ଓଡ଼ିଶା ସୂଚନା ଅଧିକାର ଅଭିଯାନ: Continuing Crusade against Anti-people RTI Regime in Odisha

Continuing Crusade against Anti-people RTI Regime in Odisha

(A Compilation of Posts circulated through E- mails and internets and cases on-going and disposed in various courts)

ODISHA SOOCHANA ADHIKAR ABHIJAN

E-mail- odishasoochanaadhikar@gmail.com

1.Compulsory RTI Application Form-“A” prescribed under Orissa RTI Rules, 2005- illegal and absurd

No RTI application Form required at all- Why?

All of us are quite aware that Odisha stands as the poorest state in the country. It is also the land of highest rate of illiteracy in the country. A big chunk of its population who are supposedly literate can not even read, let alone write- all this due to poor quality of education provided in the Government schools across the state. As most of the people in rural and tribal areas remain poor and illiterate, they could not access basic services and development projects meant for them. Neither are they able to raise their voice against corruption and mal-administration by the officials, contractors and private parties.

Right to Information Act which was enforced w.e.f. 15 June, 2005 is viewed as the most powerful instrument in the hands of the common people to fight corruption and ensure a transparent and accountable system of governance in the country. It recognizes sovereign power of the citizens of the country, before whom all public authorities from the highest office i.e. President of India to the lowest unit of administration i.e. Gram Panchayat would remain accountable. As is well known, over the last seven years of implementation of RTI Act in the country, many crucial information are coming to light and mega scams getting exposed through RTI. Large numbers of common people are using RTI on a massive scale indifferent states.

But RTI in Odisha presents an altogether dismal picture. Around 97% of the people are still ignorant about the use of RTI Act. Though they are aware about the law, they could not use it because of absurd, useless and illegal Compulsory RTI Application Form “A”. This Compulsory Form prescribed under Orissa RTI Rules 2005 is the only instrument to access the information held by the Public Authorities under the State Govt. But, with a slight wrong in filling up RTI Application form prescribed under Orissa Rules, his or her application stands rejected. The Common people never know how to fill up this lengthy 11-column Application form. Even the educated people are seen taking advice from RTI experts to fill the application form, let alone the case of the lay people. To fill up the form is a cumbersome matter. Further, it is also very difficult to find out the application form in any Govt. office. The officials simply refuse to give application form to the information-seekers.

What does RTI Act speak?

It is mentioned under section 6(1) of the RTI Act that “ A person, who desires any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in official language of the area in which the application is being made , accompanying such fee as may be prescribed. ----------“. It means no form is at all required for making an application for seeking information.

Practice at Central level and in Other States.

Recognizing the mandate of RTI Act, the Central Government in its Rules ( Central RTI Rules, 2005 now replaced by 2012) has not prescribed any Form. It is open for citizens to submit an application in any form to any office under the Central Govt. to get the information. Most State Govternments have not prescribed any compulsory Application Form at all. But a few states have prescribed model Application Formats to help citizens apply for information. But the Application Formats prescribed by the State Governments are not compulsory either. This is just a sample to guide the citizens as to how to apply for information. Below is the list of Rules of the Centre and state governments and their position in respect of Application Form under the RTI Act -

Rules	Prescription of Application Form
Central RTI Rules, 2005 and 2012	No Application Form or Format prescribed
Delhi RTI Rules, 2005	No Application Form or format prescribed
Arunchal Pradesh RTI Rules	A simple five column RTI Application Form “A” prescribed
Maharastra RTI Rules, 2005	A sample Application format has been prescribed.
Assam RTI Rules	No Application Form or format prescribed
Bihar RTI Rules	A simple Application Format prescribed
Harayana RTI Rules	Simple Form-A prescribed
Kerala RTI Rules, 2005	No Application Form prescribed.
Rajasthan RTI Rules	Format for Application has been prescribed
Punjab RTI Rules, 2007	Simple Application Form A prescribed
West Bengal RTI Rules	Rules do not provide for a format for application under RTI Act
Jharkhand RTI Rules, 2005	No application format or form prescribed
Tamil Nadu RTI Rules, 2005	State RTI Rules do not provide for a format or form for application.
Uttarkhand RTI Rules	No Application format prescribed.

Why did Odisha Govt. prescribe the Compulsory Application Form “A”

It is the conspiracy of State Govt. to prevent the people from applying for information under the RTI Act. The bureaucrats of the State Govt. are quite aware that the Form is so critical that the common people will never fill up the form to seek the information. Thus, the Public Authorities of the State Govt. will receive less number of RTI applications. Orissa RTI Rules have also made a restrictive provision in Form ”C” that if the application Form is not duly filled up or the identity of the applicant not satisfactory to the PIO, then the PIO has the liberty to reject it. But such rejection goes against the Section 7(1) of the RTI Act. The publications made by Odisha Information Commission and Gopabandhu Academy of Administration have maintained conspicuous silence over the procedure for seeking information from the Public Authorities of Central Govt. It has only mentioned the use of application Form-A as the only method of applying for information to any Govt. office. That’s why the people are often seen submitting their RTI applications even to Central Govt. offices like RBI, nationalized Banks, Railways, Doordarshan, BSNL etc. using Form A prescribed by Government of Orissa, whereas no application Form is required in such cases.

It is simply ludicrous that despite continuous protest against the Orissa RTI Rules 2005 and persistent demand for its withdrawal, the state bureaucracy is hell-bent to continue with this absurd and illegal form.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date-21.8.12

2. So-called Proof of Citizenship required to be submitted along with RTI Application under Odisha RTI Rules is ultra vires and draconian- Why?

Section 3 of RTI Act stipulates that “all citizens shall have the right to information”. Under Section 6(2) of the Act says “An applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him”. It means any person seeking information under RTI is not required to submit anything else than contact address by which the information sought would reach him/her.

Recognising this mandate of of the law, neither Central Govt. nor any State Government except Odisha has made any provision for proof of citizenship to be submitted by the applicant along with RTI Application.

Govt. of Odisha’s naked defiance against RTI Act

Unhappily enough, Odisha RTI Rules, 2005 framed by State Govt. of Odisha seems to be the odd man out in the whole gamut of RTI instruments made in the country. Apparently to comply with Section 27 of the RTI Act, the State Govt. has framed Rules called Odisha RTI Rules, 2005. Rule-2(e) has defined “identity” as the evidence of his ‘citizenship like an electoral photo identity card, a passport or any other document which can satisfy the authority about the citizenship of the person’ . It means any person seeking information has to submit his or her proof of identity like voter Identity card or a passport to any public authority under State Government. Again it has been provided that if the PIO is not satisfied with the document produced by the RTI-Applicant purportedly as proof of citizenship, he may reject the application on that very ground as permissible under Form-C prescribed under the said State Rules. This very ground occurring at column (iii) of Form-C is worded thus- “your identity is not satisfactory”. This is the naked violation of RTI Act, especially its Section 6(2) by the State Govt of Orissa.

Problems encountered by Information-seekers in the offices of State Govt.

Being armed with such a handy provision, the PIOs having a dubious intention are found rejecting a number of RTI Applications on so many flimsy grounds including a funny one- that photocopy of voter Identity card attached as proof of citizenship is not visible. Such PIOs take such absurd plea when they intend to reject RTI applications that seek sensitive information related to scam, corruption or irregularities. The students below 18 years of age and having no voter card cannot apply for information in Orissa because they can’t produce any proof of citizenship identity along with RTI application. Submission of school/ college identity card as proof is left to the discretion of PIO to accept or reject it, Big chunks of population who have neither voter ID nor passport are deprived of their right to access information under RTI Act though they are very much citizens of the country, and as such entitled to accessing information under Section 3 of the Act.

Intention of State bureaucracy behind framing the identity Provision

The hidden agenda of the state bureaucracy is to restrict the numbers of RTI Applications to be submitted and also to deprive the people of their right to access information under the RTI Act. Secondly, submission of a voter card or a passport will expose the personal identity of RTI applicant. It has been observed that with the identity of RTI Applicants getting exposed, the vested interest groups including the corrupt officials are found reaching to the concerned RTI Applicants to pursue and pressurize him to withdraw RTI Application in lieu of some gift or bribe. If the RTI applicant, honest and true to his intentions, refuses to give in, he would be threatened with dire consequence , even beaten up, and subjected to false cases etc. It is ironical, while there is a move afoot at the national level to enact a law for protection of whistleblowers, the State Govt. of Orissa has been insisting on exposure of the identity of RTI applicants who are potential whistleblowers.

Decision of Central Information Commission

While deciding a Complaint Case ( File No CIC/AD/C/2011/001736 decided on 11.1.2012),, Ms. Annapurna Dixit, Central Information Commissioner observed, “there is no provision in the RTI Act to seek identification of a citizen who seeks information from any Public Authority. The PIO of the Company is warned not to seek such identification in future u/s 3 of the RTI Act, which stipulates that all citizens shall have the Right to Information . . . .”. The fact of the case is that an RTI Applicant Mr. M Rangarajan of Bangalore had sought information about the provision of retirement benefits of the employees from the PIO, M/s. Braithwaite and Company Ltd under Ministry of Railways, 5, Hide Road, Kolkata - 700 043. But the said PIO quoting Section 3 of the Act demanded the proof of citizenship identity of the applicant before he would be able to disclose the
information sought. Then the aggrieved applicant approached the Central Information Commission with a complaint against the said illegal order of the PIO. Having heard the parties to the case, the CIC Mrs.Dixit passed the above order quoted above.

Role of Odisha Information Commission

But tragically enough, in Odisha blatantly anti-RTI and anti-people provisions are being upheld and justified by Odisha Information Commissioners during the hearing of the cases and as well in course of their address in public meetings. The only lame excuse they unabashedly proffer in defense of the above anti-citizen Rules is that the State Govt. has framed it. While saying so, the Commissioners blissfully ignore Section 25(5) of the Act, which authorizes the Commission to recommend to any public authority including the State Govt. to take steps for removing any deviation from and ensuring conformity to the letter and spirit of Act. Though more than 6 years and 9 months has passed since Odisha Information Commission started functioning, it has not made a single recommendation to remove the anti-citizen and ultra vires Odisha RTI Rules 2005. Of all, the Compulsory Application Form, proof of citizenship and prohibitive mode of payment of application fee are the worst nuisances wrought against every citizen’s right to information, and woefully enough, Odisha Information Commission has been sleeping over it at tandem with the dubious intentions of the State Government.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 24.8.12

3. Success Story of RTI Activism in Orissa

Grabbing funds in the name of conducting RTI Awareness Campaign is no more done by Orissa Information Commission

It is a fact that when a law is enacted, a provision is kept therein for conduction of campaign for public awareness on its provisions. Accordingly, the RTI Act has made a clear-cut provision in Section 26 that the Central Government or the State Govt. as the case may be shall organize public awareness campaign on RTI, publish booklets and conduct training for Officials in the state. As the Information and Public Relations Department is the nodal Dept. in Orissa for implementation of RTI Act, the Dept. was supposed to organize such awareness programme in the state. But the tragedy in Orissa is that since beginning, Orissa Information Commission itself was found busy in conducting the awareness programme, publishing booklets and organizing training for officers. The Officials of I and PR Dept. remained idle without contributing anything for propagation of RTI in the state. Neither any State Information Commission nor the Central Information Commission was found involved in doing such awareness campaign on RTI in their respective states or at a national level. But there is an exception in Orissa. Within a span of five years, Orissa Information Commission (OIC) spent more than Rs. 3 crores sanctioned by Govt. for awareness programme . But the output is very dismal.

As the OIC remained busy in conducting awareness programme and inaugurating its events as Chief Guest and Chief Speaker, their primary work of disposal of complaints and 2^nd appeal cases suffered and pendency of cases was found increasing in the office of the Commission. It needs to be mentioned here that presently more than 15000 cases are pending with the Commission for disposal because of sheer negligence and inefficiency of the Information Commissioners.

Being terribly shocked by illegal activities of the Commission, the Civil Society Groups and RTI Activists in Orissa since beginning opposed the Commission’s involvement in the awareness campaign and demanded their withdrawal from these activities. But the Commission remained hell-bent in pursuing their illegal activities and did not care for the criticism of Civil Society Groups. During that time, a question cropped up in the mind of RTI Activists that who decided and how the decision was taken at Govt. level to sanction funds to the Commission for awareness programme. Accordingly, RTI Application was submitted to the Dept. of I and PR, Dept. of Planning and Coordination, Dept. of Finance and office of Orissa Information Commission to get the information about it. Astonishingly, the PIOs of each Dept instead of providing the information, forwarded the application to the other. The PIO, office of Orissa Information Commission supplied the information only about the expenditure of the fund that they had manipulated to grab for themselves.

Finding no information through RTI application, the RTI Activists decided to get the information through MLAs by way of questions to be raised by them in the Orissa Legislative Assembly. Accordingly, Mr. Karendra Majhi, Hon’ble MLA raised a non-Star question in the assembly in the month of August 2009 for the Hon’ble Minister for Information and Public Relation to answer as to how the decision was taken at Govt. level to sanction the fund to the Commission for awareness campaign going against the provisions of RTI Act. Response of the Minister was “ Collection of Information is under Process” . But the information has never been supplied to the Hon’ble MLA even till today.

Then, the RTI Activists under the banner of Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan staged a day-long Dharana before Raj Bhawan, Bhubaneswar on 26.11.2010 demanding enquiry into misappropriation of 3.25 crore Rupees by the Commission in the name of awareness programme and appropriate legal action against the Commission at the earliest. A memorandum was submitted to Hon’ble Governor, Orissa in this regard. In the meantime, Mr. Tarun Kanti Mishra former Chief Secretary, Orissa assumed the responsibility as Chief Information Commissioner in the state in the month of Novemebr’2010. When he was apprised about the illegal activities of the Commission, he decided not to involve the Commission any further in the awareness campaign and accordingly wrote to the State Govt. not to take fund for the same. Now the fund for awareness programme is available with Dept. of I and PR, Nodal Dept. for RTI in the state from the financial year 2011-2012, which is a right decision taken by the Government at long last

To conclude, it took five years of protracted struggle of RTI Activists and Civil Society Organisations to

force the Information Commission to act as per the letter and spirit of the RTI Act.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date-6.10.2011

4. Information Commissions the biggest threat to RTI, says Shalish Gandhi, Central Information Commissioner, Relevance of Gandhi’s Statement to Odisha Information Commission

Mr. Shailesh Gandhi, Central Information Commissioner who demits his office on Friday says that the biggest threat to RTI regime in the country is from Information Commissions themselves. He has further said that RTI faces three major threats - lowest from the government, then judicial processes and the gravest threat from Information Commissions where there are numerous cases pending for two to three years. If the situation continues like this, in the next five years the pendency of a case is likely to lengthen for three to five years, at which point the common man will run away from most of judicial and quasi-judicial processes. If it continues to so happen, RTI will be dead. (Please find attached news clipping published in Times of India).

Shailesh Gandhi is the single Commissioner in India who pays interns from his own salary for ensuring quick and efficient processing of case files. Because of his personal commitment to his profession, day-long hearing from 10 AM to 5 PM (I have personally seen it) and well-drafted decision on the cases, he has successfully disposed 16,000 cases within four years of his tenure. It means 4,000 cases per year, 330 cases per month. He has set an example before Information Commissions in the country and a model before RTI Activists.

Let us examine how the statement of Shailesh Gandhi has relevance in the context of functioning of Odisha Information Commission. Our three Information Commissioners never spend a single pie from their salary for any extra work that needs to be done for quick disposal of the cases. So-called Civil Society man turned Information Commissioner who delivers a lot of speech on idealism and democracy, giving call to social activists for dedicating life for nation, has precariously failed to set any example before younger generation. Rather they have tried to take all perks from the state exchequer including so-called summer vacation leave for 18 days to enjoy superb luxury postponing the hearing abruptly. Secondly, due to their lack of efficiency, seriousness, knowledge and capacity for interpretation of the letter and spirit of the law, they have failed to hear the cases properly and dispose them within appropriate time limit. For example, all the Information Commissioners including Mr. Jagadanand are hearing just 10 to 12 cases per day and disposing 4 to 5 cases per day which is the lowest in the country. The hearing of the case starts from 11 AM every day as Information Commissions of other states start hearing at 10 AM. The reason for delay in starting the hearing is that the first hour ( 10 to 11 AM) will be devoted by Information Commissioners for inaugurating any NGO sponsored meeting as Chief Guest and or addressing any such function as the Chief Speaker. Again, the Odisha Information Commissioners devote just two hours for hearing. Though RTI Activists are demanding for hearing of more number of cases like 30 to 40 cases per day, the Commission could not do it because they do not have the capacity and stamina to do it. Lethargic functioning of the Commission has made RTI a mockery in the state. Till to-day, they have failed to set a single example or give an outstanding decision which the RTI activists or Civil Society or media will like to highlight as a model one.

To conclude, Odisha Information Commission is more dreaded than bureaucracy and biggest threat to RTI regime in the state.

Any positive or negative comments with harsh language are welcome.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 9.7.2012

5. Staggering pendency of cases with Orissa Information Commission- What for?

On 27.10.2011 I had been to the office of Orissa Information Commission to attend the hearing of a complaint case on the request of a Complainant. I happened to come across the notice board, where only 10 cases were found to have been listed for hearing by Mr. Tarun Kanti Mishra, State Chief Information Commissioner , 8 cases by Mr. Jagadanand State Information Commissioner and 1 case by Mr. Pramod Kumar Mohanty State Information Commissioner on that day. This fact was surprising for the simple reason that Information Commissioners were hearing per day such a small number of cases when the pendency of the cases with the Commission as of today was more than 15,000. Secondly, it is also a fact that the Commission has decided not to hear the cases on Saturdays. Thus, they are observing a five-day week in respect of hearing of cases. If such practices continue, it will take around 6 years to dispose only the bulk of pending cases, forget about the cases to be filed within the intervening years.

Obviously, the people are losing faith in the Commission as their cases are being heard by the Commission after a big lapse of 2 to 3 years. The complainants are also losing their interest to attend the hearing of the cases, due to inordinate delay that renders the information sought by them irrelevant. Moreover, taking advantage of the absence of the complainants in the hearing, the Commissioners are also found disposing the cases in an arbitrarily manner, without ensuring the supply of information sought or imposing of penalty on the erring PIOs.

Massive pendency- the real reasons

A.The pendency of cases with the Commission started growing from the very time when Mr. D.N.Padhi, the then Chief State Information Commissioner and Prof. Radhamohan, State Information Commissioner got themselves briskly engaged in so-called awareness programme around the RTI Act. Leaving their mandatory duty to adjudicate the complaints and appeals, they were most of the time found in self-adorning roles of Chief Guest or Chief Speaker at awareness ceremonies sponsored by them out of funds grabbed from the Government through illegal means. Not only that. In order to garner support somehow for such nefarious misdeeds, they also arbitrarily distributed funds to different Govt. and Non-Govt. bodies including mostly their pet and pliant NGOs. In this process, the Commission acquired the image of a self-opinionated funding agency in place of a quasi-judiciary authority constituted for adjudicating the cases of complaints and appeals under the RTI Act. To start with, this perverse role of the Commission served as the single greatest factor for staggering pendency of cases that we see today.

B. Secondly, since the Commission started functioning, it has been noticed that the Commission has been disposing a meager number of cases per day. On a rough estimate the average monthly disposal by a Commissioner in years 2009 and 2010 was only 35 to 40 cases. Whereas, the Central Information Commissioners and other State Information Commissioners are found each disposing 300 to 450 cases per month. Now the question arises, why the performance of Orissa Information Commissioners in respect of disposal of cases is so dismal. Is it due to their inefficiency or any other reason. In fact, is sheer inefficiency of the Commissioners coupled with a lack of concern for the plight of the complainants and appellants. The question may arise again, how is it that such inefficient persons were appointed as Commissioners at all. The only possible answer to this all-important question is that these Commissioners have been given appointment mainly because of their close proximity to the political headquarters of the State, for whom loyalty rather than caliber mattered decisively.

C. Thirdly, it is further surprising that the hearing of the cases starts at 11 o’clock and gets finished at 2 o’clock i.e., only 3 hours being devoted for hearing. Many a time the Commissioners do also wind up the hearing session by 1 o’clock, taking advantage of the absence of the PIO or the complainant/ appellant. However, the Central Information Commissioners like Mr. Sailesh Gandhi and Information Commissioners of other states begin their hearing sessions at 10 o’clock and continue upto 5 to 6 PM, being able thus to dispose larger number of cases.

D. Fourthly, Orissa Information Commissioners don’t do any homework before coming to the hearing session. It has been noticed on several occasions that a Commissioner like Mr. Jagadanand, to start with, takes 10 to 15 minutes to read and understand a case, while the concerned parties shall remain standby in silence. Such a queer practice on the part of the Commissioner simply kills away the precious time and reduces the time required for hearing the parties. It has also been noticed that the said Information Commissioner enters the court with a haggard face after attending a meeting or workshop held elsewhere preceding his arrival in Commission’s office. Only after reaching the hearing chamber, does he start minding his business of hearing. In absence of any home work as already mentioned, his performance in hearing and disposing a case degrades to an inferior quality too.

E. Fifthly, the Commissioners, instead of practicing a quick disposal of a case after hearing the parties on one or maximum two dates, are in the habit of lingering the same through fixing so many dates of hearing for a single case. For example, in a complaint case of Mr. Nilamani Joshi, Bolangir the Commission fixed as many as 19 dates spread in two years for disposal of his case. This case involved a massive corruption by a nexus of public servants and politicians. The deliberate prolongation of this case by the concerned Commissioners not only exposes their rank inefficiency in handling a case, but also suggests some sort of clandestine nexus of the concerned Commissioners with the corrupt public servants involved in the case. Moreover, in some cases involving mega corruption by public servants, the Commission deliberately fixes several dates for hearing, so that the complainants would feel harassed and hesitant to attend the hearings. Commission, taking advantage of the absence of the complainants so harassed, disposes the cases to the advantage of the corrupt public servants. Wonderfully enough, the decisions passed by the Commission in such crucial cases, falsely state that the concerned complainant has already received the information, and the PIO is therefore exonerated from penalty and also the case is closed.

F. Sixthly, the Commission in their desperate bid to calibrate their image by way of showing the public an increased level of efficiency in the matter of disposal of cases has ventured into a dangerous strategy i.e. by disposing all the cases unilaterally, without hearing the parties and by way of remanding all the complaints and 2^nd appeals to the concerned 1^st Appellate Authorities with a direction to provide the information, along with an intimation to the concerned complainant/ appellants asking them to approach the Commission again if they fail to get the information as directed. By doing so, the Commission has been able to artificially hike the number of disposals, but there is not a single instance where this new strategy has benefitted the complainants or appellants. A complainant like the author of this write-up himself is deeply frustrated due to this new-fangled, face-saving strategy of the Commission.

G. Though more than 6 years have passed since its constitution, the Orissa Information Commission has not been able to show a single example where they have registered a complaint or appeal case properly, and issued the acknowledgement thereof along with case number to the complainant/appellant, let alone holding the hearing or deciding the case timely. Strange but true, the complainant/ appellants happen to know their case numbers suddenly after a lapse of two to three years following the submission of their complaint/ appeals, and that too when the date for hearing is fixed.

Though the Commission has been criticized by the Civil Society Groups and RTI Activists on umpteen times for their negligence and inefficiency in disposal of cases, it stubbornly refuses to revamp their old, dillydallying manner of disposing the complaints and appeals of the aggrieved RTI users. Under such circumstances, If the state goes for appointing more Commissioners like the present lot it will simply drain away a further chunk of state exchequer, built out of the tax payer’s money.

Pradip Pradhan

RTI Activist, Orissa

M-99378-43482

Dt- 25.11.2011

11. Vigilance Case against IAS, IFS, IPS,OAS officers in Odisha from the Year of 2000-2012

On dated 16.6.2012, RTI Application was submitted to Department of General administration, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about Vigilances cases lodged against IAS, IFS,IPS and OAS officers , sanction sought from Government for prosecution, Sanction for prosecution granted by Govt., details of cases in which Govt. refused to grant permission etc. The Public Information Officer of GA Dept. illegally kept RTI Application three and half months which is the violation of section 6(3) of the RTI Act ( the PIO is required to transfer RTI Application as may be appropriate to another Public Authority within 30 days in case of non-availability of information). It deserves to be mentioned here that GA Department stands as biggest violator of RTI Act in Odisha. However, on 31.8.12 the PIO, GA Dept. transferred my RTI Application to the PIO, office of Director, Vigilance, Cuttack who ultimately supplied the information within stipulated time period. The information supplied by the PIO, Office of Director-cum-Addl. DG, Vigilance is as follows.

1.During the period of 2000-2012, the Vigilance have sought sanction for prosecution from Govt. of Odisha against total no. of 170 officers out of which 144 are OAS officers and other 44 officers include IAS, IPS, IFS. Prominent figures are as follows.

a. Mr. Surendra Tripathy, IAS

b. Sri Suresh Panth, IFS, Ex-DFO

c. Sri Hari Shankar Upadhaya, IFS

d. Sri. Amresh Kumar Jaiswal, IFS

e. Sri. Birendra Kumar Sukla, IFS

f. Sri. E.L.Yanger Aier, IFS

g. Sri. Rabindra Mohan Senapati, IAS (Retd.)

h. Sri. Santosh Ku. Mishra, IAS

i. Sri Sanjeeb Kumar Ray, IAS (Retd.)

j.Prafulla Chandra Mishra, IAS

k. Sri Vinod Kumar, IAS

l. Sri. Rabinarayan Senapati, IAS

m. Sri. Nikunja Kishor Sundaray, IAS

n. Dr. Prasanta Ku. Pradhan, IAS

o. Sri. I.Srinivas, IAS

p. Sri Srikanta Prusty, IAS

q. Sri Pradeepta Kumar Pattanaik, Ex-OAS (Now IAS)

r. Sri Ashok Kumar Tarenia, Ex-OAS ( Now IAS)

s. Sri. Kumar Raghvendra Singh, IFS

t. Sri. Gourinath, IFS

u. Sri. Sushanta Kumar Nanda, IFS

v. Sri. Bikram Singh, IFS

w. Sri. Pradeep raj Karat, IFS

2. The State Govt. granted sanction for prosecution against total no. of 121 officers for charge sheet. Out of them are 114 OAS officers. Prominent among them are as follows.

a. Sri. Vinod Kumar, IAS

b. Sri. Abhiram Das, IFS

c. Sri. Kumar Raghvendra Singh, IFS

d. Sri. Susanta Kumar Nanda, IFS

e. Sri. P.C.Mishra, IPS( Retd.) (Since Expired)Abated.

3. Details of cases in which government have refused to give permission for charge sheeting the various category of officers are as follows.

Sl.No	Case No. with date	Name of Officer	Remarks
1	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 21 dt. 29.6.01	Sri Sailendra Kumar Dwibedi, OAS	Sanction refused
2	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 21 dt. 29.6.01	Sri Prasanta Kumar Das, OAS	do
3	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 55 dt. 29.2.03	Sri Manmath Kumar Pani, OAS	do
4	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 08 dt. 25.3.04	Sri Manmath Kumar Pani, OAS	do
5	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 63 dt. 27.10.03	Sri. Dhruba Ch. Swain, OAS	Do
6	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 37 dt. 29.8.02	Sri. Banabihari Mohanty, OAS	Do
7	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 37 dt. 29.8.02	Sri. Abhaya Kumar Nayak, OAS	Do
8	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 33 dt. 19.7.02	Sri. Sailendra Kumar Dwibedi, OAS	DO
9	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 33 dt. 19.7.02	Sri Prasanta Kumar Das, OAS	Do
10	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 06 dt. 19.2.04	Sri Surendranath Tripathy, IAS	Do
11	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 06 dt. 19.2.04	do	Do
12	Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No. 27 dt. 5.8.04	Sri Basanta Kumar Mohanty, OAS	Do
13	BBSR. Vig. PS Case No. 46 dt. 24.12.05	Sri. Niranjana Jena, OAS-1	Do
14	BBSR. Vig. PS Case No. 45 dt. 28.12.07	Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Bhuyan, OAS	Do
15	BPR Vig. P.S. case No.25dt. 30.9.05	Sri. Bijay Kumar Nayak, OAS	Do
16	BPR Vig. P.S. case No.4 dt. 24.3.05	Sri. Ganeswar Kanhar, OAS	Do
17	SBP Vig P.S. case No. 51 dt. 6.9.2002	Sri. Sitartam Patel, OAS	Sanction refused Govt. have passed orders for intiating major penalty, proceeding against the accused
18	SBP Vig P.S. case No. 47 dt. 22.11.2004	Sri. Omprakash Mohapatra, OAS-1	Do
19	SBP Vig P.S. case No. 2 dt. 4.1.2008	Sri Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, OAS	Sanction refused
20	SBP Vig P.S. case No. 54 dt. 2.6.2001	Sri Umashankar Ram, OAS	Sanction refused on the ground that there is no substantial evidence regarding criminal intention while releasing subsidy amount.
21	SBP Vig P.S. case No. 45 dt. 21.9.2000	Sri Fakir Mohan Pradhan, OAS-1	Sanction refused
22	KPT Vig. P.S. Case No. 03 dt. 20.10.2004	Sri Suresh Ch. Suaro, OAS-1	Govt. have passed orders for initiating major penalty, proceeding against accused.
23	KPT Vig. P.S. Case No. 08 dt. 11.12.2004	Sri Gandaram Khamari, OAS	Govt. have passed orders for initiating major penalty, proceeding against accused.
24	KPT Vig. P.S. Case No. 28 dt. 19.10.2006	Sri Simanchal Mandal, OAS	Govt. did not consider fit case for sanction.
25	KPT Vig. P.S. Case No. 36 dt. 30.9.07	Sri Bikash Ch. Bain, OAS(II)	do
26	BPR Vig. Case. No. 29 dt. 21.9.04	Sri Suresh Ch. Suar, OAS	Govt. passed order for initiating major penalty.
27	BLS Vig. Case No. 52 dt. 5.12.03	Sri Bishnupada Grahacharya, OAS	Govt. has been pleased to initiate major penalty.
28	BLS Vig. Case No. 21 dt. 12.7.06	Sri Bijay Kumar Mallik, OAS	Govt. did not consider fit case for sanction
29	BLS Vig. Case No. 29 dt. 24.6.04	Sri Bansidhar Mohapatra, OAS	Govt. ordered for major penalty.
30	BLS Vig. Case No. 34 dt. 19.8.05	Sri Harihar Mallik, OAS	Govt. ordered that the case does not had adequate material to prosecute.
31	BLS Vig. Case No. 4 dt. 18.1.01	Sri. Jagabandhu Ray, OAS	Govt. ordered for departmental proceedings
32	Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS case No. 37/1998	Sri Rabindra Mohan Senapati, IAS (retd.)	Govt. ordered to initiate minor penalty proceedings against him
33	Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS Case No. 49/2000	do	Govt. decided not to recommend the case to Govt. of India for according sanction.
34	Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No. 30, 32, 38,39,41 and 42/2003	Do	do
35	Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No. 35/2003	do	do
36	Cuttack Vigilance PS No. 30/2004	Sri Surendra Nath Tripathy, IAS	Govt. did not find fit case for sanction
37	Cuttack Vigilance PS case No. 14/2005	Sri. I.Srinivas, IAS	Govt. passed order not to recommend to Govt. of India for sanction
38	Berhampur Vigilance PS Case No. 27/2001	Sri.M.Gourinath, IFS	Orders from Govt. of India was received through GA DEptt. For initiating major penalty proceedings
39	Balasore Vigilance PS Case No. 27/2005	Sri Dinabandhu Das, OAS	Govt did not consider it fit case for according sanction

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date-9.10.12

9. Recovery of Rs. 38,37,372/- as interest due demanded by GA Dept. from CYSD against land allotted which is still forest land and yet to be converted – Information obtained from GA Department, Govt. of Odisha

Dear friends

GA Department, Govt. of Odisha while issuing two letters on 8.11.12 to the Chairman, CYSD, a Bhubaneswar-based NGO has requested to deposit Rs. 38,37,372/- as interest due against the land allotted to CYSD in two phases. It has been stated in the letter that you were allotted additional land measuring Ac. 1.016 in Mz- samantarapur. Earlier CYSD was requested on 11.8.2004 to deposit the premium of Rs. 50,79,201/- and premium of Rs. 15,23,760/- towards arrear ground rate for the period 01.04.1998 to 31.03.2004. Further a sum of Rs. 10,15,840/- was charged towards arrear ground rate for the period from 01.04.2004 to 31.3.2008 for permissive possession. Accordingly, CYSD deposited the premises and ground rent on 18.9.2008, 5.1.2007 and 22.9.2008 respectively. As it was paid late, GA Dept. has calculated Rs. 38,37,372/- as interest due and demanded early payment. The details of calculation is as follows.

Sl.No	Amount of premium/ground rent due	Period of delay	Amount of interest
1	Rs. 50,79,201/-	11.08.2004 to 18.09.2008	Rs. 31,28,927/-
2	Rs. 15, 23, 760/-	31.03.2004 to 05.01.2007	Rs. 6,32,465/-
3	Rs. 10,15,840/-	31.03.2008 to 22.09.2008	Rs. 75,980/-
Total			Rs. 38,37,372/-

In another letter on dated 8.11.12, GA department has also requested to CYSD to file proposal to Chief Conservator of Forest, Govt. of Odisha for diversion of forest land allotted to it in two phases ( Revenue plot No.-54 (pt), khata no. 1427, Mz-Jayadev Vihar and Revenue plot-39(pt), Khata no. 91, Mz- Samantpuri area Ac. 1.016, Jungle-II ( Buda Jungle) . A powerful body of Govt. has also raised the issue of how forest land without being converted was allotted to a private organization.

I will disseminate more information in the coming days.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 8.11.12

1. About 500 crores pending against 59 Companies towards payment of Water Bills, a fact exposed through RTI

Dear friends

State Govt. has failed to collect pending dues of water Bills from different Companies/ factories for years together in the state. This piece of information was obtained through RTI from the office of Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources, Govt. of Odisha on 14.11.12. The PIO has provided the information that a total number of 59 Companies have not paid dues of water Bill amounting to around Rs 500 crores in the state. The major Companies which have not paid sizable amounts of water bills since years together are as follows.

Sl.No	Name of Companies	Amount ( in lakhs)
1	Sterlight Energy Limited	8841.681
2	Vedanta Aluminium Limited	339.31
3	Action Ispat Power Limited , Jharsuguda	120.18
4	M/s ESPL limited	324.552
5	Orient Paper Mill, Brajaraj Nagar	3702.831
6	MC.L., Brajaraj Nagar	3355.255
7	M/s Shyam DRI Pvt. Ltd.	1779.095
8	B.I.T.S, Bandhabahal	759.515
9	Rathi Steel and Power Limited , Sikiridi	1294.91
10	Jain Steel, Duriaga	393.74
11	Jayashree Chemical	345.309
12	Vedanta Aluminium Limited , Lanjigarh	831.106
13	NALCO Refinery, Damanjori	3422.407
14	Sewa Paper Mill, Jeypore	10715.96
15	M/s Bhusan Ltd.	4764.807
16	Tata Refractories Ltd., Belpahad	1121.131
17	Viraj Steel and Energy Limited	542.307
18	S.P.S. Sponge Iron Limited	209.16
19	L.N.Metaliks, Shreepura	61. 34
20	M.C.L. Jagruti Vihar, Burla	231.082

The said information is only a partial information. Water Bill is still pending against a larger number of companies, but this fact has not been disclosed by the Department. Roughly, the pending water Bill against the Companies will be more than 2000 crores. It is generally seen in urban areas that when a common consumer makes one or two months’ delay in submitting the water Bill, water supply gets disconnected by the office of Executive Engineer. But in case of companies, the Govt. allows them to loot the state by not paying water Bill for years at a stretch.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 19.11.12

11.Sweet profit by Govt. of Odisha from subsidized Sugar - Worst sufferer is BPL and APL beneficiaries

In the month of July, 2012, there was huge media coverage about wastage of quintals of sugar meant for BPL and APL beneficiaries in Mancheswar godowm of Odisha State Civil Supply Corporation ( OSCSC LTD.). Keeping it in view, a series of RTI Application was submitted to different offices including Railways and Department of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, Govt. of Odisha to get the information about authenticity of the incident and circumstances led to wastage of such a huge quantity of sugar, officials response for it and who got benefited out of it.

The information provided by different offices is as follows.

a.The district Manager , Odisha State Civil Supply Corporation ( OSCSC LTD.) has reported that during unloading of levy sugar rake at Manheswar Railway station on 27.7.12, stock of Q. 1345.5 sugar in 2691 bags were found affected by rain water. The wet sugar was inspected by the surveyor of United India Insurance Company Limited , Bhubaneswar. The quality analyst of OSCSC Ltd. Also verified the sugar and reported its un-suitability for issue under PDS. The D.M., OSCSC suggested for auction of wet sugar immediately to prevent further loss of quality.

b.Accordingly, the wet sugar was auctioned by OSCSC on 17.8.12. The highest bidder was Maa Shanti Rice Industries which took the wet sugar of Q 1345.5 and deposited Rs. 45,47,790.00 at the rate of Rs.3380.00 per quintal.

Let us calculate how the state Govt. much profit out of it at the cost of the interest of APL and BPL beneficiaries in the state.

1. The State Govt. had lifted sugar stock against Govt. of India allotment as per the rate fixed by Govt. of India. The cost of sugar fixed by GOI was Rs. 1911.44 per quintal. As per the norm, the State Govt. deposits the amount to the GOI-approved Sugar Mill and gets the sugar through Railway transport.

2.Total cost of waste sugar Q 1345.5 at the rate of Rs. 1911.44 which was paid by State Govt. is Rs. 25,71,842.00.

3.Net profit that the Govt. got out of wet sugar is as follows.

Amount received from auction by Govt. - Rs. 45,47,790.00 -

Cost of sugar deposited by State Govt. – Rs. 25,71,842.00

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Profit Rs. 19, 75, 948.00

It needs to be mentioned here that as sugar got affected by rain water, the Dept. of Food Suppply and Consumer Welfare has demanded compensation to the Railway Board, New Delhi. As per information provided by Railway Board in the last month, no decision has been taken to give compensation to State Govt. against the loss of sugar. If it is considered, the state Govt. would get again benefit from the loss of sugar which will add to its net profit.

But the ultimate and biggest looser is the BPL and APL beneficiaries for whom sugar was supplied by Govt. of India under PDS. They neither got sugar nor benefited from this exercise which affected their food security and deprived of their legitimate right and entitlement. They continue to suffer.

As per GOI norm, sugar is supplied to BPL and APL beneficiaries at the subsidized rate of Rs. 13.50 per kg ( 2 kg to each beneficiary). The State Govt. does not give any subsidy on levy sugar. But it is interesting that without any investment, the State gets huge profit by selling, auctioning sugar and demanding compensation to the concerned authorities in case of loss. PDS beneficiaries for whom sugar is supplied remain mute spectator. Is not it sweet profit ?.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 20.11.12

7. Land allotted to different Institutions in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Below is the details of land allotted to different Institutions by Govt. of Odisha which is provided by General Administration Department on dated 22.12.12 in response to my RTI Application .

Sl.No	Name of Institutions/Companies	Mouza/Unit	Area allotted	Year of allotment	Premium in Rs.
1	KIIT, Bhubaneswar ( Medical College and Hospital)	Patia	Ac. 26.970	2006	Rs. 2,06,99, 500
2	Bhubaneswar Eye Research Institute	Patia	Ac.10.000	2004	Rs. 50,00,000
3	Army Recruitment Centre	Bhimpur	Ac.2.000	2006	Free
4	Regional Vocational Training Institute for Women	Jayadev Vihar	Ac.2.000	2006	Rs. 1,00,00,000
5.	Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre for Physical orthopedics Training Institute	Jayadev Vihar	Ac.1.000	2000	Rs. 50,04,592
6	Sikhya “O’ Anusandhan (Medical College)	Ghatikia	Ac.15.000	2006	Rs. 3,75,00,000
7	Ruchika High School	Ganga Nagar	Ac. 1.000	1986	Free
	Addl. Land	do	Ac. 0.026	1998	Rs.2,60,000
8	DAV School, Kalinga Nagar	Ghatikia	Ac.2.000	2005	Rs.25,00,000
9	Vivekananda Yoga Therapy and Research Centre	Gopabandhu Nagar	Ac. 0. 250	2005	Rs. 6,25,000
10	Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management	Dumduma	Ac. 5.000	2005	Free
11	Saraswati Sisu Mandir	Gopabandhu Nagar	Ac.1.000	2003	Rs. 50,00,000
12	National Institute for Social Work and Social Science (NISWASS)	Jayadev Vihar	Ac. 3.000	1985	Free
13	Centre for Development Education and Communication	Jayadev Vihar	Ac.3.000	1990	Free ( Cancelled)
14	DAV School	Pokhariput	Ac.3.000	1997	free
15	Loyala	Educational Society	Ac.12.000	1998	free
16	Sanskrit Foundation Trust Pvt. Ltd. For Model Public School	Jayadev Vihar	Ac. O. 930	2000	free
17	Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, No.IV	Chandrasekhar Pur	Ac.2.000	2003	Rs. 50,00,000
18	Guidance English medium School	Dumduma	Ac.1.000	1997	free
19	Integral School of Education	Bhimpur	Ac.1.000	2003	Rs. 35,00,000
20	St. Joseph Annency for High school and Dispensary	Jokalandi	Ac.2.000	1991	free
21	DAV School	Chandrasekharpur	Ac.2.000	1991	free
	Addl.Land	do	Ac. 2.341	2004	Rs. 58,52,500
22	Regional College of Management	Jayadev Vihar	Ac. 2.000	1989	free
23	Sainik School	Gadakana	Ac.137.000	1975	Free
24	DAV School, Unit-VIII	Gopabandhu Nagar	Ac. 6.320	1971	Rs. 1.00
	Addl. Land	Gopabandhu Nagar	Ac. 6.320	1971	free
25	Laxman Nayak Sangeet Academy	Bapuji Nagar	Ac. 0.100	1972	free
26	Utkal Pratistha Rastra Bhasa Prachar Sabha	Bhoi Nagar	Ac.3.000	1959	free
27	Tinitotis English Medium School	Kharavela Nagar	Ac. 0.250	1984	free
28	Rastrya Sanskrit Sansthana , New Delhi	Nayapali	Ac.10.000	1985	free
29	Chetana Institute of Mentally Handicapped School	Samantapuri	Ac.1.000	1990	free
30	Women ITI	Jagamara and Pokhariput	Ac.5.028	1985	free
31	Xavier Institute of Management ( Industry Dept.)	Jayadev Vihar	Ac.20.000	1985	Alienated
32	Institue of management	Bomikhal	Ac. 3.000	1978	free
33	Tribunal Orientation Training Centre	Paika Nagar	Ac. 6.887	1970	Alienated
34	Odissi research Centre	Jayadev Vihar	Ac.5.034	1989	Alienated

Pradip Pradhan

Date. 1.1.2013

11. Writ Petition filed in Odisha High Court for removal of Sri Jagadanand from the post of Odisha Information Commissioner

On 22.1.13, Sri Biswa Keshari Mohanty, Chandbali of Bhadrak district, Odisha has filed a writ petition in Odisha High Court challenging the failure of Mr. Jagadanand, Odisha Information Commissioner in redressing his Complaint against the concerned public authority as per provision of RTI Act and Governor, Odisha in enquiring into and taking appropriate action on his Complaint against the Orissa Information Commissioner. The Opposite Parties in this case are Secretary, Dept. of Information and Public Relations, Govt. of Odisha, Secretary, office of Governor, Odisha, Secretary, office of Odisha Information Commission, Sri Jagadanand, State Information Commissioner, Medical officer, Chandabali Community Health Centre, PIO, office of CHC, Chandabali etc.

On 22.3.2010, Sri Mohanty had submitted RTI Application to the PIO, office of CHC, Chandabali, Balasore district seeking information about details on the number of staff, their salary, vacancy position along with other queries. After receiving the application, the concerned PIO by his letter no. 193 dated 31.3.2010 asked him to go through the desired documents on 13 th April, 2010 at 11 a.m. onwards in the office. Accordingly, Sri Mohanty went to the office and searched for the PIO. Being failed to trace him out, he met the Medical officer and requested to allow him to go through the information. His request was turned down by Medical Officer. Then he made first appeal to the FAA and finding no response, second appeal was lodged in the office of the Information Commission.

The case was registered as Complaint Case No.2935/10. Sri Jagadanand took hearing of the case. However during the course of hearing, the PIO submitted that since the applicant had inspected the relevant records , the information on the matter cannot be furnished . Having heard both parties, Sri Jagadanand directed the PIO to ensure furnishing a full set of information expeditiously free of cost to the Petitioner within 10 days of receipt of the order and report compliance thereof. He further issued show cause notice to the PIO directing to appear along with a detail show cause memorandum and to explain as to why penalty under section 20(1) shall not be imposed.

After receiving the order, the PIO supplied the information to the Complainant and the case was again heard by the Commission on 16.4.2012 . During hearing it was observed that first appeal preferred by the complainant has neither been dealt nor disposed of by the first appellate authority so he directed the first appellate authority to explain as to why disciplinary action shall not be recommended against him for inaction and dereliction of duties . The Commission also issued show cause notice to Bhagaban Chandra Pati, PHEO-cum-Ex-PIO and Gouranga Chandra Jena, Surgery specialist-cum-First Appellate Authority to appear along with their respective show cause and explain as to why penalty shall not be imposed as per section 20(1) of the Act.

In the next hearing, Bhagaban Chandra Pati filed an affidavit to the extent that he was never designated as a public information officer at any point of time in the office of CHC. But the Commission without taking the above said facts in to consideration and without applying his judicial mind by his order dated 23.5.2012 illegally directed the present medical officer to pay a compensation of Rs 2000/- to the complainant and only cautioned the first appellate authority to be careful and not to repeat this act in future. He further directed the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Healh & Family welfare Department to release comprehensive guideline to all public authorities for mandatory public disclosure under provisions of the Act.

Sri Mohanty, the petitioner has submitted that Sri Jagadanand, SIC without appreciation of the facts as well as provisions of the law illegally disposed of the case and also closed the same without imposing penalty on erring PIO s and the appellate authority. He also submitted a Complaint to Governor, Odisha under Section-17 of RTI Act praying for action against Sri Jagadanand on account of his failure to deliver justice to him and penalize the PIOs and the 1^st Appellate authority. The Governor remained silence on it.

Sri Mohanty has prayed to the Hon’ble High Court to direct to recover the penalty from the erring officials and issue a writ in nature of Mandamus or any other suitable writ directing Governor to take appropriate legal action against Sri Jagadanand, SIC as per law and remove him from his office within a stipulated period.

Pradip Pradhan

RTI Activist, Odisha

M-99378-43482

Date- 23.1.13

3. Allotment of land in favour of NGOs/ Voluntary Organisations within Bhubaneswar

Please see below allotment of land granted in favour of NGOs/ Voluntary Organisations within Bhubaneswar supplied by GA Department, Govt. of Odisha in dated 7.12.12 in response to RTI Application. The said information is incomplete. More information is yet to be provided by GA Dept.

Sl.No.	Name of organisation	Mouza	Area in Acres.	Year of allotment	Premium in Rs.
1	CYSD, Bhubaneswar	Samantapuri	1.016	1991	1,60,698
2	SOS village	Ghatikia	10.000	1991	free
3	Gopabandhu Daridra Narayan Seba Sangha	Kharabela Nagar	0.500	1973	2,500
4	Missionaries of Charity	Satya Nagar	0.500	1976	free
5	Kalinga Foundation Trust	nayapalli	1.000	1982	1,00,000
6	Young Men Christian Association	Nayapalli	0.502	1986	free
7	IAS Officers’ Wives Association	Gopabandhu Nagar	0.063	1987	63, 131
8	Hind Kustha Nibarana Sangh	Bhoi Nagar	0.121	1990	1,21,212
9	Chetna International of Jewels	Samantarapuri	1.016	1991	free
10	Orissa Environment Society	Jayadev Vihar	0.055	1997	free
11	Open Learning System	Gadakana	0.965	1994	free
12	Agragamee	Jayadev Vihar	0.124	1997	2,47,934
13	Usthi Foundation	DO	0.138	1998	2,76,000
14	People’s Organisation for welfare Employment and Rural development	Paika Nagar	0.124	1998	6,20,000
15	Marwari Society and Charitable Hospital	Ganga Nagar	0.471	2000	23, 54,913
16	Mahul Palli Yubak Sanga	Jayadev Vihar	0.086	2000	4,30,441
17	Sahajya, Sundargarh	Satya Nagar	0.190	2000	9,50,414
18	Society for Nature Education and Health	Jayadev Vihar	0.069	2006	3,44,353
19	Kasturba Nari Mahal	Bapuji Nagar	1.300	1985	30,000
20	Adivasi Bikash samiti	do	0.107	2005	5,33,747
21	International association and Lions Club	do	0.136	2007	6,80,000
22	Chinmaya Mission Trust	Paikanagar	0.372	2001	9,30,000
23	Lions club	Jayadev Vihar	0.261	1998	7,83,472
24	St. John Ambulance	Kharavela NAGAR	0.106	2001	5,28,926
25	Rotary Club	Bhoi Nagar	0.124	1985 and 1987	51,508
26	Adivasi Mangal Samiti	Bhimpur	0.145	1988	free

Pradip Pradhan

Date-1.1.2013

6. Colonial Secrecy in the matter of disclosure of information relating to land is maintained by IDCO, a Govt. of Odisha Undertaking

All of you might be aware that few months back, Sri Pradeep Jena, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, IDCO ( Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation) was transferred overnight from his post which was filled up by another bureaucrat. Mass media highlighted this news and cited the probable reason of his transfer. The reason is he dared to issue letter to the Companies/Institutions to return the land allotted by IDCO which remain unutilized by them. I am in dark about the authenticity of this news.

However, on 4.1.13, I had submitted RTI Application to the PIO, office of IDCO, Bhubaneswar seeking the following information.

a. Details of land allotted to different companies/ business houses in puri, cuttack, Khurda, Jagatsingh Pur.

b. Has IDCO done any mapping about use of land for the purpose for which it was allotted to different Institutions/Companies . If yes, please provide details of it.

c. Has IDCO written any letter to any Companies/ Institutions for returning the land. If yes, please provide name of these Companies/ Institutions and reason of writing for returning the land.

After around 2 months (statutory time limit is 30 days) , the PIO supplied me only the list of lands allotted to different Institutions / Companies in different areas like Rasulgarh, Mancheswar, Bhagabanpur, Janla, Anlapatna, Ramchandrapur, Gothapatna of Khurda district. This information is incomplete because land allotted to different companies in Cuttack, Puri and Jagatsingh Pur has not been supplied. The reason of not supplying the information has not been cited . Rather the PIO has maintained silence over non-supply of the information. It is presumed that IDCO has started to maintain colonial secrecy in this matter as there is huge scam in respect of allotment of land to different companies by IDCO in Puri and Jagatsingh Pur area. However, in my pursuit to reveal the truth, I am going to file first appeal to the First appellate Authority to get the complete information.

While going through the document, I found that a single organization has been allotted a number of acres of land under BCD-II Division in Bhubaneswar. I do present the said information for the public interest. However this piece of information is still incomplete.

Name of the allottee	Year of allocation	Plot No.	Area allotted (in Acres)	Purpose	Amount deposited against the allocation (in Rs)
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology	13.6.2003	15	10.130	Degree Engineering College	7,92,451.00
KIIT	11.6.2003	18	1.000	Engineering College/Hostel	52,500.00
KIIT	4.2.2003	14/A	5.000	Professional Institute	3,12,500.00
KIIT	4.2.2003	14/B	1.000	Professional Institute	95,000.00
Do	11.6.2003	26	0.501	Engineering College	33,750.00
Do	24.7.2003	41	0.500	Degree Engineering College	1,86,879.00
Do	24.7.2003	22	0.501	Degree Engineering College	1,81,875.00
Do	11.6.2003	42	0.200	Tribal School	30,053.00
Do	11.6.2003	42/1	0.150	Tribal School	2,34,401.00
Do	24.7.2003	19	0.507	Engineering college	3,60,999.00
Do	11.6.2003	19/A	0.501	Engineering College/ Hostel	3,75,750.00
Do	14.6.2004	44	4.278	Professional Management Institute	94,11,600.00
Do	29.4.2005	65 &20B	5.913	Technical/Management/Biotech Institution	1,60,21,800.00
Do	28.10.2006	40/1	0.200	Parking of vehicle	5,00,000.00
Do	23.4.2008	87	10.200	Professional Institute	30,60,000.00
Do	8.7.2009	44/C,D&44/E	3.214	Professional/Management Institute	70,70,800.00
Do	17.7.2009	Excess land	1.905	Professional/Management Institute	90,86,788.00
Do	20.8.2010	23/B, 23/D, 22/A/2, 45,41/E, 92, 68/A, 68/B, 91/A, &91/R	4.683	Professional/Management Institute	3,40,10,288. 00
Do	13.12.2010	28	4.828	Institutional purpose including +2 Science college	2,60,41,540.00
Do	8.11.2010	63	0.150	Institutional purpose	5,25,000.00
Do	6.10.2010	12/c	0.989	Professional Educational Institution	33,41,500.00
Do	8.10.2010	31	1.550	Institutional purpose	54,25,000.00
Do	15.2.2011	51	3.504	do	12264000.00
Do	23.12.10	20/A	2.000	do	1,12,00,000.00
Do	16.12.11	A/8 &9	0.987	Social Infrastructure/Educational institution purpose	71,80,425.00
KIIT (for KIMS)	8.3.04	25	6.883	700 bed hospital	1,25,34,155.00
KIIT (for KIMS)	29.4.05	24 &12/A	3.896	700 Bed Hospital	1,05,56,650.00
		Total	74.169		15,86,21,704.00

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 11.3.13

2. 400 Govt. Quarters unauthorizedly occupied in Bhubaneswar by retired Govt. Employees and Employees transferred to other districts in Odisha, a fact exposed through RTI

Dear friends

On 5.2.13, an RTI Application was submitted to the Department of General Administration, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about Govt. quarters unauthorizedly occupied in Bhubaneswar by the retired Govt. employees or employees who have been transferred to other districts in the state. The other items information sought were as follows-

i.Provide information about procedure to be followed for eviction in case of unauthorized occupation by the employees.

ii. Is there any arrangement of collection of penal fee from such category of employees. If yes, Please provide details of it including a copy of Govt. circular.

iii. Provide information about the steps taken by the Govt. for eviction of these employees from Govt. quarters unauthorisedly occupied.

On 11.3.13, the PIO has supplied the information which is as follows-

a.Total No. of 400 Govt. quarters has been unauthorisedly occupied in Bhubaneswar by the retired Govt. employees like IAS officers, OAS officers, police officers, school teachers, judges, law officers, clercks, section officers, stenos, diarists, Drivers, caretakers, watchmen and the employees who have been transferred to other districts in the state.

b. With regard to procedure for eviction, it is provided that after cancellation of allotment of Government quarters, OPP (E) case is to be filed in the court of Estate Officer, G.A. Dept. against the unauthorized occupants. After finalization of eviction procedure by the Estate Court, steps are taken for their eviction as per Rule. After receipt of the orders under section 5(2) of the Odisha Public Premises Eviction Act from the court of Estate Officer, G.A. Department, eviction of unauthorized occupant is taken up following due procedure of law.

c.Steps have been taken by the Govt. for eviction of the employees unauthoriesly occupying Govt. quarters.

d. The rent (Standard license fee ) for Govt. quarters illegally occupied by Govt. employees has not been revised since 1998.

Some important illegal occupants of Govt. quarters are as follows-

Sl.No	Name of retired employees with their designation	Details of quarters			Date of retirement	Employees transferred out of Bhubaneswar
		No.	Type	Unit
1	Haradhan Pal, retired Executive Engineer, O.C.C.Ltd. BBSR	17	C	I.R.C.	30.4.2011
2	Smt. Madhur Sarangi, IAS Ex-chairman, OFDC	5	VIIIMR	VI	31.12.2011
3	Sarat Ch. Behera, Retd. Under secretary, IT Dept.	44/4	E	IX	31.1.2011
4	S.K.Fakiruddin, Retd. Under Secretary, Agrl. Dept.	230	E	VIII	31.3.11
5	Pramod Ch. Panda, OSS (Retd.) Under Secretary to Govt., Dept. of Science and Technology	101	IVR	VI	31.8.2011
6	Dolamani Kandher, OAS (SB), Addl. Secy. Agrl. Dept.	71	C	VIII	31.10.2012
7	Nabin Ku. Behera, Ex-Agrl. Marketting Officer, O/o- the Director of Hurticulture	2/2	D	CRP	Relieved on 30.6.2010	Nayagarh
8	Lingaraj Rath, OAS, Ex-joint Secy, now ADM Ganjam	67	VR	VI	Transfereed on 27.12.2011	Ganjam
9	Smt. Babita Mohanty, OAS, Addl. Sub-collector, Dhenkanal	19	VR	VI	25.6.12	Dhenkanal
10	Santosh Senapati, OAS, Niali	7/3	IVA	II	25.6.2008	Niali
11	Debaraj Pradhan, retired Superintendent, Odisha State Archeology, Bhubaneswar	1	3R	MA	28.2.09
12	Duryodhan Mohanty, retd. Deputy Secretary, Home Dept.	87	IVR	VI	31.3.10
13	Nimai Ch. Rout, Retd. Deputy Secretary, G.A. Dept.	22/5	2RA	VIII	31.8.11
14	Chitta Ranjan Sahu, retired Under Secretary, P.E. Dept. Bhubaneswar	172	E	N.A	30.10.11
15	Natabar Nanda, Deputy Secretary, H and FW Dept.	7/4	IVB	I	31.01.12
16	Dr. Banambar Panigrahi, Retired Eye Specialist, Capital Hospital	17/1	IV	I	31.1.12
17	Ananda Ku. Mishra, retired Addl. Secy. H &FW Dept.	28	4RF	IX	31.12.11
18	Siba Prasad Mishra, retd. CDI and Ex-officio Special secretary, G.A. dep.	7	C	IX	30.4.11
19	Madan Mohan Barik, Ex-Asst. Survey of India	15/5	F	IX	Transferred on 23.12.2009	Survey of India, Kolkatta
20	Kelu C\h. Swain Retd. Director Housing Ex-officio Addl. Secretary, H & U.D. Department	22	4R	IX	29.2.12
21	Sarat Ch. Patra, Ex-SI, O/o- the S.P., Khurda	2	2RB	IX road-6	1.4.2008	1.1.2008, SP, Khurda
22	Surendra Mohanty, retd. Under Secretary, Home Dept	266	E	VIII	1.5.2012
23	Pratap Mohanty, Ex-Addl. SP, puri	46/1	IV	I		2.12.08, Puri
24	Madanmohan Dhir Ex-Havildar-720, Commissioner of police	106/7	F	CSP		30.9.2008 Sundargarh
25	Arun Kumar Sahu, Ex-law officer, Commissioner of Police	10	4RF	IX		30.8.10 Jajpur

Pradip Pradhan

Date-4.4.13

4. Rs. 1, 28, 45,385/- as Arrear Outstanding against Rent of Quarters occupied by Ex-MLAs/Ministers/MPs from 2000 to 2012

Dear friends

On 4.3.13, I had submitted an RTI Application to the Department of General Administration, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of quarters occupied by Ex-MLAs/ Ministers/ MPs from 2000 to 2012 and arrears outstanding against them. The information provided by the PIO on 3.4.13 is as follows.

a. Total number of 171 Ex-MLAs/ Ministers/ MPs have not paid the rent of the quarters occupied by them on expiry of their tenure.

b. Out of Rs. 1, 53, 20, 055/- as arrears outstanding against Ex-MLAs/ Ministers/ MPs, only a sum of Rs. 24, 74,670/- has been collected. Remaining amount i.e. Rs. 1, 28, 45,385/- is still pending against them . A few Ex-MLAs/ Ministers/ MPs against whom quarter rent is pending is as follows.

Sl.No	Name	Quarter details			Date of Vacation	Arrear Outstanding	Details of payment
		No.	Type	Unit
1	Ajen Murmu	16/2	MLAD/S	IV	20.8.2004	2,19,252.00	1,45,000.00
2	Ananta Prasad Sethy	1/1	VIC	1	Residing	5,61,024.00
3	Anantaram Majhi	2/2	VIC	1	27.10.2009	2,14,033.00
4	Baidhar Mallik	9/2	MLAD/S	IV	31.3.2010	84,276.00
5	Baishnab Pradhan	3/2	MLA-F	IV	2.8.2004	51,142.00
6	Bimbadhar Kuanr	1	VIIIMR	VI	23.3.2009	75,879.00
7	Ananda Archaya	7	VIR	VI	26.10.2009	55,043.00
8	Balabhadra Majhi	6/2	Mla-F	IV		3,96,342.00
9	Bijay Mohapatra	6	VII	1	22.5.2007	6,36,769.00	6,36,769.00
10	Bikram Kestari Deo	5	VIIC	1	21.7.2006	8,42,794.00
11	Binod Patra	14/2	MLA-F	IV	19.9.2009	73,890.00
12	Bira Sipka	18/2	MLAD/S	IV	7.7.2009	4,47,370.00
13	Biswa Bhusan Harichandan	4	VIIIMR	VI	14.1.2010	1,60,136.00
14	D.D.Sohela	1/2	MLA-F	IV	23.10.2002	55,423.00
15	Bishnu Ch. Sethy	5/1	MLAD/S	IV	25.8.2005	62,923.00
16	Duryodhan Majhi	1/4	MLAD/S	IV	residing	3,77,240.00
17	Gangadhar Majhi	1/3	MLAD/S	IV	13.9.2000	97,834.00
18	Golak Bihari Nayak	1	6R	V	27.10.2009	1,02,146.00
19	Giridhari Gamango	8	5R	1	5.2.2007	2,40,187.00
20	Md. Ayub Khan	15/1	MLAD/S	IV	26.2.2010	1,48,316.00
21	Hemanand Biswal	2	VIIIC	1	24.5.2007	4,10,113.00
22	Janaki Ballav Patnaik	5	VIIISGO	VI	8.10.2009	53,338.00
23	Himansu Sekhar Meher	6	VIR	VI	26.10.2009	1,47,173.00
24	Habibullah Khan	1	VIIIC	VI	26.10.2009	99,362.00
25	Jayaram Pangi	11/2	VIC	1	Still residing	5,50,656.00
26	Jogendra Behera	3/4	MLAD/S	IV	31.8.2009	4.72,412.00
26	Jogendra Behera	2/1	DO	DO	Residing
27	Juel Oram	7/1	MLAD/S	IV	13.10.2000	80,124.00
28	Jyotindranath Mitra	6	4R	VI	30.3.2010	2,21,857.00
28	Jyotindranath Mitra	1/3	MLAD/S	IV	16.11.2009
29	Kishor Mohanty	3	VIII-D/S	III	Still occupying	10,30,808.00	4,95,992.00
30	Madhabananda Behera	2/4	MLAD/S	IV	DO	3,82,569.00
31	Prahalad Dora	1	VIIISGO	VI	23.3.09	89,838.00
32	Nitesh Gangdev	5	VIIC	1	3.11.2009	77,199.00
33	Niladri Nayak	8/2	VIC	1	27.10.2009	55,053.00
34	Padma Lochan Panda	4	VIR	VI	26.10.2009	55,778.00
35	Pradipta Ku. Nayak	3	VIIIMR	VI	17.6.2009	4,04,768.00
35	Pradipta Ku. Nayak	6/3	MLAD/S	IV
36	Pramila Giri	7/2	VIC	1	30.4.2011	2,79,418.00
36	Prasanna Acharya	8	VIMR	VI	6.11.2006	1,20,629.00
37	Raghunath Hembram	14/4	MLAD/S	IV	6.10.2004	5,47,401.00
38	Rabi Narayan Naik	14/3	MLAD/S	IV	12.10.2009	71,503.00
39	Rudramadhab Roy	6	VIMR	VI	13.10.2009	3,64,122.00
40	Sachidanand Dalal	15/4	MLAD/S	IV	18.6.2004	2,17,351.00
41	Sanchita Mohanty	2/1	4R	III	27.8.2010	2,14,237.00
42	Susama Patel	2/1	VIID/S	II	27.10.2009	5,80,217.00
43	Umesh Swain	7	VIC	I	12.10.2009	66,442.00
44	Usharani Panda	3	VIR	VI	18.3.2005	59,022.00

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date-7.4.13

7. National Commission for Scheduled Caste recommended 5 castes of Odisha for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Caste to Govt. of India, exposed through RTI

National Commission for Scheduled Castes, in its 29^th meeting held on 3.12.2012 ( Agenda No. 29.16: Inclusion/Exclusion of castes of Odisha State) has recommended to Govt. of India for inclusion of 5 castes ( to the extent that they follow Hinduism as their religion) of Odisha in the list of SC Community . These castes are as follows.

a. Goudia Kela

b. Adhuria Domb, Adnuria Dom

c. Rajak, Rajaka

d. Betra, and

e. Khadal, Khodal, Khadala

In respect of proposal for exclusion of 3 castes like (a) bariki, (b) Kummari, and (c) Patratanti; of Odisha from the list of SC will be considered after obtaining copies of State Reports from the Govt. of Odisha on the basis of which this has been recommended for exclusion by the Govt. of India.

The recommendation of the Commission came following the Public Hearing conducted by the Commission in Odisha in 2012 at SCSTRTI, Bhubaneswar with the representative of each caste groups. Under the chairmanship of Dr. P.L.Punia, the hearings on inclusion or exclusion of the caste were heard. Each caste group has submitted their representation to the Commission about their socio-economic status, untouchability, denial of access to the temple etc.

The following is the brief note of the castes and their activities which prompted Commission to recommend to Govt. of India for their inclusion in the list of Scheduled Caste.

a. Goudia Kela

This caste is the synonymous caste of Sapua Kela which are included in the SC list of Odisha against Sl. No. 45 as Kela, Sapua Kela. Sapua Kela are mostly living in Puri district. The traditional and primary occupation of Sapua Kela is snake charming besides they are engaged in daily wage labourers. Some of them are in business. They profess Hinduism. Their economic condition is very poor. SCSTRTI in their status report (2005) recommended for inclusion of Goudia Kela as synonym of the modified community.

b. Adhuria Domb, Adhuria Dom

This caste is synonymous of Dom and Dombo caste which are listed against Sl.No. 27 of Odisha SC List. It is a part of largest SC Community of Dom. They are mainly distributed in the district of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sambalpur. They occupy very low position in the social hierarchy and treated as untouchables by upper caste. SCSTRTI in their report (2003) had suggested that Adhuria Domb, Adhuria Dom is the synonym of notified SC community.

c. Rajak, Rajaka

The main occupation of this caste is washing clothes. Washing clothes is also the occupation of Dhoba. The Dhoba is also known as Dhobi or Rajaka in Odisha and distributed all over the state. they are landless community. Still Rajaka are untouchable. This caste is synonym of Dhobi which are enlisted in Sl. No. 26 in Odisha SC List. SCSTRTI in its report (2002) suggested that DHOBA, RAJAKA, RAJAK, DHOBA BAISHNAB are service castes and suffering with stigma of untouchability.

d. Betra

Betra community is synonyms of Turi community of Odisha which is listed in SC list of Odisha against Sl. No. 91. The main occupation are basket making. This community is distributed mostly in Sambalpur, Bolangir, Sundargarh district. Mallik and Majhi are the common surnames. Betra is derived from the word bet-meaning cane. Their population is approximately 8000. The women of these communities are also involved in economic activities with their male member. They are still socially discriminated. Economically, they are very weak.

e. Khadal, Khodal, Khadala

These are the same and synonyms communities. The caste Khadal, Khodal already included in the SC list of Odisha against Sl.No. 46 and 47 respectively. They are mostly living in Balasore and Ganjam districts where they are recognized Khodala, Kodala. Their economic condition is very weak. The communities are reportedly suffering from stigma of untouchability and social disabilities to a large extent. SCSTRTI in its report (2002) on the community recommended for inclusion of KHADAL, KHODAL as synonym of the notified SC community KHADALA at Sl. No. 46 and for clubbing together KHADALA (SC SL. 46 ) and KODALO, KHODALO (SC Sl. No. 47 ) as one entry in the SC list of Odisha as they appear to be phonetic variations.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 21.5.13

10. No information about Dream of Biju patnaik for Odisha is available with Govt. This is just a political slogan, exposed through RTI

While addressing public meeting, Sri Nabin Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha and his Cabinet Ministers have reiterated their commitments several times to fulfill the unfulfilled dream (half-dream) of late Biju Patnaik, great leader and former chief Minister of Odisha. Biju Janata Dal, a regional political party which the present Chief Minister is leading has been named after Biju Patnaik. The said speech of Sri Nabin Patnaik has been highlighted in mass media in several times. But the common question was haunting everybody “what was the dream of Biju Patnaik for the state for which the present Govt. is committed to accomplish this great task”.

Out of curiosity and in my pursuit to know about the dream of Biju Patnaik, I had submitted RTI Application on dated 25.3.13 to the PIO, office of Chief Minister, Odisha seeking information “ what are the dreams of Sri Biju Patnaik for development of Odisha and what are the steps taken by the present Govt. to fulfill his dream in the greater interest of the state. The RTI Application was forwarded to the PIO, Dept. of Parliamentary Affairs to provide the information. On dated 24.4.13, the PIO intimated me that such information is not available with the Govt and it also does not come under the definition {section 2(h)} of the RTI Act.

Under pretext that the PIO may have denied me the information with malafide intention, I made first appeal under section 19(1) of the RTI Act to the First Appellate Authority , Dept. of Parliamentary Affairs on 30.4.13. The First Appellate Authority heard and disposed the case on 30.5.13. In his decision, the First Appellate Authority Sri Amarendra Kumar Patnaik has justified the decision of the PIO on the ground of non-availability of information. So when the information is not available in material form, it cannot be provided under the RTI Act.

So it is presumed that there is no such record or document about dream of Biju Patnaik is available with Govt. This is just a political slogan designed by the leaders of Biju Janata Dal using name of Biju Patnaik to win over the people of Odisha for votes as the people have great respect for Biju Babu.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date-4.6.13

12. Odisha Information Commissioners are ignorant of law and lack judicial mind to interpret the law, it is proved through Odisha High Court Judgment ( Appeal to BPL RTI-Applicant not to pay any kind of fees including cost for information )

In 2010, while highlighting and criticizing the illegal and unlawful activities and anti-people decisions of Odisha Information Commission, I had termed Sri D.N.Padhi, then Chief Information Commissioner and Sri Jagadanand, SIC as ignorant of the law. It greatly hurt both the Information Commissioners. To take revenge against me or with their ill-intention to harass me, they filed a defamation suit of Rs.1,00,000 against me in the court of First Class Judicial Magistrate, Bhubaneswar. I am fighting this case.

The recent high court judgement on 3^rd July 2013 proved it true.

As per section 7(5) of the RTI Act, the BPL people are required not to pay any kind of fees i.e., fee for application, fee for information and fees for information in electronic format under the Act. But all the Public Authorities in the Govt. of Odisha exempted the BPL people from paying application fee but continued to collect fees for information from them referring Odisha RTI Rules which has only made provision of only exemption of application fee for BPL people.

In due course of the campaign on RTI by OSAA, this matter was referred to Odisha Information Commission, the statutory body constituted to look into the effective implementation of the RTI Act and punish the officials responsible for violating the Act. Sri D. N. Padhi, then Chief Information Commissioner while adjudicating a complaint case directed the BPL RTI Applicant to pay fees for information. He also directed his office to collect fees for information from the BPL people who are seeking information. Sri Jagadanand assuming the office of OIC as Information Commission joined with D.N.Padhi and went to the extent of giving public statement in different meeting justifying that BPL people had to pay fees for information. I termed term this decision as illegal and criticized the commissioners as ignorant of law.

Now the ignorance of Sri Tarun Kanti Mishra , Chief Information Commissioner has been proved through High Court judgment. on 3.7.13, while rejecting decision of the Commission, Odisha High Court has given a direction to the Public Information Officer, Office of Assistant Engineer National High-way Sub-division, Dist-Nayagarh, Odisha to provide information to the RTI-Applicants belonging to BPL families free of cost as per the Section 7(5) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The details of the case is attached for reference.

The ignorance and inefficiency of the Information Commissioners is displayed in many cases in the state. It happens because due procedure has not been followed for their appointment.

Pradip Pradhan

Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

Date-2.8.13

14. RTI Activist was abused and beaten up by Sarapanch in office of Rajnagar Block of Kendrapara district, Odisha

Attack on RTI Activists and RTI users is rising s day by day in Odisha. The vested groups mainly contractors, Panchayat representatives, Govt. officials are seen behind these attacks. The common people and RTI Activists are getting frightened to seek information relating to PDS, NREGA, India Awas Yojana etc. from the block or Panchayat office on the pretext that it may cost their life from the people whose corruption and irregularities might be exposed through their RTI Applications. Due to absence of any stringent law for protection of whistleblowers in Odisha, RTI Activists become victims easily.

Generally, when an RTI Activist was attacked, he filed an FIR in local police station or lodged complaint to State Human Rights Commission or State Information Commission. So far as our knowledge is concerned, local police station does not take up this case rather threatens RTI Activist to withdraw the case. Receiving complaints, the SHRC sends the complaint to concerned Superintendent of Police and seeks compliance report within a fixed time period and disposes it off. State Information Commission sends the complaint to DG, Police or Home Secretary to enquire into the matter. Nothing happened. They simply provide a report prepared by SP of the concerned district. The protection of RTI Activists ends with submission of compliance report to Human Rights bodies like SHRC and SIC.

On dt. 8.10.13, Sri Jayant Parida, RTI Activist of Kendrapara district was abused and threatened not to come to get information by Tapas Sahu, a local Sarapanch, Head of Balisahipatna Gram Panchayat in Rajanagar Block office, when he was inspecting the documents in the office as per the direction of State Information Commission. Other two Govt. officials Sri Batakrustan Behera, clerk and Sri Sanjay Kumar Pradhan, VAW who protested the attack on Jayant Parida were also beaten up and manhandled by the Sarapanch and his goons. Sri Sanja Parida was seriously injured and hospitalized immediately.

Sri Jayant Das had submitted RTI Application seeking some information about PDS from the office of Rajnagar Block. Finding no information, he had filed complaint to Odisha Information Commission. His case registered as SA -1777, 1778, 1887, 1912/12 was heard by the Commission four times. On 4^th hearing on 30.9.13, Sri Tarun Kanti Mishra, Chief Information Commissioner directed the BDO, Rajanagar to allow complainant Sri Jayant Parida for inspection of the documents. While inspecting the documents, the above mentioned incident occurred. Sri Parida has filed an FIR in Rajnagar Police station, Kendrapara and informed it to State Information Commission on same day. The police has not taken any step against the culprit who is a renowned goonda and politically powerful.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 14.10.13

8. Journalists allotted Govt. Quarters in Bhubaneswar, capital city of Odisha

On 25.2.14, RTI Application was submitted to the Department of General Administration, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about Allocation of quarters to Journalists in Bhubaneswar. The details of information sought are as follows.

i. Provide information about details of procedure followed for allocation of Govt. quarters to journalists in Odisha and copy of any rules, circulars/ notifications governing it.

ii. Provide name of journalists who have been allocated Govt. quarters including name of quarter and amount charged per month as monthly rent with the accreditation year. .

iii. Provide name of the journalists who have been allotted quarters from August 2013 to Feb. 2014 including date of allotment and the procedure followed for the same including copy of the file noting.

iv. Provide name of the women journalists who have been allotted Govt. quarters in Bhubaneswar

v. Provide name of Minsiters/ MLAs/ any authority who have recommended name of any journalists for quarter.

vi. Provide name of electronics journalists who have been allotted Govt. quarters with date of allotment.

In response to my RTI Application, on 25.4.14, Sri Bhabani Sankar Chayani, PIO, G.A. (Rent) Department has provided some information and forwarded my application to the Deputy Director of Estates, GA Dept. for supply of the information on point no. (iii) and to the PIO, Dept. of I and PR to provide the information on point No. (ii). Rest of the information supplied by the PIO is as follows.

On point No.(i)- The PIO has neither responded nor supplied any information. It shows without following any procedure, the GA dept. has allotted quarter by illegal means for which the PIO has maintained silence to respond it and strategically ignored it. However, the PIO is liable for penalty under section 20 (1) of the RTI Act. The complaint case against him will be filed before Information Commission very soon.

On Point No. (ii) - The PIO has provided a list of 78 journalists who have been allotted Govt. quarters in Bhubaneswar. The monthly rent collected from these journalists ranges from Rs. 391/- to 497/- to Rs.992/-. But the family members of Late Gopal Mishra, Ex-Freelance journalist are paying Rs. 16,572/- per month towards rent whereas family members of late R.P.Shastry, Ex-Editor-cum- Ex- Chief Special Correspondence , Odisha Times pay Rs. 5861/- per month.

On point No. (iii) – The PIO has provided list of journalists who have been allotted Govt. quarters from August 2013 to February, 2014. These are as follows.

Sl.No	Name of Journalists	Quarter details			Date of allotment
Sl.No	Name of Journalists	Qr. No.	Type	Unit	Date of allotment
1	Sri Arbinda Mishra , Senior Correspondent, The Press Trust of India	54	D	BJB	19.2.2014
2	Sri Pratap Samal, Correspondent, Suryaprabha	44/3	IVB	III	19.2.2014
3	Sri Debendra Suar, Sraff Reporter, The Prameya	100	D	MA	DO
4	Sri Bhabani Tripathy, Reporter, The Sambad	41/2	IVB	III	DO
5	Sri Himanshu Singh, Reporter, The Tathya	332	IVR	VI	DO
6	Sri Dhrendra Mishra, Chief Reporter, the Sambad	272	IVR	VI	DO
7	Sri sarada Debata, Staff Reporter, The Samaya	30	D	BJB	DO
8	Sri Ashok Panda, Chief Photographer, The Samaya	113	D	MA	DO
9	Sri Balabhadra Dash, Reporter, UNI	66	D	BJB	DO
10	Sri Birupakhya Tripathy, Senior Reporter, Pragativadi	115	D	MA	DO
11	Sri Sarbeswar Bardhan, Staff Reporter, Odisha Times	147	IVR	VI	DO
12	Sri Sandeep Mishra, Senior Assistant Editor, Times of India	39/2	IVB	III	DO
13	Sri Ajay Kumar Das, Correspondent, Odisha Sandesh	76	IVR	VI	DO

On Point No.(iv)- The PIO has responded that “ no information on this point is available”.

On point No.(v)- The PIO has not responded and remained silence on it. It means the PIO with malafide intention has ignored to respond it.

On Point No.(vi)- The PIO has responded that “no information on this point is available”.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 29.4.14

18.Who is RTI Activist?

RTI Activism is debated and discussed much in public domain that too in mass media across the country. Commitment of RTI Activists to expose mega corruption and irregularities and maladministration in Govt. has been widely acclaimed by different of section of people. Within short span of 9 years of implementation of RTI Act, more than 40 RTI Activists have been killed and hundreds of activists assaulted and false case and defamation case filed against them. Many of them are also languishing in jail. Such scenario has not taken place in any campaign on any law in India.

RTI Activist is defined as someone who seeks varies of information and makes it available to the people and highlight same through mass media. They are people who are driven by passion and commitment and keen to share information more widely. They not only disseminate information but daringly and vigorously purse the matter to reach at logical end. With the information , they try their best to fight out the issues relating to the system by organising public demonstration, filling cases in courts and raising the issues through policymakers in appropriate forum, They are the people who see the need for change and improvement on a large scale inside the Government. RTI activism is not about how you look or the clothes you wear: the sine qua non of activism is doing. We feel it is more important to look at the actions being undertaken rather than how individuals define themselves.

Information Scientist Anthony Molaro coined the term ‘Information Activist’ in 2009 as “An information activist is a vigorous advocate of knowledge gained through study, communication, research or instruction”

For some Activism comes naturally, while for others, it’s something that comes as a result of problems they see or upon learning about something they passionately believe needs to change. Whatever the reason for wanting to become an RTI activist, the Activist pursue their cause relentlessly no matter their age, their means, or their background. That is the beauty of an RTI Activist.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-4.5.14

22. Bi-Cycle Scheme of Govt. of Odisha

The State Govt. had launched several popular schemes to win over the heart of the common people in Odisha during 2009-14. Political Analysts claim that these schemes has helped a lot for candidates of Biju Janata Dal to get elected with popular mandate. These schemes have been highlighted by the Govt. through a number of advertisements published in several news paper and Biju Janata Dal during election campaign-2014. RTI Application was submitted to different depts. to understand these schemes, beneficiaries covered and fund allocated for it.

The information relating to bi-cycle scheme which has been provided by the PIO, Dept. of School and Mass Education on 14.5.14 is as follows.

The bicycle scheme was introduced in the year 2011-12. The scheme was inaugurated by Chief Minister on 28.10.2011 in Gajapati district. It was decided to provide Rs. 2600/- each to all Girl students and SC/ST Boys of 118 TSP blocks reading in class-X in Govt. and Govt.-aided High Schools in the year 2011-12. Total number of 2,61,975 beneficiaries covered under the scheme and Rs. 68,11,35,000/- was the expenditure for the purpose.

In the year 2012-13, all Girl students , all SC, ST and BPL category Boys students reading in Class –X in Govt., Non-Govt. and Aided High Schools, Sanskrit Tols and Madrasas of the state have been benefited . During the year 4,15,619 number of students have purchased the Bicycle. An amount of Rs. 108, 06,09,400/- has been spent for it.

For 2013-14, the Govt. has earmarked Rs. 122,99,92,400/- for providing bicycle to 4,73,074 students.

As claimed by Govt., the enrolment at secondary level has been increased and the dropout rate has been decreased due to implementation of Bi-Cycle scheme. The Scheme will be continued for next 5 years.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date-20.5.14

13. 420 Ambulances bearing no. 108 operating in Odisha

It is noticed throughout the state that “108” number bearing ambulance is plying on the streets of Odisha from rural to urban areas. During pre-election period, the state Govt. has made big advertisement about these ambulances providing free health service to the people of Odisha. Many questions come to mind having seen this ambulance i.e., who has funded for this ambulance, who is in charge of its management, what is the procedure for its management etc. To get these information, RTI query was submitted to the Dept. of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Odisha on 3.4.14, The PIO, office of Mission Director, National Health Mission has supplied the following information on dated 31.5.14.

1.The Govt. has procured a total number of 420 Ambulances under “ Odisha Emergency Medical Ambulance Services” (OEMAS). The district-wise distribution of 420 Ambulances mentioned below.

2.A total of 420 ambulances have been procured at a cost of Rs. 80,32,76,000/- . Out of this amount, the Central Govt. contribution is Rs. 45,36,00,000/- and the state Govt. share is Rs. 34,96,76,000/- . The cost per Ambulance is around 20 Lakh rupees.

3.The expenditure for its management is met out of the provision made under “ Referral Transport/ Patient Transport system” of national Health Mission. The total expenditure incurred till 20.3.14 on the operation of 420 Ambulances is Rs. 40,61,53,000/- out of which the state share comes to Rs. 26,90,17,000/-.

4.The districts have been provided with the ambulances at the ratio of one ambulance for 1 lakh population as per the WHO norm.

5.M/s Ziqitza Health Care, a Mumbai based Agency has been awarded the contract for implementation and operationalisation of the “108” Ambulances services across the state.

6The Agency has engaged the Ambulance crew of 3 to work in a 12 hour shift with each ambulances . The designation of these ambulance crew is as follows.

i. Emergency Medical Technician

ii. Helper

iii. Ambulance Driver

7.The Ambulance is managed as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on OEMAS.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-6.6.14

9. Is OSCPCR efficient to adjudicate the cases of Child Right Violation and ensuring Justice to the Children

· OSCPCR has devoted just 9 days for hearing since inception to April 2014.

· Only 11 cases are disposed by 3-member Commission in a month.

· God knows how many cases have been compiled by the authority whom direction was issued and the victims have got justice.

· Website is yet to be opened.

· Proactively disclosed information under section 4(1b) of RTI Act has not been made till yet.

· Reason for low disposal of cases and few days being devoted for hearing of cases by OSCPCR may be nominal amount of salary paid to them or lack of efficiency or engagement in other propaganda type of work giving less priority to disposal of cases or No cases filed to OSCPCR or no pendency or any other reasons

Every day, the cases of violation of child rights is highlighted in mass media and Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights ( OSCPCR), a quasi-judicial body has been constituted by State Govt. to adjudicate cases and ensure justice to the victims. Earlier, it has been highlighted a number of issues relating to functioning of quasi-judicial bodies like OSCPCR, Information Commission, Human Rights Commission etc. The mal-functioning of OSCPCR has been exposed through RTI several times.

Recently, out of curiosity to understand the Number of days devoted for hearing and number of cases heard and disposed by the Commission from January 2013 to April 2014 , RTI application was submitted to the PIO, Office of OSCPCR on 28.4.14. On 27.5. 14 , the PIO has provided the information which is as follows.

1. Incumbency of Chairperson and Members of OSCPCR

i. Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Chairperson - From 1.11.2010- 31.10.2013

ii. Dr. Sruti Mohapatra , Acting Chairperson - From 05.11.2013 continuing

2. Member, OSCPCR

1. Dr. Sruti Mohapatra- From 12.9.12 continuing

2. Sri Rajendra Meher- From 12.9.12 continuing

Cases heard in different dates by OSCPCR

Sl.No	Date	Chairperson and Member	Number of cases disposed
1	18.2.2013	Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Ex- Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	21
2	26.2.2013	Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Ex- Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	24
3	6.6.2013	Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Ex- Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member and Dr. Sruti Mohapatra	33
4	27.8. 2013	Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Ex- Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	30
5	12.2.2014	Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Acting Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	31
6	28.4.2014	Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Acting Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	16

Camp Court held in different districts

Sl.No	Date	Chairperson and Member Present	District	Number of cases heard
1	20.2.2013	Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Ex- Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	Boudh	9
2	27.2.2013	Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Ex- Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	Sundargarh	3
3	27.2.13	Smt. Saraswati Hembram, Ex- Chairperson and Sri Rajendra Meher, Member	Kondhamal	5

Analysis

1. Like other Commission, OSCPCR never makes daily hearing of the cases.

2. Though the Commission started functioning since 1.11 .2010 , the hearing of the cases which is the main activity of the Commission started from Feb. 2013.

3. From Feb.2013 to April, 2014 ( 15 months), the Commission has devoted only 9 days for hearing and adjudicated just 172 cases ( 155 in office and 17 in districts) . It means the 3-member Commission has disposed just 11 cases per month.

4. Visiting Sundargarh district to adjudicate just 3 cases in Camp Court for a day is just wastage of time and public money.

5. Information provided by the PIO about Camp Court held in a single day in Sundaragarh and Kondhamal is not believable.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 13.6.14

22. Politics behind distribution of Umbrella and Blanket to the beneficiaries covered under various pension schemes by Govt. of Odisha, exposed through RTI.

It is widely discussed that the populist programme like distribution of blanket, umbrella, bicycle, Laptop, mobile etc. of BJD Govt. helped winning the party and coming back to power in 2014 General election. On 26.5.14, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Dept. of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Odisha seeking information to know about the procedure followed for taking decision to distribute umbrella and blanket to the people and expenditure made for it. On 12.6.14, the PIO has supplied the information which is as follows.

1. The State Govt. has distributed blanket and umbrella to the beneficiaries. Rs. 100/- as Summer Allowance for Umbrella and Rs. 200/- as winter allowance for blanket was distributed to the beneficiaries in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

2. The beneficiaries of various pension schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension scheme, Indira Gandhi Disable pension scheme, Madhubabu Pension Yojana received summer and winter allowances.

3. Total No. of 36,90, 684 and 40,16,313 beneficiaries were distributed Winter Allowances in 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively.

4. Total No. of 37,76, 355 beneficiaries were distributed Umbrella Allowances in 2013-14.

5. Total amount spent for winter allowances is Rs. 73, 81, 36,800/- and Rs. 80, 32, 71,000/- in 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively.

6. Total amount spent for Summer Allowances is Rs. 37, 46, 35,500/- in 2013-14.

Details of decision taken and fund earmarked for these allowances is as follows. ( extracts from File noting and proceedings of the meeting of CMRF.)

A. Summer Allowance

23.5.13, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Odisha, it was decided to provide onetime Summer Allowance @ Rs. 100/- to all pensioners under different schemes in rural areas on 15.6.13. The beneficiaries will utilise this onetime assistance for purchase of umbrella. People’s representative will be involved in the distribution at Gram Panchayat level on the day of distribution. As there was no budgetary provision in the B.E. for the year 2013-14 for implementation of this programme, it was decided by the Govt. to disburse the amount on 15^th June , 2013 for the time being out of the funds provided under the scheme Winter allowance to the pensioners in the B.E. for 2013-14 under State Plan and the matter is to be placed at the stage of appraisal before the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) meeting.

B. Winter Allowance

Provision of Winter Allowances @ Rs. 200/- each for all Pensioners was discussed in the meeting of the Trustees of Odisha Chief Minister’s Relief Fund held on the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary on 30.11.12. It was decided that the said allowance amounting Rs. 73,81,36,800/- would be provided from CMRF to all pensioners. It was also decided that Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) would be requested to donate required amount Rs. 73, 81, 36,800/- to CMRF to reimburse the drawals made from CMRF for this purpose.

It needs to be mentioned here that out of fund of Rs. 87,28,50,000/- donated by OMC to CMRF, the State Govt. spent Rs. 84,55,00,000/- towards free Bicycle scheme ( 2012-13) and Rs. 2,36,00,000/- towards School Uniform under SC and ST Development Dept. etc.

It needs to be debated whether CMRF has been constituted to donate fund for implementing populist scheme of the Govt. in the state.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 21.6.14

20. 41 days of 61 Helicopter Trip of CM, Odisha with expenditure of Rs. 2.5 crores during period of pre-election campaign from 10^th Dec. 13 to 5^th March 14, exposed through RTI.

On 2.5.14, RTI Application was submitted to the Dept. of Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of Expenditure made from state exchequer for visit of Chief Minister to different districts from December, 13 to March, 14. The PIO supplied the information in two phases on 10.6.14 and 16.6.14 which are as follows.

A. Chief Minister, Odisha has made total no. of 41 visits (days) on different dates by Helicopter/ Aircraft to different parts of Odisha from 11^th Dec. 13 to 5^th March 2014.

B. The total expenditure made for hiring charges of Helicopter/ Aircraft from 10.12.13 to 9.3.14 is as follows.

1. 10.12.13 to 9.1.14 Rs. 86,04,934.00

2. 10.1.14 to 9.2.14 Rs. 72,86,098.00

3. 10.2.14 to 9.3.14 Rs. 83,94,391.00

--------------------------------

Rs. 2,42,85,423.00

The PIO has mentioned that the Decan Charters Pvt. Ltd. Provides Helicopter / Aircrafts services to the State Govt. on fixed monthly charges basis fixed by the General Administration Dept. The Helicopters and Aircrafts are being used by the Chief Minister , Governor, Odisha and Council of Ministers and Govt. of India officials on official purposes. As such there is no earmark of expenditure for the use of Helicopter/ Aircrafts of the Chief Minister, Odisha.

As I know, neither Governor of Odisha nor any GoI Officials has made any visit to any place by using Helicopter/ Aircrafts during this period. The visits of Chief Minister , Odisha during abovementioned period was pre-election campaign for his own party on public fund.

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 21.6.14

25. Prisoners and Undertrials in different Jails in Odisha and expenses made for fooding of the prisoners.

On 2.5.14, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Dept. of Home seeking information about number of Prisoners in different jails in the state and various expenses made for the prisoners from 2009-10 to 2013-14. The Application was transferred to the Inspector General of Prisons which was against transferred to the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional services, Odisha to provide information. On 19.6. 14, the PIO has supplied the information which is as follows.

a. Total number of Jails, Sub-Jails, Special Jails, Circle jails in Odisha ------- 91

b. Total No. of Sub-Jails in the state ------- 69

c. Total no. of Convicted prisoners in jails -------- 3467

d. Total No. of Undertrials -------- 11239

e. There is no prisoner in the sub-jails like Kashipur, Kantabanjhi, Laxmipur, Patrapur and Soro.

The cost of Food per head per day is Rs. 60/- as per circular no. 35922 dt. 25.9.2013 issued by Dept. of Home, Govt. of Odisha. Earlier it was Rs. 45/- as per circular issued on dated 17.9.2010 .

The expenditure made for diet, Hospital charges, other charges like sanitation, Bedding, Clothing and Linen will be disseminated later on due to non- compilation of the information provided by the Directorate.

Prisoners and Undertrials in different Jails in Odisha as on 30.4.14

Sl.No	Name of the Jails	Convict	Undertrials	Total
Circle Jails
1	Baripada	214	309	523
2	Berhampur	177	585	762
3	Choudwar	282	480	762
4	Koraput	255	239	494
5	Sambalpur	196	452	648
District Jails
6	Angul Jail	50	347	397
7	Balasore	109	309	418
8	Bhawanipatna	135	182	317
9	Bolangir	113	206	319
10	Dhenkanal	88	134	222
11	Keonjhar	228	264	492
12	Phulbani	84	134	218
13	Puri	104	272	376
14	Sundargarh	100	355	455
Special Jails
15	Bhubaneswar	95	543	638
16	Rourkela	118	361	479
Special Sub-Jails
17	Bhadrak	64	216	280
18	Bhanjanagar	28	222	250
19	Bonaigarh	40	220	260
20	Boudh	60	137	197
21	Deogarh	27	175	202
22	Talcher	32	80	112
Sub-Jails ( 69 no. of Sub-Jails )
69		868	5017	5885
91	Total	3467	11239	14,706

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 29.6.14

29. Chief Minister never attends hearing of the grievances in CM Grievance Cell

On dated 9.7.14, RTI Application was submitted to the Dept. of General Administration, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about functioning of Chief Minister Grievance Cell from 2009 to 2014. RTI Application was forwarded to the PIO, office of Parliamentary Affairs to provide the information. The details of the information sought for was ( a) procedure followed to comply or obtaining compliance by different authorities whom the grievances was forwarded, (b) number of grievances received and disposed by Chief Minister Grievance , (c) number of days devoted for hearing or receiving the grievances by Chief Minister Grievance Cell ( Year-wise), (d) number of days in which the Chief Minister, Odisha personally heard the grievances of the people, (e) name of authorized officers who were hearing the grievances of the people in the absence of Chief Minister on the day of hearing.

The information supplied by the PIO on 4.9.14 is as follows.

A. The grievance petitions of the people received in the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell are forwarded to the concerned departments/ officers for taking appropriate action as per rule.

B. The concerned departments/ officers furnish action taken report on the grievance petitions to the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell and to the petitioners as well. Pending grievance petitions are being monitored for disposal.

C. During 2009 to 2014, the Chief Minister Grievance Cell has received total number of 47,750 petitions and disposed 39,651 cases. The year-wise details are as follows

Year	Number of Grievance petitions received	Number of grievance petitions disposed
2009 ( from May, 2009)	2553	2553
2010	7266	6362
2011	7126	5795
2012	6530	5702
2013	14883	10753
2014 ( upto March, 2014)	9392	8486

D. Prior to 3.12.12 grievance hearing was held on all working Saturdays and from this date hearing was held on working Mondays. The grievance petitions were also received by post and through e-Abhijoga

E. Chief Minister never attends the hearing. Senior officers of the Chief Minister are hearing the grievances during the period from May 2009 to March 2014. These officers are

· Shri Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, IAS

· Shri G.Mathi Vathanam, IAS

· Shri Dillip Kumar Mohanty, IAS

· ShriDebendra Prasad Dhal, OAS

· Dr. Gopabandhu Dash, OAS

· Smt. Ritarani Mohapatra, OAS

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-9.9.14

23.Debt Position of Govt. of Odisha ( From 1999-2000 to 2014-15)

RTI Application was submitted to the Dept. of Finance, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about status of debt position of State Government from 1999 to 2015. O 19.9.14, the PIO has provided the information. Total outstanding debt of the State Govt. is 50983.87 crores. The details of loan received from different Institutions by 2015 is as follows.

( In crores )

A.	Govt. of India	8829.41
B.	NSSF	7899.10
C.	Open Market	11617.29
D.	LIC, India	1.0120
E.	GIC	13.4796
F.	NABARD	5837.1603
G.	NCDC	7.8820
H.	GPF	16662.75
I.	NTPC Power	110.29
j.	REC	5.0774
K.	Others	0.4199
	Grand Total	50983.87

Outstanding Debt of the State Govt. from 1999 onwards ( in crores )

Year	Source	Outstanding as on	Receipt	Repayment	Net	Interest payment
1999-2000	Mentioned above	14751.15	4363.83	1014.19	3349.64
2000-01	DO	18100.78	4473.70	1572.60	2901.10
2001-02	DO	21001.88	5033.37	2001.66	3031.71	2834.95
2002-03	DO	24033.60	6777.44	3009.85	3767.59	2885.58
2003-04	DO	27801.18	7550.34	3717.57	3832.77	2860.28
2004-05	DO	31633.95	6045.90	3628.67	2417.22	3332.02
2005-06	DO	34051.18	4834.02	2428.75	2405.27	3697.09
2006-07	DO	36456.45	4119.71	3326.65	793.07	3188.43
2007-08	DO	37249.51	2606.79	3544.70	-937.90	3169.48
2008-09	DO	36311.61	3279.25	3160.32	118.93	2889.81
2009-10	DO	36430.54	4220.66	2921.16	1299.50	3044.17
2010-11	DO	37730.04	5071.76	3664.89	1406.87	3061.46
2011-12	DO	39136.91	3845.76	4393.28	-547.52	2576.43
2012-13	DO	38589.37	4880.25	5489.49	-609.24	2807.23
2013-14 (RE)	DO	37980.14	9432.45	5068.94	4363.51	5007.86
2014-15 (BE)	DO	42343.65	13945.97	5305.74	8640.23	4729.18
2015-16	do	50983.87

Remarks

A. Total outstanding debt on the people of Odisha is Rs. 50983.87 crores.

B. Total debt received during Nabin Patnaik regime from 2000-01 to 2014-15 is Rs.36232.72 crores

C. Total amount of Interest paid by State Govt during 2000-01 to 2014-15 is Rs. 46083.97 crores

D. Per head debt in the state is Rs. 12,000.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 23.9.14

30.First ever successful use of RTI led to arrest of a corrupt IAS officer in Odisha

RTI Act mandates not only to enforce transparency and accountability in the administration but also to contain corruption in the administrative system of the country (Preamble of the Right to Information Act). Since 2005, the Act has been used as powerful tool by RTI Activists across the country to fight out corruption and irregularities in the functioning of administration. Successful use of RTI to check corruption and to put the corrupt officer behind the bar that too an IAS officer proved once again the mighty of the RTI Act. On 7.11.14, Debaraj Mishra, IAS former Collector, Bolangir working as addl. Secretary in Home Department, Govt. of Odisha was arrested on charges of corruption and irregularities in the examination conducted in 2012 for the post of Amin, Revenue Inspector ad A.R.I.in Bolagir which was exposed through RTI by few applicants who could not get the job due to this malpractice. It was alleged that Sri Mishra was the mastermind behind the whole corruption and Rs. 5 to 6 crores has been amassed by him and his coterie.

Sequence of the events led to arrest of Debaraj Mishra

A.In 2009, an advertisement was made by the district administration for appointment to the 54 post of Revenue Inspector/Assistant Revenue Inspector and Amin. Around 1400 applicants had applied for these posts. Accordingly written examination was held in June 2011 and candidates selected and got appointed in 2012. But it was alleged that answer-sheet was manipulated and ineligible candidates were selected by taking bribe of Rs. 4 to 6 lakhs for each candidate.

B.The manipulation of answer sheet and corruption in selection procedure was exposed through RTI by the Information-seekers in 2013.

C. In 2013, there was allegation of huge scam worth 6 crores of rupees in recruitment in the post of Revenue Inspector/ Assistant Revenue Inspector in Bolangir by various quarters like Bolangir Citizens’ Committee, Bolangir press, Common people of Bolangir , applicants for these posts etc. They had submitted series of petitions to Sri Surya Narayan Patra, Minister, Revenue and Disaster Management, Dr. Taradatt, Additional Chief Secretary to Govt. seeking an enquiry into the matter and demanded action in this regard.

D. The issue took momentum when Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan had organised a press meet on 14.3.14 in Bhubaneswar bringing to the limelight about all the information relating to this scam obtained through RTI. Mass Media mainly electronics media took up the issue and highlighted the details of corruption exposed through RTI.

E. To pursue this issue, RTI Application was submitted by Pradip Pradhan on 24.3.14 to the PIO, Dept. of revenue and Disaster Management, Govt. of Odisha and to the PIO, office of RDC, Sambalpur on 16.3.14 seeking information about copy of petitions filed and action taken, if any in respect of allegations made by the people of Bolangir. On 25.4.14, the PIO has supplied the information that though several directions have been given to Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Sambalpur since August, 2013, he has not made an enquiry into it rather continues to ignore it. The details of information supplied by the PIO, Dept. of R&DM are as follows.

· On 2.8.13, during visit to Bolangir, Sri Surya Narayan Patra, Minister for Revenue and Disaster management received the complaint of huge corruption from press and Bolangir Citizens Committee in the appointment of R.I./A.R.I. by the district administration with involvement of one clerck Sri Niranjan Tripathy. After returning from Bolangir, Sri Patra directed to Dr. Taradatt to enquire into the matter by RDC, Sambalpur and submit the report within 30 days.

· On 6.8.13 ( letter No. 29990/R&DM) , Dr. Taradatt, Additional Chief Secretary issued direction to RDC, Sambalpur to enquire into the matter and furnish the report along with suggestions for further action.

· On 21.9.13, Dr. Taradatt ordered to RDC, Sambalpur for an enquiry into this corruption and take appropriate action.

· On 7.10.13, Dr. Taradatt ( letter no. 38553) gave order to RDC, Sambalpur for enquiry into it followinga petition submitted by Sri Sudhir Kumar Sandh and others on 30.9.13.

· On 20.4.14, Dr. Taradatt ordered to RDC, Sambalpur for fifth time to enquiry into allegation of corruption in the recruitment of R.I. in Bolangir. It is presumed that this direction came after press meet organised in Bhubaneswar by OSAA to expose the corruption with fact and figures obtained through RTI.

F. However, after media expose, RDC, Sambalpur submitted his inquiry report to the State Govt. in the month of April or May, 2014. But nothing happened on his report.

G. RTI Application was again submitted to the PIO, office of Revenue and Disaster management on 26.7.14 seeking action taken report on the RDC inquiry report and copy of the report. The PIO refused to provide the information as the investigation was going on.

H. A TV Channel continues broadcasting the news and follow-up news by taking copy of the RTI reply and highlighted how the Govt. conspires to cover up the corruption ad protect Debaraj Mishra.

I.After news expose, the Govt. handed over this case to State Vigilance ad Crime branch to enquire into the matter.

J. Finally after long fight and persuasion, Sri Debaraj Mishra and other officials were arrested by State Vigilance on 7.11.14. The investigation is still going on.

But the moot question is how the deprived applicants will get justice. Whether the exam will be cancelled and re-exam held or the exam paper scrutinised again and the eligible candidate will get the post. Another bigger fight is ahead before RTI activist in future.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 9.11.14

32.Govt. of Odisha- A Government of Commissions with no Result and denial of justice to the people of the State

Whenever any public reaction or political protest on any issue takes place in the state, the State Govt. takes easiest method of declaring constitution of Judicial commission to defuse the tension, calm down the public anger and silence the political parties. Within 14 years of rule from 2000-2014, the Nabin Patnaik Govt. have constituted 20 Judicial Commissions in the State with investment of crores of rupees with no result. In many cases, though the Commissions have produced the report, no Action Taken Report has been produced till yet. Similarly, many commissions are still continuing and making endless inquiry with huge expenditure. So as to say, this Govt. may be a stable Govt. but have stagnated not in position to bear any results. It has conceived several times but not in position to deliver baby. Crores of public money has gone on waste without giving any justice to the people of the state. This is the contribution of Nabin Patnaik within 14 years of its rule in Odisha.

Sl. No	Name of the Inquiry	Name of Hon’ble Judge	Incident	Date of appointment	Date of submission of report	Action taken in brief with date	Expenditure	Remarks
1	Commission of Inquiry on killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati in Kondhamal	Justice S.C.Mohapatra (retd.)/ Sri Justice A.S.Naidu (Retd.)	Killing of Swami Kaxmananda Saraswati and otehrs	3.9.2008/24.9.12	----	---	96,38,381/- (till 21.2.13)	Continuing
2	Commission of Inquiry on Bolangir incident	Sri Justice S.K.Mohanty (Retd.)	Death of two engineering students at Bolangir	31.10.2009	----	---	81,43,901/- (till end of Jan,2013)	Continuing
3	Commission of Inquiry on Bagalpur incident	Sri justice S.K.Mohanty (Retd.)	Police firing at Bagalpur in Cuttack district on 23.8.10	13.9.10	----	-----	9,91,768/- (till end January,13)	Continuing
4	Commission of Inquiry on Rourkela incident	Justice Sri A.S.Naidu	Incident involving judicial magistrate and the local police at Rourkela on 2.4.2011	16.4.2011	21.1.2013	----	31,06,860/-	The report is under process
5	Commission of Inquiry on police firing at Bhuban in Dhenkanal district	District and session Judge, Dhenkanal	Police firing at Bhuban on 22.3.2009	25.4.2009/9.2.11	-----	-----	NIL	----
6	Commission of Inquiry on Pipil-Arjunagoda Village incident	Justice Sri. P.K.Mohanty	Incident of grievous injury to a girl of village Arjungoda, P.S. Pipil	13.1.12	----	----	2,27,316/- ( till 21.2.2013 )	Continuing
7	Commission of Inquiry on Phasipada village incident in Ganjam district	Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge , vigilance Berhampur	Police firing at Phasipada village	30.4.12	---	---	Nil	Continuing
8	Commission of Inquiry on stampede inside Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri	Justice Sri P.K.Mohanty	Incident of stampede inside Jagannath temple	22.11.2006	15.9.09	D.G. & I.G. of Police, Odisha and Sri Jagannath Temple Admn. Have been requested to initiated disciplinary action against one Dy. S.P. and two Jagananth Temple police officials	45,49,500/-	The report has bee produced but no action taken by Govt.
9	Commission of Inquiry on Kalinga Nagar police firing incident	Sri Justice A.S.Naidu/Justice P.K.Patra/Justice P.K. Mohanty	Incident of police firing at Kalinga Nagar	4.2.2006/ 16.1.08/ 4.9.09	----	-----	90,73,645/- ( till 21.2.2013)	Continuing
10	Commission of Inquiry on violence in Kondhamal district, 2007	Justice B.Panigrahi (Retd.)	Violent incident occurred in different parts of Kandhamal during dec. 2007	29.12.2007	---	----	1,29,09,105/- (till Nov.2012)	Continuing
11	Commission of Inquiry on setting up of High Court Benches	Justice C.R.Pal Commission	Feasibility of setting up of permanent /circuit bench of high court at different places	11.3.2008	---	----	1,04,00, 000/-	Continuing
12	Commission of Inquiry on alleged custodial death at Saheed Nagar police station	District & Session Judge, Khurda	Alleged custodial death of Dillip Kumar Sahoo at Saheed Nagar Police Station on 2.3.2005	13.9.2005	11.9.2009	Appropriate Action has been taken during 2009-10	3,16,314/-	This Report has been laid before the O.L.A. on 28.3. 2011
13	Commission of Inquiry on alleged custodial death at Kuchinda Police station, Sambalpur	District and Session Judge, Sambalpur	Alleged custodial death of Gajendra Majhi in Kuchinda Police station lock up on 17.3.2005	13.9.2007	13.9.2007	Appropriate Action has been taken during 2007	2,10,000/-	The report has been laid before assembly on 8.4.11
14	Commission of Inquiry on Champua police firing incident	District and Session Judge, Keonjhar	Incident of Police firing of Champua police station on 8.6.2005	14.9.2005	18.11.2006	Appropriate Action has been taken during 2009	1,75,000/-	the report has not been produced before assembly
15	Commission of Inquiry on Regional Imbalance	Justice S.K.Mohanty, Chiarman and and five members	To enquire into regional Imbalance	20.2.2004	6.8.2008		51,95,000.00	No Action Taken Report
16	Farmers Commission	Sudhansu Mohan Patnaik with two members	To enquire into farmers suicide	2009	2013		60,00,000.00	No Action Taken Report

( This information is upto April 2014 )

Pradip Pradhan

M-99378-43482

Date- 8.1.15

38.Murder of Ganesh Chandra Panda : Odisha’s first case of martyrdom of an RTI user - A Report by the Fact-Finding Team

Right to Information Act (RTI) activists are vulnerable Human rights defenders (HRDs) in India. Unlike other HRDs, a majority of the RTI activists are not part of an organisation; they often act alone, moved by anger at corruption and other illegal activities. The Right to Information Act, 2005 provides inadequate protection to whistleblowers. Many RT Activists, been harassed and even murdered for seeking information to "promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority" in India. Many face assaults on a regular basis. People seeking information from their Gram Panchayat and the local administration also face social ostracism. A few activists who sought information under RTI related to MGNREGA scams, were killed. Many threats and attacks (including murder) go unreported by the media some times.

On 29.12.14 Electronic media flashed the news at 9 am about cold-blooded murder of an RTI User Sri Ganesh Chandra Panda in Berhampur, district headquarters of Ganjam district, Odisha. While Sri Panda was on his morning walk , a few meters away from his house, he was severely attacked by some miscreants from backside and died on the spot. The whole incident took place at around 6.30 to 7 AM. Taken aback by the news of such heinous crime committed against an RTI user, the Civil Society Groups, Human Rights Activists and different Human Rights Organisations talked to each other to ascertain the facts, as this person was not associated with any group or network and also not known to any activist working at state level.

After a lot of brain churning, it was decided to make an immediate visit to the spot to ascertain the facts and factors responsible for his murder. A four-member Team consisting of Sri Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan, Sri Pradipta Nayak and Sri Chandranath Dani, Human Rights Defenders and Members of HRD Alert ( a National Forum working on protection of Human Rights Activists) and Sri Akhand, Human Rights Activist under the banner of OSAA and Civil Society Forum on Human Rights (CSFHR) visited Berhampur on 30.12.14.

Prelude to martyrdom- a nexus of lootera contractors and corrupt officials

Berhampur, the district headquarters of Ganjam is around 170 kms from Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha. The victim’s village is Randha which comes under Rangeilunda Block and quite nearer to Berhampur. The Team visited the spot where Sri Ganesh Ch. Panda, RTI Activist aged 52 was murdered. The spot was just on roadside of National Highway which is only 10 meters away from his house. Then the Team proceeded to his house and met the bereaved family members. While interacting with the family members, it was found that the victim has been survived by his wife, one daughter and widow sister and her children. He was a business man and managing the family from business. He was also doing social service out of his voluntary interest and using RTI to expose corruption and irregularities in it was learnt that he had filed series of RTI Applications ( for example, road work from Thakurani Road to Bedha Bandh village) before the office of Rangeilunda Block to access information about road construction works undertaken under NREGA and Phyiin, Flood Damage Restoration Projects of the Govt. As reported from various sources, huge funds allocated under FDR are being misappropriated by the Contractors in connivance and complicity with the Block officials. He was using RTI to expose the corruption and ensure effective implementation of the above programmes. His brother Rabindra Kumar Panda said that his use of RTI has led to stoppage of release of funds sanctioned for road construction works to the concerned contractors. His RTI expose did in fact obstruct the nexus of block officials and contractors from misappropriating the funds as they used to before. . As a result of all this a lot of project works got halted and a Junior Engineer was also suspended. He had received a series of threat calls from the contractors on umpteen occasions and also filed FIR against them. His only daughter Ronali Panda, a + 2 college student was also threatened of being kidnapped, if he didn’t stop using RTI. But, despite the FIR having been lodged, the Police didn’t take any action against the miscreats. “The Contractors being emboldened as such got clandestinely clubbed together and hatched a dastardly conspiracy to finish off my brother and at last got it through”, said his brother while shedding tears. He also disclosed the names of the Contrators who were behind the murder. They are Prakash Raul, Ajit Raul, Rabindra Kumar Panda, Tukuna Padhi, Jitedra Raul, Surendra Patra and a few others. Interestingly, the very people who masterminded the murder belong to the same village and reside at a walk-able distance from his house. The family members made a fervent appeal to the team members to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits. The Team members left the house with assurance to work for justice to the family.

Then, the team visited Golanthara Police Station and wanted to know about the progress of investigation from Sri Alok Kumar Jena, Inspector of Police. Sri Jena narrated the steps taken by the police since the occurrence of murder and told that the RTI was the main factor behind the murder of Ganesh Panda. He also apprised the team that approximately 14 cases bearing PS case no, 6 of 2014, 7 of 2014, 72 of 2014, 115 of 2014, 158 of 2014, 162 of 2014 and many more had been filed by the deceased victim and his rivals against each other within last 10 years. The police has filed charge-sheet in many cases and the accused have also got bail from High Court. He could not elaborate about the details of the cases, as he had joined in the police station only six months back. The IIC also said that they had already detained four people appending their involvement in the murder and already identified the main accused who is at large outside the state.

After returning from the police station, the team tried to meet Deputy Inspector General of Police and Superintendent of Police but found both of them absent from the office. However, the team could meet Addl. SP Sri S.B. Satapathy and enquired with him about the progress of investigation. Sri Satapathy appraised that the investigation was in progress and they were quite hopeful to arrest the culprit within a few days.

Findings of the Team

1. The Team is of the view that RTI stands as a factor behind the cold-blooded murder of Sri Ganesh Ch. Panda. Extensive use of RTI to expose corruption in development works endangered his life. Had he been associated with any Network or Human Rights Organisation, the situation might have been different. He was alone and fighting against the corruption single-handedly. He of course possessed a high level of self-confidence and used to project himself as capable enough to fight against his enemies.

2.In fact, his family has been ruined, as he was the only earning member of the family. The family requires financial support for their survival and higher education of his lone daughter.

3. There looms a plausible doubt over the role and efficiency of police in the matter of nabbing the culprits. The villages of this area in Ganjam district have been criminalised due to various politico-administrative reasons. The police is working at the behest of the political people and criminals. Law and order situation is fast deteriorating day by day. It needs to be noted here that around 8 months back, Sri Sunil Mishra, an RTI user was severely beaten up by hooligans at the instance of corrupt officials in the Campus of District Industries Centre, Berhampur. The FIR was lodged, following which Sri Sanjib Marik, then Special DG of Police instructed the SP to arrest the culprits after a team of RTI Activists submitted the memorandum to him complaining of police inaction. Despite all this no culprit was arrested till yet. The victim is still running from pillar to post in quest of justice.

4. A related but major concern that comes to fore in the context of such ghastly episodes is an anti-people, ultra vires provision of Odisha RTI Rules, 2005 which compels an RTI Applicant in Odisha to disclose his personal identity, which is clandestinely leaked to the miscreants through the PIO and his colleagues serving in a public office under State Government. The Odisha Rules in the name of proof of Citizenship requires submission of a copy of voter card or passport to be attached to the RTI Application. Besides, it also requires an RTI applicant to disclose such personal details as permanent address and name of father/spouse along with contact address to which PIO’s reply would be sent. As is well known Section 6 (2 ) of RTI Act allows only the mention of contact address while categorically prohibiting the disclosure of personal details. The Calcutta High Court, while disposing the Writ Petition No. 33290(w)/2013 has also given a direction to Central Govt. and all State Governments not to demand proof of Identity of RTI Applicants, and Mr. P.K. Jena the then Commissioner cum Secretary I&PR Dept. (the nodal agency for RTI in the State) Govt of Odisha had also issued a Circular to Secretaries of all Departments asking for compliance to the Order of Calcutta High Court. But, despite repeated demand by the civil society for amending the Odisha RTI Rules 2005 in line with the provisions of RTI Act and in particular to comply with the above direction for doing away with the mala fide provision for disclosure of personal identity of RTI Act, the Govt of Odisha is yet to notify in official Gazette what Mr. P.K. Jena as State nodal officer for RTI had mentioned in the above circular. As is well known, the disclosure of identity of an RTI Applicants as mandated under Odisha RTI Rules 2005 provides ample opportunity to the corrupt officials and vested interests to identify the RTI applicant and to get rid of him either by way of bribing or by resorting to murderous steps as was noticed in the tragic killing of RTI user Mr. Panda. Let the latest case of heinous murder of Mr. Panda serve as a wake-up call to both Government of Odisha and civil society at large to ensure that the utterly anti-people and pro-mafia Odisha RTI Rules 2005 notorious for its provisions ultra vires the parent Act is done away with at the earliest.

5. The instant case is the first ever murder of RTI Activist in Odisha. Many RTI Activists have received umpteen numbers of threat calls due to their persistent effort to expose corruption in public offices. Corrupt practices of all kinds including misappropriation of public funds earmarked for development works has become the order of the day in Odisha. No doubt, use of RTI is the only antidote to stem the rot.. At the same time threats and attacks on RTI users are likely to grow in coming days if the State Govt continues to behave the way it has till date.

Concerns to be addressed

1.The Police should arrest the culprits of Mr. Ganesh Ch. Panda’s murder immediately and take exemplary action against them, so that they will be discouraged from taking any vindictive action against the family members of Mr. Panda in future.

2. The State Govt. should order for high-level inquiry into the circumstances leading to murder of RTI Activist Sri Ganesh Chandra Panda and produce the report within 15 days.

3.The State Govt. should open a Desk in the office of Director General of Police especially for RTI and Human Rights Activists to receive the complaints of attacks and threats against them and to take prompt action against the accused.

4. Anti-people Odisha RTI Rules 2005 which is ultra vires the parent Act needs to be drastically amended immediately, especially for withdrawing the compulsory provision for submission of proof of citizenship at the time of filing RTI Applications and also for abolishing the compulsory provision for using the Form-A that requires inter alia disclosure of several personal details like permanent address and name of father/spouse.

5.The State Govt. should provide adequate financial support for survival of the family members of Gaesh Ch. Panda, who attained martyrdom in course of his crusade against corruption through the use of RTI.

6. The Central Govt. has enacted Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014 to protect the whistle blowers against corruption. This is a law meant to protect the identity of a complainant against corruption from disclosure and to punish those public servants who out of their vested interests indulge in disclosing complainant’s identity. But this Act has remained defunct due to non-notification by the Central Govt of the date w.e.f. which the Act would be enforced, coupled with the absence of Rules to be made under the Act. The Central Government is therefore urged to notify the operationalization of the Act and to frame the Rules there under as early as possible.

7. Both National and State Commissions for Human Rights ought to take up suo motu the murder case of RTI user Mr. Ganesh Ch. Panda and issue appropriate directions to the State Government for exemplary punishment to the culprits, adequate compensation to the victim’s family and also to set aright the faulty and ultra vires RTI regime in the state by way of drastic amendment to Odisha RTI Rules 2005.

8. Conform with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially:

A.Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”

b.Article 12.2, which provides that “"the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”;

Agenda ahead for the RTI activists

1. A Complaint case to be filed in NHRC by Sri Chandranath Dani, Human Rights Defender.

2. A memorandum to be submitted to DG, Odisha Police to monitor and fast-track the investigation in respect of the case of murder of Mr. Ganesh Ch. Panda and action against the culprits.

3. A memorandum to be submitted to Chief Secretary, Odisha demanding support to the bereaved family, amendment of Odisha RTI Rules 2005, withdrawal of compulsory RTI Application Form and constitution of Special Desk for protection of Human Rights Defenders.

4. A State-level Workshop to be organised to chalk out a concerted strategy for protection of RTI users and for defence of Victims of Human Rights violations in the state.

5. A memorial column for paying tribute to Odisha’s first RTI martyr shall be built in his birth place and/or in the capital of Odisha and the day of his tragic death shall be celebrated as RTI Martyr’s day throughout Odisha in coming years.

Signature of Team Members

Pradip Pradhan Pradipta Nayak Chandranath Dani Sri Akhand

M-9937843482 M-9437053329 M-9439228370 M- 9938871989

11. Politics behind denial of sugar to BPL beneficiaries under PDS by State Govt. from June 2013 exposed through RTI

All of you might be aware that the State Govt. has already stopped distributing sugar to the BPL beneficiaries under PDS but not aware the reason behind it. This is common question before everybody why a popular Govt. like Nabin Patnaik Govt. stopped supplying sugar meant for poor when it claims champion of the poor and takes much credit for supplying one rupee rice to the poor, BPL people.

Out of my curiosity to understand the reasons behind the decision of the State Govt. to stop distribution of sugar to the BPL beneficiaries, I had submitted RTI Application to the PIO, Dept. of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, Govt. of Odisha. The information obtained from the Dept. is as follows.

As per PDS arrangement, the beneficiaries under Antodaya Anna Yojana and BPL beneficiaries under PDS are eligible to get two kg sugar per month @ Rs. 13.50 per kg. Total number of 49, 40,818 beneficiaries (12, 53,574 AAY beneficiaries and 36, 87,244 BPL beneficiaries) are entitled to get sugar in the state. But they will be provided sugar subject to availability and allocation from the Central Govt. As per the arrangement between the State and Central Govt., the Central Govt. has been bearing the cost of sugar and transport charge while supplying the same to State Govt. fixing BPL price Rs.13.50 per kg. The State Govt. ensures door-step delivery of sugar to the beneficiaries through its own administrative set up and engaging transport agent.

On the RTI Query about any short supply of sugar by the Central Govt. within last five years ( from 2009 to 2013), the information supplied by the PIO about shortage of sugar in each year is as follows. It needs to be mentioned that to meet sugar requirement of the State Govt., the Central Govt. has earmarked 1,08,214 M.Ts ( yearly quota- 1,04,484 M.T. and Annual festival quota-3730 M.T.) per Annum for the Govt. of Odisha.

Year	Quantity of shortage of Sugar ( M.T.)
2009	16,325.52 M.T.
2010	11,859.784 M.T.
2011	6908.614 M.T.
2012	12,794.502 M.T.
2013	6086.77 M.T. ( upto ,May 2013)

On 17.5.2013, the Central Govt. (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) wrote a letter to all State Govt. including Govt. of Odisha about its decision to remove the levy obligation on sugar mills. With the abolition of levy, the current system of allocation of levy sugar from sugar mills to the states/FCI for meeting the requirements for the PDS will no longer be in existence. It was also informed to the State Govt. that the Central Govt. would provide subsidy amount of Rs. 18.50 per kg for the existing allocation to those states which continue to have the retail issue price of Rs. 13.50 per kg at FPS level for the Financial Years 2013-14 and 2014-15. It was also clarified that the reimbursement by the Central Govt. will be limited to the quantity based on existing level of allocations i.e., 1,08,214 M.Ts per annum. The State Govt. will procure sugar from local market and supply to the consumers.

RTI query about decision of the state Govt. to respond to the above letter of the Central Govt. and non-distribution of sugar to the beneficiaries was sought. The PIO supplied the copy of the file noting. The gist of the file noting is as follows.

A. It was calculated by the Dept. of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, Govt. of Odisha that the State Govt. will get Rs. 32.00 per kg of sugar ( subsidy Rs.18.50/- from Central Govt + Rs. 13.50/- BPL price collected from beneficiary). So, the State requires subsidy of only Rs.42 crores from state budget as additional expenditure to continue distribution of sugar to the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs.13.50 per kg. The file dated 7.9.13 was moved by the Dept. of FS & CW to Chief Secretary and Chief Minister for approval.

B. On 11.9.13, the Chief Secretary opined that “ we should not procure sugar from the open market for distribution under PDS”. Should Govt. however, prefer to do this, we should follow the AP model” ( it needs to be mentioned here that Andhra Pradesh decided giving subsidy for additional expenditure to continue distribution of sugar to the BPL beneficiaries).

C. On 7.10.13, Chief Minister suggested not to procure sugar from open market for the PDS. The file may be submitted to Commissioner-cum-Secretary for kind perusal and order.

D. On dated 31^st Jan.2014, Sri jugal Mohapatra, Chief Secretary wrote a letter to Central Govt. about decision of the State Govt. not to bear any extra subsidy burden by purchasing sugar from open market for distribution under Targeted PDS. As such, the State has decided not to implement the new scheme of sugar distribution under TPDS.

Comments

A. Sugar is one of the most important ingredients used for preparation of tea which the common people usually take in early morning. The Farming community use to take tea while taking breakfast in the rural areas. Though the supply of two kg sugar per month per beneficiary is not enough for household consumption, but it helped a lot to the poor families getting sugar at subsidised price of Rs. 13.50 per kg.

B. The Govt. was expected to spend Rs.44 crores as additional expenditure to continue distribution of sugar to the beneficiaries in the State. The said amount is not big amount. Because the State Govt. bears a subsidy of Rs. 1200 crores for distribution of rice at the rate Rs. 1/- per kg under PDS. This year, its earmarked Rs. 1400 crore for one rupee rice. The State Govt.’s hypocrisy of projecting it as messiah of the poor is greatly exposed here.

C. Due to decision taken for non-distribution of sugar under PDS, the State Govt. lost Rs.220 crores of the Central assistance for sugar ( Rs.18.50 per kg of Sugar agreed by the Central Govt. ).

D. The poor people were deprived of getting sugar at subsidised price and left no option but to buy sugar from open market which is costly for them. It affects livelihood of the people.

E. On the one hand, the State Govt. takes much credit by providing subsidised rice at the rate of Rs. 1/- per kg to the BPL families, but on the other hand, it deprives the BPL people of their entitlement to get sugar under PDS because the State Govt. declines to pay subsidy cost of Rs. 44 crores.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-13.3.15

29. Status of RDC enquiries in Odisha

Whenever and wherever any incidence occurs and affects the public at large or occurrence of police atrocity o anybody, the mass media highlights it and the common people come to the streets and demand for enquiry. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, the State Govt. orders different type of enquiries like Judicial Enquiry or RDC enquiry or Crime Branch enquiry into the incident and assured the people to take action as per the report. The common people generally believe it and wait to see the enquiry report and Action Taken Report of Govt.

But Allah ! Nothing happened. Days go on in the name of enquiry. The Enquiry Authority keeps continuing the enquiry for years together and the people start forgetting the incident. Though the enquiry authority submitted the report, no action is taken for years together by the Govt. and the victim never gets justice. This is the status of Enquiry of Nabin Patnaik Govt. Earlier; I have exposed how the Judicial Commission of Inquiry has become farce in Odisha.

Now it is RDC enquiry which is not only proved as farce but a deception. Forget the common people, the influential people even BJD leader have also been denied justice by Sri Nabin Patnaik, Chief Minister, Odisha.

Out of curiosity to understand the status of RDC enquiry in Odisha, I had submitted RTI Application to the PIO, Dept. of Home, Govt. of Odisha on 9.12.13. The PIO supplied me the information on 28.3.14. The details of the information are as follows.

Sl.No	Name of cases/ Incidence	Month and year of order issued	Date of submission of report	Information on action taken in brief
1	Incidence of Idol Theft in Biraja Temple of Jajpur district	2003	2003	No action taken following the RDC report
2	Incident of boat capsize in river Baitarani, Jajpur	31.8.2002	11.10.2002	Information not available
3	Murder of Jajati Keshari Sahu by extremists in Rayagada district on Nov.2002	Nov.2002	28.2.2003	-DO-
4	Incident of boat capsize in Upper Kolab Reservoir , Koraput district on 7.2.2003	Feb.2003	30.7.2003	A number of follow up action taken. A Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of D.C.-cum-Addl. Chief Secretary to go into various issues relating to safety and security of boat passengers.
5	Drowning of students of Burla High School in Mahanadi syphon	Feb.2003	31.5.2003	RDC, Sambalpur was requested to monitor the implementation of the recommendations
6	Alleged misbehaviour of Sri Sankar Oram, MLA, Raghunathpalli Assembly Constituency on 4.4.2003	March 2003	26.4.2004	Information not available
7	Alleged police atrocity at Bandhapalli, Chargo Chhia, Jajpur district	April 2003	30.6.2004	Information not readily available
8	Death of two students and injury to 3 others of Saraswati High School in Kendrapara district o 19.7.2003	July 2003	24.1.2004	Various departments were requested to implement the recommendation of RDC
9	Law and order problem between the villages Kutharsingh - vs- Manikpur and Tatadapali in Ganjam district on 28.7.2003	July 2003	30.4.2004	Information not available
10	Police firing during excise raid at Ratansahi in Mayurbhanj district on 22.8.2003	August 2003	29.5.2004	Excise Dept. was requested to take steps to implement recommendation of the Enquiry Officer
11	Police firing at Kolabira Jharsuguda district on 7.12.2003	Dec.2003	26.4.2004	Labour and Employment Dept., Commerce and Transport Deptt. And DG & IG of police, Odisha were requested for necessary follow up action.
12	Incident of assault on a youth Congress leader at Bhawanipatna on 15.3.2003	March 2003	30.5.2005	The State Govt. accepted the opinion of the Enquiring Authority that there was no malafide in the arrest of Gobardhan das, Youth Congress leader
13	Alleged misbehaviour to Rajendra Oram, advocate Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district on 24.6.2004	July 2004	1.2.2006	D.G. of police was requested to initiate major disciplinary proceedings against Sri Suryamani Pradhan, then S.I., Harish Ch. Behera, then A.S.I. of Baripada Sadar Police.
14	Leakage of toxic gas in the water treatment plant at Sambalpur on 2.9.2005	Sept. 2005	28.2.2006	The Recommendations of Enquiry officer were circulated to all concerned.
15	Police firing at Chakradhar Pur outpost under Paradeep P.S. in Jagatsingh Pur district on 29.11.2005	December 2005	1.2.2006	Information not available
16	Alleged Assault on Smt. Pramila Giri, MLA, Baisingha, Mayurbhanj on 17.1.2006	Jan.2006	31.5.2006	Information not available
17	Police firing at village Bhatra, Rairkhol in Sambalpur district on 15.2.2006	Feb. 2006	31.1.2006	G.A. Dept. released Rs. 10.00 lakhs from out of Chief Minister Relief fund to the next of kin of the deceased.
18	Police action during agitational activities of OSSTA and Block Grant Secondary School teachers’ Association on 17.11.2007	Nov. 2007	7.7.2008	Information not available
19	Alleged Gang-rape of a last year MCA student of Sambalpur University on 24.2.2008	Feb. 2008	13.6.2008	Higher Education Dept. and D.G. police were requested for appropriate action
20	Liquor tragedy at Bolangir on 11.2.2009	Feb.2009	2.4.2009	Information not available
21	Incidents at Kodala in Ganjam district to police firing In July 2011	July 2011	30.1.2012	No action taken
22	Incident during Hadaka festival at Chandaneswar in Balasore district on 12.4.2012	April 2012	13.8.2012	No action taken
23	Incident of attack on Husein Rabi Gandhi, BJD leader in Jajpur district on 20.6.12	July 2012	27.8.12	No Action TAKEN
24	Incident occurred at Basundhara Garjabahal Coal Mine of MCCL near Kulda in Sundargarh district o 10.8.2013	Aug.2013	13.1.2014	No action taken

( N.B.- “No information available” means no Action Taken )

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 13.3.15

24. Details of Funds under Adhoc CAMPA and its utilisation in Odisha

There is much discussion about allocation, utilisation and misutilisation of fund under CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority) among the NGOs, environmentalists in the state. There is also allegation of huge corruption and irregularities in utilisation of CAMPA fund by the Forest Dept. To enforce and ensure effective utilisation of CAMPA fund and to sensitise the people about details of CAMPA fund available with the state, RTI Application on dated 28.1.15 was submitted to the PIO, office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Bhubaneswar to get information about details of CAMPA fund and its utilisation in Odisha. The details of information supplied by the PIO on 11.3.15 are as follows.

Details of Deposits under Adhoc CAMPA Fund from 2005-06 to March 2014

Sl.No	Year	Amount Deposited ( in Rs.)
1	2005-06	176,36,72,005.00
2	2006-07	271,88,36,441.00
3	2007-08	408,26,15,943.00
4	2008-09	324,60,14,855.00
5	2009-10	499,39,86,259.00
6	2010-11	1889,42,05,409
7	Deposited through RTGS during 2010-11	78,39,76,665.00
8	Deposited through RTGS during 2011-12	175,64,75,657.00
9	Deposited through RTGS during 2012-13	373,32,44,590.00
10	Deposited through RTGS during 2013-14	606, 42,74,618.00
	Total	4803,73,02,442

( Total CAMPA Fund - 4803.73 crores)

B. Details of CAMPA fund received by State Govt. and its utilisation

( in crores)

Year	Amount of CAMPA fund received by state Govt,	Expenditure for different projects	Expenditure for plantation programme
APO 2009-10	131.0618	124.1193	69.9848
APO 2010-11	140.1753	88.721	24.0618
APO 2011-12	169.891	120.2389	22.366
Addl. APO 2011-12	06.20	0	0
APO 2012-13	205.8244	149.82 (provisional)	9.49
APO2013-14	180.00	46.9757	5.50 as on 30.1.15
Grand Total	833.1525	529.8749	131.4072

C. Total fund available under CAMPA till March 2014 is Rs. 204.523 crores.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 15.3.15

32. Details of Funds under Adhoc CAMPA and its utilisation in Odisha

A. Details of Deposits under Adhoc CAMPA Fund from 2005-06 to March 2014

Sl.No	Year	Amount Deposited ( in Rs.)
1	2005-06	176,36,72,005.00
2	2006-07	271,88,36,441.00
3	2007-08	408,26,15,943.00
4	2008-09	324,60,14,855.00
5	2009-10	499,39,86,259.00
6	2010-11	1889,42,05,409
7	Deposited through RTGS during 2010-11	78,39,76,665.00
8	Deposited through RTGS during 2011-12	175,64,75,657.00
9	Deposited through RTGS during 2012-13	373,32,44,590.00
10	Deposited through RTGS during 2013-14	606, 42,74,618.00
	Total	4803,73,02,442

( Total CAMPA Fund - 4803.73 crores)

B. Details of CAMPA fund received by State Govt. and its utilisation

( in crores)

Year	Amount of CAMPA fund received by state Govt,	Expenditure for different projects	Expenditure for plantation programme
APO 2009-10	131.0618	124.1193	69.9848
APO 2010-11	140.1753	88.721	24.0618
APO 2011-12	169.891	120.2389	22.366
Addl. APO 2011-12	06.20	0	0
APO 2012-13	205.8244	149.82 (provisional)	9.49
APO2013-14	180.00	46.9757	5.50 as on 30.1.15
Grand Total	833.1525	529.8749	131.4072

C. Total fund available under CAMPA till March 2014 is Rs. 204.523 crores.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 15.3.15

45. Total Amount of Rs. 6 crores sanctioned to Sri Nilamadhab Panda, Film Director, Eleeanora Images Pvt. Ltd. for public Awareness Campaign on Electricity in Odisha

All of you are aware about disturbing situation in respect of supply of electricity to consumers and huge revenue loss suffered by electricity companies in Odisha due to theft, non-payment of energy bills etc. This situation has provided an opportunity to Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) to increase the electricity tariff on consumers and farmers in the state. Several Consumer Forums and Political parties have opposed the decision of OERC terming it as arbitrary and demanded its withdrawal. They have accused the Govt. and the Electricity distribution companies being responsible for revenue loss due to mismanagement, corruption and maladministration in supply and distribution of electricity. RTI Expose has substantiated this allegation made by the opposition political parties and Odisha Bidyut Upobhakta Mahasangh.

On 24.2.15, RTI Application was submitted to the Dept. of Energy, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of expenditure made for awareness programme on electricity in Odisha. The PIO, office of CESU (Central Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha ) has provided the information on 26.3.15 which is as follows.

A. Committee on Odisha Power Sector Media Campaign constituted by CESU, Govt.-owned Company in its meeting held on 2.7.2013 took the decision to give Rs. 5.85 crores to Eleeanora Images Pvt. Ltd, a Company of Nilamadhab Panda having its official address 143A, 1^st Floor, SHAHPURJAT, Near Rainbows Bakery , New Delhi- 110049 for public Awareness Campaign on Electricity . This programme has been started from 1^st August 2013. Sri Nilamabhab Panda has already taken Rs. 3,88,50,000.00 ( 3.88 crores rupees) by Jan 2015.

B.The justification given by Govt. to grant such huge amount to Eleeanora Images Pvt. Ltd is that there is high loss of electricity in the state due to the Consumers resorting to drawing power more than their contract demand, including in power theft and non-payment of energy bills. This proposed campaign is intended to achieve a big shift in the consumer behaviour towards these issues. This campaign will also create public opinion against power theft and non-payment making them more proactive towards the utility.

C. Total amount of Rs. 5.85 crores will be utilised for the following awareness programme.

· TV- 260 SPOTS each in 5 top popular vernacular channels of Odisha ( totalling to 1300 TV spots in all)

· Radio-1280 spots each in 2 top FM stations and All India Radio network in Odisha ( totalling to 2560 Radio Spots in 2 FM Stations in all and 8960 Radio Spots in AIR in all ).

· Print-15 insertions each in 3 leading Odia dailies and 2 national English dailies ( totalling to 75 insertions across 5 publications in all )

· Outdoor-55 hoarding and 5000 wall paintings all over the state

· PR & Media coverage –sustained through the campaign

· Events- 1000 road shows and 5000 school shows all over the state.

D.The PIO has not provided me the document, CD or copy of campaign output materials developed by Eleeanora Images Pvt. Ltd for public awareness on the ground that it is not available with the CESU. So the State Govt. is not aware about what type of material developed by this company for public awareness on electricity. The State Govt. has been simply releasing money without getting any document from the company as proof of activity or monitoring the programme whether the programme has been properly done as per agreement.

Comments

A. When the state was suffering huge revenue loss due to various reasons, why the State granted such huge amount to a Company for awareness campaign on electricity just before the general election. Is there any ulterior motive of the Minister or officers of the Dept. of Energy to sanction such amount?

B. The awareness campaign was designed to sensitise the people about the issues relating theft in electricity, non-payment of the bill by the people and to address the same. In fact this is not the issue for which the management of electricity is suffering in the state. Mismanagement in distribution of electricity, huge corruption, huge pending of electricity bill on the companies, huge salary paid outside officers engaged by electricity companies huge waiver of electricity bill to companies to EAS and other companies etc.

C. The State Govt. should make it clear in public about availability of parameters to monitor or assess the net result obtained out of the programme.

D. Public scrutiny is required about whether there is any increase in level of awareness of the people and substantial reduction in electricity theft and increase in collection of the bill. So far as my knowledge is concerned, there is not a single percent increase in revenue collection and reduction in theft in the state. The statistical information about my claim will be shared very soon.

E. In fact, the State Govt. has neither monitored the programme nor made any impact assessment of the programme except arbitrarily sanctioning money to the company without obtaining any documentary proof of the programme.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 6.4.15

34. Allotment of 21,000 acres of Govt. land to Industries in Odisha by IDCO from 2000 to 2014, exposed through RTI

As aware you are, thousands of the poor landless people, tribals, Dalits are coming to street to hold demonstration, Dharana, rally demanding piece of homestead land for survival and few acres of agricultural land for their livelihood in the state. Since last fifty years, the Govt. has not been able to provide land to the landless. Eve the leased plots allotted to the tribals for their livelihood have been taken away the vested interest groups, Ministers, Officers, Companies in connivance with revenue officials. They are moving from pillar to post to get the land recovered. Ghagapatna land scam issue is the best example to understand the helplessness of the tribal people. The Crime Branch which is enquiring into Ghangapata Land Sam issue could not arrest the Influential political leaders like Mr. K.V.Sighdeo, MLA and president, BJP and Sri Kalpataru Das, MP, Rajya Sabha who manipulated the law and influenced the revenue officials to get the land registered in their names, rather arrest the poor innocent tribals.

But, thousands of acres of Govt. land has been leased out to the Companies and Industries at the cost of the interest of the poor during Nabin Patnaik regime from 2000 to 2014. IDCO, on behalf of the Govt. has mindlessly acquired the land and distributed it to the Companies in the state without proper assessment of the requirement of land for the Companies. Companies have been leased out the land on their wish and IDCO has worked just to satisfy the interest of the Companies at the cost of the interest of the state.

On 12.9.2014, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, office of Odisha Infrastructure Industrial Development Corporation (IDCO) seeking information about details of Govt. land leased out to private companies for industry and other purposes in different districts. The PIO has supplied the following information.

Total 20,997.238 acres of Govt. land has been leased out to IDCO to a number of Industries and Companies for various purposes in different districts of Odisha.

Total acres of land allotted to Companies in different districts is as follows.

Sl.No	District	Total acres of Govt. land leased out to different districts ( In Acres)
1	Angul	2251.560
2	Bhadrak	875.720
3	Ganjam	459.411
4	Jagatsingh Pur	3722.760
5	Keonjhar	497.698
6	Sambalpur	2263.090
7	Sundargarh	3086.570
8	Kalahandi	453.730
9	Rayagada	47.560
10	Bolangir	74.260
11	Dhenkanal	870.730
12	Jharsuguda	1308.620
13	Balasore	4.400
14	Cuttack	1762.843
15	Jajpur	4397.546
16	Kedrapara	2.230
17	Koraput	90.280
Total		20,997.238

Name of the Major Companies/ Industries acquired huge land in different districts are as follows.

Sl.No	District	Place	Name of Company	Land allotted ( In Acres)
1	Angul	Kerajang	Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.	1002.730
2	DO	Chhendipada	DO	194.240
3	DO	Deranga	Jindal India and Thermal Power Limited.	285.460
4	DO	Chhendipada	Monnet Power Co. Ltd	352.180
5	Bhadrak	Dhamara	DPCL , Dhamra Port	875.720
6	Cuttack	Ghantikhal	Arati Steel Ltd.	630.980
7	Ganjam	Berhampur/ Chhatrapur	TISCO	425.316
8	Jagatsingh Pur	Kujanga	POSCO-India	1880.110
9	DO	DO	IOCL	475.050
10	DO	DO	IFFCO	1255.620
11	Jajpur	Danagadi	JSL Limited	713.020
12	DO	DO	Tata steel Ltd.	540.426
13	DO	Duburi	NINL	2052.880
14	Sambalpur	Lapanga/ Rengali	Bhusan Power and Steels Limited	888.460
15	DO	Lapanga	DO	52.240
16	DO	Rengali	Aditya Aluminium Ltd. ( HINDALCO)	791.370
17	DO	Sambalpur	Rathi steel and Power Ltd.	160.540
18	Jharsuguda	Bhurkhamunda	Vedanta Aluminium Ltd.	526.000
19	DO	Banjari	Sterlite Energy Ltd.	223.840
20	DO	Hirma	SMC Power Generation Ltd.	189.930
21	Kalahandi	Lanjigarh	Vedanta Aluminium Ltd.	453.730
22	Keonjhar	Nayagada/ Barbil	TISCO	120.000
23	Sundargarh	Himgiri	Bhusan Power and Steel	212.570
24	DO	DO	DO	544.300
25	DO	DO	DO	11.490
26	DO	Bonai	Shyam Steel	142.200
27	DO	Hemgiri	Odisha Power Generation Corporation	587.320
28	DO	Biramitrapur	Shree Ganesh Mettalicks	20.970
29	DO	Manoharpur	Odisha Power Generation Corporation	19.380
30	Dhenkanal	Meramandali	Bhusan Steel Limited	329.400
31	DO	Gundichapada	Scaw Industries (P), Ltd	200.890
32	DO	Hindol	Rungta Mines Ltd.	59.990

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 9.4.15

51. 40, 000 Acres of Private Land handed over to the Companies through Land Acquisition by IDCO, Odisha

Earlier, I have shared with Readers the RTI information about conversion of 14,000 Acres of Forest Land for Companies by the State Govt. following Forest Conservation Act from 2005 to 2014 and allotment of 21,000 Acres of Govt. land to the Companies in Odisha.

To have an idea about private land including Agricultural land, homestead land handed over to the Companies from 2000 to 2014 in Odisha, RTI Application on dated 12.9.14 was submitted to the PIO, Office of IDCO ( Odisha Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation). The PIO has supplied the information which is as follows. The State Govt. through IDCO has acquired the land from the Individual land owners by following the Land Acquisition Act.

The total private land acquired in different districts is as follows.

Sl.No.	Name of the District	Total private land acquired ( In Ac.)
1	Angul	7314.085
2	Cuttack	1024.417
3	Bhdrak	2029.400
4	Dhenkanal	2988.695
5	Ganjam	2475.121
6	Jagatsingh Pur	3908.121
7	Jajpur	5032.794
8	Jharsuguda	2572.630
9	Keonjhar	527.151
10	Sambalpur	4602.020
11	Sundargarh	321.060
12	Kalahandi	1610.770
13	Koraput	499.360
14	Rayagada	3058.040
15	Bolangir	392. 200
16	Balasore	101.730
17	Kendrapara	3.040
Total		38,460.634

Major Companies handed over huge land in Odisha is as follows.

Sl.No	District	Tahasil	Place	Name of Company	Total Private land allotted ( In Ac.)
1	Angul	Banarpal	Kerajang	Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.	2927.905
	Keonjhar	Barbil	Deojhar	Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.	180.980
	Angul	Kaniha	Deranga	Jindal Steel & Power Ltd	799.970
2	Bhadrak	Tihidi, Bhadrak and Chandabali	Dhamra	DPCL ( Dhamra Port)	2029.400
3	Cuttack	Athagarh	Ghantikhal	Arati Steel Ltd.	111.180
	Dhenkanal	Dhenkanal	Meramandali	Bhusan Steel Ltd.	1128.380
	Angul	Banarpal	Ganthigadia	Bhusan Energy Ltd	91.600
	Dhenkanal	Hindol	Jharbandh	Rungta Mines Ltd	540.705
	Ganjam	Berhampur	GopalPur	TISCO	2275.848
	Jagat Singh Pur	Kujanga	paradeep	Essar Steel	111.000
	Jajpur	Danagadi	Duburi	JSL Limited	800.500
	Jajpur	Danagadi	Duburi	Tata Steel Ltd.	2499.972
	Angul	Chhendipada	Jhintipal	Tata Sponge Iron Limited	639.510

	Sambalpur	Rengali	Lapanga	Bhusan Power & Steel Limited	753.590
	Sundargarh	Koira	Kamando	Rungta Mines Ltd	186.340
	Jharsuguda	Jharsuguda	Bhurkamunda	Vedanta Aluminium Ltd.	1389.260
	Kalahandi	Lanjigarh	Lanjigarh	Vedanta Aluminium Ltd.	1610.770
	Koraput	Koraput	Kansariguda	Aditya Aluminia	320.110
	Sambalpur	Rengali	Rengali	Aditya Alumina ( Hindalco)	1788.520
	Sambalpur	Rengali	Khinda	Hindalco	188.420
	Rayagada	Kashipur	Gokulamunda Andhari	HINDALCO( Utkal Alumina)	2153.930
	Rayagada	kashipur			904.110
	Angul	Chhendipada	Raijharan	Utkal Coal Ltd.	855.630
	Jagatsingh Pur	Kujanga	Musadia	IFFCO	199.273
	Jajpur	Danagadi	Duburi	Nilachal Ispat	447.120

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-10.4.15

32.Nexus between Corrupt Officials and Odisha Information Commission was exposed

Dear friends

Since last few years, RTI Activists have been accusing the Information Commissioners of hobnobbing with corrupt bureaucracy and taking extra-initiative to protect corrupt officials, infamous for violating the RTI Act. The nexus established between Odisha bureaucracy and Information Commission has not only made RTI an ineffective tool to contain corruption in Odisha but also frustrated RTI Activists to fight out the issues standing as stumbling block to enforce an accountable and transparent Government in the state.

Luckily, today (13.4.15), we got a test case of secret understanding of the Commission with the bureaucracy. Myself and Jayant Das had been to Odisha Information Commission to attend the hearing of 4 Second Appeal petitions ( SA No.- 428/14, 430/14, 429/14, 432/14 by Sri Pramod Kumar Mohanty, lone State Information Commissioner ( other posts are lying vacant). As expected, while reaching in the office, we were informed about abrupt postponement of hearing of the case by the Commission. On query about reason, the Receptionist informed that Sri Mohanty, Information Commissioner personally came to office and appraised the staff about his illness to the staff and asked to postpone the hearing of the case.

It is needless to mention here that these Second Appeal cases fixed for hearing are most important cases of denial of information to the Information-seeker about irregularities committed by Sri Bijay Kumar Sharma, Addl. D.G. of Police. On RTI query in 2013 from Utkal University Law College, Vanivihar, it was found that Sri Bijay Sharma who was working as Police Commissioner got admission in LLB course in 2011-12 and secured 85% attendance in first year in 2011-12 and 75% attendance in 2012-13 and got gold medal for his outstanding performance and securing highest mark. From this information, a common question came to mind whether Sri Sharma was performing his duty nor not. If he was performing his duty, how he attended the class in Law College. Keeping it in view, Sri Jayant Das, RTI Activist submitted RTI Application in Dec. 2013 to the PIO, Dept. of Home, Govt. of Odisha seeking the copy of Tour Diary and Tour Report of Sri Bijay Sharma and details of leave sanctioned to him from 2011-12 to 2012-13. RTI Application was transferred to the PIO, office of Commissioner ate of Police and Crime Branch, Cuttack. Both the PIOs denied to provide the information on the ground of personal information under section 8 (1)(h) of the RTI Act. On denial of information from the PIO and the First Appellate Authority, Sri Das approached the Commission by filling second appeal under section 19(3) of the RTI Act.

The Commission fixed the date for hearing on 13.4.15 after a lot of persuasion due to delay in hearing. Strangely, the Commission was found not web-hosting the Cause List of the Cases fixed for hearing of this week which is generally done by the Commission. As this is very serious issue and smelling trouble, Sri Pramod Mohanty strategically avoided to hear the case and deferred the date. More interesting is that another date which was fixed for hearing of the case is 26.5.15. On query about intention behind taking a long date for hearing of the case, it was found that Sri Mohanty would get retired on 7.5.15. So he has consciously fixed the date to avoid the hearing of this case. The hearing of this Case will take long time because there is no Information commissioner in the office of Commission. It is alleged in media by Sri Jayant Das, complainant that due to unholy alliance of Sri Mohanty with Sri Bijay Sharma, Sri Mohaty took last ditch effort to protect him by blocking supply of information ad consciously extended the date to such a period so that he will never hear the case and the Complainant will wait for unknown period to get the information. The allegation of the activists against the commission working as great dalal of the State Govt. was found true in this case. The intention behind appointing IAS as Information Commissioner is nothing but to cover up the corruption and protect corruption officials. Sri Mohanty is proved as RTI killer at last stage of his career which will complete on 7.5.15, day of his retirement.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 14.4.15

40. State Planning Board is still defunct in Odisha

Planning is part of the governance of the country. Planning is required not only to carry out the various programmes smoothly but also to boost the economic prosperity of the country. That’s why the Planning Commission has always got paramount importance in India since independence. After coming to power in 2014 and releasing the importance of the planning and the planning Commission, the BJP-led NDA Govt. has restructured the planning Commission and renamed it as “Niti Ayog”. The NDA Govt. has also conducted three meetings of Niti Ayog to enforce planning process in the country within 10 months.

But it is matter of shame that the Nabin Patnaik Govt. , since coming to power in 2000, has always conspired to destroy and dismantle the planning process and state Planning Board of the state. Though the State Planning Board was constituted under Vice-Chairmanship of Sri Surendra Nayak, from 2009 to 2014, not a single meeting of the Board was held within last five years. Interestingly, two prominent figures from Civil Society Sri A.V. Swamy (who later on elevated to the post of Rajya Sabha ) and Sri Jo Mediath, Director, Gram Vikash were inducted in State Planning Board. The NGOs got delighted much, as the State Govt. has given due importance to their people in the state Planning Board. But these two people have neither given any suggestion to the State Govt. nor contributed anything to the planning process in the state nor written a single request letter to the Chief Minister to call the meeting of State Planning Board within five years. On the other hand, they marketed their designation as Member of State Planning Board in different areas which is useless to be discussed here.

The Nabin Patnaik Govt. came to power on 4^th term in May 2014. RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Dept. of Planning and Coordination, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about constitution of State Planning Board, members of the Board and their activities. The information obtained from the Dept. is quite disturbing.

Sri N. Bhaskar Rao, a man from Rayagada who is never known and lacks knowledge and expertise in the field of planning, finance and economy of the state, has been appointed as Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board. He has done nothing in the state till yet.

The State Planning Board has not been constituted till yet, though one year is about to be passed since this Govt. coming to power. No member has been appointed in the Planning Board.

Sri R.N.Das, former Secretary, Govt. of India has been appointed as Advisor to the State planning Board on 13.11.2014. He has been given responsibility to focus on Skill Mission, Food production, Food Security Mission, and Shelter Mission.

Not a single money has been spent towards salary of Sri R..Das. But he has received Rs. 8646.00 towards travel allowance. Sri N. Bhaskar Rao, Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board has not received any payment till yet.

Pradip Pradhan

State convener

Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

M-9937843482

Date- 29.4.15

54.No transparent procedure in respect of appointment of Odisha Information Commissioners adopted by State Govt. till yet

· The State Govt. is yet to adopt and follow transparent procedure in appointment of Odisha Information Commission.

· Colonial secrecy followed by the State in case of disclosure of the name of the persons applied for the post of Information Commission.

· The State Govt. Maintains secrecy because of its plan to insert the name of the outsiders in the list in their bid to nominate and induct their corrupt protégé in this post. It will be exposed very soon.

· Hon’ble Governor, as appointing authority under section 15 (3) of the RTI Act has been requested to direct the State Govt. to follow transparent procedure in appointment of the Commission by RTI Activists of the State.

· Written transparent procedure is highly required prior to appointment of Information Commissioners.

It is widely recognised fact that transparency and openness is key pre-requisites for good governance. The RTI legislation has been an entitlement which has kept the intent of a free and open system of governance afloat in our country. The multiple uses of the RTI Act to improve government functioning are so huge that they defy enumeration. The implementation of RTI Act is seen as the one stated intent of the government to lay itself open to scrutiny and therefore accountability.

The effective functioning of adjudicators under the RTI Act- the Information Commission- is critical for the health of transparency regime in the country. It is therefore a matter of grave concern that the functioning of the State Information omission has been pushed to a COMA in our state. The post of the State Information Commission and Chief Information Commission is lying vacant since months together. Sri Pramod Kumar Mohanty, the lone Information Commissioner who is about to retire in May, 2015 has stopped hearing. So, the functioning of the Commission has been standstill with pendency of more than 5000 cases.

To ensure appointment in the post of Information Commission, on dated 13.2.15, the State Government in Department of Information and Public Relation has released an advertisement in website seeking publicly application for appointment to the post of Information Commission by 16.2.15. In fact, this advertisement will deprive many sensible ad experienced people from applying for the post of the Information Commission as they may not apply for the said post. There should be a provision of recommendation of name of anybody by the public for the post of the Commission. Many states Govt. and Central Govt. has followed the transparent procedure of making provision of seeking application and recommendations for the post of the Commission while releasing advertisement. In 2013, the Govt. of Goa has made the advertisement seeking application and recommendation of the names for the said post.

Since 2006, the Civil Society Groups and RTI Activists have been demanding to adopt detailed transparent procedure for appointment of Information Commissioners in the state. But astonishingly, the State Govt. has appointed Information Commissioners without following any transparent procedure. Due to favouritism and nepotism in the appointment, the Information Commission has remained ineffective and useless to deliver justice to the citizens. Within period of 10 years, the Information commissioners have proved their inefficiency and ignorance about the law and miserably failed in discharging their duty.

So, it is demanded by the RTI Activists, Civil Society Groups of Odisha that the State Govt. should issue detailed written transparent procedure in respect of appointment of the Commission, declare publicly name of the applicants, their background, experience and expertise, details of search Committee, inviting public view on the final list for the post of Information Commission prior to sending the name to the Governor of Odisha for appointment etc., and modify the advertisement and include the provision of recommendation by public for the post of Information Commissioner. On 30.4.15, the RTI Activists have presented memorandum to Governor, Odisha seeking direction to the State Govt. in this regard.

Pradip Pradhan

State Convener

Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

Date- 2.5.15

38. Three out of 28 MOU Signed Companies have started power generation plant in Odisha

Since coming to power in 2000, Nabin Patnaik Govt. has signed MOU with number of Companies for establishment of industries in the state. The basic purpose behind signing MOU and inviting companies to the state is to generate employment and bring prosperity in the state. The State Govt. has also taken a lot of credit by attracting and allowing a number of companies to Odisha to start their operation in the state. But the result is big zero.

To understand the Status of MOU-Signed-Companies and their operation in Odisha, RTI Application dated 17.4. 15 was submitted to different Dept. of Govt. of Odisha. The information sought for about companies is as follows.

i.Provide name of the Companies with which the State Govt. has signed MOU with them and year of signing MOU.

ii. Provide name of the MOU-signed Companies which have already started their operation in the state.

iii. Provide details of employment generated by these companies in the state

The PIO, Dept. of Energy has supplied the information on 6.5.15 which is as follows.

28 Companies have signed MOU with State Govt. to establish power plant in different location the State. The details is as follows.

Sl.No	Name of Company	Location	Ultimate Capacity ( MW)	Date of MOU with GOO
1	GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited	Kamalanga, Dhenkanal	1400	9.6.2006
2	Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd.	Deranga, Angul	1800	26.9.2006
3	Monnet Power Company Ltd.	Chhendipada Tahasil	1050	26.9.2006
4	Sesa Sterlite Limited	Bhurkamunda, Jharsuguda	2400	26.9.06
5	Ind. Barath Eergy ( Utkal) Ltd.	Sahajbahal, Lakhanpur, Jharsuguda	1360	7.2.09
6	Lanco Badandh Powers Ltd.	Kurunti Kharagprasad, Dhenkanal	1320	26.9.2006
7	Maadurga Thermal Power Compay Ltd.	Bainchua, Tangi, Cuttack	120	9.4.10
8	KVK Nilachal Power Ltd.	Kandarei , Athagarh, Cuttack	1050	26.9.06
9	CESC Ltd.	Neulapoi, Dhenkanal	1000	26.9.06
10	Visa Power Ltd.	Brahmanabasta, Athagarh, Cuttack	1000	26.9.06
11	Nava Bharat Power Ltd. ( Taken over by Essar Power)	Meramudali ad Khadagprasad, Dhenkanal	1050	9.6.06
12	NSL Nagapatam Power & Infrastructure Ltd.	Talcher Angul	1320	9.6.06
13	BGR Energy System Ltd.	Bhapur, Nayagarh	1320	9.4.10
14	JR Powergen Pvt. Ltd.	Kishorenagar, Angul	1980	9.4.10
15	Sahara India Power Corp. Ltd.	Titilagarh, Bolangir	1320	7.2.09
16	KU Projects Pvt. Ltd.	Pitamahul, Tevapodar, Sonepur	1320	3.1.2011
17	Tata Power Company Ltd.	Naraj Marthapur, Cuttack ( site Changed)	1000	26.9.06
18	Bhusan Energy Limited	Ghantigadia, Talbahal, Angul	2000	26.9.06
19	Arati Steel limited	Ghantikhal, Cuttack	500	7.2.09
20	Astaraga Power Corp. Ltd.	Astaraga, Nuagarh, Puri	2640	7.2.09
21	Chambal Infrastructure & Ventures Ltd.	Siaria, Dhenkanal	1320	7.2.09
22	Jindal Steel and Power Ltd.	Badkerjang, Angul	1320	7.2.09
23	Kalinga Energy and Power Ltd.	Sodamal, Kalabira, Jharsuguda	1320	7.2.09
24	Visaka Thermal Power Ltd.	Dimirimunda, Rairkhol, Sambalpur	1320	7.2.09
25	Adhunic Power and Natural Resources Ltd.	Telimal, Birmaharajpur, Sonepur	1320	9.4.10
26	JSL Energy Ltd.	Luni, Dhenkanal ( applied for change of place)	1320	6.5.10
27	SPI Ports Pvt. Ltd.	Mahakalpara, Kendrapara	1320	3.1.11
28	NSL Orissa Power and Infratech Pvt. Ltd.	Boinda, Angul	1320	3.1.2011
	Total MW electricity could have been generated by 2014		37510

If these MOU-signed-Companies had established power generation plant in the state within 14 years, Odisha would have been largest power producing state in the country.

Total no. of three MOU signed Companies have started their operation in Odisha. These Companies are as follows.

Sl.No	Name of Company	Location	Capacity ( MW)	Starting of Operation
1	GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd.	Kamalanga, Dhenkanal	1400	Unit-1- Jan-13, Unit-2-Sept.-13 Unit-3-Nov-13
2	Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd.	Deranga, Angul	1800	Unit-1-March-14
3	Sesa Sterlite Ltd.	2400	Bhurkamunda, Jharsuguda	Unit-2-8.11.10 Unit-1-30.3.11 Unit-3-19.8.11 Unit-4-26.4.12

The PIO has remained silent on employment generated by these Companies in the state.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 12.5.15

46. A Public Review of enquiry into land scam by Govt. of Odisha

· No enquiry conducted so far , though six months have passed since submission of Task Force Report

· Not a single land arbitrarily allotted or allotted under discretionary quota has been resumed.

· Not a single man who has illegally taken single land or multiple plot by filling false affidavit or providing false information has been arrested.

· List of plots/ lands allotted by GA, BDA, CDA, Odisha State Housing Board allotted during pre-1995 and post-1995 till 2014 has not been prepared till yet.

· Finance Dept. is yet to start special audit into allotment of land

· GA (Vigilance) is yet to start enquiry into land scam.

The whole enquiry process followed by Govt. is farce ad designed to buy time to cover up the scam.

After CAG expose on huge irregularities and illegalities in respect of allotment of land by General Administration, Bhubaneswar Development Authority, and Cuttack Development Authority in June 2014, the political parties and Civil Society Groups demanded CBI enquiry into it by organising demonstration, Dharana, rally in Bhubaneswar. Being pressurised, on 2.8.14, the State Govt. constituted a Task Force under the chairmanship of Dr. Taradatt, Addl. Chief Secretary to submit the report after thorough study into alleged irregularities into allotment of land/plot by BDA, CDA, Housing Board and GA. The task Force produced the report to Chief Minister on 3.11.14. The Govt. in its cabinet meeting held on 18.12.14 passed resolution accepting all the recommendations given by Task Force and produced Action Taken Report. But the ATR was notified on 31.1.2015.

Though around 10 months have passed since submission of CAG report, the State Govt. has not recovered a single land nor taken any action against the culprits. The details of Task Force Report, its recommendations, Govt. ATR and follow up activities of the Govt. is as follows.

Sl.No.	Recommendation of task Force Report presented to Govt. on	Action Taken Report presented by Govt. o 18.12.14	Notification with regard to ATR issued by Govt. on 31.1.15	Action taken by Govt. within 6 moths
1	All plots allotted under discretionary quota should be resumed, if the allottees have failed to construct houses within the stipulated five years.	Finance Department will conduct a special audit to find out the actual number of discretionary allotments made after 01.01.1995 including those not placed before the Task Force	Finance Dept. will conduct special audit of all allotments made after 1.11995 which have been made o the basis of applications received from time to time under various schemes of NDA, CDA and Housing Board and it will conduct a special audit to find out the actual number of discretionary allotments made after 01.01.1995 including those not placed before the Task Force	No step has been taken so far
2	BDA, CDA, OSHB and GA Department should take up another exercise to obtain comprehensive details including the allotments made prior to 1.1.1995 to know the exact extent of individuals and families who have taken undue benefit of multiple allotments against the schematic provisions.	BDA/OSHB and General Administration Department will examine the allotments made prior to 01.01.1995 at Bhubaneswar to determine the exact list of allottees who have availed the irregular benefit of more than one allotment of land/flat/house against the specific schematic provisions. CDA and OSHB will undertake a similar exercise for Cuttack urban area. This exercise will be completed within six months.	BDA/OSHB and GA Department will examine the allotments made prior to 01.01.1995 at Bhubaneswar to determine the exact list of allottees who have availed the irregular benefit of more than one allotment of land/flat/house against the specific schematic provisions. CDA and OSHB will undertake a similar exercise for Cuttack urban area. This exercise will be completed within six months.	No details of allotment of land/ plot prior to 1995 has been prepared
3	All allotments made before the launch of the schemes and before last date fixed for the receipt of applications should be cancelled.	G.A. (Vigilance) Department may enquire into those cases of multiple allotments to individuals/families where such allotments have been made on the basis of false affidavits or misleading information in violation of specific schematic provision and initiate appropriate criminal action.	G.A. (Vigilance) Department may enquire into those cases of multiple allotments to individuals/families where such allotments have been made on the basis of false affidavits or misleading information in violation of specific schematic provision and initiate appropriate criminal action.	No step has been taken so far.
4	Allotments made under discretionary quota by the Minister, H & UD from 22.2.1999 to 17.5.2004 are illegal and void ab initio and may be cancelled since the notifications of appointment of Minister of State( Independent Charge) as Chairman, BDA and CDA were not revised and the Ministers concerned had not been appointed as Chairpersons of the concerned Authorities under the relevant laws and rules.	Government notification of the Minister, H & UD as Chairman, BDA and CDA will be examined in consultation with the Advocate General, Odisha	Government notification of the Minister, H & UD as Chairman, BDA and CDA will be examined in consultation with the Advocate General, Odisha	Nothing has happened
5	All discretionary allotments made after 1.1.1995 should be Cancelled. Further verification should be made to quantify the size of discretionary allotment.	All allotments of plot/house/flat under discretionary quota by the BDA, CDA and OSHB under different schemes after 1.1.1995 including their pre and post-possession transfers be cancelled and the plots/houses/flats are resumed to the concerned authorities.	All allotments of plot/house/flat under discretionary quota by the BDA, CDA and OSHB under different schemes after 1.1.1995 including their pre and post-possession transfers be cancelled and the plots/houses/flats are resumed to the concerned authorities	Not a single land allotted under discretionary quota has been cancelled.
6	All pre-possession transfers except in the event of death of the allottee should be cancelled and responsibility on officials should be fixed.			The Govt. is silent on it
7	As regards post-possession transfers, such transfers by discretionary quota allotees and multiple allottees should also be cancelled (except in case of allottees getting only one plot/house/flat through fair means and by following prescribed procedure for such transfer).	In case of multiple allotments, the additional units allotted to ineligible individual/families as pointed out by the Task Force in its report be cancelled and resumed to the concerned authorities.	BDA, CDA, OSHB and GA should cancel multiple allotments, additional units allotted to ineligible individuals/ families and resume the same to the concerned authorities	No step has been taken till yet.
8	Recovery may be made from allottees who have disposed their allotted property under discretionary quota and have succeeded in getting further allotment.	ATR is silent on it	Silent on it.	The Govt. inaction is quite visible
9	Allotment without evident publicity or by notifying the scheme only on the Office Notice Board needs to be cancelled.	ATR is silent on it		The Govt. inaction is quite visible.
10	Applications of late entrants should be scrutinized and action taken for realization of costs or cancellation of allotment.	ATR is silent on it		The Govt. inaction is quite visible.
11	Land meant for housing but allotted otherwise and land given for institutional purpose, but used for housing or otherwise should also be resumed.	ATR is silent on it		The Govt. is silent on it
12		The modalities of implementation of the report in a time bound manner will be worked out in consultation with the Law Department and the Advocate General. This whole exercise will be completed within ninety days.	The modalities of implementation of the report in a time bound manner will be worked out in consultation with the Law Department and the Advocate General. This whole exercise will be completed within ninety days.	The modalities has been prepared i the first week of may 2015. but yet to be adopted.

Prepared by Pradip Pradhan

On behalf of 30 Social Action Groups leading campaign against land scam in Odisha

M-9937843482

Date- 15.5.15

33. Perks and Facilities extended to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister, Minister of State and Deputy Minister of Govt. of Odisha

On 8.4.15, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Dept. of Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of salary and other allowances to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister, Minister of State and Deputy Minister of State Govt. . The PIO on dated 6.5.15 has supplied the following information. This information is disseminated as part of campaign strategy to sensitise the people about governance system of the country.

Sl.No	Subject	Amount ( Rs.)
1	Salary of Chief Minister	25,000/- PM
2	Salary of Deputy Chief Minister	24,500/- PM
3	Salary of Minister	24,000/- PM
4	Salary of Minister for State	23,000/- PM
5	Salary of Deputy Minister	22,000/- PM
6	Car Allowances for all	10,000/- PM
7	Sumptuary Allowance	24,000/- PM
8	Sitting allowance	150/- per day ( attending Assembly )
9	Medical treatment	Entitled to same as Class-1 Govt. servant
10	Daily allowance	800/- ( per tour inside the state) 1000/- ( per tour outside the state)
11	Travelling allowance	10/- per KM ( own car or hired car)
12	Telephone facilities	15,000/- PM ( in total for office, Residence and Monthly Mobile)
13	Motor Car Advance	3,00,000/- @ 8% simple interest
14	Electricity energy charges	40% of the actual consumption of elect. Dues
15	Refreshment Charges	2,000/- PM
16	Periodical charges	500/- PM
17	Residence	Rent free well furnished accommodation
18	Free travelling facilities	i)Entitled for first class Railway coupon by any Railway in India for a distance of 6,000 km in a year. Ii) Road Transport coupons for a distance of 10,000 kms in a year

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 18.5.15

23. Perks and Facilities extended to MLAs of Odisha

On 7.5.15, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, office of Odisha Legislative Assembly, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of salary and other allowances to the Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly ( MLA). The PIO on dated 18.5.15 has supplied the following information. This information is disseminated as part of campaign strategy to sensitise the people about governance system of the state.

Sl.No	Subject	Amount ( Rs.)
1	Salary of MLA	16,000/- PM
2	Medical treatment outside the state	a. Travelling allowances i.e., actual bus fare or actual rail fare in the class to which he is entitled. b. Bus fare or single railway fare both ways for attendant authorised to accompany c. Reimbursement of charges paid at the institution excluding dietary charges. d. Cost of medicine
3	Daily allowance	800/- for each day of actual residence at the place where the assembly or a Committee meets or at a place to make an oath or affirmation as required by article 188 of the constitution.
4	Travelling allowance	In case of journey by railway, double the fare of the Air-conditioned two-tier and in case of journey by steamer, double the second class fare. In case of journey by road, one rupee and fifty paise for each kilometre travelled.
5	Fixed Travel allowance	Rs. 8,000/- per mensem to defray the cost of travelling which is not connected with business of assembly or a committee.
6	Conveyance allowance	Rs.7000.00 per month
7	Constituency Allowance and Secretariat Allowance	Rs. 13,000 per month.
	Electricity consumption allowances	Rs.2,000 per moth.
8	Telephone facilities	8,000/- PM
9	Motor Car Advance	3,00,000/-
10	Periodical charges	1000/- PM
11	Accommodation facilities at Bhubaneswar	Well-furnished quarter at monthly rent excluding electricity charges
12	Accommodations in inspection Bungalow	Free accommodation in Inspection Bungalow not for more than three consecutive days at a time
13	Tour outside the state	For journey by rail, air and road, at the rate admissible to first grade Govt. officers Daily allowance @ 1,000.00 per day

Pradip Pradhan

Date- 24.5.15

37.Status of RDC Enquiries in Odisha (from 2000 to 2015)

Whenever any law and order situation occurs or any unlawful event occurs, the State Govt. orders for RDC enquiry or Judicial enquiry into it. Revenue Divisional Commissioner is entrusted to investigate into the matter and submit the report within the stipulated time period fixed by Govt.

RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Department of Home, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about status of enquiries conducted by RDC within the period of 2000 to 2015. On dated 23.5.15, the PIO has supplied the following information.

Total No. of 27 number of RDC enquiries on different incidents have been ordered by Nabin Patnaik Govt. from 2000 to 2015.

Information about enquiry Report into Biraja Idol Theft case of Jajpur has not been provided by the PIO, Dept. of Home. It was put here following the information collected earlier.

Out of 27 cases, no Action on RDC Enquiry Report has been taken in 12 cases.

RDC Enquiry into violent incidents at village Namatara under Kendrapara district on 8.3.15 is continuing.

Sl.No	Name of the enquiry with incidents	Present position	Follow up action
1	Demolition of Church at Vill- Churchunda of Kodinga Tahasil, Dist-Nabarangpur	Report received	No Action Taken
2	Inquiry into firing incident at Simulia, Balasore on 7.2.2002	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken
3	Inquiry on firing by Guard of WESCO on V.S.S. Medical College students on 17.7.2002	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken
4	Inquiry in Boat Capsize at river Baitarani, Jajpur district on 31.8.2002	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken
5	Inquiry into murder of Jajati Keshari Sahu by Extremist in Rayagada district	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken
6	Inquiry in Boat Capsize at river Upper Kolab Reservior, Koraput on 7.2.2003	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken
7	Inquiry on Drown to students of Burla High school i Mahanadi Syphone on 10.2.2003	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken
8	Inquiry into alleged misbehaviour of Sri sankar Oram, MLA , Raghunathpalli assembly constituency on 4.3.2003	Report received	No Action Taken
9	Inquiry into alleged police atrocity on 4.4.2003 at Bandhalli, chargochhia, Jajpur district	Report received	No Action Taken
10	Inquiry into death of two students and injury to three other students of Saraswati High School, Deypur in Kendrapara district on 19.7.2003	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
11	Inquiry into Law and Order Problem Between villagers of Kutharsingh-vrs-Manikpur and Tatadahipali in Ganjam on 28.7.2003	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
12	Inquiry on police firing during excise raid at Ratansahi, Mayurbhanj district on 22.8.2003	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
13	Inquiry into police firing at Kolabira of district Jharsuguda on 7.12.2003	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
14	Inquiry into incident of assault on Youth Congress leader , Bhawanipatna on 15.3.2003	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
15	Inquiry into the alleged misbehaviour to Rajedra Ram, Advocate , Rairangpur inMayurbhanj district	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
16	Inquiry into the Police firing incident at ChakradharPur Outpost under Paradeep P.S. in Jagatsingh Pur o 29.11.2005	Report received	No action Taken
17	Inquiry into Assault of Smt. Pramila Giri, MLA, Baisingha by some people on 17.1.2006.	Report received	No Action Taken
18	Inquiry into police firing on 15.2.2006 at village Bhatra, Rairkhol in Sambalpur district.	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
19	Inquiry into police action during the agitational activities of members, OSSTA and Block Grant Secondary Schools Teachers Association on 17.11.2007.	Report received	No Action Taken
20	Inquiry into alleged Gang-rape of a 1^st Year M.C.A. student of Sambalpur University on 24.2.2008	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
21	Inquiry into incident violence occurred at Bolangir on 11.2.2009	Report received	No Action Taken
22	Inquiry into the leakage of Toxic Gas in the water treatment plant at Sambalpur	Report received	Appropriate follow up action has been taken.
23	Inquiry into Kodala incident in Ganjam district	Report received	No Action Taken
24	Inquiry into Chadaka festival of Chandaneswar in Balasore district	Report received	No Action Taken
25	Inquiry into the incident of attack on Sri Husein Rabi Gandhi in Jajpur	Report received	No Action Taken
26	Inquiry into Idol Theft Case in Girija Temple , Jajpur district.	Report received	No Action Taken
27	Inquiry into violent incident at village Namatara under Rajakanika PS in Kendrapara district	Continuing

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 30.5.15

52. Premium value of Government Land within the limits of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation under Govt. of Odisha,

The issues relating to fixation of premium value of land under General Administration Department was raised by CAG in its report (General ad Social Sector Volume-2 for the year 2000-2012). While analysing details of allotment of Land by GA Dept, CAG ( Comptroller and Auditor General of India) has pointed out that how the State Govt. did not increase the premium value of the land in Bhubaneswar from 1998 to 2009 with ulterior motive to provide the land to Individuals, business house, hotels, private Educational institutions at throw away price. While the price of Govt. land was increasing like sky rocketing during this period, the State Govt. deliberately keeps lowering down the price of the land in Bhubaneswar to satisfy vested groups ad provided the land to them at cheaper price ignoring the Bench Mark Value adopted by District Sub-Registrar, Bhubaneswar. Due to lowering down the price of land in Bhubaneswar from 1998 to 2009, the state incurred thousands of crores of revenue loss to the state exchequer. I attach herewith the extract of loss of revenue to state exchequer due to leasing g out land to private boded as calculated by CAG for readers’ reference.

However, the State Govt. have revised the premium value of Govt. land within the limit of BMC at par with the Bench Mark Value adopted by District Sub-Registrar, Bhubaneswar/ Khandagiri with effect from 24.12.2014. The Premium of Value of land in different areas in Bhubaneswar is as follows. This information has been supplied by the PIO, Dept. of General Administration in response to RTI Application submitted on 25.4.15

( Rate of different categories of land as appeared in Bench Mark Value approved by Revenue and Disaster Management) Rupees shown in lakhs

Sl.No	Name of Mouza	Residential	Commercial	Agriculture	Industrial	Others
1	Aiginia	240.00	350.00	170.00	X x	150.00
2	Ashok Nagar	920.00	1150.00	x	x	X
3	Badagada	150.00	x	x		X
4	Banguary	150.00	x	x	x	60.00
5	Bapuji Nagar	1150.00	1400.00	x	x	x
6	Baramunda	700.00	805.00	700.00	x	700.00
7	Begunia	230.00	x	138.00		92.00
8	Bhagabanpur	138.00	173.00	92.00	165.00	70.00
9	Bharatpur	225.00	x	x	x	230.00
10	Bhimpur	300.00	500.00	x	x	x
11	Bhoinagar	805.00	920.00	x	x	x
12	Bhouma Nagar	650.00	700.00	x	x	x
13	Bhubaeswar Sahar	400.00	600.00	x	x	x
14	BJB Nagar	700.00	920.00	x	x	x
15	Bomikhal	500.00	805.00	x	403.00	x
16	Chandrasekhar Pur	700.00	1012.00	500.00	920.00	304.00
17	Damana	600.00	x	x	x	400.00
18	Dumduma	230.00	345.00	x	x	120.00
19	Gada Gopinath Prasad	500.00	805.00	x	x	x
20	Gadakana	350.00	700.00	x	300.00	225.00
21	Ganga Nagar	805.00	805.00	x	x	x
22	Ghatikia	180.00	180.00	x	x	x
23	Gopabandhu Nagar	920.00	1150.00	x	x	x
24	Goutam Nagar	750.00	920.00	x	x	x
25	Govind Prasad	600.00	920.00	x	x	x
26	Haridaspur	100.00	x	90.00x	x	x
27	Haripur Patna	173.00	173.00	x	x	92.00
28	Jadupur	230.00	x	138.00	x	92.00
29	Jagamara	380.00	443.00	x	x	x
30	Jaydev Vihar	1200.00	1500.00	x	x	x
31	Jeypur	200.00	230.00	x	x	x
32	Jharpada	518.00	600.00	x	x	300.00
33	Johala	100.00	180.00	x	x	x
34	Jokalandi	500.00	x	x	x	500.00
35	Kapileswar	250.00	x	200.00
36	Kapilprasad	250.00	350.00	x	x	x
37	Kesharinagar	920.00	x	x	x	920.00
38	Kharvela Nagar	1200.00	2300.00	x	x	x
39	Laxmisagar-1	700.00	920.00	x	x	x
40	Laxmi Sagar-11	600.00	700.00	x	x	x
41	Madhusudan Nagar	805.00	920.00	x	x	x
42	Mancheswar	400.00	x	x	x	200.00
43	Meherpali	180.00	x	x	x	150.00
44	Naharkanta	200.00	400.00	x	x	150.00
45	Nakhara	200.00	250.00	x	x	150.00
46	Nayapalli	1100.00	1500.00	x	x	x
47	Nuagaon	150.00	x	x	x	100.00
48	Pahala	100.00	180.00	x	x	x
49	Paika Nagar	805.00	920.00	x	x	x
50	Paikarapur	105.00	x	75.00	x	x
51	Pandra	600.00	700.00	x	x	200.00
52	Patia	750.00	800.00	245.00	x	245.00
53	Patrapada	173.00	230.00	115.00	x	190.00
54	Pokhariput	345.00	x	138.00	x	230.00
55	Rajarini	400.00	650.00	x	x	x
56	Rudrapur	200.00	350.00	x	x	150.00
57	Saheed Nagar	1200.00	1500.00	x	x	x
58	Samantpuri	805.00	1000.00	x	x	x
59	Sampur	180.00	210.00	150.00	x	x
60	Sankarpur	120.00	x	100.00	x	100.00
61	Satya Nagar	1000.00	1100.00	x	x	x
62	Subudhipur	120.00	x	x	x	x
63	Sundarpada	200.00	x	100.00	x	x
64	Suryanagar	920.00	1150.00	x	x	x
65	Vanivihar	700.00	x	x	x	x

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 29.5.15

34.Neither Lokpal Appointed nor Lokayukta constituted in Odisha

Prior to general election, the State Govt. took much credit as first state passing the Odisha Lokayukta Bill in assembly in Feb 2014 as per section 63 of the Central Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 (Every State shall establish a body to be known as the Lokayukta for the State, if not so established, constituted or appointed, by a law made by the State Legislature, to deal with complaints relating to corruption against certain public functionaries, within a period of one year from the date of commencement of this Act.). The State Govt. presented the Bill to Governor, Odisha on 23.4.15. Following the article 254 (2) of the constitution, the Governor, Odisha sent the Bill to Rastrapati Bhawan for assent of the President. The said Bill got presidential assent on 16^th Dec. 2014. Though five months have passed, the State Govt. is yet to constitute a body of Lokayukta under section 3 of Odisha Lokayukta Act.

On the other hand, Lokpal which was constituted under Odisha Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 1995 has remained defunct from January 2013 after demise of Justice P.K. Patra , Hon’ble Lokpal on 22.1.12013. Though two and half years have passed, the State Govt. has not yet appointed Lokpal in the State.

On 8.5.15, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, office of Lokpal, Odisha seeking information about functioning of Lokpal in Odisha. The information supplied by the PIO on dated 19.5.15 is as follows.

A. The post of Lokpal, Odisha is lying vacant since 22.1.2013 due to sad demise of Justice Sri Prasanna Kumar Patra.

B. Total no. of 1535 complaint cases pending for hearing in the office of Lokpal. Nobody knows how these pending cases will be disposed and the complainants will get justice.

C. Presently total No. of 14 employees are taking salary without any work since last two and half years.

D. Approximately Rs. 35 lakhs is spent towards salary of employees who are sitting idle without any work.

E. The total expenditure made for maintenance of office of defunct Lokpal is Rs. 66 lakhs and 44 lakhs in 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 2.6.15

29. Operation of MOU-signed Companies in Odisha

On dated 17.4.15, RTI Application was submitted to the Dept. of Steel and Mines, Govt. of Odisha seeking the following information.

i. List of MOU-based Companies operating in Odisha

ii. Details of employment generated by these companies in the state

The PIO dated 15.5.15 provided the information which is as follows. RTI Application has been forwarded to different districts to provide information about details of employment generated by the Companies. This information is yet to be obtained.

Statement showing the MOU signed Companies which have started production

Sl. No	Name of MOU-signed Companies	Name of Industries	YEAR OF starting of operation
1	M/s BRG Iron & Steel Company Ltd	M/s BRG Iron & Steel Company Ltd	21.12.2006
2	M/s MSP Metalliks Ltd	M/s MSP Metalliks Ltd	08.09.2008
3	M/s Adhunik Metallkss Ltd	M/s Adhunik Metallkss Ltd	30.09.2005
4	M/s Brahmani River Pellets Ltd	M/s Brahmani River Pellets Ltd	Marh 2013
5	M/s Biraj Steel & Eergy	M/s Biraj Steel & Energy	12.01.2006
6	M/s Patnaik Steel & Alloys Ltd	M/s Patnaik Steel & Alloys Ltd	12.05.2007
7	M/s Narbheram Power & steel Pvt. Ltd (Formerly Saw Industries pvt. Ltd)	M/s Narbheram Power & steel Pvt. Ltd (Formerly Saw Industries pvt. Ltd)	26.01.2005
8	M/s SM Power generation Ltd	M/s SM Power generation Ltd	01.12.2004
9	M/s rakers Idia (Alloys) Ltd	M/s rakers Idia (Alloys) Ltd	10.02.2006
10	M/s Maithan Ispat Ltd	M/s Maithan Ispat Ltd	15.08.2006
11	M/s Sree Metalliks Ltd	M/s Sree Metalliks Ltd	19.08.2004
12	M/s Jai Steel & Power Ltd	M/s Jai Steel & Power Ltd	01.03.2009
13	M/s Aryan Ispat & Power Ltd	M/s Aryan Ispat & Power Ltd	30.03.2006
14	M/s Deepak Steel & Power Ltd	M/s Deepak Steel & Power Ltd	16.09.2007
15	M/s OCL Iron & Steel Ltd	M/s OCL Iron & Steel Ltd	13.05.2006
16	M/s Bhusan Steel Ltd	M/s Bhusan Steel Ltd	27.08.2006
17	M/s Jay Balaji Jyoti Ltd	M/s Jay Balaji Jyoti Ltd	26.09.2004
18	M/s Arati Steel Ltd	M/s Arati Steel Ltd	09.09.2005
19	M/s Visa Steel Ltd	M/s Visa Steel Ltd	31.03.2005
20	M/s Syam Metalliks & Energy Ltd	M/s Syam Metalliks & Energy Ltd	01.09.2006
21	M/s Rathi Steel Power Ltd	M/s Rathi Steel Power Ltd	15.03.2008
22	M/s Beekay Steel & Power Ltd	M/s Beekay Steel & Power Ltd	23.10.2004
23	M/s oast Steel & Power Ltd	M/s oast Steel & Power Ltd	01.11.2004
24	M/s MGM Steel Ltd	M/s MGM Steel Ltd	31.03.2012
25	M/s Surendra Minning Industries Ltd	M/s Surendra Minning Industries Ltd	31.01.2006
26	M/s Eastern Steel & Power Ltd	M/s Eastern Steel & Power Ltd	01.09.2006
27	M/s Maheswari Ispat Ltd	M/s Maheswari Ispat Ltd	10.04.2005
28	M/s Orissa Sponge Iron & Steel Ltd	M/s Orissa Sponge Iron & Steel Ltd	15.02.2005
29	M/s Jindal Steel & Power Ltd	M/s Jindal Steel & Power Ltd	23.08.2012
30	M/s Action Ispat & Power (P) Ltd	M/s Action Ispat & Power (P) Ltd	17.08.2006
31	M/s Jindal Stainless Ltd	M/s Jindal Stainless Ltd	27.09.2006
32	M/s Bhusan Power & Steel Ltd	M/s Bhusan Power & Steel Ltd	27.03.2005

District-wise List of MOU signed Steel Plant Projects

Cuttack District

Sl.No	Name of the Project	Date of signing of MoU	LOCATION	STATUS
1	M/s Arati Steel Ltd	1.10.2003	Ghantikhal	Under Operation
2	M/s Maheswari Ispat (p) Ltd.	27.11.2004	Athagarh	Under Operation
3	M/s Welspun Power & Steel Ltd.	29.1.2008	Tangi-Choudwar	Under Implementation
4	M/s Pradhan Steel & Power (P) Ltd.	29.1.2008	Dhurusia	Under Implementation

ANGUL DISTRICT

5	M/s Jindal Steel & Power Ltd	3.11.2006	Angul	Under Implementation
6	M/s Monet Ispat & Energy Ltd.	27.11.2004	NISA	Under Implementation

DHENKANAL DISTRICT

7	M/s Bhusan Steels Ltd.	3.11.2005	Meramunduli	Under Operation
8	BRG Iron & Steel Limited	4.5.2005	Khurunti	UnderOperation
9	M/s Rungta Mines Ltd.	3.11.2005	Jharabandh	Under Implementation
10	M/s Narbheram Power & Steel Ltd.	1.10.2003	Gundichapada	Under Operation
11	M/s MGM Steels Ltd.	22.12.2006	Nimidiha	Under Operation
12	M/s Tecton Ispat ( P) Ltd.	29.1.2008	Karanda	Under Implantation
13	M/s Atha Mines ( P) Ltd.	29.1.2008	Tarkabeda	Under Implementation

JAJPUR DISTRICT

14	M/s Tata Steel Ltd.	17.11.2004	Kalinga Nagar	Under Implementation
15	M/s Visa Steel Ltd.	26.12.2003	Kalinga Nagar	Under Operation
16	M/s Jindal Stainless Ltd.	9.6.2005	Duburi	Under Operation
17	M/s Brahmani River Pellets Ltd.	15.3.2007	Duburi	Under Operation
18	M/s Maharastra Seamless Ltd.	26.8.2004	Kalinga Nagar	Under Implementation
19	M/s Maithan Ispat Ltd.	27.11.2004	Kalinga Nagar	Under Operation

SAMBALPUR DISTRICT

20	M/s Viraj Steel & Energy Ltd.	4.5.2005	Pandoli	Under Operation
21	M/s Arya Ispat & Power Ltd.	27.11.2004	Bamoli	Under Operation
22	M/s Shyam Metalik & Energy Ltd.	9.2.2004	pandoli	Under Operation
23	M/s Rathi Steel & Power Ltd.	4.5.2005	Potapali	Under Operation
24	M/s SMC Power Generation Ltd.	26.12.2003	Rengali	Under Operation
25	M/s Bhusan Power & Steel Ltd.	15.5.2002	Lapanga	Under Operation

SUNDARGARH DISTRICT

26	M/s Rungta Mines Ltd.	3.11.2005	Kamando	Under implementation
27	M/s jai Balaji Jyoti Steels Ltd.	3.11.2005	Tainsar	Under Operation
28	M/s Surendra Mining Industries ( P) Ltd.	22.12.2006	Barahamusa	Under Operation
29	M/s adhunik Metaliks Ltd.	1.10.2003	hadrihariharpur	Under Operation
30	M/s Deo Mines & Minerals ( P) Ltd.	1.10.2003	Bonai	Under Sub-Judice
31	M/s OCL Iron & Steel Ltd.	27.11.2004	Lamloi	Under Operation

JAGATSINGHPUR DISTRICT

32	M/s ESSAR Steel Ltd.	21.4.2005	Paradip	Under Operation
33	M/s POSCO India ( P) Ltd.	22.6.2005	Paradip	Under Implementation

JHARSUGUDA DISTRICT

34	M/s Concast Steel & Power Ltd.	26.8.2004	Badmal Growth Centre	Under Operation
35	M/s MSP Mettaliks ( P) Ltd.	27.11.2004	Marakula	Under Operation
36	M/s Action Ispat & Power ( P) Ltd.	27.11.2004	Panidripathar & Markuta	Under Operation
37	M/s Konark Ispat Ltd.	4.5.2005	Hirma	Under Implementation
38	M/s Jain Steel & Power Ltd.	4.5.2005	Durlaga	Under Operation
39	M/s Eastern Steels & Power Ltd.	3.11.2005	Lahandabud	Under Operation

KEONJHAR DISTRICT

40	M/s Sree Metaliks Ltd.	27.11.2004	Lodiapada	Under Operation
41	M/s pattnaik Steel & Alloys Ltd.	4.5.2005	Purunapani	Under Operation
42	M/s Deepak Steel & Power Ltd.	4.5.2005	Topodih	Under Operation
43	M/s Beekay Steels & Power Ltd.	3.11.2005	Marsuan	Under Implementation
44	M/s Brand Alloys Ltd.	3.11.2005	Marsuan	Under Implementation
45	M/s Sterlite Iron & Steel Company Ltd.	15.10.2004	Tikarpada	Under Implementation
46	M/s Crackers India ( Alloys) Ltd.	22.12.2006	Gobardhanpur	Under Operation
47	M/s Mittal Steel India Ltd.	22.12.2006	Patna	Withdrawn
48	M/s Uttam Galva Steel Ltd.	13.10.2006	Palaspanga	Under Implementation
49	M/s Orissa Spoge Iron & Steel Ltd.	26.8.2004	Palaspanga	Under Operation ( Temporary locked out)

GANJAM DISTRICT

M/s SSL Energy Ltd.

22.12.2006

Pallur

Under Implementation

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 6.6.15

21. Days devoted for Sitting of Odisha Legislative Assembly- A Hopeless Trend

Parliament or State Assemblies are viewed as temple of Indian Democracy. The hope and aspiration of the people are reflected in these democratic bodies. The Members of the Parliament and State Assemblies not only debate and discourse on various issues affecting the people but also make plan and programme for the prosperity of the country. So frequent sitting of the Assemblies or Parliament is highly required for development of the state and enriching the democracy.

Let us come to the context of Odisha Legislative Assembly. As per the norm fixed by the OLA, minimum days fixed for sitting of Assembly is 60 days. RTI Application was submitted seeking information about number of days devoted for sitting of the Odisha Legislative Assembly under Nabin Patnaik Govt. from 2004 to 2014. On 1.7.15, the PIO, Office of Odisha Legislative Assembly has supplied the following information. Every year, the number of days fixed for a particular assembly session got reduced by the Govt. due to various reasons.

Year	Date of Sitting		No. of days devoted for sitting	Remarks
Year	From	To	No. of days devoted for sitting	Remarks
2004	3.2.2004	5.2.2004	3	---
Do	30.6.2004	7.8.2004	31	Increased for one day
Do	1.11.2004	6.11.2004	6	---
Do	3.12.2004	28.12.2004	18	Reduced for 5 days
			58 days
2005	28.2.2005	6.4.2005	25 days	Reduced for one day
Do	1.8.2005	12.8.2005	10	---
Do	21.11.2005	8.12.2005	14	Reduced for 11 days
			49 days
2006	3.2.2006	5.4.2006	32	----
Do	31.7.2006	12.8.2006	12	----
Do	13.11.2006	30.11.2006	16	--
			60 days
2007	21.3.2007	2.4.2007	09	---
Do	1.6.2007	13.7.2007	24	---
Do	19.11.2007	29.11.2007	09	Reduced for 18 days
			42 days
2008	13.2.2008	31.3.2008	25	Reduced for two days
Do	20.8.2008	29.8.2008	08	----
Do	26.11.2008	20.12.2008	19	Reduced for 8 days
			52 days
2009	9.2.2009	14.2.2009	6	---
Do	Special session		1	--
Do	8.6.2009	30.7.2009	28	Increased for one day
Do	18.11.2009	5.12.2009	15	Reduced for 11 days
			50 days
2010	8.3.2010	17.3.2010	8	---
Do	22.6.2010	7.8.2010	28	---
Do	23.11.2010	22.12.2010	24	---
			60 days
2011	14.2.2011	8.4.2011	31	--
Do	17.8.2011	27.8.2011	10	---
Do	9.12.2011	24.12.2011	13	Reduced for 6 days
			54 Days
2012	21.2.2012	7.4.2012	29	--
Do	28.8.2012	7.9.2012	10	---
Do	27.11.2012	22.12.2012	21	---
			60 Days
2013	14.2.2013	6.4.2013	30	--
Do	20.8.2013	27.8.2013	7	---
Do	28.11.2013	16.12.2013	15	Reduced for 8 days
			52 Days
2014	3.2.2014	14.2.2014	9	---
Do	12.6.2014	28.7.2014	25	---
Do	20.11.2014	5.12.2014	14	Reduced for 12 days
			48 Days

Remarks

Odisha Assembly has not been allowed to sit more than 60 days by the Nabin Patnaik Govt. from 2004 to 2014.

Every year (except 2006, 2010 and 2012), the number of days of the sitting of the assembly has got reduced by the Govt. which has created bad precedent in the state.

The State Govt. has succeeded to reduce the days of the sitting of assembly because of their brute majority in the assembly, arbitrary attitude, intolerant to opinion of the opposition and little respect to the Opposition parties.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 5.7.15

62.Fees given to Advocates for fighting cases in the Courts by Govt. of Odisha

It has been discussed several times in Mass Media that huge fees is given to Advocates by the State Government to fight out the cases lodged by the citizens/ aggrieved parties to protect itself from different scams or not to allow any independent investigation into any scam like mining scam, Chit Fund Scam etc. in the state at the cost of the state exchequer. To fight out a Mining loot Case in Odisha High Court, the State Govt. had paid Rs. 32 lakh to a Supreme Court Advocate for a single day of appearance in the hearing of the case. It is the prerogative of the State Government to engage Advocates in different courts and tribunals to fight out the cases filed against any decision of the Government by the aggrieved parties.

As the money paid to the Advocates is the people’s money, each citizen has right to know about the recipients of the money, purpose of the payments and the benefits of the Govt. from these payments etc. Keeping it in mind, RTI Application was submitted to different Govt. Departments seeking information about details of budgetary provisions made each year to fight the cases in courts and advocates fees paid to different advocates etc. from 2009-10 to 2014-15. The PIOs of different Departments have not provided me complete information. The Readers will get astonished how such huge money has been given to many advocates to fight the cases in different courts for years together without any results.

At first, I present herewith the details of major fees given to Advocates by the Department of Steel and Mines, Govt. of Odisha from 2009-10 to 2014-15

Year	Name of Advocates	Amount paid ( In Rs.)	Case No.
2009-10	K.K.Venugopal	5, 80,000	CA No.- 1883/2006, SLP Case No. 14610/2009
2010-11	K.K.Venugopal	3,30,000	WPC No.- 202/1995
2011-12	K.K.Venugopal	6,30,000	CA No- 1883/2006
2009-10	Srikant Nayak	7,79,000	Around more than 50 Writ Petition Cases
2010-11	Srikant Nayak	1,62,000	5 WP Cases
2012-13	Srikant Nayak	1,07,800	WP C No 2076/09 & 81 other cases
2009-10	Anindya Kumar Mitra	5,75,000	WPC No. 23/09
2010-11	Anindya Kumar Mitra	8,25,000	WP C No.- 146/09
	S.K.Dutta		WPC No.-23/09
	S. Giri		WP C No-23/09
2010-11	R.Ramachadram	3,80,000	SLP Case No.- 15768/11
2012-13	R. Ramachandram	1,90,000	WP C No.-33926/10
2012-13	R. Ramachandram	1,65,000	SLP C No-33926/10
2010-11	Makul Rahatogi	17,90,000	PIL CASES WPC No- 13858/09
2011-12	Makul Rahatogi	7,10,000	CA No- 1883/2006
2012-13	L. Nageswar Rao	2,25,000	WP C No-60/2013
2012-13	L. Nageswar Rao	2,25,000	SLP Case NO-11250/12
2013-14	L. Nageswar Rao	4,80,000	SLP Case No.- 20635/11
2012-13	Dipankar Gupta	6,00,000	CP No.-7090/12
2012-13	A.H.Desai	5,50,000	WP C No- 429/12
2013-14	A.H.Desai	5,50,000	WP C No- 429/12
2013-14	A.H.Desai	16,50,000	WP C No- 120/12
2014-15	A.H.Desai	11,00,000

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 15.7.15

56. Hiring of Aircraft/ Helicopter for the official use of VIPs/other Dignitaries on hired basis by Govt. of Odisha

Few months back, there was hue and cry in mass media about use of Helicopter by Sri Nabin Patnaik, Chief Minister, Odisha for his visit to Cuttack which is just 30 kms from Bhubaneswar, resident and office of the Chief Minister. It was alleged that it was completely misuse of public money. Out of curiosity to know about details of hiring of Helicopters, amount paid from State exchequer, RTI Application was submitted on 28.1.2015 to the PIO, Department of General Administration, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about decisions taken and terms and conditions for Engagement of Deccan Charters Pvt. Ltd for providing Helicoptor/ Aircrafts services on hire to State Govt. from 2009-10 to 2014-15 including copy of the file noting. The PIO took around 5 months to provide the information. But still this information is incomplete. I received this information from the Department on 6.6.15. The details of the information supplied by the PIO are as follows.

The information has been provided from 2011. It may be from this year the State Govt. has entered into agreement with Deccan Charters Flight Ltd. for hiring of helicopter for VIP operation of State Government.

As per the filing noting ad correspondence made, the State Govt., was hiring Bell-230 twin engine Air conditioned helicopter for VIP Operation on Fixed Monthly Charge ( FMC) for a temporary period sometimes one month or two months which gets extended from time to time.

On 11.11.2011, the Government approved the offer of M/s Deccan Charters Ltd. for hiring their Bell-230 twin engine Air Conditioned helicopter with VVIP lub seating for VIP operations of the State Govt. on Fixed Monthly Charges. The details of terms and conditions are as follows.

Sl.No	Particulars of Hire Charges	Amount (INR)
1	Fixed Monthly Flying Charges ( FMFC) of 30 hours per month @ Rs. 1,20,000/- per hour ( minimum monthly cumulative entitlement of 30 hrs.)	Rs. 36,00,000/- per month
2	Flying charges for positioning & Return Ferry ( any mobilisation and demobilisation )	Rs. 14,30,000/-
3	Hourly Flying charges ( HFC) for any flying beyond entitlement of 30 hrs per month.	Rs. 1,10,000
4	Fuel transportation charges to outstation	On actual

On 21.3.12, the State Govt. entered into negotiation and approved the offer of Deccan Charges Ltd. for hiring their EC-135 P2 twin engine helicopter on wet lease basis for VIP operations as the following terms and Conditions

Sl.No	Particulars of Hire Charges	Amount (INR)
1	Fixed Monthly Charges ( FMC) which does not include any free flying hour	Rs. 48,00,000/- per month
2	Hourly Flying Charges ( HFC)	Rs. 47,110.00
3	Flying charges for positioning & Return Ferry ( any mobilisation and demobilisation )	Rs. 17,82,500/-
4	Crew accommodation and transportation at out station will be borne by Govt.
5	Fuel positioning charges	On actual

On 31.7.14, the Purchasing Committee in its meeting held under chairmanship of U.N. Behera revised charges for hiring twin engine helicopter as per the proposal submitted by M/S Deccan Chartered Pvt. Ltd. On 22.9.14, the State Govt. Negotiated with the Company for hiring helicopter for a period of one year w.e.f. 1.10.2014 as per the following terms and conditions.

Sl.No	Particulars of Hire Charges	Amount (INR)
1	Fixed Monthly Charges ( FMC) which does not include any free flying hour	Rs. 52,00,000/- per month
2	Hourly Flying Charges ( HFC)	Rs. 51,820.00
3	Flying charges for positioning & Return Ferry ( any mobilisation and demobilisation )	Rs. 17,82,500/-
4	One station Crew and Engineer accommodation, Fuel positioning and transportation at out station, watch hour extension at Airports / Airstrips/Helipads will be borne by Govt.	As per Actual
5	Service Tax	As per applicable

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-23.7.15

39. Around Rs. 140 crores spent in Bolangir district, Odisha for construction of 600 Watersheds within 14 years without single increase in percentage of irrigated land in the district (!)

Bolangir was infamous and still infamous as one of the most drought prone districts in the country for its notoriety of large scale migration, hunger and starvation death. Both the Central Govt. and State Govt. have undertaken numerous schemes , anti-poverty programme, food security programme in order to ensure food security and increase living standard of the poor and vulnerable families in the district. Watershed Project is one of the programme undertaken with allocation of huge fund to increase ground water table with water conservation measures, ensuring irrigation to lands, providing employment to the people through developing agriculture and horticulture activity. It will help reducing poverty and ensuring food security to the poor. Both Govt agencies and NGOs were engaged to undertake watershed projects in the district.

RTI Application was submitted in December, 2014 to the PIO, office of Project Director, watershed, Bolangir seeking information about details of Watershed projects undertaken under different scheme in Bolangir and the amount spent for it from beginning to 2014. The information provided by the PIO is as follows.

Sl. No	Name of the Scheme	No. of Watershed	Project Period		Expenditure incurred ( In lakh)
Sl. No	Name of the Scheme	No. of Watershed	From	To	Expenditure incurred ( In lakh)
1	Employment Assurance Scheme	91	1998-99	2005-06	1741.51
2	ACA ( RLTAP)	28	2002-03	2010-11	756.55
3	Spl RLTAP (ACA)	10	2008-09	2011-12	332.94
4	IWDP-II	19	1997-98	2011-12	483.43
5	IWDP-III	6	2000-01	2011-12	199.93
6	IWDP-IV	10	2006-07	2011-12	198.59
7	IWDP-V	10	2006-07	2011-12	213.32
8	DPAP ( 6^th Batch)	20	2000-01	2011-12	600.00
9	DPAP ( 7^th Batch)	32	2001-02	2010-11	306.00
10	DPAP (8^th Batch)	32	2002-03	2010-11	277.32
11	DPAP (9^th Batch)	32	2003-04	2010-11	138.56
12	DPAP (10^th Batch)	32	2004-05	2010-11	143.79
13	DPAP (11^th Batch)	36	2005-06	2011-12	832.83
14	DPAP (12^TH Batch)	36	2006-07	2011-12	798.10
15	WORLP (PY-I)	4	2000-01	2004-05	190.00
16	WORLP (PY-II)	16	2001-02	2005-06	760.00
17	WORLP (PY-III)	32	2002-03	2006-07	1505.23
18	WORLP (PY-IV)	40	2003-04	2007-08	1880.77
19	WORLP (PY-V)	32	2004-05	2008-09	1497.63
20	WORLP (PY-VI)	16	2005-06	2009-10	748.82
21	IWMP-I	10	2009-10	2011-12	96.70
22	IWMP-II	12	2009-10	2011-12	122.29
23	IWMP-III	10	2009-10	2011-12	98.06
24	IWMP-IV	9	2009-10	2011-12	87.26
25	IWMP-V	10	2010-11	2011-12	40.96
26	IWMP-VI	12	2010-11	2011-12	51.71
27	IWMP-VII	9	2011-12	2011-12	24.77
28	IWMP-VIII	9	2011-12	2011-12	22.00
	Total	615			14149.16

( ACA- Additional Central Assistance, IWDP- Integrated Watershed Development Project, WORLP- Western Odisha Rural Livelihood Mission supported by DFID, UK, DPAP- Drought Prone Area Programme, IWMP-Integrated watershed Management Programme)

Pradip Pradhan

RTI Activist

Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

M-9937843482

Date-31.7.15

39.Petition filed to CBI seeking enquiry into huge land and money accumulated by Sri Satish Gajbhiye, IPS office through his Chit Fund link and fraud Chit Fund Operator

Today on 12.8.15, a 5-member Delegation of Social Activists representing 28 Civil society Groups working on Land Scam in Odisha filed petition to CBI seeking into accumulation of huge landed property by Satish Gajbhiye, IPS Officer and huge investment made by him for fishery in Gop Block of Puri district, Odisha obtained through his Chit Fund link. The Team members were Pradip Pradhan, RTI Activist, Sri Jayant Das, RTI Activist, Sri Sudhir Mohanty, Advocate, Odisha High Court, Sri Ashok Mallik, President, National Alliance of Dalit Organisations, Odisha Chapter, Pratap Sahu.

The Delegation alleged that after getting information from reliable sources about huge landed property purchased by Sri Satish Gajbhiye, IPS officer in name of his wife Ranjana Gajbhiye in Gop block of Puri district, a Fact-finding team of Civil Society Groups had visited the spot on 11.8.15 to ascertain fact about it. The Team collected the copy of sale deed (attached herewith) from the people and found that huge land had been purchased from the families of Dalit Caste and General Caste of Barimunda and Baulanga villages under Gop Block of Puri. More than 35 acres of agriculture land had been purchased by him in name of his wife. They also said that they had not seen Ranjan Gajbhiye while selling and signing sale deed at the office of Sub-Registrar, Gop. Two Dalals who are linked with Chit Fund Operators Sri Kailash Pradhan of Chadheigan village of Nagpur Panchayat and Sri Dillip Nayak of Chhanijang had executed all the works including giving money against the cost of the land on behalf of Ranjan Gajbhiye.

Besides that, he has also purchased huge land from the villagers of Alana and Barimunda village It is estimated that Sri Gajbhoye has also purchased more than 35 acres of land in that area in 2012 and 2013. The Team also noticed that he had also illegally acquired and encroached more than 40 acres of Gochar and Anabadi land and river bed of Kadua river and engaged dalals for construction of number of big ponds for fishery which is going on since 2013. The rough estimate for investment into magnitude of work undertaken for digging pond in around 100 acres of land will be more than 30 to 40 crores.

Astonishingly, Sri Gajbhiye has not disclosed the information about this property in his Property Statement submitted to Govt. of India . (The copy of the property Statement is attached herewith).

It is needless to mention here that few months back, CBI had interrogated Sri Satish Gajbhiye, IPS officer in connection with his link with fraud Chit Fund Operators. But the CBI had not taken any steps to arrest him. It may be that CBI might have not got proper evidence in this matter.

Now, the question is raised how Sri Satish Gajbhiye got such huge money for investment for construction of pond. We allege that Sri Gajbhiye had got huge money through his Chit Fund link with fraud Chit Fund Companies and fund received from controversial Baba Sarathi who had also Chit Fund link which is under investigation of Crime Branch.

The delegation requested SP, CBI to immediately enquire into details of land purchased by Satish Gajbhiye and huge money obtained from Chit Fund Operators by him for investment for construction of pond for fishery in Gop Block of Puri district. SP, CBI thanked delegation for providing such valuable information and assured the delegation to reopen the case and also request for more information about his link with fraud Chit Fund Operators.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 12.8.15

54. Raj Bhawan, Odisha- Sanctuary of Scot-free Sandalwood dacoits

On 22.6.15, there was news in different newspaper about incident of felling of Sandal wood trees in the premises of Raj Bhawan, Odisha. Having gone through the news, I got astonished how only Sandal wood ( not any other tree) is cut and stolen in the premises of Raj Bhawan, highly security zone in the state. Accordingly, to know the fact, I filed RTI Application dated 29.6.15 to the PIO, Office of Governor, Odisha, Raj Bhawan, Bhubaneswar seeking the following information.

a. Details of sadal tree ( Chandan tree) which has been cut I different times in Raj Bhawan premises ad steps taken to nab the thieves involved in cutting tree.

b. copy of details of complaints filed by the Raj Bhawan in police station or in forest Dept. for equiry into the matter.

c.Details of enquiry conducted by the Police or Forest Dept. in Sandal wood cutting case and status of the enquiry.

d. copy of the document in respect of whether Governor has been informed about Sandal wood theft.

e. Names of the watch man/ security guard appointed in the area when the sandal tree has been cut by thieves

On 12.8.15, the PIO supplied the following information.

There are two incidents of felling of Sandal wood trees inside Raj Bhawan premises one on 19.11.11 and other 20.6.15.

First Incident of theft of Sandalwood on 19.11.11

On 19.11.11, Sri Sarada Prasad Pattnaik, PHD Staff informed to Comptroller, Governor’s Household that three nos. Of Sandal Wood trees aged about 7 to 8 years old were cut in saw and stolen nearer to Deer Park behind Administrative building of Raj Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. Then it was informed to Chief Security Officer, Raj Bhawan on same day.

The Inspector-in-Charge, Capital Police Station and DFO, City Forest Division, Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar was intimated by Comptroller, Raj Bhawan about the incident and enquiry sought for.

On 26.11.11, a Joint Enquiry was conducted with the presence of Sri Assem Panda, IIC, Capital Police Station, Ramakanta Nayak, Range Officer, Bhubaneswar, Manoj Kumar Mishra, RI-cum-SO, Raj Bhawan and Sri P.K.Jena, Forester. During equiry it was found that three nos. Of Sadalwood tree have been cut up by the miscreants on 19.11.11 leaving the cut materials at the stump site. The all cutting parts of three trees were converted into 30 pieces ₌38.750 kg and a UD case was instituted by Forest Officials vide UD Case No. – 13BS of 2011-12. It was decided to conduct separate investigation by both the police and Forest to apprehend the culprit.

On 14.9.12, the Comptroller of Raj Bhawan wrote a letter to IIC, Capital Police Station to appraise progress of investigation in the matter of illegal felling of 3 numbers of Sandalwood trees in Raj Bhawan Campus for appraisal of His Excellency.

There is no information about whether IIC, Capital Police Station conducted any enquiry. Neither is any investigation conducted nor any culprit nabbed. The investigation was completed through letter correspondence.

Second Incident of theft of Sandal wood on 20.6.15

Sri Brahma Nanda Chhotaray, the occupant of Quarter No. D-6 of Raj Bhawan Staff Colony has reported on 21.6.15 that a Sandal Wood tree has been cut down from his said quarter premises by somebody with a sharp cutter .

The Comptroller intimated the matter to the ADC, Governor and Chief Security Officer, Raj Bhawan . On 22.6.15, the Chief Security Officer wrote a letter to IIC, Capital Police Station to cause an enquiry into the matter for appropriate action.

A Joint enquiry was conducted on 28.6. 15 in the presence of Chief Security Officer, Raj Bhawan, IIC, Capital Police Station, Forest Ranger Officer, City Forest Division, Assistant Commandant of Police , Raj Bhawan, Assistant Horticulture offier, Raj Bhawan, Forester Bhubaeswar Section. During enquiry, it was found that two nos. Of Sandal wood trees , one from Raj Bhawan Staff Colony and other from Raj Bhawan pump house , near Deer Park have been cut by miscreants leaving the cut materials at the stump side , stolen one piece approximately 4 ft. ( four) from the Sandal wood tree at the staff colony, leaving the clump. All the cutting parts of the two trees have been converted to six pieces ad twigs with approximate weight of 143 kg . Two no. of UD cases were instituted by the Forest Officials Vide Case No. 4 BS of 2015-16 and 5 BS of 2015-16. It was decided to conduct separate investigation by both the police and forest Dept to apprehend the culprit.

Comments

A,Interestingly and astonishingly, no further investigation was conducted and no culprit arrested in both the cases.

B.Both the cases were covered up in the name of so-called joint enquiry.

C. The inaction of the investigating officer or administration has encouraged the culprits to cut more number of sandal wood trees. The Culprit is within the Raj Bhawan not outside of it. It is not so difficult to nab the culprits who are within Raj Bhawan Campus.

D. Sandalwoods are precious and costly in the market. The thieves keep an eye on it for financial gains.

E. There is every possibility that there will be more felling of Sandalwood trees in raj Bhawan in future due to police inaction.

F. If there will be theft in Raj Bhawan in highly security zone and culprit be scot free, what the police will check theft in less security zone or no security zone in the state.

G. Failure to nab thieves proves the failure of the police administration or lack of interest to investigate it.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-16.8.15

54. Demolishing Confusion about fraud and forgery of Swami Shankaranand Giri, President of Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust and News telecast by Z Kalinga

It got too late to respond to the queries, allegations and counter opinions given by readers of this mail group following my appeal for participation in the Emergency Meeting of Civil Society Groups on Attack on Media organized at Red Cross Bhawan on 5.9.15 at 10 am.

The meeting was held with participation of around 35 members of Civil Society Groups, advocates and Social Activists at Red Cross Bhawan on 5.9.15. The members interacted about the details of the issues, fraud and forgery of Swami Shankaranand and attempt of vested Groups to demoralize Satya Prakash Nayak. It was decided to file a petition to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar to enquire into detailed of allegation made against Swami Shankaranand and organize demonstration expressing solidarity with Satya Prakash Nayak, Z Kalinga and upholding Freedom of Press. Accordingly, FIR was lodged against Swami Shankaranand in Saheed Nagar on 5.9.15 at 2 PM and a 15-member delegation met Deputy Commissioner of Police and submitted petition protesting immediate lodging of an FIR against Satya Prakash Nayak without preliminary enquiry and requested him to conduct enquiry into allegations against Shankaranand.

Mass Demonstration expressing solidarity with Satya Prakash Nayak and protesting against Govt. for curtailing freedom of press was held at lower PMG with participation of hundreds of journalists, Activists, academicians, teachers etc.

Expressing their reaction on my appeal for solidarity with Satya Prakash Nayak, the Readers have given their opinion that the news broadcast on allegations made against Swami Shakaranand Giri is false. As I along with my Activists friends are quite active in exposing illegal land grabbing by Ministers, MLAs, IAS and IPS officers and fraud Babas since last few years, we took it as challenge and constituted a fact-finding team to enquire into details of forgery of land documents and land illegally grabbed by Shankarananda. while going through the documents obtained through RTI, it was found that there was a Land Lease-Deed agreement signed between Sri K.C. Das, Secretary, Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust, Kriya Yoga Ashram, Bhubaneswar , District-Khurda and Swami Shankaranada Giri, President, Prabhujee English Medium School, V.S.S. Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Dist-Khurda in 2001 in the office of District Sub-Registrar, Bhubaneswar. As per Lease Agreement, Sri K.C. Das, Secretary, Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust has handed over a portion of its land measuring 3 Ac on lease basis to Swami Shankaranand Giri to run Prabhujee English Medium School. The Schedule of the property of the land is Hal Plot No- 5168/5169 under Mouza- Gadakana of Bhubaneswar Tehsil. The location of the land is East- Hospital and Ashram Main Gate, West- Ashram Land, North- Ashram road and Building , South- Institute of Hotel Management.

On 8^th and 9^th Sept. 15, the Team visited Gadakana and Ragamatia village and met the owner of the land ( Hal Plot No- 5168/5169) and enquired to know the details of the land and its location. It was found that the owner of Hal Plot No 5168 ( Khata No-875) is Sri Giridhari Bhoi, Gokul Bhoi of Surath Bhoi, Father of Gadakana Mouza. The owner of Hal Plot. 5169( Khata No.-707) is Sri Keshab Das of Rangamatia village. Both these lands are located far away from Prabhujee English Medium School. So, Swami Shankaranand has produced forged document to CBSE ( Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi) to get affiliation of the school. While looking at land records of Department of General Administration, It was also found that the said school is situated on the land of General Administration of Govt. of Odisha which has been encroached and illegally occupied by Swami Shankaranand since long. Interestingly, due to nexus of Swami Shankaranand with corrupt bureaucracy, the State Govt. has not taken any step to recover the encroached land. On 9.9.15, we filed a complaint petition to CBSE, New Delhi through Regional office, at Alok Bharati Building, Bhubaneswar and FIR was also lodged in Saheed Nagar Police station against Shankaranad to initiate criminal proceeding against him.

While going through another document obtained from office of Inspector General of Registration, Cuttack, it was found that Swami Shakaranand Giri is no more president of Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust as per order of IGR dated 27.4.2002. In 1998, the Founder-president of Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust Swami Hariharananda Giri had written a letter to IGR, Cuttack appraising anti-social, criminal and illegal activities of Swami Shankaranand and intimated his order of removal of Shakaranand and other members from Trust.

Other allegation about his forgery and illegal activities will be exposed very soon. So, the news telecast in Z Kalinga is based on FACT. If anybody has guts to challenge the abovementioned fact, please come out with fact and figures.

Let us come to other issues raised by the readers of the group and my response to it. In democracy, everybody has right to speak, write and give their opinion in public domain on any issue and we must respect it. Similarly, a news channel or news paper has also right which is termed as Freedom of Press to disseminate or telecast any news on their wish. Similarly, they have also right to choose or judge whom they will invite to their press and take opinion or reject anybody. Public opinion hardly matters. If someone’s opinion, views or comments hamper anybody’s dignity or privacy, he or she is legally empowered to file defamation suit or take any legal action against the person concerned. For example, Odisha Information Commission has filed defamation case against me in Civil Court , Bhubaneswar for my criticism to their anti-RTI functioning. The case is yet to be disposed of. Similarly, if anybody feels anything wrong in media, they can file a complaint to Press Council of India, New Delhi or follow legal procedure against it. Many times, the affected parties i.e, State Govt. with acrimonious attitude tried to control media or individual activists working to expose misdeeds of the administration by putting baseless and false charges . Many journalists and Human Rights Activists have been victim of the State sponsored Attack in Odisha since last few years.

We have to accept the greater role played by media in terms of sensitizing the people about various issues in our state more particularly exposing fraud Babas since last one month. Though the Rationalists Groups have been working hard to sensitize the people against fraud Babas and their so-called Prabachana, art of mesmerizing the illiterate poor people since many years, they were found hardly successful in their effort to refrain the people from visiting Ashrams. But the media succeeded alerting the people about fraud Babas within very short span of time.

It is also fact that the media is also controlled by corporate sectors. A corporate house or any individual establishing Printing Press or Electronics media has their own business agenda. Within their own framework, we have to find out the space where we can raise our issues of the public importance. Each media has their own issues of priority and public importance. Flat allegation against any press without understanding about politics of media house is meaningless and just throwing stone at mountain. As media houses get controlled by corporate dalas day by day, the news about public issue gets less importance and space for highlighting public cause gets squeezed. That’s why the activists and concerned citizens have started using social media to fight for cause of the people. Blaming this media or that media with personal vendetta will no way solve any problem of the state.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 13.9.15

43.Total no. of 2286763 vehicles purchased and registered in Odisha within last five years

Socio-Economic Survey Report about 94% of the people having no vehicle in Odisha is based on FACT, exposed through RTI

Few months back, the Socio-Economic Survey report was released by Govt. of India in which the miserable and pathetic condition of the people of Odisha was highlighted. 88% of the family of Odisha earn less than Rs. 5000.00 per month and 65 % of the people do not have pucca house. 54% of the people do not have own homestead land. Besides that 94 % of the people have no vehicle. When it was highlighted in mass media, many people raised doubt about authenticity of the information relating to 94% of the people having no vehicle.

To understand about total number of different type of vehicles purchased and registered in Odisha and total revenue generated from 2010-11 to 2014-15, RTI Application dated 22.7.15 was submitted to the PIO, office of Transport Commissioner-cum-Chairman, State Transport Authority, Cuttack. On dated 4.9.15, the PIO supplied the following information which justifies the Socio-economic survey report.

Different Types of vehicles registered in Odisha

Type of Vehicles	No. of vehicles registered
Type of Vehicles	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Bus	946	1301	1087	1103	894
Goods Vehicle ( Heavy , Medium, light vehicle)	23158	18,058	13242	15,682	13,584
Car	28825	32820	37143	29886	38,612
L.M.V. (Van)		1799	1811	310	567
Motor Cycle	312286	331138	365435	394834	4,19,870
Three Wheeler ( Goods and Passenger)	11472	13367	16756	16306	17,668
Tractor ( Agriculture and Commercial)	10085	8640	8865	10,661	10,779
Trailer	9646	8094	7972	9289	8934
L.M.V. ( Jeep/ Gypsy)	3265	5105	4385	8185	5861
Others	948	170	314	10	20
Total	406206	420492	457010	486266	516789

Grand Total Number of different vehicles purchased and registered in Odisha is 2286763

Total revenue generated and Registration fee collected by Govt. is as follows

Year	Total Revenue collected ( Rs. In lakh)	Registration fees collected out of total collection ( Rs. In lakhs )
2010-11	73015.12	1263.16
2011-12	79120.55	1368.79
2012-13	82955.53	1435.13
2013-14	85516.82	1479.44
2014-15	91076.12	1575.81

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-19.9.15

54.Disastrous situation of office of Ombudsman functioning under MGNREGA in Odisha and Physical harassment and mental torture of an Ombudsman by inept bureaucracy in Gajam district

On 23.3.15, Sri Sadanand Rao, retired OAS officer who has been appointed as Ombudsman in Ganjam district by the Govt. of Odisha on 28.11.13 to conduct enquiries into complaints and grievances of the daily wage workers under MGNREGS ( Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) filed a complaint to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi stating that after his appointment as Ombudsman, no facility of accommodation in the DRDA office, vehicle, complaint Box, administrative support staff had been given to him. The Ganjam DRDA Authority had not disbursed the legitimate sitting fees / remuneration of Ombudsman. He has been harassed physically and tortured mentally by the officials of DRDA, Ganjam. He has sought intervention of NHRC to dispense justice to him.

Acting on his complaint, NHRC issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Odisha on dated 8.4.2015 seeking response on the Complaint filed by Sri Rao (Case No. 2210/18/5/2015).

It deserves to be mentioned here that Sri Rao has also written a letter in April 2014 to the Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India complaining about denial of sitting fee/ remuneration to him and non-supply of administrative support staff to function independently. The MORD wrote letter twice i.e, dated 7.5.14 and 19.6.14 ( D.O. No. L- 11033/10/2010-MGNREGA-VII) to the Secretary, Department of Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Odisha seeking action taken Report stating that “Non-payment of sitting fees to an Ombudsman is a serious matter and may severely impact the Grievance Redressal Mechanism under MGNREGs”. But astonishingly, the State Govt. did not respond the letter nor did provide any action Taken Report.

Abysmally failed to get justice, Sri Rao, Ombudsman approached NHRC seeking Justice. The NHRC is yet to get ATR from the State Govt. and continue to fix so many dates for hearing and disposal of the cases. Now, on capacity as Advisor to NHRC, I have sent a letter dated 12.11.15 to NHRC seeking immediate disposal of the said case and provide justice to Sri Rao who is fighting for justice since his joining as Ombudsman from Nov. 13. It shows that how the District Administration of Ganjam is creating all sorts of problem and harassing him a lot and pressuring him tol leave the post.

What is Ombudsman?

Ombudsman is an Institution formed under section 27 of MGNREGA consisting of one or up to three persons functions as an independent grievance redressal body at district level to hear the complaints relating to implementation of NREG Act and schemes made under the Act, direct the appropriate authority for redressal, disciplinary and punitive action against erring officials involved in corruption ad irregularities in NREGS work and dispense justice to NREGS worker. The Tenure of Ombudsman is two years and may be extendable upto one year by the selection Committee headed by Chief Secretary keeping in view the performance of the Ombudsman. The sitting fee of Ombudsman is fixed as Rs. 1000.00 per day.

The Process of appointment of Ombudsman started in Feb 2010 after the order of the Central Govt dated 7.9.2009. Following the guideline issued by the Central Govt., the State Govt. ensured appointment of Ombudsman in almost all districts in 2010 -11.

Present situation of Ombudsman in the Districts

On 9.2.15, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Department of Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of status of Ombudsman in Odisha. RTI Application was forwarded to all the districts to provide the information. In the meanwhile, only 10 districts have provided the information. These districts are Baragarh, Bolangir, Rayagada, Dhenkanal, Kondhamal, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Jajpur, Khorda, Puri.

Details of Response of the PIOs of DRDAs of the different districts is as follows-

· The post of Ombudsman is lying vacant in all the districts since 2013.

· The Collector, Baragarh has sent a letter to the Dept. of Panchayat Raj recommending 3 names since August, 2014. But no step has been taken by the Govt. to appoint Ombudsman.

· On 30.6.14, the District Collector of Bolangir had recommended three names to the State Govt. for appointment in the post of Ombudsman. But no appointment has been made so far.

· On 15.7.14, District Collector, Rayagada had recommended two names for appointment of Ombudsman to the Govt. But no appointment has been made in the district.

· On 16.8.13, the Collector of Dhenkanal district had sent the name of three persons recommending for appointment in the post of Ombudsman. But the post of the Ombudsman is lying vacant in the district.

· No appointment has been made in the post of Ombudsman, Kondhamal.

· The post of Ombudsman In Malkangiri is still vacant since 29.9.2013.

· Since 2014, there is no appointment in the post of Ombudsman in Kalahandi district.

· The post of Ombudsman in Jajpur district and Puri district is lying vacant since 2013.

· On 28.6.14, the Project Director, DRDA, Khorda has sent only one name Bhabagrahi Mohapatra to the State Govt. for appointment in the post of Ombudsman. But till yet no appointment has been made.

· There is no Ombudsman in Puri district.

Critical Comments

· The system of Ombudsman is defunct across the state. The Grievances with regard to implementation of NREGA is neither addressed nor are the NREGA workers provided their wage payments within stipulated time period.

· In the absence of effective grievance redressal mechanism, the huge corruption, irregularities, denial of wages to the workers are noticed throughout the state.

· Wherever, Ombudsman has been appointed, they are not provided accommodation, office, supporting staff by the administration. They are also seen being denied their remuneration. The plight of Ombudsman of Ganjam as mentioned above is the classic example.

· This is the conspiracy of the BJD Govt. to destroy all forms of independent grievance redressal mechanism in the state and to let the corruption go on.

· The system of Ombudsman needs to be restored at any cost bestowing all the powers to this Institutions to function independently to provide justice to the MGREGA Workers in the State.

Pradip Pradhan

State Convener

Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

M-9937843482

Date-13.11.15

50. Denial of Education, Physical Harassment and Mental Torture to the Children in Private Schools Sai International school and Takshila School located in Bhubaneswar

Private Schools are mushrooming across the state due to deterioration in quality education in Govt. runs Primary schools in Odisha. Though costly, many parents are seen forced to send their children to these so-called English-medium Private Schools. While visiting many Govt. schools in remote tribal pockets of the state as part of my Citizen monitoring visits, the admission of the children in Govt. Primary schools are also reducing every year and the parents are sending their children to Saraswati Sishu Mandir, Bibekananda Sikhya Kendra, Aurobindo Shikhya Kendra etc. The increasing dependency of the parents in Private Schools for the education of their children has provided golden opportunity to the private school mafias to exercise their monopoly and exploitation by demanding exorbitant price, forcing the parents to agree their illegal and illegitimate demands, mentally harassing the children, in case of any complaints from the parents etc. It has become common practice in high-profile English Medium Schools situated in Bhubaneswar, capital city of Odisha. Many times, the parents do not prefer to lodge complaints against the authority of these schools apprehending that the authority may torture their children in the school.

I present herewith two cases of violation of Rights of the Children in two prominent schools like Sai International school and Taksashila School ( Bhubaneswar -Model Public School ) located in Bhubaneswar.

Srikant Auropratik, s/o- Sri Prakash Nayak, formerly UN Employee, Nepal ( M-8763790311) , a 9th class student of Takshila School ( Bhubaeswar Model Public School) located at Plot No.- N5/A, 1697, IRC village, Bhubaneswar was denied to continue in Class-IX since on the ground of poor attendance and low performance after Puja Vacation. On 28.10,2015, the Authority intimated the parents that the Child would be sent back to Class-VIII. Sri Auropratik was admitted in the school in 2013. As reported by him, he had been Physially and mentally tortured by the school teachers several times due to the reasons best known to them. However, the parents objected to the decision of the authority of the School and requested them to allow their child to continue in the school. But the Authority remained adamant and the school education of the child has been discontinued. In their pursuit to get justice, the parents have filed complaint to OSCPCR ( Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights), Bhubaneswar on 9.11.15 stating that as the school does not have permission from CBSE for Class-IX, the authority is playing mischief and not allowing the students to study in Class-IX. This has happened to another Studet- Suhismita Nayak of the same lass, she is also disontiued comig to class ( Tel: daughter of Saraswati Nayak, 0674-2560277).

Parent of Srikat have also made some serious allegations against the authority that due to lack of permission from CBSE, the students of the schools are asked to give examination in the name of other schools. The affiliation of the School has been lapsed since March 2015. All the teachers are indulged in collection of unlawful gratification ( materials, kind) from the students. Also the school has not applied for or obtained” No Objection certificate” ( NOC) from the School and Mass Education Department, Government of Odisha, under RTE. or “As we never give anything except Greetings Card on Teachers’ Day, we have been victim of wrath of the teachers”, they alleged. Three teachers, particularly Ms Zonkhana Aand, Ms Meetho Mitra and Ms Shaun Mitra have been passing lewd remark on nationality of parents and physically and mentally harassing for last one ad half year. Realising gravity of the case, Ms. Rajalaxmi Das, Member of OSCPCR has taken the cognizance of the case and issued show cause notice to the authority of Takshila School for filling response within 7 days.

Sri Pramod Kumar Das ( M- 9439863163), a dalit father of Sri Om Prasad Das , a student of Class-III of Sai International School, Patia, Bhubaneswar has filed a complaint on 19.9.15 to OSCPCR that the school authority is not allowing his children to attend the school. His child had taken admission on reserved category of weaker section as defined under Right to Education Act. As his child is entitled to get education free of cost in the school, the school authority, since admission has been pressuring him to pay the fees and demanding huge money which is unbearable on his part to pay it. As he could not make payment, the authority did not allow his children to continue in the school. His school education has been discontinued since last two months. Realising the nature and gravity of complaint and loss of education of the child, the OSCPR registered the case No. 770/OSCPCR dated 4.11.15 and issued direction to the school authority to immediately admit the child in the school and comply it by 7.11.15. As reported by the parents, the Child was admitted in the class by the school authority.

Critical Comments

· As the Private Schools are harassing the parents and children by demanding illegal exorbitant price, it is high time to put pressure on Govt. to constitute a Private School Regulatory Body to monitor and regulate all Private Schools operating in Odisha.

· Child Rights Activists of the state should continue to monitor the cases of violation of child rights under RTE especially in Private Schools.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 13.11.15

76. NHRC sought Action Taken Report from SP, Nayagarh on complaint of “Merciless Attack on Physically Handicapped RTI Activist by Hooligans and subsequent Hospitalisation in Odisha”

On 23.11.15, National Human Rights Commission has given direction for enquiry and sought Action Taken Report within four weeks from SP, Nayagarh into alleged Merciless Attack on Keshab Mahakud, Physically Handicapped RTI Activist of Nayagarh district by Hooligans and subsequent Hospitalisation in Odisha and police inaction despite FIR being lodged several times ( Copy is attached) . The Complaint dated 4.10.15 was filed by Pradip Pradhan, State Convener, Odisha Soohana Adhikar Abhijan to NHRC seeking Direction to the State Govt. to make Crime Branch enquiry into it and take stringent action against the criminals, politicians and police officers involved in it and to reimburse the bill paid by him for treatment, award Rs. 10 lakh compensation as he was made cent percent physically invalid due to this attack. and DG, Police to ensure of registration of all FIRs filed by Sri Mahakud in different police stations, conduct enquiry into it and take action accordingly.

Sri Keshab Mahakud, a middle-aged, physically handicapped man ( one limb is lost ) belonging to Kashikiari village in Nayagarh district of Odisha has been using RTI to exercise his right to access the information under RTI Act and expose corruption ad irregularities in implementation of Govt. work. He fell a victim of conspiracy by a nexus of unscrupulous politicians, corrupt officials of police and administration at district level and anti-social elements, for his constant endeavour to use RTI to expose their illegal and ant-people activities. On 22.9.15, on his way to Bus stand, a gang of 6 hooligans ( Baru Parida, Kahnei Nayak, Nibasi Parida, Nalu Parida, Bharat Nayak, Ashok Nayak ) attacked him and mercilessly hit him with lethal weapons including an iron rod damaging his two legs and one hand permanently. All the crucial documents such as his voter ID card and BPL Card were snatched away by the miscreants. As a result of multiple bruises and profuse bleeding caused by this sudden but pre-meditated attack, Sri Mahakud fell unconscious and the goons abandoned him on the spot. However, after getting telephone call from some unknown source, the police staff of Mahipur Police Outpost rescued him and sent him to Nayagarh Hospital for treatment, where from he was again transferred to the Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, and finally from there to the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. Though his son Kuber Mahakud has filed an FIR in Nuagaon Police station of Nayagarh district, the police is yet to nab the culprits.

On 29^th Sept. 2015, a team of RTI Activists had met him to get the information about details of the issues which led to occurrence of such incident and merciless attack o him. While narrating his tale of story, involvement and conspiracy of police and powerful political people, he said that he had filed RTI Application on 14.12.14 to the PIO, office of DFO, Wildlife, Nayagarh seeking information about total number of deer in Kuanria Deer Park, Dasapalla and total expenditure made for maintenance of the Park etc. On 1.1.2015, on the occasion of observation of New Year Day, a feast with deer meat was organised at Forest Bungalow near Kuanria Dam in Dasapalla in the presence of Sri Arun sahu, Minister of State for Law, Govt. of Odisha, Sri L.N. Behera DFO Wildlife, Sri P.K. Mandhata ACF, Sri Rabi Kar Ranger and some others. The Deer used for the feast was brought from the nearest Kuanria Deer Park. Sri Keshab Mahakund was called by the Ranger to that Forest Bugalow for a discussion about the information to be supplied to him. After reaching there, he noticed two forest guards preparing the deer meat to be served to the invitees. He took a photograph of it and ran away. However, a forest guard had noticed it. He informed to the Ranger about it. Sri Rabi Kar, Ranger immediately rushed to capture Sri Keshab Mahakud and nabbed him at Sariganda village. He took away the mobile phone of Keshab and severely beat him up. As he is a physically handicapped person, he could not resist him. However, on the same day, Keshab sought to file an FIR in Dasapalla Police Station. As the police did not register his FIR, he sent a complaint petition to the Chief Minister and as well to the Governor, Odisha seeking justice.

His ordeal does not end there. Finding no justice from any quarters, he sat on Dharana in front of Odisha Legislative Assembly on 12.2.15 demanding action against the police and enquiry into the deer feast. Sri Tapan Patnaik, ACP, Capital Police Station, Bhubaneswar persuaded him to go to the police station to sort out his grievance. However, on reaching there he was locked up in the police station and handed over to Sri Abhimanyu Nayak Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Nayagarh and to the Inspector In-Charge, Itamati Police Station of Nayagarh district (90 kms from Bhubaneswar) who were specially called for it. Sri Nayak carried him to the Itamati Police Station, framed false charges against him and sent him to jail on the next day. He spent 6 days each in Nayagarh Jail and Choudwar jail and got free after the lower court granted him bail. He was released from jail on 28.2.15.

Pradip Pradhan

Date- 4.12.15

M-9937843482

45. No response from Shankaranand Giri , President of Prabhujee English Medium School about alleged complaint of fraud and forgery committed by him in respect of producing false document to CBSE

In November, 2015, after mass media expose about fraud and forgery of Baba Shakaranad Giri, president, Kriya Yoga Trust committed in respect of obtaining affiliation from CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education ) by producing false land documents, the members of Civil Society Groups constituted a fact-Finding Team and started an enquiry into details of location of land and how the land was obtained by the Trust. It needs to be mentioned here that there was a Land Lease-Deed agreement signed between Sri K.C. Das, Secretary, Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust, Kriya Yoga Ashram, Bhubaneswar, District-Khurda and Swami Shankaranada Giri, President, Prabhujee English Medium School, V.S.S. Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Dist-Khurda on 27.3.15 in the office of District Sub-Registrar, Bhubaneswar. As per Lease Agreement, Sri K.C. Das, Secretary, Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust has handed over a portion of its land measuring 3 Ac on lease basis to Swami Shankaranand Giri to run Prabhujee English Medium School. The Schedule of the property of the land is Hal Plot No- 5168/5169 under Mouza- Gadakana of Bhubaneswar Tehsil. The location of the land is East- Hospital and Ashram Main Gate, West- Ashram Land, North- Ashram road and Building , South- Institute of Hotel Management.

While verifying the land documents produced by Prabhujee English Medium School, it was found that the owner of the land was neither Kriya Yoga Trust nor Prabhujee English Medium School. The said portion of land belongs to some other people. The owner of Hal Plot No 5168 ( Khata No-875) is Sri Giridhari Bhoi, Gokul Bhoi of Surath Bhoi, Father of Gadakana Mouza. The owner of Hal Plot. 5169( Khata No.-707) is Sri Keshab Das of Rangamatia village. Both these lands are located far away from Prabhujee English Medium School.

It was also found that the said school is situated on the land of General Administration of Govt. of Odisha which has been encroached and illegally occupied by Swami Shankaranand since long. So, we are of the view that Swami Shankaranand Giri has produced forged and false document and misled authority of CBSE.

On 9.9.15, a Complaint was filed to CBSE, Regional Office, Bhubaneswar demanding an enquiry and cancellation of affiliation to Prabhujee English Medium School and an FIR was filed by Sri Ashok Mallik, State President of NACDOR in Saheed Nagar Police Station, Bhubaneswar in Sept. 15 which was registered as Case No. 504/2015.

Acting on our complaint, CBSE issued notice to Shankarand Giri to respond about the allegations. Though 3 months have passed, Shakaranand Giri had not responded till yet which has been exposed through RTI. On RTI query filed on 13.11.15, the Central Public Information Officer of CBSE has provided the information on 23.11.15 that “Shankaranad Giri has not filed his response till yet”. Interestingly, CBSE has sat idle without taking any action against Prabhujee English Medium School. The nexus of CBSE and Baba Shakaraand Giri is clearly exposed.

On the other hand, RTI application was filed to Saheed Nagar Police station to obtain information about details of the FIR filed against Shakaranad Giri. The information provided by the PIO on dated 18.10.15 is as follows.

Sl.No	Case No.	Complainant	Status of Enquiry
1	PS Case No. 230/2015	Mr. Allen Franklin Nelson, Foreigner	Case pending and enquiry is on progress
2	PS Case No. 487/2015	Pritikant Nayak	DO
	PS Case No. 495/2015	Pradeep Pradhan	DO
	PS Case No. 504/2015	Ashok Mallik	DO

It shows that the police is dillydallying to take action against Shankaranand Giri and sitting idle on complaint without any investigation.

Pradip Pradhan

Date-4.12.15

M-9937843482

76. Lokpal Report on Criminal Act of Sanjib Marik , former DG of Police is lost in Home Dept., exposed through RTI.

On allegations made against Sri Sanjib Marik, IPS, the State Govt. has handed the case to Lokpal to enquire into it and submit the report. Accordingly, the Lokpal made a thorough enquiry against Sanjib Marik and submitted the report. But the State Govt. neither did take any action against Sri Marik following Lokpal Report nor disclosed the report in public domain.

RTI Application dated 5.10.15 was submitted to Home Department, Govt. of Odisha seeking the copy of the report. On 6.11.15, the PIO has responded that the copy of the report is not traceable after through search of available records in the Home ( IPS) Dept. The PIO has also stated that the said information can not be supplied uder sub-section 4 & 5 of section 15 of Lokpal & Lokayukta Act, 1995.

So, it is concluded that either the Lokpal Report has been stolen or deliberately kept in secret.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843483

Date- 18.12.15

54. An amount of Rs.45 Crores spent for E-policing in Odisha

With much fanfare, the Chief Minister of Odisha inaugurated E-policing in Odisha in October 2015 declaring that hence the people will find opportunity to file complaint/FIR on-line to get their cases registered in police station. RTI Application was submitted to the Department of Home, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of decision taken with regard to E-policing in Odisha including copy of the file noting, total fund sanctioned and expenditure made, the name of the agency given the responsibility for developing portal et. The PIO, office of Ofisha Police State Crime Records Bureau, Bhubaneswar supplied the information on 17.12.15 which is as follows.

A.No file noting on decision taken about E-policing in Odisha is available in this office as Crime and criminal Tracking Network & System (CCTNS) project is a Central Government sponsored Mission Mode Project under the National E-Governance Plan which aims to fully modernise the police organisation in the country. CCTNS aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of policing through adopting of principle of e-governance and creating of a nationwide networking infrastructure for evolution of IT enabled state-of-art tracking system around “investigation of crime and detection of criminal”. Though this project, the police will maintain all its crime and criminal date in online system. The CCTNS is an effort to modernise the police force giving priority to information gathering and its dissemination through police organisations and units across the country. CCTNS would bring a paradigm change in the way investigation of cases is monitored.

B.The State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), Odisha Bhubaneswar has been designated as the Nodal-cum-implementation agency in Odisha. A multi-tier governance structure has been put in place at state level to ensure appropriate direction and monitoring at all levels. CCTNS will cover 579 police stations, 166 Higher Police offices, office of Commissionerate police, Crime Branch, EOW, STF, State Intelligence Organisations, State Police Organisations, State police headquarters of Odisha. Necessary hardware and software are being provided at these locations & State Data centre has been established at Odisha Computer Application Centre ( OCAC) to host the CCTNS application. All these locations are connected by providing appropriate BSNL connectivity for data transfer and sharing of information among various stake-holders. Digitalisation of case records and other records of the police stations for the last 10 years is in progress.

C.Total amount of Rs.49,76,15,000.00 fund has been approved for Odisha CCTNS project by the Central Government out of which the Central Govt. has sanctioned Rs. 35,36,36,000.00 and state Govt. has allocated Rs. 10,08,21,091.00.

D.Rs. 30,29,59,028.00 from Central fund allotment has been made expenditure for the project work including developing portal for the same under CCTNS project by the State Govt. Rs. 10,08,21,091.00 from State Fund allotment has been made expenditure for the project work towards other critical components under CCTNS project.

E.M/S NIIT Technologies Private Limited as system integrator (SI) has been given responsibility for implementation of CCTNS project through the bid process vide the contract signed on 12.7.2012 with a value of Rs.42,71,00,000.00 for a period of 48 months for the work.

F.M/S Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu India Private Limited being empanelled stakeholder as selected by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to act as State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of the CCTNS project, Odisha vide contract signed on 6.10.12. with a value of Rs. 3,63,38,980.00 for a period of 36 months.

G.Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited ( BSNL), India being signed Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA) by the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA) . BSNL, Odisha circle , Bhubaneswar has been give the responsibility of connectivity ( broadband) vide the service level agreement signed on 2.1.2012 for CCTNS project with a value of Rs. 4,40,98,604.00 for 48 months for the said work.

A. Details of State Govt. fund allocation and expenditure as on 30.10.15

Component	Allotment (in Rs.)	Expenditure made (in Rs.)	Balance ( in Rs.) All surrendered
Table & Chair	46,09,330	46,08,930	400
MS office License	1,60,48,000	1,60,07,294	40,706
Data Digitization	39,64,000	NIL	39,64,000
Higher office	9,84,000	6,00,788	3,83,212
EMS	1,83,71,000	1,32,99,660	50,71,340
UPS	60,80,000	50,84,960	9,95,040
Cisco Switch	4,62,000	48,800	4,13,200
Networking	2,72,16,000	27,01,959	2,45,14,041
Solar power	6,57,23,700	5,84,68,700	72,55,000
Total	14,34,58,030	10,08,21,091	4,26,36,939

B. Details of Central fund allocation and expenditure as on 30.10.15

Component	Allotment	Expenditure	Balance
SPMC	93,75,000	93,75,000	OO
CB (Training)	54,48,000	54,48,000	OO
SI/SPMU	29,52,09,000	24,26,72,589	5,25,36,411
Network	97,04,000	97,04,000	00
Interest earned	1,84,10,174.85	18,59,439 ( for audit, SPMU, SMS-NIC_	1,65,50,735
Others			2,50,000
Total	35,36,36,000	30,10,99,589	6,93,37,146

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 24.12.15

65.Laptops delivered to different Colleges by OCAC in Odisha

The Govt. of Odisha has introduced Laptop scheme in 2013 to provide Laptop free of cost to the meritorious students of different colleges of Odisha. RTI Application was submitted to OCAC ( Odisha Computer Application Centre) to get the details of information about no. of Laptops procured and distributed to different Colleges from 2013-14 to 2015-`16. The details of information supplied by the PIO is as follows.

1. Total no. of Laptops procured by Dept. of Electronics & Information Technology, Govt. of Odisha

Year	Total No. of Laptop procured	Name of the Company from which Laptop procured	Purchase Order Value ( in Rs)
2013-14	15000	M/s ACER India Pvt. Ltd	30,51,56,250
2014-15	15203	M/s HP India Sales Pvt. Ltd	30,25,33,619
2015-16	15000	M/s HP India Sales Pvt. Ltd.	29,85,00,000

2. Laptops delivered to different Colleges as per list provided by Higher Educatio Department

Sl.No	District	Nodal Centre	Allocated quantity
Sl.No	District	Nodal Centre	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16
1	Angul	Govt. ( Autonomous College), Angul	142	185	165
2	Balasore	Fakir Mohan ( Autonomous) College, Balasore	1224	1371	1451
3	Baragarh	Panchayat ( Degree ) College, Baragarh	854	806	819
4	Bhadrak	Bhadrak ( Autonomous College), Bhadrak	474	452	448
5	Bolangir	Rajendra ( Autonomous College), Bolagir	402	401	346
6	Boudh	Boudh Panhayat ( Degree) College, Boudh	103	95	86
7	Cuttack	Ravenshaw ( Junior) College, Cuttack	1791	1806	1732
8	Deogarh	Deogarh ( Degree) College, Deogarh	12	15	33
9	Dhenkanal	Dhenkanal ( Autonomous College), Dhenkanal	306	262	362
10	Gajapati	K.C.G. Autonomous College, Paralakhemundi	41	45	49
11	Ganjam	Khalikote ( Autonomous College), Berhampur	1470	1542	1438
12	Jagatsingh Pur	S.V.M. ( A) College, Jagatsingh Pur	312	287	338
13	Jajpur	N.C. ( Autonomous) College, Jajpur	415	403	437
14	Jharsuguda	Laxmi Narayan ( Degree ) College, Jharsuguda	100	75	69
15	Kalahandi	Govt. ( Autonomous College), Bhawanipatna	235	246	204
16	Kandhamal	Govt. ( Autonomous College),Phulbani	161	109	100
17	Kendrapara	Kendrapara( Autonomous College), Kendrapara	268	446	391
18	Keonjhar	Dharanidhar ( Autonomous) College, Keonjhar	343	258	267
19	Khurda	BJB College, Bhubaeswar	2265	2765	2651
20	Koraput	V. Dev ( Autonomous) College, Jeypore	323	253	234
21	Malkangiri	Malakangiri College, Malkangiri	55	25	22
22	Nawarangpur	Nabarangpur ( Degree) College, Nabarangpur	89	81	72
23	Mayurbhanj	MPC ( Autonomous) College, Baripada	857	563	712
24	Nayagarh	Nayagarh ( Autonomous) College, Nayagarh	514	633	621
25	Nuapara	National ( Degree ) College, Nuapara	112	47	84
26	Puri	S.C.S. ( Autonomous _ College, Puri	748	678	653
27	Rayagada	Rayagada ( Autonomous ) College, Rayagada	195	107	103
28	Sambalpur	G.M. (A) College, Burla	577	592	535
29	Sonepur	Sonepur ( Degree) College, Sonepur	182	199	179
30	Sundargarh	Government ( Degree ) College, Sundargarh	430	456	399

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 29.1.16

76. Unauthorised Absence of Bureaucrats from Service in Odisha

On 29.12.15m RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Department of General Administration, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about name of All India Service Officers who have remained absence unauthorisedly without any intimation to the Govt. The PIO, Dept. of GA and Forest and Environment, Govt. of Odisha have supplied the following information.

1. Sri Saroj Kumar Jha, IAS (RR-90) was remained unauthorised absent in Govt. since 1.2.2006 ad his resignation has been accepted since 12.9.2006.

2. Sri S.K.Menon, IAS (RR-69) was remained unauthorised absent in Govt. since 17.4.2002. In the meantime he has retired from Government service.

3. Sri Birendra Kumar Sukla, IFS ( RR-1985) ( under suspension) has been absconded since Nov. 1996.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 4.2.16

56. Incompetency and Inefficiency of Odisha Information Commission leading to huge pendency of more than 6000 cases in Commission, exposed through RTI

· Each Odisha Information Commissioner receives salary Rs. 1,92,000.00 per month except other facilities like accommodation, vehicle, telephone availed free of cost.

· If it is roughly calculated, we spent Rs. 2.5 lakh per month for each Information Commissioner in Odisha.

· We pay Rs.12,000.00 per day of hearing of Case by Odisha Information Commissioner

· Each Information Commissioner devotes only 15 days in a month for hearing the case.

· Only 9 no. of cases heard by each Information Commissioner per day

· Only 19 no. of cases disposed by each Information Commissioner per month

· Total no. of 6000 cases pending in the Commission.

· There will be delay of minimum 2 years for hearing and disposal of a Case. For example, if a case is filed in 2016, it will be heard in 2018 or 2019 .

· To get correct information in right time is distant dream for the Citizens.

· Odisha Information Commission has been reduced to mockery.

When two new Information Commissioners got appointed in June 2015 by State Govt. without following transparent procedure, it was suggested by friends and supporters that the functioning of these Information Commissioners should be silently observed without raising any issues in public domain. We patiently observed their functioning of 7 months and started monitoring their activities through RTI. The information about functioning of the Information Commission provided by the PIO is as follows.

Two State Information Commissioners namely Sri Laxminarayan Pattanaik and Ms. Sashiprava Bindhani have joined in the Commission as State Information Commissioner on 16.6.15. But they started their case hearing on 22.6.15. Within 7 months ( June to Dec.15), both the Information commissioners have received each Rs. 12.50 lakh ( Ms. Sashi Bindhani receives salary Rs. 1,92,000.00 per month).

1.No. of days devoted for hearing by both the Information Commissioners

Total no. of days devoted by Ms. Sashi Bindhani for hearing within 7 months	114
Average No. of days devoted by Ms. Bidhani, SIC for hearing per month	16 days only
Amount paid from State Exchequer to Ms. Bindhani per day hearing	12,000.00
Total no. of days devoted by Sri L.N. Pattanaik,SIC for hearing within 7 months	103
Average No. of days devoted by Sri L.N. Pattanaik for hearing per month	14
Amount paid from State Exchequer to Sri Pattanaik per day hearing	13,714.00

2.No. of cases heard by both the Information Commissioners

No. of cases ( Second Appeal and Complaint Case ) heard by Both the Information Commissioners in division bench within 7 months	425
No. of cases ( Second Appeal and Complaint Case ) heard by Ms. Sashi Bindhani,SIC in single bench within 7 months	668
No. of cases ( Second Appeal and Complaint Case ) heard by Sri L.N. Pattanaik, SIC in single bench within 7 months	564
Total No. of Cases heard by the Commission within 7 months	1657
No. of cases heard per month by single Information Commissioner	118
No. of cases heard per day by a single Information Commissioner (112 / 14 days devoted for hearing )	9

No. of Cases disposed by both the Information Commissioners within 7 months

No. of Cases ( Second Appeal and Complaint Case ) disposed by both the Information Commissioners in Division Bench from June to Dec.15	56
No. of cases disposed by Ms. Sashiprava Bindhani, SIC within 7 months	107
No. of cases disposed by Sri L.N. Pattanaik, SIC within 7 months	106
Total cases disposed	269
No. of Cases disposed by single Information Commissioner within 7 months	134
No. of cases disposed by single Information Commissioner per month	19
No. of cases disposed by single Information Commissioner per day ( 14 days devoted for hearing in a month)	1.3

3.There are 725 Complaint Cases and 5249 Second Appeals pending in the Commission till December, 2015

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 5.2.16

23. Odisha Child Rights Commission- A proven Trojan Horse

· A Commission which is empowered to protect rights of the children, has masterminded to destroy academic career of a Child by establishing unholy alliance with Private English Medium School

· The Civil Society Groups and Activists should be aware of the heinous activity of the members of Child Rights Commission.

· Though a Child is waiting to get justice, the case is hanging in the Commission.

· The Commission is neither disposing the case nor passing any order.

Srikant Auropratik, son of Prakash Ch. Nayak and Mrs. Amita Subhada ( M-8763790311) , a Class-9 student was physically tortured, humiliated and mentally harassed ( scolding and misbehaving) by the authority of Takshashila Model School, IRC Village, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar and suddenly dropped to Class-VIII in the middle of the year on the ground of bad performance. When the parents asked for Progress Report of the child, the authority of the school continued to ignore their request till yet. The parents were also threatened to take back to other schools without citing any ground. Though the parents appraised the authority that “no school was ready to take student in mid-session as CBSE registration has completed”, the authority remained adamant and asked the parents to take the children back. Ultimately, Srikant Auropratik was humiliated and suffered from mental depression and forced to leave the school on 29.10.15.

Then, on 2^nd Nov.15, the parents filed the petition before Secretary, School & Mass Education, Govt. of Odisha on Grievance day and explained the harassment and handed over the petitions and the documents. The Secretary immediately issued order to Director, secondary Education and Director, Elementary Education for necessary action so that child is not dropped out. But astonishingly, after one month, the Director, Elementary Education ordered enquiry into the matter and directed DEO, Khurda and BEO, Bhubaneswar to look into the matter and report back within 7 days. (GRC Application No: 269/2850/15, DEO. Khurda letter No: 21125 dated 4^th December, 2015). On 13.1.16, the Assistant Block Education Officer introducing him as Inquiry Officer made a call to the parents and sought the information. Though three months passed, no step has been taken by the administration to get the child admitted in the school.

Then, on 3.11.15, the Parents approached the Odisha Child Rights Commission by filling complaints levelling details of allegation, mental torture, harassment caused to their son and seeking quick justice for their child. Ms. Rajalaxmi Das, Member, OSCPCR registered the case ( Case No.-810/15 ) on 4.11.15 and initiated the enquiry. The details of enquiry is as follows.

On 12.11.15, the Commission heard from the Child and father ,but did not allow the Mother to be heard, though she was involved in the case and victim of the rough behaviour of the authority of the school.

After around one month on 10.12.15, the two-member Commission heard the case inviting both the parties. Interestingly, the Commission did not allow the representative of the petitioner to plead their case, in spite of several requests.

On 16.12.15, the Commission again issued notice for hearing of the case. The petitioners approached the Commission to allow their representative to plead the case. While the Commission turned down the request of the petitioner, but allowed the representative of the School Authority. The Case was heard and nothing happened.

The Commission verbally told the parents that the case to be heard on 28^th Dec.15. But the hearing was abruptly postponed and no communication was made to the petitioner.

Till yet, the Commission has neither issued any interim order nor any final decision of the case. The parents are still waiting to get justice.

Though the parents requested the Commission to give them the proceedings of the hearing, it was denied to them.

The Commission is hanging the case without giving any final decision.

It is proved that the members of the Child Rights Commission are acting as agent of Private Schools at the cost of the interest of the child.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 14.2.16

12. Total 30,000 Acres of Land of Jagannath Temple under Encroachment in Odisha

As on 31.3.15, RTI Application was submitted to the Jagannath Temple Administration seeking information about total acres of land belonging to Jagannath Temple and land under encroachment in different districts. The information supplied by the PIO is as follows.

Position of Record of Rights (R.O.R) in the name of Shree Jagannath Temple , Puri as on 31.3.15

Sl.No.	District	Total land detected ( In Acres)	Total R.O.R. received	Balance to be received ( In Acre)
1	Puri	17,071.212	9,352.429	7,718.783
2	Khurda	28,601.735	13,908.202	14,693.533
3	Cuttack	3,173.278	2,051.460	1,121.818
4	Angul	117.840	55.636	62.204
5	Dhenkanal	214.174	212.564	1.610
6	Balasore	866.960	352.335	514.625
7	Bhadrak	2,921.630	861.030	2,060.600
8	Kendrapara	1,175.897	563.009	612.888
9	Jajpur	836.155	174.500	661.655
10	Jagatsingh Pur	701.019	569.220	131.799
11	Nayagarh	268.860	166.590	102.270
12	Ganjam	2,864.311	1873.575	990.736
13	Baragarh	38.730	4.170	34.560
14	Sambalpur	9.260	7.760	1.500
15	Balangir	52.040	14.190	37.850
16	Gajapati	33.977	14.190	37.850
17	Rayagada	17.460	3.290	14.170
18	Koraput	18.820	18.820	00000
19	Subarnapur	1.000	0.980	0.020
20	Keonjhar	12.020	0.000	12.020
21	Mayurbhanj	57.970	0.000	57.970
22	Sudaragarh	45.450	0.000	45.450
23	Kalahandi	27.260	27.260	0.000
	Total	59,127.058	30,231.205	28,895.853

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-4.3.16

43. Highest Forest Land illegally acquired by Dr. Achyut Samant, Founder KIIT, Bhubaneswar

As per Forest Conservation Act 1980, the forest land cannot be deserved without permission of Ministry of Forest and Environment, Government of India. Any Institution or Industry or anybody is acquiring / encroaching land is illegal on the eye of law. On Assembly question No. 1036 asked by Sri Krustan Sagaria, MLA, Koraput, Minister for Forest and Environment, Govt. of Odisha has replied that “ Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology ( KIIT) has illegally encroached 18 acres of forest land in Patharagadia Mouza under Bhubaneswar. The State Govt. has filed two encroachment case (Case No. 640/11 and 641/11) to recover the land from KIIT”.

Though five years have passed, the State Govt. has not been able to recover the land from KIIT due to unholy alliance of Dr. Achyut Samant with State administration. It is very interesting to be noted here that the Forest Dept. which is the custodian of forest has not taken a single steps against KIIT.

Similarly, without obtaining any permission from Ministry of Environment and Forest, IDCO ( Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation) has allotted 279.318 acres of forest land to KIIT and other agencies in Mancheswar, Chandaka Industrial area and Jayadev Vihar area.

It deserved to be noted here that CAG Report has exposed huge irregularities and illegalities and undue benefit granted by IDCO to KIIT in acquiring 82.087 acres of land causing revenue loss of Rs.252.54 crore from State exchequer.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-26.3.16

65. Does V. Kartikeyan Pandian IAS deserve to be No.1 IAS officer in Odisha ?

On 20.3.16, Sambad, Odia daily News paper has made a front page news about Annual Confidential Report ( Confidential Character Report ) of few IAS officers who have got full Ten Mark by the Reporting authority. This Annual Career Assessment report is prepared on few criteria like leadership quality, Punctuality, Personality, honesty , responsibility, timely compliance of the Task etc, Mr. V. Kartikeyan Pandian, long-time serving Secretary to Chief Minister Sri Nabin Patnaik, Sri Upendra Nath Behera, Addl. Chief Secretary, Sri Bijay Sharma, Addl. D.G., Crime Branch have scored full Ten Mark.

This ACR is always kept in secret and remained available to only the person concerned and the appropriate authority when required by him. Even the said document is not provided under RTI Act. RTI Activists have tried to obtain this information through RTI several times, but in vain. As I know, four years back, Sri Pradip Pradhan had submitted RTI Application to the PIO, Dept. of GA seeking information the copy of CCR of few IAS and OAS officers which was denied to him. Though he had approached the Odisha Information Commission by filling complaint under section 18 of the RTI Act, the then Chief Information Commissioner Sri Tarun Kanti Mishra had rejected his complaint as, the said information is personal information and exempted from disclosure under section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act.

If this information is treated as confidential, then how it was disclosed to the journalists of Sambad and Kanak News. I am of the view that these bureaucrats like Sri Pandian and Co deliberately and calculatedly have released this piece of information to media ( not all media) with motive to build up public opinion in his favour or to glorify their image which has been tarnished by plethora of complaints and allegation of corruption, irregularities, misappropriation of public fund for years together.

As we know, during 16 years of misrule of Nabin Patanaik Govt., these so-called bureaucrats have been powerful and even more powerful than the Ministers in the decision-making process of the Govt. They have their own clout in every matter of policy decision and wielding full financial power and dictating terms. Due to their colonial culture, practice of mal-administration, lack of transparency and huge corruption and irregularities, the state has suffered a lot gaining ill-repute as poorest state in the country. Within the period of last 15 years, the state has witnessed multi-crore scams like Chit Fund scam ( Rs. 40,000 crores), Mining Scam ( one lakh crore loot), Land Scam ( one lakh crore revenue loss due to huge illegalities and irregularities in allotment of land in Bhubaneswar, cuttack and other areas to private Educational Institutions like KIIT, Hotels, Institutions etc.).

I feel that efficiency, responsiveness, promptness in decision making of these IAS officers and scoring full ten Mark is limited to masterminding corruption in large scale, looting the State exchequer, hobnobbing corrupt corporate house, ignoring Ministers and selling precious land and natural resources to private companies. They are not at all efficient for the greater interest of the state.

Srikant Pakal

RTI Activist

23.3.16

65. Secrets behind disclosure of ACR of Sri U.N. Behera in public domain

Few days back, I came across a news telecast in an electronics media about Sri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha giving 10 out of 10 marks in Annual Confidential Report (ACR) of Shri Upendra Nath Behera IAS Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister who is retiring next year. In fact I was surprised by this news. As I know ACRs are confidential internal-documents. They are kept under lock & key. Even the copy of ACRs is also denied to public under RTI Act. I got astonished how Media did access such confidential information.

For past few years, under disclosure scheme, ACRs are being given to concerned employees. In this case, it is clear that Shri U.N. Behera had given copy of his ACR to media for publicity. It is also part of Image building exercise of bureaucrats like Sri U.N.Behera to glorify their career publicly which might be affected due to various misdeeds and illegalities. But good bureaucrats having honesty and integrity never practise it. Sri Naveen Patnaik is a politician. His remarks are not important because politicians’ ACR remarks are not given weightage by Govt. of India while assessing an IAS officer. With what motive Shri Behera had published his ACR through media is questionable. There are other IAS officers who have got outstanding remarks throughout their career. Why no one has ever given his ACR to media? Why Sri Behera has given? Is Shri Upendra Nath Behera IAS 1983 who is to retire in next year is doing publicity of ACR remarks of Naveen Patnaik to cover up his dark past and present?

It is reliably learnt that more than 20 letters have come to State Govt. from DOP&T, Govt. of India to inquire about doubtful SC Caste Certificate of Shri Upendra Nath Behera IAS, who has allegedly obtained a fake caste-certificate in the name of his adopting father Laxmidhar Behera of Jahala Mahanga and not in the name of his real biological father and mother. Thus, his caste certificate as an SC is allegedly fake. Three Files on this subject has been sent to Chief Minister and all 3 Files have not returned back for years. In this context, an FIR was also filed by Sri Ashok Mallik, Dalit Leader in Capital Police Station in 2014.

Shri Behera has obtained a G.A. Plot in the name of his wife Anusuya Behera in Bharatpur Mouza in 2011 while he was Special Secretary G.A. by concealing his ownership of one Plot & house in Patia Mouza since 1997. Moreover, sometimes before his transfer from G.A. on 2-11-2012 he has removed first 12 pages from G.A. Land file of Anusuya Behera his wife which includes a false affidavit submitted by his wife in 2011. Sri Behera is avoiding inquiry into this. On 27.11.15, a memorandum was submitted by Civil Society Groups of Odisha to Sri Gokul Ch. Pati, then Chief Secretary demanding an enquiry into his land scam. No response has been received from Govt. till yet.

His dark past also includes some matters as PS to Union Minister Sri Braja Kishor Tripathy and as CVO DDA New Delhi, and as Special Secretary G.A. for which CBI officers visit him from time to time.

Is UN Behera trying to cover up all this by publicizing his 10 out of 10 in ACR given by Naveen Patnaik?

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-25.3.16

54. Status of Judicial Commission appointed by Home Dept., Govt. of Odisha from 2000-2016

On Assembly question (UDAD No.938) raised by Sri Krustan Sagaria, MLA, Koraput, Home Minister Sri Nabin Patnaik has provided the following reply.

Sl.No	Name of Judicial Commission	Expenditure ( in Rs.)	Whether Report has been received
1	Commission of Inquiry on alleged activities of Drug Mafia in and around Balasore district	11,54,000/-	Yes
2	Commission of Inquiry on Violence inside premises of SCB medical College and Hospital Cuttack on 16.7.2000	8,12,881/-	Yes
3	Commission of Inquiry on Police firing at village Maikanch under Kashipur police station of Rayagada district on 16.12.2000	8,71,000/-	Yes
4	Commission of Inquiry on Confrontation between police and Members of Bar Association, Puri on 16.10.2001	4,02,000/-	NO
5	Commission of Inquiry on Police firing at Rangabhati and Raighar villages in Nabarangpur district on 30.10.2001 & 11.11.2001	3,41,494/-	NO
6	Commission of Inquiry on alleged custodial death of Dillip Kumar Swain at Saheed nagar Police station in Khurda district on 17.5.2005	3,16, 341/-	Yes
7	Commission of Inquiry on alleged custodial death of Gajendra Majhi i Kuchinda police station on 17.3.2005	2,10,000/-	Yes
8	Commission of Inquiry on the Incident of police firing in front of Champua police station on 8.6.2005	1,75,000/-	Yes
9	Commission of Inquiry on the Incidence of police firing at Kalinga Nagar, Jajpur district on 2.1.2006	1,81,40,907/-	Yes
10	Commission of Inquiry on the Incidence of stampede inside Jagannath Temple, Puri on 4.11.2006	45,49,500/-	Yes
11	Commission of Inquiry on Violent incidents occurred in different parts of Kondhamal during December 2007	2,56,31,114/-	Yes
12	Commission of Inquiry on feasibility of setting up of permanent / circuit Benches of Odisha High Court at different places	1,61,08,742/-	Yes
13	Commission of Inquiry on Killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and others in Jaleshpata Ashram of Kondhamal district	2,11,74,363/-	Yes
14	Commission of Inquiry on police firing at Bhuban in Dhenkanal district on 22.3.2009	NIL	NO
15	Commission of Inquiry on Death of two engineering students at Bolangir on 24.10.2009	1,43,48,475/-	Yes
16	Commission of Inquiry on Police firing at Bagalpur village in Cuttack district o 23.8.2010	31,06,860/-	Yes
17	Commission of Inquiry on the incident involving a Judicial Magistrate and the local police at Rourkela on 2.4.2011	31,06,860/-	Yes
18	Commission of Inquiry on the incidence of grievous injury to a girl of village Arjungada, P.S.-Pipili, Puri district on 30.11.2011	35,30,818/-	NO
19	Commission of Inquiry on police firing at Phasipada village of Khalikote Block uder Kodala P.S. of Ganjam district on 31.3.2012	NIL	Yes
20	Commission of Inquiry on Unauthorised collection of public deposits in the state ( Chit Fund)	3,25,60,079/-	NO

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-27.3.16

ଓଡ଼ିଶା ସୂଚନା ଅଧିକାର ଅଭିଯାନ

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Continuing Crusade against Anti-people RTI Regime in Odisha

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