Central Government focuses on Central RTI rules

Central Government asks states, courts to adopt Central RTI rules

mutatis mutandis in order to bring uniformity  in the implementation of RTI Act  through out the  country

On 10^th July, 2015,  the Govt.  of  India  has written a letter  to  all the States, High Courts and Supreme Court  to adopt  Central RTI rules, 2012  mutatis mutandis, so that there might be uniformity, as far as possible, in the matter of implementation of the Act throughout the country. Similar letter was also sent by Central Govt. to all the States on 26.4.2011 to follow Central Rules while framing state RTI Rules and prescribe fee in consonance with the fees prescribed by Govt. of India.

It deserves to be mentioned here that  the Rules  framed  by the State Governments  does not  have uniformity  each other and  many states  charge exorbitant fees which are  not all reasonable. Different type of fees charged  by  different states  has created a lot of problem for the Citizens  in their  pursuit  of  exercising their Rights under RTI Act.

For example, Odisha  has  made appeal fee of Rs. 20/- and Rs. 25/-  for first appeal and second appeal respectively  going  against the provision of the RTI Act.   The Central Govt. and many state  Govt. has not   made  any provision of appeal fee for first appeal and second appeal complying the RTI Act.

Similarly,  as per section 7(5) of the RTI Act,  a BPL Applicant need not pay any kind of fee under  RTI Act. The Central Govt. and all the State Govt. do not charge  any kind of fee from the BPL people. But  the Govt. of Odisha  which projects itself as champion  of  cause of the poor  uses  to  collect  fee for  information from BPL people. The illegal collection of fee for information from the BPL people  has  dissuaded  the  BPL people of Odisha  to exercise their right  under RTI Act.

It is also  fact that many courts are also charging a whopping Rs 500 as application fee.

Pradip Pradhan,RTI Activist Odisha

M-9937843482

Date- 30.07.2015

Social Action Groups to oppose President of India visit

Social Action Groups to oppose visit of President of India to KIIT, Bhubaneswar

While  holding  Press Meet  at Lohia Academy on 28.7.15,   a  good number of  30 Social Activists  have presented  copy of their petitions addressed  with request  to Hon’ble President  of India  and  Chief Justice of  India  not to visit  to KIIT  to  join  or address any programme   organized in KIIT ( Kalinga  institute of Industrial Technology ), Patia, Bhubaneswar.  They  will hold demonstration  and show black flag, if  the Hon’ble President of India  visits to KIIT.

Referring CAG Report, they have stated in their petition that Sri Achyut Samant, founder of KIIT is the biggest land grabber and habitual encroacher in Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha. KIIT University is involved in the biggest ever government land fraud in Bhubaneswar.   CAG(Comptroller Auditor General of India) Report in the year 2013  has exposed   the  nexus of KIIT authority with corrupt Odisha bureaucracy and political leaders to grab most precious land at throw away price through unfair and fraudulent means and manipulating administrative procedure and illicit benefit granted to this university. As per CAG Report, out of total 089 Acres of land leased out to KIIT by IDCO, allotment of 082 Acres of land is illegal. CAG Report has reflected that the authority of KIIT has grabbed land by adopting all illegal and fraudulent means which is not expected from the authority that projects themselves as eminent educationist and founder of KIIT University. The KIIT authority have developed the entire infrastructure by giving bribe to corrupt bureaucrats through encroaching land time and again and IDCO authority regularising the same by violating Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972.

Though the Civil Society Groups have demanded several times to  State Govt. institute  an enquiry into land scam of Achyut Samant, founder of KIIT as per CAG Report,  the State Govt.  has not taken any step  in this regard rather encouraged KIIT authority to grab more land in  Chandaka Industrial area. Two Writ Petitions have been filed  in Odisha High Court  demanding  CBI enquiry  into  irregularities  in allotment of land by IDCO to KIIT of Achyut Samant. 

Mr. Achyut Samant (Founder of KIIT) is in a habit of inviting dignified personalities like Honourable Governor, Chief Minister to KIIT Institution in different functions to overshadow his fraudulent act and to divert attention of the people of Odisha from his corrupt and unlawful act.   It is apprehended that Mr. Achyut Samant by inviting Honourable President of India and other dignitaries wants to whitewash controversial and depreciated image.  Even  from  a reliable sources, it is found that  that Mr. Achyut Samant and his agents has paid Crores of rupees to some bureaucrats in Delhi to get clearance to invite the highest dignitary of the country.

It needs  to be  mentioned that on 8^th August,  the President of India and the Chief Justice of India  along with other  dignitaries   will be coming  to Odisha to address  function in KIIT.

Pradip Pradhan,M-9937843482

Date- 30.07.2015

RTI Activist threatened to withdraw Application by hooligans

RTI Activist was threatened to withdraw RTI Application or face dire consequence by hooligans backed by corrupt officials in Niali Block of Cuttack district, Odisha

It was 30^th January 2015, martyrdom day of Krupasindhu Sahu, RTI Activist  of Niali Block of Cuttack district who was murdered by dreaded criminals backed by powerful political people for his effort to expose huge corruption and irregularities in Paddy cultivation under BGREI Scheme. After hue and cry by RTI Activists and Human Rights Groups and demonstration at Bhubaneswar, this murder case was handed over to Crime Branch for enquiry. The Crime Branch enquiry is in mystery. Now a Writ petition has been filed in High Court seeking CBI inquiry into it.

In same Niali Block, another RTI Activist has been threatened of dire consequence by the politically influential people and hooligans and asked to withdraw his RTI Application. Sri Pabitra Bhoi, a Dalit boy had submitted RTI Application dated 14.7.15  to the PIO, office of  Anlo Gram Panchayat  of Niali Block of uttack district  seeking information about  details of  houses sanctioned  to  different people  under Indira Awas Yojana, Mo Kudia Yojana.  It is needless to mention here that there is huge corruption and irregularities noticed in allotment of houses under these schemes in each Gram Panchayat of Niali Block. The political people of Ruling party having pucca building have taken money for houses under these schemes by using their political influence. It is big scam in Niali Block.

Sri Umesh Ch. Behera, PIO  of Anlo Panchayat  informed  about RTI Application  and RTI Applicant  immediately   to the people  who have taken IAY house  illegally.     On 19.7.15,  a group of  people  Sri Bishwanath Behera, Jairam Behera and many others reached  his house  at 6 PM evening and chided him  referring  his caste “Kandara” and using slang language. On return from his house, they threatened him  to withdraw RTI Application  otherwise  prepared to face consequence. These people are known dreaded criminals  in that area.

Now, Pabitra  has  filed  complaint to  Niali Police Station and SP,  Cuttack  on 20.7.15  to  take  action against these people and provide him protection. As reported by Pabitra,  SP, Cuttack took it very casually   and advised  him to meet Collector. However, Pabitra argued with him that this is the responsibility of the SP to enquire into the matter   not the Collector and returned  from SP office. Pabitra apprehended that at any time he may face attack from these people, as he is determined not to withdraw RTI Application.  Pabitra may be contacted in his mobile 8598087311.

Finding  no response from SP, Cuttack, A memorandum  has been submitted   by OSAA ( Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan)   to the DG, Police to direct the SP, Cuttack to conduct an enquiry into the matter. 

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 27.7.15 

Monitoring of Functioning of OSCPS through RTI

Monitoring of Functioning of OSCPS through RTI

Odisha State Child Protection Society  is functioning  in Odisha  with mandate  to provide technical guidance  and support to statutory  bodies   formed   for protection of the rights of the children at various level,  to develop plan of  action  to address  vulnerability of the children,  to  establish coordination among different Institutions , statutory  bodies, NGOs, Govt. Organisations to safeguard  the interest of the children  and to reduce vulnerability, to conduct capacity building training  for the stakeholders etc.

On 18.4.15, RTI Application was submitted  to the PIO, office of OSCPS  seeking  information about details of budgetary allocation  and expenditure made  for it.  Interestingly, OSCPS  has spent  huge money  for advertisement   released to different news paper. The details of the information supplied by the PIO on 16.5.15 are as follows.

Year-wise  Budgetary allocation, Utilisation and Un-utilisation / Surrendered  under ICPS, Odisha

                                                                                                                                        (Rupees in lakhs)

Year	Amount sanctioned	Total amount utilised	Amount un-utilised /Surrendered	Remark
2009-10	232.47	139.39	93.08
2010-11	503.56	461.74	41.82
2011-12	836.52	708.74	127.78
2012-13	1,160.12	1,010.88	149.24
2013-14	1,936.54	1,933.04	3.50
2014-15	2,202.85	1,471.78	731.07	1stInstalment (2014-15)
Total	6,872.06	5,725.57	1,146.49

Head-wise Statement of budget Allocation and Expenditure for the  financial year 2011-12                                                                                                                                             ( Rupees in Lakh)
Sl.No	Component	Amount sanctioned	Amount utilised	Amount unutilised
A	Service delivery structure	458.29	276.80	181.49
B	Care, support and Rehabilitation Service	0.00	38.23	-38.23
C	Family Based Non- Institutional Care	73.28	96.41	-23.13
D	Institutional Services	147.75	11.70	136.05
E	Statutory Support Services	142.20	284.40	-142.20
F	Others	15.00	1.20	13.80
Total		836.52	708.74	127.78
Head-wise Statement of budget Allocation and Expenditure for the  financial year 2012-13                                                                                                                                    ( Rupees in Lakh)
A	Service delivery structure	379.55	366.47	13.08
B	Care, support and Rehabilitation Service	86.67	86.67	0.00
C	Family Based Non- Institutional Care	88.20	81.13	7.07
D	Institutional Services	389.97	210.41	179.56
E	Statutory Support Services	215.73	266.20	-50.47
	Total	1,160.12	1,010.88	149.24
Head-wise Statement of budget Allocation and Expenditure for the  financial year 2013-14                                                                                                                                    ( Rupees in Lakh)
A	Service delivery structure	1,265.39	1,261.89	3.50
B	Care, support and Rehabilitation Service	103.70	103.70	0.00
C	Family Based Non- Institutional Care	99.23	99.23	0.00
D	Institutional Services	183.82	183.82	0.00
E	Statutory Support Services	284.40	284.40	0.00
	Total	1,936.54	1,933.04	3.50
Head-wise Statement of budget Allocation and Expenditure for the  financial year 2014-15                                                                                                                                             ( Rupees in Lakh)
A	Service delivery structure	937.11	930.12	6.99
B	Care, support and Rehabilitation Service	152.57	0.00	152.57
C	Family Based Non- Institutional Care	116.25	0.00	116.25
D	Institutional Services	706.66	253.50	453.16
E	Statutory Support Services	290.26	288.16	2.10
	Total	2,202.85	1,471.78	731.07

Expenditure towards publication of advertisement on different issues in different news paper

Year	Subject Matter  of Advertisement	Name of the News paper	Amount
2013-14	Recruitment cost of OSCPS and DCPU	Eastern Media Ltd., The Samaja, Dharitri Odia daily	2,78,756.00
	Advertisement Expenses  for selection of JJB  & CWC member	Eastern Media Ltd., Panorama Multi media Ltd.	8,188.00
2014-15	Advertisement expenses  for life skill	Eastern Media Ltd.,The Samaj	24,370.00
	Advertisement payment for Life Skill (EOI)	Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd.	6,000.00
	Selecting a technical consultant  for developing  a life skill  Module for the children	Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd., The Samaj,  Eastern Media Ltd.	15,185.00
	Advertisement Expenses  on Prohibition of child Labour, Child Marriage, Child Sexual abuse, Child Rights, Overview on ICPS and Proedure  of Adoption	The Samaj,  Eastern Media Ltd.,Dharitri Odia daily , Pragativadi, Ashirbad Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd	2,39,404.00
	Total		18,27,188.00

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-25.7.15