Monitoring of Functioning of Odisha Child Rights Commission through RTI

Monitoring of  Functioning  of Odisha Child Rights Commission through RTI

RTI Application was submitted  to the PIO, Office of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights   seeking  information about details of  budget  made for the Commission  and other related activity  from 2013-14 to 2015-16

 i. Provide   information about details of budgetary provision made  and fund sanctioned  to Odisha Child Rights Commission ( OSCPCR)   under different heads and fund utilized ( year-wise).

ii. Provide information about details of visit/tour to different places  by the Chairman and Members of OSCPCR  and staff as per the following format ( year-wise)

iii. Provide information  about  details of visit made by the Chairman and members of OSCPCR  and officer  and  staff outside of the state for various purpose  as per the following format ( year-wise)

iv. Provide information about details of approval made by the appropriate authority in  respect of visit of  officer and  staff made outside of the state and copy of it.

v. Provide information about member of OSCPCR and  category of the officer  and  staff entitled to avail  travel by train/ Air/ any other mode. Provide copy of   circular or guideline in this regard.

vi. Provide name of the different travel agencies  with address including name of proprietor  from which the Commission has hired the vehicle for different purpose and details of payment made  to the agency with date.

The PIO provided the following information on dated 30.3.16.

1.     The details of budgetary provision made  for OSCPR is as follows.

OPEPA Grant
Year	Allotment	Expenditure	Remarks
2013-14	NIL	NIL
2014-15	10,00,000/-	10,00,000/-
2015-16	10,00,000/-	Expenditure is yet to be calculated after closing of financial year
WCD Grant
2013-14	25,00,000/-	25,00,000/-
2014-15	25,00,000/-	25,00,000/-
2015-16	18,82,000/-	Expenditure is yet to be calculated after closing of financial year

2.     No. of Tour programme made by Chairperson/ Members  of OSCPCR  within state during their tenure from 2010 to 2016

Name	No. of Tours
Smt. Saraswati Hembram	24
Dr. Sruti Mohapatra	1
Sri Rajendra Meher	25
Smt. Kasturi Mohapatra	1
Ms. Rajalaxmi Das	6
Ms. Sandhyabati Pradhan	11

3.     No. of visits made by the Chairperson/ Members/Staff /Officer outside the state of Odisha

Name of Chairperson/ Members/Staff /Officer of OSCPCR
Smt. Saraswati Hembram	2
Dr. Sruti Mohapatra	4
Sri Rajendra Meher	6
Smt. Kasturi Mohapatra	1
Ms. Rajalaxmi Das	2
Ms. Sandhyabati Pradhan	3
Ms. Usharani Das, OAS, Under Secretary	2
Smt. Santoshi Sahoo, OAS, Secretary	6

4.     Name of Travel agencies from which the vehicle has been hired

Name of travel Agency	Name of the proprietor	Total amount
Sri Jaganath Travels	Prakash Kumar Panda Plot No.- 99/1, Jayadev Vihar, Near Palheight Hotel, Bhubaneswar-13	3,11,996.00
Jayadev Travels	Saroj Kumar Sahu 306, B. Rajadhani, Kalasansad, Kharavela Nagar, Unit-3, Bhubaneswar	1,18,192.00

5.      Entitlement of travel by the members and staff of OSCPCR is as per  O.T.A. Rules.

Srikant Ku Pakal

RTI & Human Rights Activist

M-9338455092,

Odisha Information Commission hobnobbing with delinquent Officials

Odisha Information Commission hobnobbing with delinquent Officials and acting as protective shield for  corrupt bureaucracy 

Case Study-1

As per section 15 of the RTI Act, the State Information Commissioners shall function as independent and autonomous body and discharge their duties without being subjected to directions by any other authority under this Act.  As per section 18, 19, and 20 of the Act, the SICs are required to hear complaints/appeals, dispose the case with direction to ensure the information to the complainant/appellant and impose penalty on disgruntled PIOs for denial or delay in supply of the information.

 It is observed in Odisha that the people having failed and seriously harassed by the PIO in form of repeated denial of information, have approached the Information Commission  by filling complaints and appeals  with prayer to get the  information and impose penalty on the PIOs. It is interesting to note that the information is denied by the PIOs for years together for which the common people suffer a lot and could not be able to address their problem due to lack  of information. Many PIOs deliberately and consciously deny the information on the pretext that disclosure will expose and bring to limelight the corruption, malpractice and misappropriation of fund by the administration. So the provision of penalty under RTI Act has been made to act as deterrent and enforce effective implementation of RTI Act. If the penalty is not imposed, it will discourage the PIOs and the Public Authorities to continue to deny the information within stipulated time period. If this practice continues, the very objective of the Act will not only be defeated, but also   cause negative impact on the Information seekers who will be discouraged to file RTI to get the information. The end result will be silent burial of RTI in the state.  This situation has already taken place in Odisha since last ten years due to unholy alliance of Odisha Information Commission and corrupt bureaucracy. It has been witnessed that the State Govt.  without following any transparent procedure has  made arbitrary appointment in the post of Information Commissioners. Many corrupt people  like Sri D.N.Padhi retired IAS, Sri Jagadanand Mohanty and Sri Tarun Kanti Mishra, former Chief Secretary have been appointed  in the Commission who during their tenure have destroyed RTI Act in Odisha

The close observation about functioning of two newly-appointed Information Commissioners    has substantiated the allegation that these Information commissioners are inefficient and ineffective and hand in glove with corrupt bureaucracy.   Many of RTI Activists Sri Biswajit Mohanty and Sri Bhawani Nanda have exposed it within couple of months.  I cite herewith an example of my case where the Information Commission has made scot-free the erring PIOs without imposing penalty.

1.      On 16.8.13, RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Dept. of Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Odisha seeking information  about complete list of APL, BPL  beneficiaries  of village Dharpur, Kairpur, Raghunath Nagar, Moghalpatna, Gokalpur  in Rahania Gram Panchayat under Mahanga Block, Cuttack district allotment of commodities and their quantities under PDS  to the beneficiaries  etc. The RTI Application was ultimately being forwarded to the PIO, Office of BDO, Mahanga Block  who received the application on 19.9.2013.

2.      Finding no information from the PIO, First Appeal was made on 30.11.2013 to the FAA-cum-BDO, Mahanga Block to get the information. The First Appellate Authority neither heard the case nor disposed it.

3.      Then, the Second Appeal was made to Odisha Information Commission on 27.1.14.

4.      After one year, the Commission started hearing in Dec. 14 and appointed Sub-Collector, Cuttack Sadar to conduct an enquiry into the circumstances of delay and the persons responsible for the same.  On 20.1.15, the Authorised officer submitted report to the Commission. The Enquiry Officer  has indicated that  incomplete information was furnished to the Appellant  and as regards delay in supply of the information, the Sub-Collector had indicated that due to negligence at the level of In-charge Marketing Inspector, Mahanga, supply of the information have got delayed. The Authorised officer had also  observed that the delay of 26 days was made  by the PIO  for providing  the information  to the appellant  and the balance information  could not be  provided.

5.         On 5.8.2015, acting upon the enquiry report, the Commission   issued the show-cause notice to the delinquent officials holding them guilty of not furnishing the information and   why penal action will not be taken against them under section 20 of the RTI Act.

6.      The holding of the hearing fixing so many dates by the Commission, submission of  response to show-cause notice by the delinquent PIOs, correspondence  among themselves   continued for 9 months.

7.      On 5.5.16, both the Information Commissioners Sri L.N.Patnaik and Ms. Sashiprava Bindhani  disposed and closed the  case with the direction that  as the delay was not intentional, the PIOs were exonerated from penalty.

8.      The delinquent PIOs while leaving  the Commission’s room after declaration of the decision of the Commissioners   got relaxed, thanked God  and decided to continue  to defy the law, as there is no fear of penalty because the Information Commissioners  have been appointed by Nabin Patnaik Govt. to protect their corrupt practice at the cost of RTI in Odisha.

This is the real character of Odisha Information Commissioners. The people of Odisha should be cautious about it.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 20.5.16 

State- sponsored Illegal Forest Land Conversion by KISS, Bhubaneswar

State- sponsored Illegal Forest Land Conversion by Kalinga Institute of Social Science in Bhubaneswar, exposed through RTI

RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Dept. of Forest and Environment, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of forest land illegally occupied by KISS, Bhubaneswar and steps taken by the Govt. to retain the land from encroachers, i.e, Dr. Achyut Samant. It is needless to mention that many senior citizens including some residents of Patia area have filed series of complaints to different State Authorities like Governor, Odisha, Chief Secretary, Collector, Khurda seeking an enquiry into illegal conversion of forest Kissam land in Mouza- Patharagadia and Patia under Bhubaneswar Tahasil of Khurda district.

In response to RTI query, the PIO has   supplied the enquiry report of Tahasildar, Bhubaneswar along with the report of DFO & Wildlife Warden, Chandaka.  The report revealed  that Kalinga   Institute of  Social Science, a sister organisation  of Kalinga Relief  and Charitable Trust represented through  the Managing trustee Achyut Samant S/O- Anadi Samant has encroached  forest land in village –Patharagadia in violation of the provisions of Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

 Details of Land Schedule 

Mouza	Khata	Plot	Area	Kisam	Present land used
Patharagadia	420 ( Anabadi)	541(P)	10.000	Chhota Jungle	Play ground & Homestead
		647	4.000	Chhota Jungle	Gardening and cultivation
		893	4.100	Chhota Jungle	DO
		Total	18.100

 The said plot has been recorded as chote Jungle in the record of Rights.  The definition of forest has been clearly defined by hon’ble Supreme Court in the order dated 12.12.96 passed in WP (C)  no 202/95 in the matter of T.N. Godavarman Thirmulkpad  -Vrs- Union of India & others, as mentioned in the report of TahasildarIt was also found that  the KISS  has not taken any  Forest clearance from Ministry  of Environment and Forest ( MOEF) as per the Sec 2 of Forest Conservation Act 1980 . 

The issue has been raised by the hon’ble members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly in the year 2011 and again in the year 2016. In response to the question, the ruling government has responded that a Land Encroachment case  bearing nos 640/11 and 640/11 have been filed against  Managing Trustee of KISS, Mr. Achyut Samant S/0 Anadi Samant by the Office of Tahasildar, Bhubaneswar under the Orissa Prevention of Land Encroachment Act . This has been the standard response of the Ruling Government of Odisha. However no further action has been taken against the KISS for unauthorised occupation.   

Pradip Pradhan, M-9937843482

Date- 20.5.16 

Open Invitation for 9th State Convention on “Right to Information Act ”

Open Invitation for 9th State Convention on “Right to Information”

Venue- Institute of Engineers, Bhubaneswar, Date- 6^th and 7^th , May 2016

Aware as you are, Right to Information Act   which came into force partially from 15^th June 2005 and fully from 12^th October 2005   has completed ten years of its implementation in the country including Odisha. Within this short span of 10 years, the law has not only brought some transparency and accountability in the administration but generated debate and discourse for   people’s centred democracy. The law has proved a potential weapon in the hands of the common citizens to fight out corruption in the system and also for asserting their rights and entitlements. Besides, the citizens have also used the law to monitor the implementation of Govt. plans and programmes and for tracking   the status of their grievances. But, the strident march of RTI Act has also demanded a heavy price -   a good number of RTI Activists thanks to their zealous endeavour to expose corruption have fallen prey  to the  criminal nexus of bureaucracy and vested interests that sought to checkmate the ushering in of a transparent and accountable system of governance by all possible manners of heinous ploys. However, on balance, RTI has kindled the hope for deprived sections of society in a big way.  

The concerned citizens and activists  involved the in the RTI Campaign  are going  to celebrate 10^th anniversary of implementation of RTI Act  in various forms, such as by organising  workshop, seminar, meeting and rally etc. in different states.  In this context, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan ( a platform of RTI Activists, RTI Users, like-minded  intellectuals and academicians   working for effective implementation of Right to Information Act,2005 in the State of Odisha) has decided to hold a two-day State Convention on RTI  at Institute of Engineers, Bhubaneswar on 6^th and 7^th May,2016. Eminent RTI Activists of national stature and former Central Information Commissioners will address the Convention. Various issues relating to RTI will be debated and discussed in the Convention.

We invite all of you to join in the Convention. Lodging and Boarding have been arranged for all the participants. The Registration fee per participant has been fixed at Rs.100/-. Besides, we also look forward to the votaries of RTI Act for extending financial contribution to make the Convention a grand success.

Pradip Pradhan

State Convener

M-9937843482 

Mass Demonstration in front of Odisha Food Commission on Ration Card Issue

Mass Demonstration in front of Odisha Food Commission  demanding  quick disposal of  thousands of Complaint cases  pending  in Commission  and  allotment of Ration Card  to the deserving household of  poor, needy, disables, Homeless and Dalits and Tribals

  

Today on 16.4.16, A  good number of  Organisations  working on food security issues in the State    organised  day-long Mass Demonstration  and public protest  in front  of   office of State Food Commission,  Toshali Plaza,  Satya Nagar, Bhubaneswar  demanding  quick disposal of  more than 2000 complaint cases filed  in respect of  non-inclusion  of  deserving poor  families   in the list of Priority Household  and denial of Ration Card.  

When the State Govt. released  list of  Priority  Household in  Oct. 2015  in order  to  start the  implementation of NFSA,  the whole state  witnessed  hue and cry  and street   protest  by the poor, tribals and dalit  due  to exclusion of their name from the list. It is needless to mention here that due to huge corruption and irregularities and unholy alliance of the Govt. Officials with influential people, many rich, undeserving people of Ruling Party manipulated Govt. procedure and succeeded in enlisting their name in the Priority Household List. 

During survey conducted by the Govt. for identification of eligible Households, applications of lakhs of genuine beneficiaries i.e., poor, tribals, dalits were  rejected arbitrarily  citing   reason of monthly income of Rs. 10,000.00 , three whellers, Govt. employee which are false and misleading.  Finding the resentment among the poor after release of list of eligible Households, the State Govt. made appeal to the people to file complaints to concerned BDOs to get the ration card.  Though the people filed complaints in Block office, neither was it enquired nor Ration card provided.

When the Opposition political parties  and Civil Society Groups  raised  the issue of  non-constitution of State Food Commission,  the State Govt. abruptly  declared  in  second week of January, 16  designating State Information Commission as State Food Commission and  published  advertisement  fully functional of the  Commission.  Just after declaration  by the State Govt.,  the  Activist of Right to Food Campaign, Odisha  mobilised  hundreds of  the poor  people   having no ration card  to  file complaint  to State Food Commission under section 16 (6b) of  NFSA. To make their grievances redressed, thousands of the poor and deprived section of society knocked at the door of State Food Commission   by filling complaints seeking quick enquiry and order to appropriate authority to provide Ration Card.

 The information obtained through RTI in March  2016   brought to limelight the precarious condition of the Commission.  Though around 1000 complaint cases has been  filed within period of 3 months, the Commission has just  issued notice to the concerned Collectors on 200 cases. Though three months have passed, the Commission has not been able to dispose a single complaint case.

A four-member delegation of Civil Society Groups Smt. Sanjukta Panigrahi,  Sri Soumya Ranjan Pradhan,  Sri  Nirmal Samal, Sri  Kalandi Mallik submitted a memorandum to Sri L.N.Patnaik, designated State Food Commissioner  and appealed him to take quick step to dispose the cases. He expressed his helplessness to dispose the case, as there is no man power  top deal these cases in the Commission.

Around 200  people   had participated in the demonstration organised  under the leadership of Pradip Pradhan,  State  Convener, Right to Food Campaign, Odisha, Sri Kalandi  Mallik, Samajik Samata Abhijan,  Sri Soumya Ranjan Prdhan, Open Hand Organisation,  Sri Pratap Sahu, Sanjay Sahu, Sachikant Pradhan. Sudhir Mohanty, Advocate, Odisha High Court,  Ananta Swain, Nirmal Shamal, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Jhunarani Sahu, Menaka Kinnar etc.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-16.4.16

ଖାଦ୍ୟ ବିଭାଗର ଲୋକପରାମର୍ଶ ନାଟକ

ଜାତୀୟ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଆଇନ ପ୍ରଣୀତ ହେଲା ୨୦୧୩ରେ । ଅକ୍ଟୋବର ୨୦୧୫ରେ ସୂଚନା କମିସନ୍ଙ୍କୁ ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିସନ୍ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ଦିଆଗଲା । ଏହି ଆଇନ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ଓଡିଶା ସରକାର ୨୦୧୫ ନଭେମ୍ବର ପହିଲା ତାରିଖରୁ ୧୪ଟି ଜିଲ୍ଲାରେ ଏବଂ ଡିସେମ୍ବର ପହିଲା ତାରିଖରୁ ଅବଶିଷ୍ଟ ୧୬ଟି ଜିଲ୍ଲାରେ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଶସ୍ୟ ବିତରଣ ଆରମ୍ଭ  କଲେ । ଏହି ବିତରଣ ହେବା ମାତ୍ରେ  ହିତାଧିକାରୀ ଚୟନର ସମସ୍ତ ପ୍ରକାର ଦୁର୍ନୀତି ପଦାକୁ ଆସିଲା । ଯିଏ ରେସନ କାର୍ଡ ପାଇବା କଥା ସେ ପାଇଲାନି ଏବଂ ଯେଉଁମାନେ ନପାଇବା କଥା ସେମାନେ ପାଇଲେ। ଏସବୁ ଦୁର୍ନୀତିରେ ଦୋଷୀ କିଏ, ଅନେକ ଅଭିଯୋଗ ସତ୍ୱେ, ତାହା ସରକାର ଗୋପନରେ ରଖିଲେ । ପୁଣି ସୂଚନା କମିଶନରଙ୍କୁ ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିଶନର କରି ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ଦେଲେ। ସୂଚନା କମିଶନଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ୬୦୦୦ରୁ ଅଧିକ ଅପିଲ ପଡିରହିଥିବା ବେଳେ ସେ କିପରି ପୁଣି ଆଉ ଏକ ଗୁରୁ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ନେଇ ତୁଲାଇବେ, ତାହା ଭାବିଲେ ନାହିଁ। କେବଳ ଲୋକେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଫୁଡ କମିଶନ ନିଯୁକ୍ତ ହେଲେ। ୮ ଏପ୍ରିଲ୍‌ ୨୦୧୬ ଦିନ ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିସନଙ୍କ ଚେୟାରମ୍ୟାନ ଓ ୨ ଦୁଇଜଣ ସଭ୍ୟ ପଦ ପୂରଣ ପାଇଁ ଇସ୍ତାହାର ଖବରକାଗଜରେ ଦିଆଗଲା। ଯାହାର ଦରଖାସ୍ତ ଗ୍ରହଣର ଶେଷ ତାରିଖ ୨୮ ଏପ୍ରିଲ୍‌ ୨୦୧୬ । ତା ପରେ ଚୟନ ପ୍ରକ୍ରିୟା । ସେ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ, ଅର୍ଥାତ୍ ୬ ମାସରୁ ଅଧିକ କାଳ ନାମକୁମାତ୍ର ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିସନ।

୨୦୧୬ ଜାନୁୟାରୀ ୨୫ ତାରିଖରେ ଓଡିଶା ଗେଜେଟରେ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଆଇନର  ଚିଠା ନିୟମାବଳୀ ସହିତ ସର୍ବସାଧାରଣଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଇସ୍ତାହାର ପ୍ରକାଶ କଲେ। ସେହି ଇସ୍ତାହାରରେ ଉକ୍ତ ଚିଠା ନିୟମାବଳୀ ଉପରେ ସର୍ବସାଧାରଣଙ୍କ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ବା ଆପତ୍ତି ଆଦି ମାଗିଲେ। ଏହି ଆପତ୍ତି ବା ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ  ୧୫ ଦିନ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଅର୍ଥାତ୍‌ ଫେବୃୟାରୀ ୯ ତାରିଖ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଦାଖଲ କରିବାକୁ କୁହାଯାଇଥିଲା। କେତେ ଜଣ କି କି ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ବା ଆପତ୍ତି ଦାଖଲ କଲେ ଓ ସେଗୁଡିକ ଉପରେ କଣ କରଗଲା, ତାହା ସରକାର ଗୋପନୀୟ ରଖିଲେ । ଏବେ ଦେଖିଲା ବେଳକୁ ଗତ ମାର୍ଚ୍ଚ ୧୫ ତାରିଖରେ ଇସ୍ତାହାର ସଂଖ୍ୟା ୫୭୨୫ରେ ସରକାରଙ୍କର ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଯୋଗାଣ ଓ ଖାଉଟି କଲ୍ୟାଣ ବିଭାଗ ଉକ୍ତ ଚିଠା ନିୟମାବଳୀକୁ ପୂର୍ଣାଙ୍ଗ ରୂପରେଖ ଦେଇ ସାରିଛନ୍ତି। ତାହା ଓଡିଶା ରାଜ୍ୟ ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିଶନ ନିୟମାବଳୀ ୨୦୧୬ ନାମରେ ନାମିତ ଏବଂ ଓଡିଶା ଗେଜେଟରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇବା ଦିନଠାରୁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରି ହେବ। ସେଥିରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଧାଡି ଲେଖାଅଛି ଯେ ସର୍ବସାଧାରଣଙ୍କଠାରୁ ମିଳିଥିବା ଆପତ୍ତି ବା ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଗୁଡିକୁ ବିଚାରକୁ ନିଆଯାଇ ନିୟମାବଳୀ ତିଆରି କରାଗଲା। ମାତ୍ର ଚିଠା ନିୟମାବଳୀ ଯାହା ଥିଲା ତାହାହିଁ ରହିଛି । କେବଳ କେତେକ ମାମୁଲି ପରିବର୍ତନ କରାଯାଇଛି । ଯଥା (୧) ଚେୟାରପର୍ସନ ୨ ମାସ ଆଗୁଆ ନୋଟିସ ଦେଇ ଇସ୍ତଫା ଦେଇପାରିବେ,(୨) ଚେୟାରପର୍ସନ ଓ ସଭ୍ୟ ମାନଙ୍କ ନିଯୁକ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ସର୍ବାଧିକ ପ୍ରସାରିତ ଦୁଇଟି ଓଡିଆ ଓ ଦୁଇଟି ଇଂରାଜୀ ଖବରକାଗଜରେ ବିଜ୍ଞାପନ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇବ, (୩) ଚେୟାରପର୍ସନ ଓ ସଭ୍ୟଙ୍କ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାଳ ସର୍ବାଧିକ ୩ ବର୍ଷ ରହିବ ଏବଂ ଆଉ ଏକବର୍ଷ ପୁନଃନିଯୁକ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ହେବେ। ମାତ୍ର ଅନେକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ନିୟମରେ ସ୍ଥାନ ପାଇ ନାହିଁ । ସରକାରୀ ରେକର୍ଡ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ୧୩ ଜଣ ଆପତ୍ତି ଓ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବମାନ ଦେଇଥିଲେ। ସେଗୁଡିକ ସବୁ କାଟ ଖାଇଗଲା। ସେହି ୧୩ ଜଣଙ୍କର ଆପତ୍ତି ଓ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ମାନ ପୁଙ୍ଖାନୁପୁଙ୍ଖ ଭାବେ ଆଲୋଚନା କରାଗଲା ନାହିଁ । କେବଳ ସରକାରଙ୍କୁ ସୁହାଇଲା ଭଳି ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ମାମୁଲି ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରି ନିୟମ ପ୍ରଣୟନ କରିଦେଲେ ।  କେହି ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଦେଉ ବା ନଦେଉ ଆଇନରେ ଯେଉଁ ଯେଉଁ ଧାରା ଉପରେ ନିୟମ ପ୍ରଣୟନ କରିବା କଥା ତାହା ସରକାର କଲେ ନାହିଁ । ଯାହା ନକରିବା କଥା ତାହା କଲେ । ନିମ୍ନରେ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା ଉଦାହରଣଗୁଡିକରୁ ପାଠକେ ବୁଝିପାରିବେ କିଭଳି ନିୟମ ଆମ ସରକାର କରିଛନ୍ତି:-

ଉକ୍ତ ନିୟମାବଳୀରେ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଆଇନର ଅନେକ ବିରୋଧଭାଷ ରହିଛି। ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଆଇନର ଧାରା ୪୦ ଉପଧାରା ୨ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ, ଅଗ୍ରାଧିକାରଭୁକ୍ତ ପରିବାର କେଉଁମାନେ, ଆଭ୍ୟନ୍ତରୀଣ ନିରୀକ୍ଷଣ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା, ଜିଲ୍ଲା ଅଭିଯୋଗ ଶୁଣାଣି ଅଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ ଯୋଗ୍ୟତା,  ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟଯୁକ୍ତ ସାଧାରଣ ବଂଟନ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତ ଦଲିଲ ସର୍ବସାଧାରଣରେ ସ୍ଥାନିତ କରିବା ଏବଂ ସର୍ବସାଧାରଣ ତନଖି କରିବାର ସୁବିଧା ଦେବା,  ରାଜ୍ୟ, ଜିଲ୍ଲା, ବ୍ଲକ୍‌ ତଥା ସୁଲଭ ମୂଲ୍ୟ ଦୋକାନ ସ୍ତରୀୟ ଭିଜିଲାନ୍ସ କମିଟି ଗଠନ ଏବଂ ତଦାରଖ ପ୍ରଣାଳୀ, ଅଭିଯୋଗ ଶୁଣାଣି ଅଧିକାରୀ ତଥା କମିଶନଙ୍କ ସଭ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ବା ରାଜ୍ୟର ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ଯୋଜନାରେ ନିୟୋଜନ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ବିଷୟରେ ନିୟମ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଆଇନରେ ଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାହା ହୋଇନାହିଁ।

ସବୁ ସ୍ତରର ଭିଜିଲାନ୍ସ କମିଟି ଗଠନ ଓ ସେମାନଙ୍କର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଉପରେ ଆଇନର ଧାରା ୨୯ରେ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ ଦିଆଯାଇଅଛି । ତାହା ଉପରେ କୌଣସି ନିୟମ ପ୍ରଣୟନ କରାଯାଇନାହିଁ ।

ଜିଲ୍ଲା ଅଭିଯୋଗ ନିବାରଣ ଅଧିକାରୀ ନିଯୁକ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ଯୋଗ୍ୟତା, ନିଯୁକ୍ତି ପ୍ରଣାଳୀ, ଦରମା ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ବିଷୟରେ ଆଇନର ଧାରା ୧୫ରେ ନିୟମାବଳୀ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ପାଇଁ ନିର୍ଦେଶ ଥିବା ସତ୍ତ୍ୱେ ତାହା ହୋଇନାହିଁ । 

ଏହି ନିୟମର ଧାରା ୧୦ରେ ଅଭିଯୋଗ ଶୁଣାଣିର ପ୍ରଣାଳୀ ଏବଂ ସମୟ ନିର୍ଘଣ୍ଟ ତଥା ଅପିଲ ବିଷୟରେ  ଲେଖାଯାଇଅଛି ଯେ କୌଣସି ନାଗରିକ ଜିଲ୍ଲା ଅଭିଯୋଗ ଶୁଣାଣି ଅଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତିରେ ଦୁଃଖିତ ହେଲେ ରାଜ୍ୟ କମିସନଙ୍କୁ ୩୦ ଦିନ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଅପିଲ କରିବେ ଏବଂ ଏହି ଅପିଲ ସହିତ ଘଟଣାବଳିର ସତ୍ୟାସତ୍ୟ ଆଫିଡେଭିଟ କରି ଯଥେଷ୍ଟ କାରଣ ସହ ପଠାଇବେ। ତାହା ୩ କିତା ନକଲ ହେବା ଆବଶ୍ୟକ । ଏ ସବୁ ଦାଖଲ କଲେ ରାଜ୍ୟ ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିସନ ତାଙ୍କ ବେଞ୍ଚରେ ଶୁଣାଣି କରି ୬୦ ଦିନରେ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ନେବେ । ବାଃ ସରକାର। ଗରିବ ଲୋକଟିଏ ଯେ କି ପଡିକାର୍ଡରେ ଚାଉଳ ନେଲେ ଖାଇବ, ତାକୁ ଏ ସବୁ କରିବାକୁ କେତେ ସମୟ ଓ ଟଙ୍କା ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚ କରିବାକୁ ପଡିବ ତାହା ନିୟମ ପ୍ରଣୟନକାରୀ ବାବୁମାନେ ଜାଣିଥିବେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ। ତେଣୁ ଏଭଳି ଅସୁବିଧା ସୃଷ୍ଟିକାରୀ ନିୟମପ୍ରଣୟନର ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ, ଅଭିଯୋଗକୁ ଯଥାସମ୍ଭବ ପ୍ରତିହତ କରିବା ଏବଂ କିଛି ଅଭିଯୋଗ ଆସିଲେ ରିପୋର୍ଟ ବାହାର କରିବେ ଯେ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଆଇନ ଖୁବ ଭଲ ଭାବରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରୀ ହେଉଛି ଏବଂ କୌଣସି ଅଭିଯୋଗ ନାହିଁ । ଏଭଳି ଛଳନାମୟ ନିୟମ ପ୍ରବର୍ତନ କାହିଁକି? 

ଆପତ୍ତି ଥିଲା ଯେଉଁ କମିଟି ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିଶନ ଓ ସଭ୍ୟ ମାନଙ୍କୁ ବାଛିବ, ତାହା ୩ ଜଣ ସରକାରୀ ଅଫିସର ଯଥା ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଶାସନସଚିବ, ଉନ୍ନୟନ କମିଶନର ଓ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଶାସନସଚିବଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଆଉ ୩ ଜଣ ପ୍ରଖ୍ୟାତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିତ୍ୱଙ୍କୁ ନେବା ଉଚିତ। କାରଣ ଏହି ଉଚ୍ଚ ଅଫିସରମାନେ ଥାଇ ମଧ୍ୟ ହିତାଧିକାରୀ ଚିହ୍ନଟ, ରେସନ କାର୍ଡ ବଣ୍ଟନ ଆଦିରେ ଦୁର୍ନୀତି ହୋଇଥିବା ଦେଖାଗଲେ ସୁଦ୍ଧା ଏଥିପାଇଁ କିଏ ଦାୟୀ ତାହା ଏପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ପ୍ରକଟ କଲେ ନାହିଁ । ଏଭଳି ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ କାହିଁକି କାଟ ଖାଇଲା ତାହାର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଉନାହାନ୍ତି ସରକାର।

ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିଶନ ଚେୟାରମ୍ୟାନ ଓ ସଭ୍ୟ ମାନଙ୍କ ଅବଧି ୫ ବର୍ଷ ଏବଂ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ପୁନଃନିଯୁକ୍ତି ହୋଇପାରିବା କଥା ଆଇନର ଧାରା  ୧୬ (୪)ରେ ଥିବାବେଳେ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ବିଭାଗ ତାହାକୁ ୩ ବର୍ଷରେ ସୀମିତ ରଖିଛି ଏବଂ ପୁନଃନିଯୁକ୍ତି ୧ ବର୍ଷ ରଖିଛନ୍ତି। କାହିଁକି ଏପରି ଆଇନରୁ ଓହରି ଗଲେ ସେଥିପାଇଁ କୌଣସି ଯୁକ୍ତିଯୁକ୍ତ ମତାମତ ସର୍ବସାଧାରଣରେ ରଖିଲେ ନାହିଁ।

ଆଇନର ଧାରା ୧୬(୬) ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ଖାଦ୍ୟ କମିଶନ ସ୍ୱତଃପ୍ରବୃତ୍ତ ଭାବରେ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଆଇନର ପରିଚାଳନାଗତ ତ୍ରୁଟି ଉପରେ ହସ୍ତକ୍ଷେପ କରି ଉଚିତ ସୁଧାର ଆଣିବା ବିଷୟରେ ନିୟମରେ ଲେଖାନାହିଁ ।

ପ୍ରଣୀତ ନିୟମରେ ଲେଖାଅଛି, କମିଶନ ଆଂଚଳିକ କ୍ୟାମ୍ପ କରି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଆଇନର ସୁଫଳ ବିଷୟରେ ସଚେତନ କରିବେ । ଏହା ସମ୍ଭବ କି ? ତାହା କାହିଁକି ନିମ୍ନ ସ୍ତରର ନୋଡାଲ ଅଧିକାରୀମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା କରାଇପାରିବେ ନାହିଁ? ଅତି ଜରୁରୀ ମାମଲା ଗୁଡିକ ୭ ଦିନ ଭିତରେ ଫଇସଲା ହେବାପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଥିବା ସତ୍ତ୍ୱେ ତାହା ନିୟମରେ ରଖାଗଲା ନାହିଁ ।

ଆଇନ ସହିତ ଖାପ ଖୁଆଇ ନିୟମ ତିଆରି ହେବା କଥା। ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ବ୍ୟତିକ୍ରମ କେବଳ ଉଦାହରଣ ମାତ୍ର । ଆଇନ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ଅନେକ କିଛି ବ୍ୟତିକ୍ରମ କରି ନିୟମ ପ୍ରଣୟନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ସରକାର ।  ଯେଉଁ ନିୟମ ତିଆରି ହୋଇଛି ତାହା ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ସ୍ୱାର୍ଥ ପାଇଁ ନୁହେଁ ।

ଯଦି ଏପରି କରିବାର ଥିଲା ଇସ୍ତାହାର ବାହାର କରି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ପରାମର୍ଶନେବା ନାଟକ କାହିଁକି କରୁଥିଲେ ସରକାର? ସତେ ଯେପରି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ କଥା ଶୁଣିବେ !

ବିଶ୍ଳେଷଣ ଓ ରଚନା: ଭବାନୀ ଶଙ୍କର ନନ୍ଦ, ଭୁବନେଶ୍ଵର

Advertisement inviting Application for post of any Commission by GOO proved as Farce and Deception

Advertisement   inviting Application for post of any Commission by Govt. of Odisha   proved as Farce and Deception

The recent release of advertisement by the State Govt.  seeking application from the interested persons   for the post of  State  Food  Commission  has   given an impression that  the State Govt. is committed  to  maintain transparency  in appointment which is false.  

I would like to remind you that since few years, the State Government    has been making arbitrary appointment in many Commissions like Odisha Information Commission without following any transparent procedure and publicly inviting any applications for the said post.  For example, the appointment of Sri Jagadanad Mohanty and Prof. Radhamohan in the post of Odisha Information Commission was guided by whims and fancies of Chief Minister.   As because they are known stooges of Govt. and close to Sri Pyari Mohapatra,  then politically powerful person in BJD, they  got appointment  and proved  themselves as most inefficient  useless   Information Commissioner in history  of Odisha.  As  per the  information obtained through RTI,   the name of a person who may not be efficient  and deserving candidate  is  simply selected  for  the post of  the Commission overnight  by Govt, and  appointed  without debate  and discussion.  That’s why functioning of almost all Commissions are questioned by Activists publicly.

After protracted fight of RTI Activists against arbitrary appointment for years together,  the State Govt.  for first time  made public advertisement   inviting application for the post of Information Commissioner and Chief Information Commissioner.  By  releasing  the advertisement, the Govt. declared  its commitment to enforce transparency  in the appointment. But  the tall  claim of the Govt. was found false  when  the   Selection Committee headed by Chief Minister appointed two people  as Information Commissioner in  June 2015  without following any transparent procedure  which was exposed through RTI later on. The appointment  was  made as per their pre-fixed  formula.  The advertisement  was just  eye-wash exercise. That’s why the High Court  took the cognizance  of a writ petition  challenging  the Appointment of the Information Commission and issued notice to State Govt.

Similar arbitrary  procedure  has been followed in appointment of  Odisha Child Rights Commission.   This Commission has become  political rehabilitation centre  of  State Govt. as  the  people  who have got appointment  are  party worker of  Biju Janata Dal  or obliged  to  the said party.

It deserves to be mentioned here  that  the people  from Civil Society  who have  got appointment in different Commission  have proved  themselves  as trusted lieutenant of corrupt bureaucrats  and   degenerated the Institution for  their narrow vested interest. For example, Sri Jagadanand Mohanty  as Information Commissioner  successfully masterminded  in ensuring  the GA plot  in the name of his wife  in 2011 without making  any significant  contribution for RTI  in the state.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 9.4.16