness drives and BCC/IEC interventions.
2. Supporting the district and taluka administrations to strengthen tracing, tracking, testing and treatment of
Covid-19 cases in the village.
3. Assistingwith setting-up and management of Quarantine Centres and Covid Care Centres, including for
children,if needed.
4. Facilitating coordination with district and taluka administrations for increased utilization of Covid-related
government schemes by eligible beneficiaries.
5. Supporting the Covid-19 vaccination program of the administration to ensure villages achieve their vaccination
targets.
1. Selection of required human resources – program staff, master trainers, student volunteers.
2. Development of CFV training materials and tool kits.
3. Training of master trainers.
4. Meetings with BDOs and THOs.
5. Showcasing the program to village Sarpanchs, Gramsevaks and Talathis.
6. Training of student volunteers.
7. Establishment of Village Task Forces (VTFs).
8. Training of Sarpanchs and Village Task Forces.
9. Implementation of CFV activities by Sarpanch and VTFs in their villages.
10. Establishment of Covid Madat Kendras.
11. Supportive supervision and monitoring using online platforms.

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BJS strongly believes in the inherent capacity of communities to find solutions to their own problems. Every village has self-
motivated people ready to contribute their time and efforts for the well-being of their communities. However, what they
often lack is a platform, guidance, training, and the tools to facilitate leadership for collective community action. The CFV
program empowers the village through a people’s movement to protect them from the impact of the pandemic.
The BJS CFV team decided to undertake a rapid assessment of the program after just 45 days from launching the program
in rural areas of Pune district to understand stakeholder acceptability, enablers and barriers in empowering village
communities for Covid-19 risk-reduction. At the time of the study, the process of training of VTFs was still ongoing and
Covid-19 infections in rural Pune had moderated significantly.As a result, most of the Covid-19-related restrictions had been
lifted by authorities. Due to the significant reduction in the incidence of Covid-19, some VTF activities,especially activities by
VTF-2 and VTF-3 had a reduced uptake; and many villages experienced shortage of Covid-19 vaccines, somewhat affecting
activities of VTF-5.
The key objective of the study was to assess the current situation of the CFV program implementation in rural areas of Pune
to understand the following:
The study was conducted in 11 rural blocks of Pune district covering a total 144 villages where VTFs had been established.
Data was collected using primary sources. Quantitative methods of data collection were used to collect the information
from respondents.
The sample size decided for the study was 144 rural villages of Pune district.
Villages where Village Task Forces had been established were purposively selected for the study along with their Sarpanchs.
Information was collected from all Sarpanchs and a randomly selected member of each Village Task Force from all 144
study villages.
Study Objective
Study Methodology
Sample Size
Selection of Villages
Selection of Respondents
• Stakeholder acceptability of the program model and key implementation approaches.
• Reach and coverage of activities implemented by Sarpanchs and VTFs.
• Enabling factors and barriers faced by villages during program implementation.

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A uniformlystructured interview schedulewas designed for data collection.The interview schedule was converted into soft
form through CAPI software and uploaded on an android-based mobile phone application that was used for data collection.
The survey was carried out from 13th
to 22nd
September 2021.Field data collection was carried out by program Taluka
Coordinators.Training of study investigators was conducted by master trainers from BJS, where they were trained in the
skills of interviewing, how to conduct oneself in the field and how to fill questionnaires using CAPI software. Explanations
were also given about each question in the interview schedule. The main emphasis of the training was to impart practical
skills to each person interviewing and filling the questionnaires.
Data was downloaded from the server in Excel form. Data was then transferred to ‘STATA’ software for cleaning and analysis.
Chi-squared tests for discrete variables and t-tests for continuous variables were used to determine statistical significance.
The study has a few limitations, prominent among them are:1) Study was conducted just 45 days fromthe start of program
implementation, 2) At the time of the study, the Covid-19 infections in rural Pune had moderated significantly, and most
of the Covid-19-related restrictions had been removed by the authoritiesthatimpacted the VTFs’ work, 3)Self-reported
method was used to assess current situation of the CFV program activities, and4)Courtesy bias in the assessment data
collection carried out by the team thatwas involved in implementation of the program although their referencetalukas
were switched to minimize the same.
Method of Data Collection
Data Collection and Processing
Data Analysis
Limitations of the Study

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Section 1: General Information of Study Villages
This section comprises information on distribution of the study villages across blocks by type of villages based on population.
Of the 144 villages which were covered under the study, a little more than half of the villages were located in Purandar
block (29 villages), Junnar block (22 villages), and Daund block (13 villages). Comparatively, a smaller number of villages
were covered from Velhe, Baramati, Mulshi and Indapur blocks. (Refer Table 1)
Out of the 144 villages surveyed, 8.3 percent were hamlets, 28.5 percent were small villages, 43.7 percent were medium-
size villages, 13.9percent were large-size villages, and 5.8 percent were very large-size villages. Highest proportions of large
villages were found to be covered inBaramatiblock (63.3%) as compared to other blocks.Most of the hamlets belong to
Velhe and Mulshi blocks. (Refer Table 1)
1 out of 5 villages covered under the study were large villages. A little less than half of the villages are medium sized villages.
Half of the study villages were located in Purandar, Junnar and Daund blocks.
Distribution of Villages by Population Size
Table 1: Distribution of Villages by Population Size
Block
Number
of villages
covered
Type of village (%)
Hamlets Small villages
Medium
sized villages
Large villages
Very Large
villages
Indapur 07 0.00 42.9 57.1 00.0 00.0
Baramati 06 00.0 00.0 16.7 83.3 00.0
Daund 19 00.0 10.5 63.2 21.0 05.2
Haveli 13 00.0 30.8 38.5 23.1 07.6
Junnar 22 00.0 22.7 63.6 09.1 04.6
Khed 11 00.0 45.4 54.6 00.0 00.0
Maval 12 00.0 33.4 50.0 08.3 08.3
Mulshi 07 42.9 42.9 00.0 00.0 14.2
Purandar 29 20.7 31.0 34.5 13.8 00.0
Shirur 14 00.0 35.7 35.7 07.2 21.4
Velhe 04 75.0 25.0 00.0 00.0 00.0
All 144 08.3 28.5 43.7 13.9 05.6
Type of village:Hamlet - <1000 population; Small village - >1000 to <2000 population; Medium sized village
- >2000 to <5000 population; Large village - >5000 to <10000 population; Very large villages - >10000
population
% - row percentage

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Section 2: Capacity Building of Village Task Forces (VTFs)
This section comprises information on coverage of Village Task Forces under the training program conducted by BJS CFV
team.
Training of Sarpanch and VTFs was conducted by selected trained master trainers. A total of 24 college professors were
selected as master trainers, who were trained for a full day on training methods, resources to be used for training and
skills required for undertaking training of VTFs by the BJS CFV team. These master trainers then conducted training of VTFs
using an online platform. The training schedule was organised and facilitated by BJS taluka coordinators, who shared the
timetable of the training with the Sarpanch and VTFs via WhatsApp messages. Two time slots for the training were provided
to the VTFs to make it more accessible for them to join as per their convenience. The training sessions were conducted
twice a day for five days to cover all VTFs. The duration of this online training was approximately 2 hours 17 minutes. The
following key topics were covered during the training:
Five VTFs each were established in all study villages. It was found that VTFs were established as per the program’s prescribed
norms.After establishment of VTFs, their training was rolled out by the CFV program team. Distribution of blocks by coverage
of VTFs under training is presented in Table 2.
It was found that, of the established VTFs, 32.6 percent of the VTF-1s, 32.6 percent of the VTF-2s, 31.2 percent of the
VTF-3s, 26.4 percent of the VTF-4s, and 24.5 percent of the VTF-5s have attended the online training during a little over
one-month period, i.e. between inception of the program and up to just prior to commencement of the study. In most of
the study villages, the VTFs had been established very recently prior to the study and the process of training was ongoing.
(Refer Table 2)
The strategy of undertaking training of VTFs using an online platform was successfully implemented.Within 45 days after
start of the program, 1 out of 3 VTFs were found to be covered under the training program. Coverage of training was found
to be high among the VTFs from Purandar and Shirur blocks as compared to other blocks. It was seen that VTF training has
not started in Indapur, Velhe and Maval blocks.
Training was conducted onthe Zoom online meeting platform, where audio-visual training modules, pictorial guidebooks,
BCC/IEC material,PowerPoint presentationsand chat box interactions were used to ensure effectiveness of the training.
Training Methods and Content
Coverage of Training
1. Theory of Change and importance of the CFV program.
2. Need and rationale forempowering villages for Covid containment.
3. Roles and responsibilities of VTFs.
4. Orientation of online platforms designed for knowledge and program management.
5. Orientation of WhatsApp policy decided while implementing the CFV program.

22
Table 3 delineates block-wise summary of training programs attended by VTFs. A composite score ranging from 0 to 5 was
created for each village to summarize the training coverage, 0 score means no VTF was covered under training, and five
score indicates coverage of all VTFs under training. It was found that, out of 144 villages, no single VTF was covered under
training in 66.7 percent villages, there are 33.3 percent villages where at least one VTF (out of 5 established) was covered
under training program, and 23.6 percent villages had all VTFs covered under the training program.
Highest proportions of villages where all VTFs were covered under training was found in the block Shirur (71.4%), followed
by 37.9 percent in Purandar block, 22.7 percent in Junnar and around 15-16 percent in Baramati, Daund and Haveli blocks.
(Refer Table 3)
During this short duration, 1 out of 5 villages reportedly completed training of all five VTFs. Substantial proportions of the
villages have completed training of at least one VTF from their village.
Summary of Village Task Force (VTF) Covered Under Training
Table 2:Training of Village Task Forces
Block
Number
of villages
covered
Village Task Force(VTF) covered under training
% VTF-1
trained
% VTF-2
trained
% VTF-3
trained
% VTF-4
trained
% VTF-5
trained
Indapur 07 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0
Baramati 06 16.7 16.7 16.7 16.7 16.7
Daund 19 15.8 15.8 15.8 15.8 15.8
Haveli 13 23.1 23.1 23.1 23.1 15.4
Junnar 22 31.8 31.8 31.8 31.8 22.7
Khed 11 09.1 09.1 09.1 09.1 09.1
Maval 12 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 08.3
Mulshi 07 28.6 28.6 28.6 28.6 14.3
Purandar 29 69.0 69.0 62.1 37.9 37.9
Shirur 14 71.4 71.4 71.4 71.4 71.4
Velhe 04 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0 00.0
All 144 32.6 32.6 31.2 26.4 24.3
Figures are row percentages

23
Table 3: Distribution of Villages by Frequency of Village Task Force (VTF)
Covered under Training
Block
Number of villages
covered
Percent villages
where no VTF
trained
Percent villages
where at least one
VTF trained
Percent villages
where all five VTFs
trained
Indapur 07 100 00.0 00.0
Baramati 06 83.3 16.7 16.7
Daund 19 84.2 15.8 15.8
Haveli 13 76.9 23.1 15.4
Junnar 22 68.2 31.8 22.7
Khed 11 90.9 09.1 09.1
Maval 12 91.7 08.3 00.0
Mulshi 07 71.4 28.6 14.3
Purandar 29 31.0 69.0 37.9
Shirur 14 28.6 71.4 71.4
Velhe 04 100 00.0 00.0
All 144 66.7 33.3 23.6
Figures are row percentages

24
Section 3: Initiatives by Village Sarpanchs for Making
their Villages Covid-free
This section comprises of information about training received by village Sarpanchs and the initiatives and activities they
have undertaken towards making their villagesCovid-free.
About 70 percent Sarpanchs attended the online training program of two hours’ duration conducted by BJS team. The
training consisted of sharing the people’s movement video, followed by a discussion; sharing of a video on the CFV program,
again followed by a discussion; and sharing of implementation guidebooks describing the specific roles and responsibilities
of the Sarpanch and each VTF separately. The training included sessions on use of technology and digital media for program
implementation.
BJS has created an audio-visual tool to facilitate an enabling environment for Covid risk-reduction by implementing the
program as a people’s movement. The study assessed the levels of exposure to the people’s movement video and found
that a substantially high proportion (70%) of Sarpanchshad reportedly seen the video, and more than 70 percent of them
rated it as mostly useful (7 out of a 10-point scale) to implement the program in their respective villages.
Table 4 describes information on activities carried out by village Sarpanchs. 63.4 percent of the Sarpanchs who were
covered under the training reportedly conducted meetings with village leaders, seniors, and champions for CFV orientation
and planning of people’s movement.This proportion is significantly low among the Sarpanchs who had not attended the
training program (20.9%) (Refer Table 4).
A little more than half of the trained Sarpanchs had undertaken follow-up action on adherence of allocated responsibilities
in the orientation meeting. More than 70 percent Sarpanchs who attended the training have reportedly done follow-up for
at least three times to review the status of allocated tasks given to other members(Refer table 4).
Covid Madat Kendra was found be established by trained Sarpanchs in 24.7 percent villages. The proportion of functional
Covid Madat Kendra is found to be high among the villages where Sarpanchs were trained as compared to the villages
where they were not covered under training (24.7% Vs 9.3%, p=0.034) (Refer table 4).
Information was collected on the mobilization of money by villages to establish CMK in the village. It was found that, 26.7
percent of the villages where the Sarpanch was trained were able to mobilize money to establish CMK. The data reveals
that, 26 villages (out of 144) mobilized money to establish CMK in their village. More than half of the villages have mobilized
Rs. 5,000 and above. A total of Rs. 1,49,750 was mobilized by village Sarpanchs of 26 villages to establish CMK in their
villages. The range of money mobilized by Sarpanchs is from Rs. 500 to Rs. 40,000 (Refer Table 4).
Training of Village Sarpanchs
Exposure to the People’s Movement Video
Activities Carried out by Village Sarpanchs

25
Half of the trained Sarpanchs conducted activities to create an enabling environment for Covid risk reduction in villages.
A vast variety of 28 activities were conducted by Sarpanchs to create enabling environment in their villages. 31 Sarpanchs
have undertaken community sensitization about CFV via meetings with people, home visits etc., 29 Sarpanchs conducted
felicitation of Covid warriors, mass messaging about CFV using Dawandi was conducted in 24 villages, emergency
contact numbers were disseminated at the village level by 14 village Sarpanchs, 11 Sarpanchs conducted home visits to
sensitize resistant families, 7 village Sarpanchs conducted awareness campaigns through SHGs and Mandals, social media
was effectively used for campaign by 7 village Sarpanchs, transportation was facilitated by 5 Sarpanchs, sanitizer was
distributed by Sarpanchs in 5 villages, Covid Care Centrewas established in 5 villages. Cultural programs, vaccination, testing
camps, meeting with religious leaders, mask distribution, street plays etc. were undertaken in a few of the villages by
Sarpanchs(Refer Table 4).
Involvement of Sarpanchs in creating awareness and undertaking CFV activities is appreciable. 7 out of 10 village Sarpanchs
had initiated at least one activity under CFV in their respective villages. About 24 percent villages had functioning Covid
Madat Kendras (CMKs), and 26 percent villages spent their own monetary resources for setting-up the CMK in their village.
A total of Rs. 1,49,750 was mobilized by village Sarpanchs to establish CMKs in their villages.
Need-based activities were undertaken by Sarpanchs to create an enabling environment, it included awareness meetings
at the village, felicitation of Covid warriors, home visits to resistant families, involving SHGs and other groups for sensitizing
people, facilitating transportation, awareness via cultural programs & street plays, distribution of masks and sanitizers etc.

26
Sr Activity conducted by Village Sarpanch
Villages where Sarpanch received
training of CFV
p value
Yes No
(n=101) (n=43)
1
Conducted meeting with village leaders,
seniors and champions for CFV orientation
and planning of people’s movement
63.4 20.9 0.000
2
Undertake follow-up on adherence
of allocated responsibilities in the
orientation meeting?
52.5 16.3 0.000
3
Follow ups by Sarpanch to review status of allocated tasks given to the other members during
orientation meeting
Once 13.5 16.7
Two times 15.4 16.7
Three and more times 71.1 66.6
n 52 06
4
Covid Madat Kendra (CMK) functional in
the village
24.7 09.3 0.034
5
Village spent any monetary resources on
setting-up the CMK?
26.7 07.0 0.008
6
Monetary resources collected by village Sarpanch for Covid Madat Kendra
Less than Rs 5000 33.3 00.0
Rs 5000 & above 55.6 66.7
Not shared/Missing 11.1 33.3
n 27 03
Average money mobilize by village -
Mean(SD)
5822 (8385.5) NA
7
Conducted enabling environment
activities at the village
49.5 23.3 0.003
Categorical variables: Summarized by frequency and percentage, p-values were calculated by using chi-
square test; Continuous variables: Summarized by mean and SD, p-values were calculated by using t-test; %
are column percentages
Table 4: Activities Carried Out by Village Sarpanchs

27
Section 4: Awareness and Covid Appropriate Behaviours
This section comprises of information on activities undertaken by VTF-1 members to create awareness about Covid
Appropriate Behaviours.
It was seen that about 65.9 percent of the trained VTF-1s utilized the BCC/IEC creatives in their village by locally printing
them to create an enabling environment for Covid risk-reduction. The VTF-1s that utilized BCC/IEC creatives spent an
average of Rs. 3,000 generated from within the village for conducting such activities. A total of Rs. 1,58,700 wasmobilizedby
VTF-1s from 49 study villages (Refer Table 5).
About 78.7 percent of the trained VTF-1s initiated home visits to create awareness on Covid Appropriate Behaviours (CAB),
and 72 percent met key stakeholders from the village to sensitize them on CAB. While 68.1 percent VTF-1s undertook mass
messaging via Dawandi, display of posters, wall paintings etc. (Refer Table 5).
Almost half of the trained VTF-1s conducted monthly internal review meetings where activities planned v/s actual achieved
were discussed(Refer Table 5).
A substantially high proportion of trained VTF-1s implemented activities to create awareness on Covid Appropriate
Behaviours. Most of the VTF-1s mobilized money to print required BCC material; a total of Rs. 1,58,700 was mobilized by
VTF-1s from 49 villages. Nearly half of the VTF-1s conducted planning and review meetings.
Activities Carried Out by VTF-1s

28
A range of activities conducted by VTF-1s to create an enabling environment about Covid Appropriate Behaviours is
presented in Table 6. Mass messaging via Dawandi was undertaken in 31 percent villages, posters/banners on CAB were
displayed in 15 percent villages, awareness on CAB was done via loudspeakers in 8 percent villages, masks and sanitizers
were distributed in 6 percent villages, wall paintings were done in 6 percent villages, home visits to resistant families was
undertaken in 6 percent villages, common places like bazar, schools, ICDS centres etc. were sanitized by 5 percent VTF-1s in
their respective villages(Refer Table 6).
Mass messaging via Dawandi/loudspeakers, display of posters/banners & wall paintings, distribution of masks and
sanitizers, sanitization of common places, dissemination of messages via WhatsApp, home visits to resistant families etc.
were the activities conducted by most of the VTF-1s to create awareness about Covid Appropriate Behaviours.
Awareness Activities Carried out by Members of Village Task Force 1
Table 5: Activities Carried Out by Village Task Force 1 Members
Sr
Activity conducted by Village Task Force
1 members
Villages where VTF-1 members received
training of CFV
p value
Yes No
(n=47) (n=97)
1
Utilized BCC/IEC material in the village
for creating awareness by locally printing
them?
65.9 19.6 0.000
2
Organized meetings with key village
stakeholders to sensitize them on Covid
Appropriate Behaviour
72.3 21.6 0.000
3
Conducted home visits to create
awareness on Covid Appropriate
Behaviour?
78.8 26.8 0.000
4
Conducted any of the activities like wall
paintings, Dawandi, Covid awareness at
VHND/ VHSNCs or with any community
group in the village on Covid Appropriate
Behaviour?
68.1 20.6 0.000
5
Conducted monthly internal review
meetings where activities planned v/s
actual achieved were discussed?
48.9 09.3 0.000

29
Table 6: Awareness Activities Carried Out by Members of Village Task
Force 1
Sr Type of Awareness activities by Village Task Force 1
Percent
(n=144)
1 Mass messages via Dawandi 31.0
2 Display of posters/banners 15.0
3 Awareness via loudspeakers 8.0
4 Distribution of masks 7.0
5 Display of wallpaintings 6.0
6 WhatsApp messages 6.0
7 Communitysensitization 6.0
8 Distribution of Sanitizers 6.0
9 Home visits 6.0
10 Sanitization of common places/streets etc. 5.0
11 Guidelines to follow rules at common places 3.0
12 Involvement of Self-Help Groups 3.0
13 Gram Suraksha Yentrana 2.0
14 Display of Suchana Falak 2.0
15 Testing camps for Covid-19 2.0
16 Dissemination of messages via phone call 1.0
17 Establishment of Covid Care Centre 1.0
18 Quarantine Centre 1.0
19 Organization of Swachata Din 1.0
20 Home visits by teachers 1.0
21 Sensitization via Kirtankars 1.0
22 Involvement of ASHAs 1.0
23 Pamphlet distribution 1.0
24 Review meetings 1.0
25 Involvement of Tarun Mandals 1.0
26 Fine on persons not following Covid rules 1.0
27 Awareness meetings 1.0

30
Five questions were asked to all the respondent VTF-1 members to collect information on activities they had undertaken
towards improving Covid Appropriate Behaviours in their villages. A composite score was derived to summarize their
performance in terms of the number of activities they had undertaken. Fig. 1describes the performance levels of VTF-1
in undertaking actions to improve CAB. More than 90 percent of the trained VTF-1s reportedly had undertaken at least
one activity (out of 5) to improve Covid Appropriate behaviours, and 40.4 percent trained VTF-1s had conducted all five
activities to create awareness on Covid Appropriate Behaviours.
It was observed that even among untrained VTF-1s there were 33 percent villages where CFV activities were initiated. Data
demonstratesthat the people’s movement video resulted in motivating VTF-1s to start activities in their villages even before
they had undergone the formaltraining.
Study results revealed that coverage of activities was significantly high among trained VTF-1s as compared to VTF-1s who
were not yet covered in the training (40.4% Vs 8.3%, p=0.000)(Refer Fig 1).
More than 90 percent of the trained VTF-1s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. Four out of 10
trained VTF-1s implemented all five activities to create awareness on CAB in their respective villages.
Summary of Activities Carried Out by VTF-1
91.5
40.4
33
8.3
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
At least 1 activity carried out by VTF-1s All five activities carried out by VTF-1s
Fig 1: Distribution of activities carried out by members of Village Task Force 1
Trained VTF-1s Untrained VTF-1s
p=0.000
p=0.000

31
Section 5: Support for Tracing, Tracking and Testing for
Covid-19
This section comprises of information about activities undertaken by VTF-2 members to support tracing, tracking, and
testing for Covid-19.
It was seen that 80 percent of the VTF-2s who were covered under the training monitored surveillance of Covid-19 symptoms
conducted by the ASHA volunteer in their village. While 57.5 percent of the VTF-2s compiled available emergency contact
numbers for helping patients in need, 29.8 percent referred patients with Covid-19 symptoms for early testing. They have
referred an average of 7 patients a month even when rural areas of Pune were witnessing the end of the second wave with
substantially decreased incidence of cases. About 27.7 percent of the VTF-2s helped in undertaking contact tracing, and
46.8 percent had review meetings to monitor progress of tracing and testing for Covid-19 in their villages (Refer Table 7).
Among the VTF-2s who were not covered under training, it was seen that only 31.9 percent VTF-2s monitored surveillance
of Covid-19 symptoms conducted by the ASHA volunteer in their village. While 20.6 percent VTF-2s compiled available
emergency contact numbers for helping patients in need, 17.5 percent referred patients with Covid-19 symptoms for early
testing. Only 8.3 percent VTF-2s helped in undertaking tracing, and a similar proportion had review meetings to monitor
progress of tracing and testing for Covid-19 in their villages (Refer Table 7).
Significantly high proportion of trained VTF-2s monitored surveillance of Influenza-like illnesses conducted by the ASHA
volunteer as compared to VTF-2s who were not covered under training (80.8% Vs 31.9%, p=0.000). Significantly higher
proportion of trained VTF-2s were involved in implementation of activities to support tracing and testing for Covid-19 as
compared to VTF-2s who were not covered under training (Refer Table 7).
Most of the trained VTF-2s were actively involved in monitoring surveillance of influenza-like illnesses conducted by ASHA
volunteers. A little more than half of the trained VTF-2s facilitated availability of emergency contact numbers for helping
patients, transport etc. Only half of the trained VTF-2s conducted monthly review and planning meetings. Performance of
the VTF-2s is significantly better among those who were covered under the training program by the BJS CFV team.

32
towards improving Covid Appropriate Behaviours in their villages. A composite score was derived to summarize their
performance in terms of number of activities they had undertaken. Figure 2 describes performance levels of VTF-2 in
undertaking actions to support tracing, tracking, and testing for Covid-19. 85.1 percent of the trained VTF-2s and significantly
low proportions i.e. 37.1 percent of untrained VTF-2s reportedly had undertaken at least one activity (out of 5) to improve
tracing, tracking and testing for Covid-19, and 19.1 percent of the trained VTF-2s had conducted all five activities to create
awareness on Covid Appropriate Behaviours.
It was observed that even among untrained VTF-2s there were 37.1 percent villages where CFV activities were initiated. It
was found that of these 37.1 percent villages, about 42.8 percent have had initiated the activities as they were exposed to
the people’s movement video. Data demonstrates that 42.8 percent of these 37.1 percent villages had initiated activities
as they were exposed to the people’s movement video.
were yet to be covered with training(Refer Fig 2).
More than 80 percent trained VTF-2s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. 1 out of 5 trained VTF-2s
implemented all five activities to facilitate tracing,tracking and testing for Covid-19in their respective villages.
Summary of Activities Carried Out by VTF-2s
Table 7: Activities Carried Out by Members of Village Task Force 2
Sr
Activity conducted by members of
Village Task Force 2
training of CFV
p value
Yes No
(n=47) (n=97)
1
Monitor surveillance of Influenza-like
illnesses conducted by ASHA volunteers
80.8 31.9 0.000
2
Referred any suspected cases for Covid
testing in past one month
29.8 17.5 0.093
3
Helped trace at least 12 contacts of
suspected cases
27.7 08.3 0.002
4
Facilitate availability of emergency contact
numbers for helping patients, transport
etc.
57.5 20.6 0.000
5
actual achieved are discussed?
46.8 08.3 0.000

33
85.1
19.1
37.1
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
p=0.000

34
Section 6: Facilitating Services at Quarantine Centres/
Covid Care Centres
This section describes information about activities undertaken by VTF-3 members towards facilitating services at Quarantine
Centres and Covid Care Centres.
The study reveals that significantly high proportion of trained VTF-3s created a working mechanism in the village to identify
patients who needed admission in theQuarantine Centre or Covid Care Centre as compared to the villages where VTF-3
members were not yet covered under the CFV training (51.1% Vs 20%, p=0.000). About 40 percent of the trained VTF-3s and
significantly low proportions i.e. 12.1 percent of the untrained VTF-3s contributed in setting-up or managing Quarantine
Centres/Covid Care Centres in the village, or in nearby villages (p=0.001). 46.7 percent of the trained VTF-3s facilitated
admission of patients in Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres as compared to 20.2 percent among who were yet to be
trained(Refer Table 8).
46.7 percent of the trained VTF-3s facilitated any patient amenities in Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres as compared
to 30.2 percent among the VTF-3s who were yet to be trained(Refer Table 8).
As far as conducting monthly planning and review meetings was concerned, it was carried out by 46.7 percent trained VTF-
3s and significantly low proportions i.e. 10.1 percent untrained VTF-3s (p=0.000) (Refer Table 8).
More than half of the trained VTF-3s created working mechanisms in their villages to identify patients who needed admission
in Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres. A little less than half of the trained VTF-3s were actively involved in need-based
activities like providing support for setting-up of the Quarantine Centre/Covid Care Centre, making logistics arrangements
at Quarantine Centres or Covid Care Centres, facilitating admission of patients to theQuarantine Centre or Covid Care
Centre. On the other hand, review and planning meetings were conducted by less than half of the VTF-3s.

35
Sr
Activity conducted by Village Task Force
3
training of CFV
p value
Yes No
(n=45) (n=99)
1
Created a working mechanism in the
village to identify patients who need
admission in Quarantine Centres/Covid
Care Centres
51.1 20.0 0.000
2
Supported in setting-up (if applicable)
or managing Quarantine Centres/Covid
Care Centres in the village, or in nearby
villages?
40.0 12.1 0.000
3
Facilitated admission of patients in
Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres?
46.7 20.2 0.001
4
Facilitated any patient amenities in
Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres
46.7 30.0 0.057
5
46.7 10.1 0.000
An effort was made to understand the processes and mechanisms that were adopted by VTF-3s to identify patients who
needed admission at Quarantine Centres or Covid Care Centres.Table 9delineates information on such reported working
mechanisms by VTF-3s.
A total of 18 mechanisms were reportedly used by VTF-3s from various villages. The most common ones were checking of
reports, motivating ASHAs and Anganwadi workers to identify needy patients, facilitate testing services, transportation of
patients, management of Covid Madat Kendras etc. (Refer Table 9).
Working Mechanism Adopted by Members of Village Task Force-3 to
Identify Patients Who Needed Admission in Quarantine Centres/Covid
Care Centres

36
Table 9: Working Mechanism Adopted by Members of Village Task Force-3
to Identify Patients Who Needed Admission in Quarantine Centres/Covid
Care Centres
Sr Kind of working mechanism created by VTF-3
Percent
(n=144)
1 Checking of reports 12.0
2 Motivating ASHAs to identify patients with specific needs 07.0
3 Motivating AWWs to identify patients with specific needs 07.0
4 Involved Arogya Sevaks to identify patients with specific needs 03.0
5 Facilitatingtesting for Covid-19 03.0
6 Management of private vehicles 02.0
7 Facilitating transportation 02.0
8 Management of VCCs 01.0
9 Checking ADHAR cards 01.0
10 Facilitatinghealth check-ups 01.0
11
Counseling of people who had done Covid-19 test to quarantine till they
receivetest results
01.0
12 Establishing Covid Madat Kendras 01.0
13 Procurement of medicines 01.0
14 Appointment of nodal person by Gram Panchayats 01.0
15 Logistics at CCCs–facilitating required beds 01.0
16 Handling emergency situations 01.0
17 Maintaining records of Covid-19 patients 01.0
18 Counselling persons who have tested Covid-19 positive 01.0
towards facilitating services at Covid Care Centres and Quarantine Centres in their villages. A composite score was
derived to summarize their performance in terms of the number of activities they had undertaken. Figure 3 describes the
performance levels of VTF-3 in undertaking actions to facilitate services in Quarantine Centres and Covid Care Centres. 68.9
percent of the trained VTF-3s and significantly low proportions i.e. 37.4 percent of the yet-to-be-trained VTF-3s reportedly
had undertaken at least one activity (out of 5) to facilitate services at Quarantine Centres or Covid Care Centres; and 31.1
percent of the trained VTF-3s had conducted all five activities to facilitate services at Quarantine Centres or Covid Care
Centres.
It was observed that even among untrained VTF-3s there were 37.4 percent villages whereCFV activities were initiated.It
was found that out of these 37.4 percent villages, about 34.5 percent had initiated the activities as they were exposed to
the people’s movement video. Data demonstrates that the people’s movement video resulted in motivating VTF-3s to start
activities in their villages even before they had undergone training.
have not yet been covered in the training (Refer Figure 3).

37
Two out of three trained VTF-3s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. 1 out of 3 trained VTF-3s
implemented all five activities to address the needs of services required at Quarantine Centres or Covid Care Centres in their
respective villages.
68.9
31.1
37.4
4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
p=0.001
p=0.000

38
Section 7: Increasing Utilization of Covid-related
Government Schemes
This section describes information about activities undertaken by VTF-4 members to improve utilization of Covid-related
Government schemes.
A set of five questions were asked to assess the coverage of activities done by VTF-4 members to improve utilization of
Government schemes. 47.4 percent of the trained VTF-4s reportedly compiled a list of all government schemes related to
Covid-19whereas this proportion was significantly low among the untrained VTF-4s (23.6%). The processes of identifying
eligible beneficiaries were carried out in 34.2 percent villages where VTF-4s were trained. On the other hand, this proportion
was significantly low among those who have not yet undergone training. 42.1 percent trained VTF-4s and 29.3 percent
untrained VTF-4s made efforts to create awareness about Covid-related government schemes in their villages (Refer Table
10).
Members of VTF-4s provided with support in undertaking processes to avail benefits of government schemes byeligible
beneficiaries.It was found that among the trained VTF-4s, 34.2 percent supported such beneficiaries for utilization
of government schemes, which is significantly high as compared to the untrained VTF-4s (17%). On an average 18.46
beneficiaries were supported by each trained VTF-4 (Refer Table10).
Monthly review meeting was an integral part of the program planning, supervision, and monitoring, it was seen that a
substantially low proportion of VTF-4s had reportedly conducted these meetings (28.9% by trained VTF-4s and 16% by
untrained VTF-4s) (Refer Table10).
The study reveals that VTF-4s compiled information on Covid-related government schemes; few of them initiated processes
of assessing needs i.e. identification of eligible beneficiaries. 1 out of 3 VTF-4s facilitated support to eligible beneficiaries for
utilization of schemes. On an average 18 beneficiaries were supported and followed-up by trained VTF-4s.

39
Sr
Activity conducted by members of Village
Task Force 4
training of CFV
p value
Yes No
(n=38) (n=106)
1
Compiled a list of all government schemes
applicable in their village
47.4 23.6 0.006
2
Created a working mechanism in the
village to identify potential beneficiaries
of government schemes?
34.2 17.9 0.038
3
Made efforts to create awareness about
Covid-related government schemes in the
village
42.1 29.3 0.147
4
Supported beneficiaries in the village for
utilization of government schemes? If so,
how many people were supported
34.2 17.0 0.027
Average number of beneficiaries
supported by VTF4 members for
utilization of government schemes –
Mean(SD)
18.46(32.9) 11.94(15.92) 0.216
5
28.9 16.0 0.084
An effort was made to collect information on mechanisms adopted by the VTF-4s members to identify eligible beneficiaries
for Covid-related Government schemes. About 15 activities/mechanisms were documented by VTF-4 members from study
villages. The most common ways and activities that were reported by VTF-4 members were display of posters/Government
Mahiti Falak on Covid-related schemes, counselling of families where death has occurred due to Covid-19, support to eligible
beneficiaries in applying for schemes, making awareness on Covid-related government schemes via Dawandi, distribution
of pamphlets, motivating and monitoring of frontline workers for undertaking needs assessments(Refer Table 11).
It was observed that VTF-4 members with the help of frontline workers prepared a list of eligible beneficiaries and supported
in creating awareness using mass messaging and by providing need-based home visits.
Working Mechanism Adopted by Members of Village Task Force-4 to
Identify Potential Beneficiaries of Covid-related Government Schemes

40
Table 11: Working Mechanism Adopted by Members of Village Task
Force-4 to Identify Potential Beneficiaries of Covid-related Government
Schemes
Sr
Kind of working mechanism created to identify potential beneficiaries for Covid
related Government schemes by VTF-4s
Percent
(n=144)
1 Display of posters/GovernmentMahiti Falak 4.9
2
Counselling to families where death due to Covid has occurred - on Death
assistance
2.8
3 Making AWWs to do follow up of families for death assistance 2.8
4 Village level security measures for Covid 2.8
5 Facilitating application process to families where death due to Covid occurred 2.1
6 Dawandi - for Covid related Govt. scheme 2.1
7 Pamphlets on government schemes 2.1
8 Awareness on Covid related government schemes 2.1
9 Corona Kendra 1.4
10 Display of Covid related government schemes at Gram Panchayat office 1.4
11 Preparing list of persons who died due to Corona 0.7
12 Transportation to eligible beneficiaries 0.7
13 ASHAs’participation in listing of beneficiaries 0.7
14 Checking documents of eligible beneficiaries 0.7
15 Support to eligible beneficiaries 0.7
Five questions were asked to all the respondent VTF-4 members to collect information on activities they had undertaken to
improve utilization of Covid-related schemes. A composite score was derived to summarize their performance in terms of
number of activities that they had undertaken. Figure 4 describes the performance levels of VTF-4 in undertaking actions
to improve coverage of beneficiaries under Covid-related government schemes. 60.6 percent of the trained VTF-4s and
significantly low proportions i.e. 34.9 percent of untrained VTF-4s reportedly had undertaken at least one activity (out of 5)
to improve utilization of Covid-related government schemes, and substantially low proportions i.e. 21 percent trained VTF-
4s had conducted all five activities to improve coverage of Covid-related government schemes(Refer Figure 4).
It was observed that even among untrained VTF-4s there were 34.9 percent villages whereCFV activities were initiated.It
was found that out of these 34.9 percent villages, about 38.5 percent have had initiated the activities as they were exposed
to the people’s movement video. Data demonstrated that the people’s movement video resulted in motivating VTF-4s to
start activities in their village even before they had undergone formal training.
A little more than half of the trained VTF-4s implemented at least one activity to improve utilization of Covid-related
government schemes in their respective villages. Only one out of 5 trained VTF-4s implemented all five activities to achieve
universal coverage of beneficiaries under Covid-related government schemes in their respective villages.

41
60.6
21
34.9
8.5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
p=0.001
p=0.000

42
Section 8:Improve Coverage of Covid-19 Vaccination
This section describes information about activities undertaken by VTF-5 members to improve coverage of Covid-19
vaccination in their village.
A set of five questions were asked to assess the coverage of activities carried out by VTF-5 members toward universalization
of Covid-19 vaccination. 71.4 percent of the trained VTF-5s and significantly low proportions (36.7%) of yet-to-be-trained
VTF-5s reportedly conducted community meetings to create awareness about Covid-19 vaccination in their villages. Most
of the trained VTF-5s (60%) undertook initiatives to prepare a due list of eligible people to be vaccinated for dose 1 and
dose 2 separately.74.3 percent of trained VTFs successfully facilitated vaccination camps for their village in collaboration
with the Taluka Administration, as compared to significantly low proportion i.e. 32.1 percent by untrained VTF-5s. Local
transportation for elderly, specially-abled, and senior citizens was organized by 51.4 percent trained VTF-5s and 25.7
percent untrained VTF-5s(Refer Table 12).
Monthly review meeting is an integral part of the program planning, supervision, and monitoring. It was however noted
that a substantially low proportion of VTF-5s have reportedly conducted monthly review meetings (37.1% by trained VTF-5s
and 20.2% by untrained VTF-5s) (Refer Table 12).
The study revealed that trained VTF-5s conducted awareness meetings with villagers to address vaccine hesitancy. Two out
of 3 trained VTF-5s facilitated need-basedCovid-19 vaccination camps in collaboration with the Taluka Administration. Most
of the trained VTF-5s facilitated and monitored the process of preparing due lists of eligible persons for dose 1 and dose 2.
Coverage of review meetings was however found to be low.
Sr
Activity conducted by members of Village
Task Force 5
training of CFV
p value
Yes No
(n=35) (n=109)
1
Conducted vaccination awareness related
community meetings in the village?
71.4 36.7 0.000
2
Created a due list of people to be
vaccinated - separately for Dose-1 and
Dose-2?
60.0 32.1 0.003
3
Facilitated vaccination camps in the
village in coordination with the Taluka
administration?
74.3 32.1 0.000
4
Organize local transportation for elderly,
specially-abled and senior citizens for
their vaccination?
51.4 25.7 0.004
5
37.1 20.2 0.042

43
to improve coverage of Covid-19 vaccination. A composite score was derived to summarize their performance in terms of
the number of activities they had undertaken to improve vaccination coverage. Figure 5 describes the performance levels
of VTF-5 in undertaking actions to improve the coverage of Covid-19 vaccination. 85.7 percent of the trained VTF-5s and
significantly low proportions i.e. 42.2 percent of untrained VTF-5s reportedly had undertaken at least one activity (out of 5)
to facilitate universal coverage of Covid-19 vaccination; and substantially low proportions i.e. 28.6 percent trained VTF-5s
had conducted all five activities to improve coverage of Covid-19 vaccination.
It was observed that even among untrained VTF-5s there were 42.2 percent villages where CFV activities were initiated.
It was found that out of these villages, about half of them had initiated activities as they were exposed to the people’s
movement video. Data demonstrates that the people’s movement video resulted in motivating VTF-5s to start activities in
their village even before they had undergone formal training.
A vast majority of the trained VTF-5s implemented at least one activity to improve coverage of Covid-19 vaccination in their
respective villages. Only one out of 5 trained VTF-5s implemented all five activities to achieve universal coverage of Covid-19
vaccination in their respective villages.
85.7
28.6
42.2
12.8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
p=0.001
p=0.038

44
Section 9: Performance of Village Task Forces
An effort was made to assess the performance of VTFs in terms of initiating and reaching out to the community. A composite
score between 0 to 30 was derived by considering the work done by Sarpanchs and five VTFs in a village.
Information about distribution of villages by cumulative performance is presented in this section. Proportions of villages that
performed highly is significantly more among the villages where at least one VTF member received training as compared to
the villages where VTF members were yet to be trained (39.6% Vs 6.2%, p=0.000) (Refer Figure 6).
Among the villages where VTFs were trained, 31.2 percent performed moderately, 25 percent reportedly had low
performance and 4.2 percent reportedly did not conduct any activities. (Refer Figure 6).
Even in the short period of program implementation and considering the Covid situation, performance of villages was
found to be satisfactory i.e. most of the villages had performed at least 11 activities (out of 30); six villages performed
extremely well with a score of 30. There were 22 villages that scored more than 25 (out of 30). Overall performance of CFV
activities was found to be satisfactory considering the short duration of program implementation and the situation where
Covid-19 infections in rural Pune had moderated significantly, and most of the Covid-19 related restrictions were removed
by authorities.
Cumulative Performance of VTFs
4.2
25
31.2
39.6
38.5
35.4
19.8
6.2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Not at all performed Low performance
(Carried out <=10 CFV
activities)
Partially perormed
(Carried out 11 to 20
CFV activities)
High performance
(Carried out 21 to 30
CFV activities)
Fig 6: Distribution of activities carried out under CFV by Sarpanch and all Five
VTFs (Out of 30 CFV activities)
Trained VTFs Untrained VTFs
p=0.000

45
Anopen-ended question was asked to all respondent Sarpanchs to get their responses on the best practices that were
implemented while facilitating an enabling environment through people’s movement to make their villages Covid-free.
36 best practices were documentedand arepresented in Table 13 below. Most of the Sarpanchs reported establishment
of VTFs in their village, organization of Covid-19 vaccination camps, establishment of Covid Care Centre, awareness on
Covid-19 via mass messaging, sanitization of common places, display of need-based information about preventing and
managing Covid-19, distribution of grocery/food items to marginalized families etc. asgood practices implemented in their
villages.
Best Practices Shared by Sarpanchs
Table13: Best Practices Shared by Sarpanchs
Sr Good practices shared by Sarpanch
Percent
(n=144)
1 Establishment of Village Task forces 06.2
2 Vaccination camps in village 3.5
3 Establishment of Covid Care Centre 2.8
4 VTF members’ follow-up with TalukaAdministration for vaccination 2.8
5 Dissemination of CFV information 2.1
6 Mass messaging using loudspeakers 2.1
7 Sanitization of common places 2.1
8 VTF’s efforts to improve coverage of Covid vaccination 2.1
9 Felicitation of Covid warriors 2.1
10 Distribution of sanitizer at the household level 1.4
11 Display of notice boards 1.4
12 Village rules- Entry to only those outsiders who had two vaccine doses 1.4
13 Awareness on Covid-19vaccination 1.4
14 VTF’s work resulted in changing attitudes and behaviours of villagers 1.4
15 Distribution of grocery/food items to poor families 1.4
16 Blood donation camps by Gram Panchayat 0.7
17 Monitoring of home quarantine for migrants 0.7
18 Sarpanch actively undertakingactivities to manage the Covid situation 0.7
19 Establishment of Covid Niyantran Kaksha 0.7
20 Distribution of Dettol 0.7
21 Rules to prevent Covid-19 0.7
22 Shifting of suspected cases to hospital 0.7
23 Registration campaign on CoWIN by VTF members 0.7
24 Gram Sabha for awareness generation 0.7
25 Sarpanch facilitating free of cost transportation 0.7
26 No Covid-19 patient in last 2 months 0.7
27 Sarpanch directed VTF members to complete tasks 0.7
28 ASHA volunteer disseminates information on Covid-19 vaccination 0.7
29 Wall paintings 0.7

46
Percent
(n=144)
30 Distribution of households among VTF membersfor help & monitoring 0.7
31 Logistics arrangements in the Covid Care Centre 0.7
32 Survey of villageby VTF to identify suspected Covid-19 cases 0.7
33 Maintenance of stock of medicines 0.7
34 Mask distribution 0.7
35 Vaccination coverage more than 90% 0.7
36 Counselling by VTF members to address vaccine hesitancy 0.7
Barriers and challenges experienced by Sarpanchs and VTFs while implementing activities to make the village Covid-free
were documented and are presented in Table 14. Majority of the Sarpanchs stated that most of theirtime was spent on
mobilizing people for CFV activities. Addressing vaccine hesitancy among villagers was found to be another major challenge.
Lack of awareness about Covid-19 and monitoring of people to follow Covid-19 protocols at all times were important
challenges. It was also observed that availability of Covid-19 vaccine was one of the key barriers.
Barriers and Challenges Shared by Sarpanchs
Table14: Barriers and Challenges Experienced by Sarpanchs while
Implementing the CFV Program
Percent
(n=144)
1 Lot of time taken for mobilizing people 8.3
2 Vaccine hesitancy–especially among tribal population 5.5
3 People not following Covid-19 guidelines 4.8
4 Non-availability of Covid-19 vaccine 4.8
5 Lack of awareness among people 3.4
6 Large gatherings of people; not following guidelines 3.4
7 In-migration of labourers 2.1
8 Accessing vaccination services 1.4
9 People not wearing masks in common places 0.6
10 Crowds at hotels and restaurants 0.6
11 People unwilling to take Covid-19 test 0.6

47
Section 10: Conclusions and Recommendations
The study was conducted from 13th to 22nd September 2021 in 11 rural blocks of Pune district covering 144 villages where
VTFs had been established. As the study was conducted within a period of 45 days after the program launch, the villages
where VTFs were established were purposively selected for the study. At the time of the study, the process of training of
VTFs was ongoing, Covid-19 infections in rural Pune had moderated significantly, and most Covid-19 related restrictions had
been removed by authorities. Due to significant moderation in the incidences of Covid-19, some VTF activities, especially
activities by VTF-2 and VTF-3 had a reduced uptake, and many villages had experienced shortage of vaccines, somewhat
affecting activities of VTF-5 as well.
All 144 village Sarpanchs of the study villages were interviewed. No significant variation was observed in terms of coverage
of CFV activities conducted by Sarpanch and VTFs by the type of village, but performance of small villages was found to be
better when compared with medium-sized and large villages.
As far as the training of VTFs was concerned, the strategy of conducting online training programs was successfully
implemented. Data reveals that even within 45 days from the start of the program, CFV team had successfully completed
training of around one third of VTFs. During this short duration, 23.6 percent villages reportedly completed training of all
five VTFs.
About 70 percent Sarpanchs attended the online training program of two hours’ duration conducted by the BJS team and
a similar proportion of Sarpanchs initiated at least one activity under CFV in their respective villages. Covid Madat Kendra
had been established by Sarpanchs in 24 percent villages. About half of the villages had conducted activities to create an
enabling environment for Covid risk-reduction. About 64 percent Sarpanchs reportedly conducted meetings with village
leaders, seniors and champions for CFV orientation and for planning of people’s movement.
More than 90 percent of the trained VTF-1s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. A substantially
high proportion of trained VTF-1s implemented activities to create awareness on Covid Appropriate Behaviours. Most of
the VTF-1s mobilized money to print the required BCC material - a total of Rs. 1,58,700 was mobilized by VTF-1s from 49
villages. Half of the VTF-1s conducted planning and review meetings on a monthly basis.
Mass messaging via Dawandi/loudspeakers, display of posters/banners, wall paintings, distribution of masks and sanitizers,
sanitization of common places, dissemination of messages via WhatsApp, home visits to resistant families etc. were the
activities conducted by most of the VTF-1s to create awareness about Covid Appropriate Behaviours.
More than 85 percent of the trained VTF-2s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. It was seen that
80 percent of the trained VTF-2s monitored surveillance of Covid symptoms conducted by ASHA volunteers in their villages.
While 57.5 percent of the trained VTF-2s compiled available emergency contact numbers for helping patients in need, 29
percent referred the patients with Covid symptoms for early testing. About 27 percent of the trained VTF-2s helped in
undertaking contact tracing, and 46.8 percent had review meetings to monitor progress of tracing and testing for Covid-19
in their villages.

48
More than half of the trained VTF-3s created working mechanisms in their villages to identify patients who needed
admission in Quarantine Centres/Covid Care Centres. A little less than half of the trained VTF-3s were actively involved in
conducting need-based activities like providing support for setting-up of Quarantine Centre/ Covid Care Centre, making
logistics arrangements at the Quarantine Centres or Covid Care Centres, facilitating admission of patients in the Quarantine
Centre or Covid Care Centre. On the other hand, review and planning meetings were conducted by less than half of the
VTF-3s.
Two out of three trained VTF-3s implemented at least one activity in their respective villages. One out of 3 trained VTF-3s
implemented all five activities to address need for services required at Quarantine Centres or Covid Care Centres in their
respective villages.
The study revealed that VTF-4s compiled information on Covid-related government schemes; few of them initiated
process of assessing the needs i.e. identification of eligible beneficiaries. One out of 3 VTF-4s facilitated support to eligible
beneficiaries for utilization of government schemes. On an average 18 beneficiaries were supported and followed-up by
trained VTF-4s.
It was observed that VTF-4 members supported the frontline workers in preparing the list of eligible beneficiaries, and
creating awareness using mass messaging and through need-based home visits.
A little more than half of the trained VTF-4s implemented at least one activity to improve utilization of Covid-related
government schemes in their respective villages. Only one out of 5 trained VTF-4s implemented all five activities to achieve
universal coverage of beneficiaries under Covid-related government schemes in their respective villages.
The study revealed that trained VTF-5s conducted awareness meetings with villagers to address vaccine hesitancy among
them. Two out of 3 trained VTF-5s facilitated need-based vaccination camps in collaboration with the Taluka Administration.
Most of the trained VTF-5s facilitated and monitored the process of preparing due lists of eligible persons for vaccination
dose 1 and dose 2. However, the number of review meetings conducted by VTF-5s was found to be low.
A vast majority of the trained VTF-5s implemented at least one activity to improve coverage of the Covid-19 vaccination in
their respective villages. Only one out of 5 trained VTF-5s implemented all five activities to achieve universal coverage of
Covid-19 vaccination in their respective villages.
Out of the villages with trained VTFs, about 39.6 percent performed highly, 31.2 percent performed moderately, 25 percent
had low performance and 4.2 percent had poor performance. It was found that about 70 percent villages performed
satisfactorily even in the short time.
The study demonstrated that within the short duration of the program, it had established VTFs in all the study villages
as per prescribed CFV norms. The program had successfully organized training of Sarpanchs and VTFs using an online
platform. The study was done at a time when the process of training VTFs was going on, hence the coverage of VTFs under
training was not recorded. It is worth noting that during this short duration, one out of 4 villages reportedly completed
training of all five VTFs.

49
The study demonstrated significant increase in implementing activities and coverage by Sarpanchs and VTFs after they had
received training. More than 70 percent of the VTF-1s had initiated home visits, and meetings with key stakeholders to
improve Covid Appropriate Behaviours among villagers. Most importantly more than 80 percent of the VTF-2s monitored
and motivated ASHAs to undertake surveillance of Covid-19 symptoms for early detection of cases. About half of the VTF-
3s created working mechanisms to identify patients who required admission at Quarantine Centres or Covid Care Centres
and actively facilitated admission of the patients to QCs/CCCs. A little less than half of the VTF-4s initiated activities to
create awareness in the community on Covid-related government schemes, and one-third had started helping eligible
beneficiaries in filling-up application forms and completing the formalities to avail benefits under the schemes. Two out
of 3 VTF5-s had initiated preparing due lists for Covid-19 vaccination; most of them facilitated vaccination camps for their
villages. It was evident that VTFs and Sarpanchs were making efforts and performing their roles and responsibilities as part
of a people’s movement to achieve the goal of making their village Covid-free.
The study demonstrated that trained VTFs and Sarpanchs had initiated enabling environment activities in their respective
villages to make their village Covid-free. More than 40 percent villages initiated most of the prescribed activities in their
village to achieve the goal of CFV. It was also evident that where VTFs were not trained, a substantial number of them
initiated CFV activities only after exposure to the people’s movement video. The people’s movement video made a positive
impact to motivate VTFs for initiating CFV activities even with very minimal training inputs.
Establishment of VTFs, awareness activities for CAB, vaccination camps in villages, support for setting-up and logistics for
Quarantine Centres and Covid Care Centres, awareness through mass messaging, felicitation of Covid warriors, distribution
of masks and sanitizers were documented as best practices during the course of 45 days of the program. On the other
hand, the study listed key barriers faced by Sarpanchs and VTFs. These were 1) time spent on mobilizing people for CFV
activities, 2) hesitancy among villagers for Covid-19 vaccination, 3)accessibility and availability of Covid-19 vaccine, and 4)
non-adoption of CAB by villagers.
More than 70 percent villages that had performed highly had their Sarpanchs along with VTFs making positive contributions
to build Covid-resilience in their villages. The study demonstrated that village Sarpanchs and VTFs accepted the CFV
activities. Most VTFs had utilized the BCC/IEC creatives, the technology platform, pictorial guidebooks, and the audio-visual
learning material. All of the above program materials were provided to Sarpanchs and VTFs through an easily accessible
online platform from where villagers downloaded and printed them locally by spending their own monetary resources, thus
utilizing them for Covid risk-reduction activities in their respective villages.

50
Given the positive response by the villages, the program needs to expeditiously complete training for rest of the Sarpanchs
and VTFs. There is also a need to improve the coverage of monthly review meetings by all VTFs for planning, supervision
and monitoring of activities to sustain villages as Covid-resilient.
The study findings conclude that the training and support provided by BJS resulted in empowerment of villages to take
ownership and create a people’s movement for containing the pandemic through activities undertaken by VTFs. The study
provided following key learnings to inform future program design and implementation:
Recommendations
• In the wake of restrictions on travel and for conducting physical meetings/events due to Covid norms,
the training and capacity building strategies adopted by the program using an online platform and easily
accessible self-learning toolkits (audio-visuals, guidebooks, and BCC/IEC material etc.) appear effective as
demonstrated by trained VTFs. This training methodology and toolkits may prove useful for rapid scale-up of
training programs in other areas too.
• A significant improvement in the performance of trained VTFs was seen as opposed to their yet-to-be trained
counterparts. The program needs to expeditiously complete training of all Sarpanchs and VTFs.
• The importance of monthly review meetings of Sarpanch and VTFs emerged as a key area to focus on. It was
observed that performance of VTFs was generally high when they regularly conducted monthly reviews.
• The strategy of village communities contributing their own monetary resources for program activities proved
successful as demonstrated by more than 65 percent trained VTF-1s. They contributed an average of Rs.
3,000 to conduct local awareness activities on CAB; the lowest contribution being Rs. 500 and the highest Rs.
40,000. A total amount of Rs. 1,49,750 was contributed by villages in addition to contributions made in kind
such as masks, sanitizers etc.
• The CFV empowerment model for Covid-resilience shows the potential to be a scalable and sustainable
approach, not just for dealing with the pandemic, but for other public health/rural development challenges
as well.

51
Annexure 1: Data Collection Tool
COVID-FREE VILLAGE PROGRAM
Preliminary Assessment of Stakeholder Acceptability
District Pune Taluka
Village Village Population
Panchayat Name of Sarpanch
Name of Gramsevak VTFs Formed (Y/N)
If Yes (Tick)
If formed as per CFV norms (Tick)
If training completed
(Tick)
How many times have you seen the Jan Andolan Video? (Frequency; 0, 1, 2, 3 etc.)
How useful is this video for your CFV activities in the village? (Rate on a scale of 1 to 10)
1 = Least useful
10 = Most useful
Assessment Criteria Score (Y=1, N=0) Remarks
Focus Areas Method of Enquiry
A. Sarpanch (People’s Movement)
Questioning, Discussion, Observation, Verification
of Plans/Records
A.1 Has the Sarpanch conducted a meeting with
village leaders, seniors and champions for CFV
orientation and planning of people’s movement?
(Verify documents/records for date of meeting,
number of participants, prominent villagers who
attended)
Specify date of meeting
A.2. Has there been a follow-up by Sarpanch on
adherence of allocated responsibilities in the
orientation meeting? How many follow-up actions
were taken? (ask details of what happened, observe
results on the ground; verify documents, records)
List follow-up actions
VTF-1
VTF-1
VTF-1
Sarpanch
VTF-2
VTF-2
VTF-2
VTF-3
VTF-3
VTF-3
VTF-4
VTF-4
VTF-4
VTF-5
VTF-5
VTF-5

52
A. Sarpanch (People’s Movement)
of Plans/Records
A.3. Is the Covid Madat Kendra (CMK) functional
in the village? ‘Functional’ means CMK manned by
a volunteer daily for fixed hours, and information
and services available to villagers (Observe, verify
documents, records)
A.4 Has the village spent any monetary resources
on setting-up the CMK? If so, how much? (Verify
documents, records)
Specify quantum of
money spent, and
sources from where it
was collected
A.5 Has the village conducted enabling environment
activities? (for instance, CMK-based risk reduction
activities, emergency contacts and transportation,
felicitation of Covid warriors, mobilization of CBOs/
SHGs, edutainment programs, mobilization of
religious leaders, dissemination of key messages,
seeking support of local stakeholders, cultural events
with messaging, etc.)
List at least 5 activities
with highest frequency
and coverage
Total (5 Marks)
B. VTF-1 Member
of Plans/Records
B.1. Has VTF-1 utilized BCC/IEC material in the village
for creating awareness by locally printing them? If
so, how much money was spent on this activity?
(Observe, verify documents, records, photographs)
Specify money spent
B.2. Has VTF-1 organized meetings with key village
stakeholders to sensitize them on Covid Appropriate
Behaviour? (Verify documents/ minutes)
B.3. Has VTF-1 conducted home visits to create
awareness on Covid Appropriate Behaviour?
(Observe, verify documents, records)
B.4. Has VTF-1 conducted any activities like wall
paintings, Dawandi, Covid awareness at VHSNDs/
VHSNCs or with any community group in the village
on Covid Appropriate Behaviour? If so, name at least
five activities (Observe, verify documents, records)
List at least 5 activities
B.5. Is VTF-1 conducting monthly internal review
meetings where activities planned v/s actual
achieved are discussed? (Verify documents/minutes)
Total (5 Marks)

53
C. VTF-2 Member
of Plans/Records
C.1. Are VTF-2 members regularly contacting ASHA
and taking review of her activities for surveillance
of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) in the village? (Observe,
verify documents, records)
C.2. Has VTF-2 referred any suspected cases for
testing in the past one month? If so, how many?
(Verify documents, records)
Specify number of cases
C.3. Has VTF-2 helped trace at least 12 contacts of
suspected cases? If so, supported in contact tracing
for how many cases? (Verify documents, records)
Specify number of cases
C.4. Did VTF-2 facilitate availability of emergency
contact numbers for helping patients, transport etc.
in the village? (Observe, verify documents, records)
Specify number of
patients assisted
C.5. Is VTF-2 conducting monthly internal review
Total (5 Marks)
D. VTF-3 Member
of Plans/Records
D.1. Has VTF-3 created a working mechanism in the
village to identify patients who need admission in
quarantine centres/Covid care centres? (Observe,
Specify the mechanism
created
D.2. Has VTF-3 supported in setting-up (if applicable)
or managing quarantine centres/Covid care centres
in the village, or in nearby villages? (Observe, verify
documents, records)
Specify the support given
D.3. Has VTF-3 facilitated admission of patients in
quarantine centres/Covid care centres? If so, support
provided to how many patients? (Observe, verify
documents, records)
Specify number of
patients
D.4. Has VTF-3 facilitated any patient amenities in
quarantine centres/Covid care centres? If so, name
at least five patient amenities (Observe, verify
documents, records)
List at least 5 amenities

54
D. VTF-3 Member
of Plans/Records
D.5. Is VTF-3 conducting monthly internal review
Total (5 Marks)
E. VTF-4 Member
of Plans/Records
E.1. Has VTF-4 compiled a list of all government
schemes applicable in their village? (Observe, verify
documents, records)
Specify schemes listed
E.2. Has VTF-4 created a working mechanism in
the village to identify potential beneficiaries of
government schemes? (Observe, verify documents,
records)
Specify the mechanism
created
E.3. Has VTF-4 made efforts to create awareness
about Covid-related government schemes in the
village? (Observe, verify documents, records)
Specify the efforts made
E.4. Has VTF-4 supported eligible beneficiaries in the
village for utilization of government schemes? If so,
how many people were supported? (Observe, verify
documents, records)
Specify number of people
E.5. Is VTF-4 conducting monthly internal review
Total (5 Marks)
F. VTF-5 Member
of Plans/Records
F.1. Has VTF-5 conducted vaccination awareness
related community meetings in the village? (Observe,
F.2. Has VTF-5 created a due list of people to be
vaccinated, separately for Dose-1 and Dose-2?
(Observe, verify documents, records)
F.3. Has VTF-5 facilitated vaccination camps
in the village in coordination with the Taluka
Administration? If so, how many people have so far
been vaccinated through such camps? (Observe,
Specify number of
vaccinated people, Dose-
1 and Dose-2

55
F. VTF-5 Member
of Plans/Records
F.4. Has VTF-5 been able to organize local
transportation for elderly, specially-abled, comorbid,
and senior citizens for their vaccination? (Observe,
F.5. Is VTF-5 conducting monthly internal review
Total (5 Marks)
Describe any best practices or innovations by Sarpanch/VTFs/TC in the village:
Describe any challenges, barriers or problems faced at community/system level:
Grand Total (30 Marks)
Name of the Assessor: Date: Signature:

Level 8, Muttha Chambers II
Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune – 411016
Maharashtra
020 66050100 info@bjsindia.org www.bjsindia.org www.facebook.com/bjsindia
October
2021

Covid-free Village Program: Preliminary Assessment Report | Oct'21

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