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Global Day of Citizen Action, 2016 observed by YSD

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Global Day of Citizen Action, 2016 observed by YSD

Global Day of Citizen Action-2016 has been observed here at Ganjam Kala Parishad by Youth for Social Development (YSD) along with other civil society groups and CIVICUS a world alliance for citizen participation. This day has been observed around the world to protect the rights of citizens’ and create civic space for progressive dialogue with government.

In many parts of India civic spaces are now under threat. It makes citizens and civil society groups voice slow down, restrict citizen’s freedom, make operations or financing for civil society groups difficult; in­creased the surveillance of ordinary citizens, activists and civil society organisations. Civil society also faces threats from non-state actors, including power­ful corporate entities, extremist right- wing and funda­mentalist groups.

The Global Day of Citizen Action-2016 is global events that takes place on Saturday, May 14th where ordinary citizens will tell us whether they feel free to speak out organise and take action. By participating, citizen’s help us understand what’s happening in your country and help us create awareness about the importance of `civic space’. Civic space exists when individuals and organisations have the freedom to speak out, organise and take action. In other words, to freely express, associate and assemble. The objective is to get people thinking about ‘civic space’, understanding their rights, increasing aware­ness about the importance of civic space and our need to monitor and protect it. This has given priority in the ‘Sustainable Development Goal’ set by the governments around the world.

Indian civil society today, standing in solidarity with India’s most marginalized communities, with the NGO sector and donors who support us, affirmed by the guiding principles of our Constitution – justice, equality and liberty. NGOs work both in the welfare sector and in empowering people to be aware of and enforce their rights as enshrined in our Constitution. Such action may include questioning and protesting decisions taken by government in many areas. This work is both our right and our responsibility as civil society actors in a democratic nation. Indeed the Indian government acknowledged this.

Therefore as a civil society actors we demand

 

  1. Put an end to coercive actions against NGOs, civil society and donors, without reasonable cause or due process, or seek to cripple the ability of these organisations to carry on their legitimate and sanctioned work.
  2. Initiate an immediate dialogue between the NGO sector and Government to address our concerns going forward. Amend the presently opaque FCRA rules and regulations; ensure complete clarity and transparency on provisions and processes, as well as forums and mechanisms of redress; remove all provisions that are amenable to subjective interpretation; ensure their uniform application to all NGOs, trusts, foundations, and societies.

To help raise our voice, Youth for Social Development (YSD), a local NGO working on governance, citizen participation, transparency and accountability in Odisha, with CIVICUS a world alliance for citizen participation have joined with other civil society and NGOs in Ganjam, that asks world leaders to set a range of goals that can really change lives and make a difference to all people and our planet and get involved and be sure to hold your government accountable for the promises it makes.

In this occasion more than 20 civil society organisations, 6 activists, more than 100 citizens including women, youth gathered to raise voice to create civic space. Two panel discussions held one, on civic voice in Odisha, India and second, on role of NGOs in development of Ganjam. In this occasion Pradeep Pradhan, Advisor to National Human Rights Commission on Right to Food, Dhirendra Panda, Human Rights Activist, Bhala Chandra Sadangi, Political Activist, Sudarshan Chhotaray, Social Activist joined as resource person and share their views in rights of the citizen and their voice, on the other hand Mangaraj Panda, United Artist Association, Lokanath Misra, ARUNA, Brundaban Panda, GPSS, Rabindra Pradhan, ISARA, Alaka Sahu, SEVA and Ranjita Das, LIPIKA have shared their views how the NGOs has contributed to the development of Ganjam district, empowering people and support government  to reach to the ultra poor section of the society. Bibhu Prasad Sahu of Youth for Social Development has coordinated the workshop.

A workshop, panel discussion, signature campaign and a peaceful protest organised in Ganjam Kala Parishad, Utkal Ashram Road, Berhampur.

Sushrii in Times most desirable 2015 list

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Sushrii in Times most desirable 2015 list

Sushrii Shreyaa Mishra from Sambalpur has ranked 14th in the most desirable women in India. The list is published by Times Group for the year 2015. The Times 50 Most Desirable Women 2015 were voted and chosen by Indian. The 21.35 lakh (unique) votes received online on www.itimes.com/polls along with their vote decided the final 50 on this coveted list.

The beauty queen from Sambalpur, Odisha represented India at the Miss United Continent 2015 and was crowned 3rd runner-up. She also featured in this year’s Kingfisher Calendar. This diva is a certified scuba diver and an aerial silk rope dancer.

She is interested in travelling, reading, dancing, horse riding, swimming, baking, and cooking.  And her favourite quote is by British actress Audrey Hepburn:

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe tomorrow is another day. And I believe in miracles”

Bollywood Actress Priyanka Chopra has topped the survey conducted online involving 21.35 lakh respondents. The other woman in the top ten list are, Deepika Padukone, Sunny Leone, Jacqueline Ferandez, Vartika Singh, Shriya Saran, Shraddha Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Amy Jackson, and Kangana Ranaut.

Dharmendra wrote to Irani to increase no of BEd seats of Pachayat College

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Dharmendra wrote to Irani to increase no of BEd seats of Pachayat College

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, wrote letter to Smt. Smriti Zubi Irani, Minister of Human Resource Development regarding increasing number of Bachelor of Education seats of Panchayat College Bargarh.

As per the information, the college authority is demanding 100 B.Ed. seats from the coming session for the college while 50 seats have been allotted to the college. The local BJP leader and State Vice President, Shri Ashwini Kumar Sarangi has submitted a proposal letter to Sri Pradhan mentioning that opening of a BEd course at Panchayat College Bargarh for 100 seats (2 units) in the academic session 2016-17 . In the letter it is stated that, Panchayat College Bargarh is the only government college in the educationally backward district of Odisha. The economically weaker section of this area depends largely on the government run colleges for education of their children. The Panchayat College, Bargarh is the oldest institution in the district and has been catering to the needs of the aspiring students in the higher education segment.

Farmer and paddy procurement saga

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Farmer and paddy procurement saga

Farmer of Chaunrpur RMC, Goshala, and Charpali yard area are unhappy with the published farmers list. The farmers had demanded all lists till 12th. The concern CSO has informed to send all lists with in 3days to registered yards of the farmers.

In another development paddy is harvested 35-40 quintal per acre. But the administration has notified to procure 32 sacks or 24 quintal paddy per acre.

As per the information, a meeting was held at Goshala market yard, presided by Chittaranjan Mahattam.  The gathered farmers have given a memorandum to ARCS demanding declaration of procurement of 35 sacks paddy within 13th of this month. Otherwise the farmers will come-down to the road for agitation.

Farmers from different villages had brought paddy to the market yard but the farmer registration list was not proper. According to the registration and paddy selling law, at 663 farmers should sell paddy at A. Katapali society by 8th May 2016. But due to the error in registration list only 410 farmers name are there.  Likewise, only 144 names are there at Kardola society whereas 677 farmers have registered their names. And at Chaunrpur name of 25 farmers are mentioned in the list whereas 512 farmers had registered there.

Child friendly conditions focused at Raahgiri-5

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Child friendly conditions focused at Raahgiri-5

Child friendly space and safe living condition was the focus at Raahgiri-5 in Berhampur. On the occasion of Mother’s Day at Raahgiri-5 more than 200 children participated and taken pledge from the citizens against child labour, child marriage and child trafficking, female foeticide and discrimination. This has created a sense of care like their mother for the children among the citizens.

Children from 30 slums participated in Raahgiri-5 in the city. They all participated in the ‘take a pledge’ campaign. Then they also participated in making puzzle games on Mother’s Day. Children in large scale also participated in the fun game like story-telling, tug of war, ring throw, kabaddi etc. Children enjoyed the opportunity feel like their own neighbourhood. On the other hand volunteers Swati, Ronalisa, Shivani, Jyoti, Madhumoy from Bakul Foundation joined children and made them fun and feel privileged.

Among the guests today’s Raahgiri Sri Manoj Kumar Mahanty, Commissioner, Berhampur Municipal Corporation, Smt. Dipti Mahapatra, Secretary, Berhampur Development Authority and Sub-collector Sri. Laxmikanta Sethi joined children and signed the ‘take a pledge’ note.

Youth for Social Development (YSD) has been working to improve the living condition of children living in urban poverty since 2012. Children from Raghupati Nagar, Jagannath Nagar, Gramdevati Bauri street, Old Berhampur Bauri street, Jagabandhu Bandh huda, Purnabasi Colony. Lanjipali Goudabandh Street, Telgu Street, Ankuli Gudia Bandh Street, Ambapua Bauri Street, Khodasingi Bauri Street and Dhimira Bauri Street participated. Youth volunteers Bala Das, Bidyut parava Das, Pinky Das, Radha Dash, Banita Nayak, Jharana Das, Jyoti Das, Basant Das, Rinky Patra, Suprava Das and Sumi Maharana coordinated the programmee.

Action initiated against millers of Bargarh

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Action initiated against millers of Bargarh

Millers of Bargarh have provided wrong information regarding milling capacity of their mills, revealed in an RTI expose. With reference to the complaint of the RTI activist the State government has initiated action against the millers.

As per the information, the rice millers of Bargarh district have mentioned excess milling capacity than the real milling capacity of their mills while registering online to avail custom milling allotment.  The millers are availing excess quantity of paddy for custom milling from the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. The role of Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation in distribution of paddy for custom milling is doubtful.  Apart from complaining about the above the activist has also provided the list of 105 rice mills involved in the rice procurement procedure in the district.  He has provided detail with the original capacity of the mills and the capacity mentioned while registering online.  The state government has given ordered to investigate after receiving the complaint.

According to the information, Niranjan Nayak, Managing Director, Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation has written to the district collector vide letter no 7065 on 22 April 2016 to investigate about the matter.

Papers of 40 mills are okayed and have provided right information; whereas, 9 millers have registered with lower capacity than their original capacity. The rest 56 rice mills have shown higher capacity than their original capacity.  The government is also allotting them according to the provided custom milling capacity. When a rice mill is included in the custom rice milling procedure, a physical verification procedure is carried out to check it.

Further, the state government had order the District Collector for investigation of the matter. The District Collector delegates the case to the ADM Bargarh and ADM Padampur. But the ADMs failed to provide the investigation report. Now, Bijay Kumar Prusty, Deputy Secretary, Food and Civil Supply Department has again ordered, vide letter no 9336 4th May 2016, for a joint investigation regarding the complaint. The order has been released from the Chief Secretary, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department Odisha. According to the order, a task force will be constituted including Director, District Industry Centre, District Supply Officer and WESCO officers.  This task force will visit each rice mill for physical verification.

But sources revealed, the millers of the district are not obeying the government orders and with money and political power they are acting on their own.

Corruption complain in paddy procurement in Bargarh

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Corruption complain in paddy procurement in Bargarh

Corruption in the paddy procurement process in Bargarh district is exposed now.  The farmers of Attabira are preparing themselves for agitation to combat the joint exploitation of administration and millers of Bargarh.

In the district level joint meeting decision was taken to purchase 32 sacks per acre. But the farmers met the Northern Revenue Commissioner and settled for 35 sacks per acre.  But suddenly the Additional District Magistrate declared that it has been reduced to 32 sacks per acre. This declaration has again set unhappiness amongst the farmers of the district. The district administration has opened the market yard since May 1st fearing agitation but not a single sack has been purchased.  The purchasing authority, neither Civil Supply Corporation Limited nor the MARKFED, nobody is reaching to the market yard.

Now the farmers are questioning why the administration reduced the purchasing capacity from 35 sacks per acre to 32 sacks per acre. Whom the government is providing benefit? The farmers are suspecting hidden corruption in this declaration. The farmers of Attabira and Goadbhaga are saying the capacity is reduced because the farmers will be compelled to sale the remaining paddy to the middle man in under-rate.

Though the Additional District Magistrate has promised to start procurement from 8th May but the farmers are saying if there will be further delay in procurement then they will start agitation and block the National Highway with paddy sacks.

Further the farmers are demanding that, why paddy is lying for 7 long days here and who is the purchasing authority? The Civil Supply Corporation Limited, MARKFED or the millers? Let the administration give clarification.  Further they added, the administration has employed millers to purchase the paddy whereas the purchasing authority exists only in papers and they are taking commission.  It is a joint corruption by administration, purchasing authority and millers, says the anguished farmers.

Paddy procurement hampered in Bargarh

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Paddy procurement hampered in Bargarh

Paddy procurement has hampered in Bargarh district and it is related to newly launched Aahar scheme in the district. Recently launched Aahar scheme at Bargarh town has created havoc for farmers of the district. The Aahar scheme at Bargarh town provides 500 meals per day. Cooked food is supplied from Sambalpur Aahar Centre to Bargarh centre by a Van. According to the provision, the customer pays Rs 5/- per meal but according to the government estimate each meal cost Rs 20/- and the remaining 15 is beard by the government.  This scheme is run by PPP mode. Meena Trust of Hyderabad is providing 500 meals daily for 2 months since its launching, donating 4 lakhs 50 thousands.  But the centre was in uncertain after 2 months as there were no funds to run further. The intelligentsia of the district pressurized the rice millers to donate fund for the centre in April. Finally the Millers Association of the district donated a sum of Rs 4 lakhs and buys the decision of the government and administration in favour of them.

The nexus between the millers and the government has been exposed. According to the information, rice procurement should have started on 1st May for the Rabi crop but today is 7th now and it has yet not started. Around 70 thousands paddy sacks lying on open sky in different market-yard of the district.  Hail storm, rain and bad weather affecting it from time to time.  The farmers are worried to sell their paddy as soon as possible but the administration is delaying the process. Sources say the delay is favouring the millers.

The district administration is saying they have yet not received the guidelines of rice procurement reference with last year and the process is getting delayed. Paddy is procured and target is given to millers by keeping their past year delivery report.  Now the millers and the local administration are in nexus and planning not to open the market yard before 10th so that farmers will compelled to sell to middleman in under-rate.

New Education Policy-2016 not done correct assessment

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New Education Policy-2016 not done correct assessment

The “New Education Policy-2016” proposed by Higher Education Department of Odisha has NOT done correct assessment says, Associate Professor, Digambar Patra, who fights for the causes of Kalahandi, while selecting/proposing new affiliated Universities across state because of the following reasons:

(1) The draft proposal should have considered quality of the colleges during selection procedure. Colleges having dubious record in the past for malpractice are given priority than college like Govt. Autonomous College Bhawanipatna (GACB), which has always kept high standard of education practice in this region. This is well reflected from the fact that GACB was among the: (i) first 52 colleges in India to receive Potential Center of Excellence (PCE) by University Grant Comission (UGC); (ii) first three colleges in Odisha to get PCE status by UGC; and (iii) the first college in KBK region to get PCE recognition by UGC

(2) Among the first three PCE colleges of Odisha, other two colleges (G M College and Khallikote College) in Odisha have already been made Unitary/Cluster Universities by state Govt.

(3) GACB is one of the most respected and prestigious colleges under Sambalpur University and in this region for quality education.

(4) Because of its good standard, the same higher education department of Odisha state Govt. had recommended in 2014-15 for upgrading GACB to a University under RUSHA scheme of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India. Unfortunately, GACB could not fulfill RUSHA requirements due to lack of sufficient number of lecturers and other infrastructure facilities for which state Govt. is largely responsible, thus, present suggestion for affiliated universities  by ignoring GACB contradicts earlier recommendation of same higher education department of Odisha.

(5) In addition, this proposal also contradicts recommendation made by earlier Higher Education Task Force headed by Prof. Pradhan by your own Govt., which had recommended upgrading GACB to an affiliated University for Kalahandi and Nuapda region in the name of South Western Odisha University. Recommendation of GACB to a University was even prior to conversion of G M College and Khallikote College to Universities by the same task force.

(6) In 2008 Sambalpur University had also proposed a branch campus in Bhawanipatna and a UGC team had inspected for this proposal, the fate of which is hanging.

(7) The current new education policy suggests affiliating Universities in Jeypore, Balangir, Rourkela, Angul and Puri. That means the concentration of new Universities will continue to be again within 100 km radius of Bhubaneswar, as one more affiliated Universities have been proposed in Puri (undivided Puri district will have two affiliated universities) and other one in nearby Angul. Rather the committee should have recommended Ravensha University to an affiliated University for undivided Cuttack district and kept Puri under Utkal University for undivided Puri district only.

(8) Cuttack-Bhubaneswar-Khordha region has already multiple number of national and state institutions including IIT, NISER, IIIT, AIIMS, five state Govt. universities, and three private universities etc. whereas Berhampur has multiple numbers of state Govt. institutions and 2 state Govt. Universities along with newly established IISER.  NIT at Rourkela and IIM in Sambalpur boost number of national institutions in Sambalpur-Rourkela region. This region has 3 state Govt. Universities in Sambalpur and one state University in Rourkela. North Odisha has also two state Universities in Balasore and Baripada. In comparison, KBK region comprising 30 % of Odisha’s geography and 20 % of its population has only one Central University of Orissa (CUO) at Koraput. There is no state Govt. University for the affiliated colleges in the region due to political biases. It does not have 20 % or 30% of state Govt. universities as per the need of its population or geography. This region needs special consideration to have more national institutions and state Govt. universities, especially to develop as a higher education corridor. Otherwise all the arguments by higher education department using low GER and regional disparity are meaningless.

(9) Geographically, Bhawanipatna is centrally located in all KBK districts and unlike Balangir it is farthest place from Sambalpur University. In fact based on geographical and other considerations Sambalpur University had earlier proposed campuses in Bhawanipatna and Rourkela whereas Berhampur University has proposed a campus in Jeypore.

(10) If affiliated Universities can be made each for Puri-Nayagarh, Dhenkanal-Angul and Sundergarh-Deogarh, undivided Balasore district then why not for Kalahandi-Nuapada? Socially, politically, economically, regionally and infrastructure wise it will be good to make three affiliated Universities in KBK region one each at Jeypore, Bhawanipatna and Balangir, especially, when this region is well known for backwardness, low GER, poor regional distribution of higher educational institution and high concentration of tribal population.

All the above proves very well that Govt. Autonomous College Bhawaniptana is the most deserving college in KBK region under Sambalpur University based on its potential and quality education and all other past recommendations by various committees, Sambalpur University and UGC (University Grant Commission), therefore, it must be considered for a University in new education policy 2016.

Protect children and provide safe living condition pledged at Raahgiri-4 in Berhampur

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Protect children and provide safe living condition pledged at Raahgiri-4 in Berhampur

Protect from all kinds of violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination against children. Today pledge have been taken by the children from the citizens. On the occasion of International Labour Day at Raahgiri more than 395 citizens signed the pledge against child labour, child marriage and child trafficking, female foeticide and discrimination. This has created a sense of care for the children among the citizens.

On the hand 350 children from 40 slums participated in Raahgiri-4 in the city. They all participated in the ‘take a pledge’ campaign. Then they also participated in origami and prepared many items like rocket, animals, plants, cartoons etc. Children in large scale also participated in the fun game ‘tug of war’. Children really enjoyed and participated

Among the guests today’s Raahgiri chief guest DG Kerala, DIG, Berhampur Sri. Amitabh Thakur, President Berhampur Chamber of Commerce, Sri. Manoj Kumar Mahanty, Commissioner, Berhampur Municipal Corporation, Smt. Dipti Mahapatra, Secretary Berhampur Development Authority and Sub-collector Sri. Laxmikanta Sethi joined children and signed the ‘take a pledge’ note.

Youth for Social Development (YSD) has been working to improve the living condition of children living in urban poverty since 2012. Children from Raghupati Nagar, Jagannath Nagar, Gramdevati Bauri street, Old Berhampur Bauri street, Jagabandhu Bandh huda, Purnabasi Colony. Lanjipali Goudabandh street, Telgu street, Ankuli Gudia Bandh street, Ambapua Bauri street, Khodasingi Bauri street and Dhimira Bauri street participated. Youth volunteers Bala Das, Bidyut parava Das, Pinky Das, Radha Dash, Banita Nayak, Jharana Das, Jyoti Das, Basant Das, Rinky Patra, Suprava Das and Sumi Maharana coordinated the programmee.

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