Parisar Bhagini Vikas Sangha is a federation of self-help groups of waste pickers. Parisar Vikas programme, started by Stree Mukti Sanghatana (SMS) in 1998 aimed at addressing the problems of waste picking women engaged in the ‘menial’ tasks of ‘cleaning waste’ and also the problem of waste management engulfing current urban existence. An important outcome of the Parisar Vikas (Neighbourhood Development) Project is the formation of PBVS which is a federation of 160/200 self-help groups. It has an executive committee of 9 members (+ 2 advisors from SMS) elected in a democratic process. PBVS works in around 9 communities which have community-level committees with two members from each group which meet every month to discuss the problems and solutions facing waste picker community.
PBVS is now registered with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) as Community Development Society. It is registered as a trust with Charity commissioner of Mumbai. PBVS is affiliated to SMS. As PBVS is recognized body at Municipal level they have been given trucks and spaces for sheds by MCGM in the wards A, E, F-North, M-East, M-West, N, S & T. PBVS maintains these sheds, collects dry waste through its members, stores it at sheds and disposes it when enough material is collected. In addition to this PBVS also conducts following activities under the guidance of Stree Mukti Sanghatana.
- Monitoring of internal lending group of individual SHGs, their social and financial Audit.
- Economic assistance to needy groups.
- Management of 2 canteens in Tata Institute of social science (TISS) since 2008.
- Conducting awareness sessions on life skills, training for leadership skills and alternate skills like composting etc.
- Helping women for employment.
- Health awareness sessions and health camps for members.
- Promotion of education for the children of the members.
The PBVS affiliates are spread across Maharashtra: Thane, Mumbai, New Mumbai, Wardha, Yavatmal and Buldhana
