NGOs- funded for Peoples’ Bio-diversity Registers in Odisha and Dillydallying by OBB

NGOs- funded  for Peoples’ Bio-diversity Registers in Odisha and  Dillydallying by OBB 

Dear friends

RTI Application was submitted  to the PIO, office of Odisha Biodiversity Board (OBB)  under Department of  Forest and Environment, Govt. of Odisha  seeking  some iformation about  preparation of Bio-diversity Registers in Odisha. On 21.4.17, the PIO has provided  the following  information.  The PIO  has tried  to   cover up  many issues  by providing  misleading  information  which will be   challenged  through appeal procedure under RTI Act.  It   has been outlined below.

A.                 Provide name of the organisations which have been sanctioned funds for preparation of people’s Biodiversity Registers  (PBR) by State Bio-diversity Board (year-wise)

Year	Name of NGO	Total fund sanctioned	Total amount spent
2013-17	M/s Swaminathan Research Foundation ( MSSRF), Jeypore	3,78,000	3,78,000
2015-17	Grama Swaraj, Baripada	4,95,000	4,95,000
2015-17	NIRMAN, BBSR	3,60,000	3,60,000
2015-17	SAPNA, BBSR	1,70,000	1,70,000
2016-17	PAHAD, Phulbai	1,44,000	1,44,000
2016-17	APOWA, Kendrapara	90,000	90,000
2016-17	SEWAK, Sundargarh	54,000	54,000
2016-17	CARD, Ganjam	54.000	54,000
2016-17	CSRD, Cuttack	11,70,000	11,70,000
2017	LIPICA, Gajapati	18,000	18,000
	Total	36,05,375	36,05,375

B.                 Provide name of the NGOs who have not  yet completed the project sanctioned to them  and reason thereof.

Response of PIO

The PIO  has responded  that all abovementioned organisations  have not yet completed  PBR. But  the PIO  has given very confusing reply  about reasons.  He has mentioned  that

“ the Draft  PBRs submitted by  abovementioned NGOs are being evaluated  regularly  by an evaluation committee of OBB   and necessary  modifications  are being suggested  to them. After incorporating the corrections, the drafts are again submitted to OBB for evaluation  and this process continues  till the NGOs submit error free drafts.

Comments:

The PIO should  mention details of  the procedure  for  monitoring or evaluation of the project by PBB. But he has not clearly mentioned details of the reasons for non-completion of the project by NGOs.

C.                 Provide name of  NGOs  which  have not been   released complete sanctioned amount till yet and reason thereof including  copy of the file noting.  If the Govt. has sought any query or compliance or explanation from them, please provide  copy of it.

Response of PIO:

The PIO has not provided  any information  but cited  above mentioned  information   which is reproduced  by me “ the Draft  PBRs submitted by  abovementioned NGOs are being evaluated  regularly  by an evaluation committee of OBB   and necessary  modifications  are being suggested  to them. After incorporating the corrections, the drafts are again submitted to OBB for evaluation  and this process continues  till the NGOs submit error free drafts.

Comments: The PIO has   tried to keep the information secret.  The PIO could have   cited reason for non-release of fund.  The PIO could have provided copy of query or explanation sought from NGOs.  I think, this Board has tried its best to harass NGOs citing so-called reasons for non-release of fund.

D.                 Provide details of evaluation of the project sanctioned to the NGOs, if any made  by SBB. Name of the evaluators  with their address. 

Response of PIO:  As mentioned earlier,  the draft PBRs submitted  by NGOs are evaluated by  Committee. The details are enclosed  as Annexture-II.

Comments :  I have wanted  details of evaluation made  by PBB. It means any evaluation conducted or not. If conducted, the report should be provided.  But the PIO  has provided  a  copy of office order  about constitution of  5-member evaluation Committee on 12.1.15. It means Evaluation Committee has not conducted  a single project since last 2  and half years.  This is tragedy  how Biodiversity Board is functioning in Odisha  since last five years of its functioning.

· NGOs are not properly supported.

· No monitoring and evaluation of the project  is conducted  properly.

· Fund is not released properly.

· Over all it can be said, Odisha Bio-diversity Board has failed in all respects.

 Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 27.4.17