Food-grains supplied to different categories of people at subsidised price in Odisha

Dear friends

RTI Application was filed to the PIO, Dept. of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, Govt. of Odisha seeking information about  details of quantities of food-grains supplied to different categories of people in Odisha.  On 9.11.17, the PIO has supplied  partly  information which are as follows.

1.       Total no. of beneficiaries availing  food-grains under PDS and Antodaya Anna Yojana during 2013-14 and 2014-15

Sl. No	Name of the scheme	Number of beneficiaries
		2013-14 ( march 2014)	2014-15 ( March-15)
1	Antodaya Anna Yojana	1253341	1253691
2	APL KBK	529527	527718
3	BPL Rice	3688057	3686527
4	APL Wheat	3572431	3565828
5	APL Rice for SC/ST Hostel ( NGO)	12922	12922
6	BPL Rice for ST/SC Hostel ( Govt.)	436345	411917
7	BPL Rice for WI ( Welfare Institutions )	11705	11705
8	KGBVs	------	2600 ( this scheme started from Jan,2015
9	Annapurna	63686	63686
10	Differently abled person (RDP)	114743	138658
11	APL rice to fisherman affected by ban on fishing  for Olive Ridley	10183	10292
12	APL Rice  for Adult children Home	256	256
13	Poor Left Out	623528	623528

2.       Quantities of subsidised rice allocated to different institutions and under various schemes from 

state pool ( Jan.17 to Oct.17)                                                                                             ( In MT)

Name of Month	WI Scheme	SC/ST Hostels ( Govt.)	SC/ST Hostel ( NGO)	KGBVs	Adult children Home	Satyabhama Devi College for Hearing Impaired
January	176.625	8210.700	192.330	165.00	1.515	1.455
Feb.	176.625	8210.700	192.330	165.00	1.515	1.455
March	176.625	8210.700	192.330	165.00	1.515	1.455
April	176.625	8230.44	200.220	273.00	1.515	1.455
May	176.625	----	----	----	1.515	----
June	176.625	----	----	----	1.515	-----
July	264.378	8230.44	200.220	273.00	1.515	1.455
August	264.378	8230.44	200.220	273.00	1.515	1.455
Sept.	264.378	8230.44	200.220	273.00	1.515	1.455
October	264.378	8230.44	200.220	273.00	1.515	1.455
Nov.	264.378	8230.44	200.220	273.00	1.515	1.455

( N.B.- State Govt. is in receipt of 1117.5 MT rice per month from Central pool under Welfare  Institutions scheme which has been discontinued  w.e.f. 1.10.17)

3.       Quantities of rice and wheat supplied  by Central Government  under National Food Security Act ( Jan to Nov.2017)

Month	Rice	wheat
January	153471.393	25492.472
Feb.	153471.393	25492.472
March	158076.484	21422.866
April	154705.953	24793.397
May	154705.953	24793.397
June	154705.953	24793.397
July	155136.979	24789.081
August	155137.392	24789.168
Sept.	155137.392	24789.168
October	155137.392	24789.168

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 16.11.17 

Saga of Struggle of an RTI Activist against Corruption in Odisha

Saga of Struggle of an RTI Activist against Corruption in Odisha

( His fight against corruption has exposed failure of Grievance Redressal Mechanism in the state )

Dear friends

Rumours consciously designed   and spread by few miscreants that RTI Activists are misusing RTI and using it to blackmail others in the name of seeking information.   This is a false allegation to demoralise  RTI Activist and negate their outstanding work in public domain. We have countered it and dared them to file complaint against those involved in blackmailing to appropriate authority.  As per findings of a National Study on RTI  popularly known  as RaAG  Study,   less than one percent of people are filling vexatious RTI Application which can be termed  misuse of RTI.  Under RTI Act, there is scope  for anybody to blackmail others.

On the other hand, it is seen that many RTI Activists   are using RTI to expose corruption at different level and fighting it out at cost of their live and helped common people to get their entitlements denied by Govt. officials. Many RTI Activists have been murdered, humiliated, mercilessly beaten up and put behind bar because of their fight against corruption.

I cite here an example  about struggle of an RTI Activist Sri Akbar Saha  of Balasore, his fight against corruption in Basta Block  and  his endless suffering, humiliation and mental torture.  Sequence of events centring around his struggle is as follows.

15.8. 2016	He filed RTI Application to the PIO, office of BDO, Basta Block of Balasore district seeking information about details of beneficiaries of  Biju Pucca Yojana of Raghunath Pur Gram Panchayat. Huge corruption and irregularities is noticed  in the distribution of houses  under Biju Pucca  Gruha Yojana.
15.9.16	Finding denial of information, he filed first appeal to First Appellate Authority-cum-BDO to  get the information.
17.9.16	He received a call  from  Sri Gobind Sethy, Sub-Divisional Police Officer   who threatened him “ why is he filling RTI  against Govt. officials”
18.9.16	He  filed  complaint to DG Police  against SDPO and local police  for harassing him.
15.12.16	Acting on his  complaint, DG, Police wrote a letter to SP,  Balasore  to enquire into complaint and take appropriate legal action against them.
21.12.16	Though late, BDO, Basta block supplied  information   list of beneficiaries under Biju Pucca Yojana. Verifying the documents, it was found that many ineligible persons have taken houses by preparing false documents in connivance with Block officials.
26.12.16	He filed complaint to Collector, Balasore to enquire into matter and take action against the culprits. It was registered as dairy No. 10014/26.12.16. The Collector immediately ordered to BDO to enquire into allegation.
15.3.2017	A false enquiry report was prepared by Assistant Executive Engineer and presented to BDO, Basta which was shared to  Complainant .
27.3.17	He filed petition to Chief Minister Grievance Cell
28.3.17	Akbar met to Collector appraising him how  a false enquiry report has been prepared by BDO  while presenting details of factual information about beneficiaries.
31.3. 17	Chief Minister Office  directed to Collector, Balasore  to enquire into the matter.
24.4.17	On receipt of complaint, Collector, Balasore transferred the same to  BDO, Basta for  enquiry.  Nothing happened.
25.4.17	Chief Secretary transferred his grievance  petition to Dept. of Panchayat Raj  which again transferred to  BDO and Project Director, DRDA for enquiry.  Nothing happened
26.4.17	The  Block officials with police   hatched  a ploy  against Akbar   to arrest him. They  filed a false FIR in Singla police station to arrest him. Bimal Kumar Nayak, Inspector-in-Charge   masterminded  the false FIR.  He was charged with false  case of misbehaving a woman.
12.6.17	Being harassed by officials, and local police time and again, Akbar filed  a complaint case in the court of SDJM . The court issued order to Singla police to register  case and enquire into the matter.  But the IIC, Singla police  station  registered the case on 22.9.17.
14.7.17	The Inspector-in-Charge , Singla Police station  called him to police station.   When he reached, Dharmanand Behera, BDO  and  Gobind sethy, SDPO reached  in police station and asked him  to withdraw allegation of corruption on Biju Pucca Gruha Yojana.  Akbar refused  to withdraw the case.  Then, the case was registered  and  Akbar was forwarded to jail.
16.9.17	After spending two months in jail, he got released on  bail.
	Akbar is still fighting against corruption and running from pillar to post to get justice. Though he approached several office starting from Chief Minsiter office to Block office, nothing happened. This is state of affairs of  Odisha administration. This is glaring example of failure of  administrative system of the state to deliver justice to common people.

Akbar Saha can be contacted  in his mobile  for more information. M- 9439550806

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 16.11.17 

Huge corruption, irregularities and kickbacks by OPTCL officials in Odisha

Huge corruption, irregularities and kickbacks by OPTCL officials while selecting   final bidder   M/s High Tech Systems & Services, Kolkatta, an authorised channel partner of M/s Tower Solutions Inc., Canada,  a Manufacturing Company for supply of ERS

( Emergency Restoration System) Materials for 400 KV transmission Line Network

(Exposed during inspection of ERS 400 KV materials under Right to Information Act)

( Mr. Hemant Sharma,  IAS   is serving  as CMD   of  Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited for 7 years- what for  and what is the interest of  Chief Minister office  to allow an officer to continue in a single post  for  7 years). 

Reason is only loot of public money. Here is cited  an example

Dear friends

RTI Act has not only empowered  citizens  to access information held  by the Public authorities but to inspect files, documents, work  and office of any public authority  following due procedure under the law.  Following section 6 of RTI Act, I had submitted RTI Application dt. 27.6.17 to the PIO, office of Odisha Power Transmission Company Limited ( OPTCL) , Govt. of Odisha   “seeking opportunity  of Inspection of Tower Materials  supplied  by Tower Solutions, Canada which has been  stored under DGM, ESP Store along with two Technical Expert .  All the documents relating to purchase and supply of quantity of materials by the company and proof of receipt of the materials by the authority should be available during inspection. The Technical team of OPTCL should be available to respond the query”.

On 1.7.17., My RTI Application was transferred to General Manager, E.H.T., Stores Division, OPTCL to provide me opportunity of inspection of materials.  But  my application was kept pending for 4 months  without any response and I was not allowed for inspection. When I filed first appeal dt. 26.10.17, the PIO immediately sent me  a letter for  inspection of materials. However, On 15.11.17, I was allowed for inspection of ERS materials in presence of store keepers of stores of OPTCL located at Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar.

Background of the inspection

From the RTI query it  was found that, in August, 2015,  OPTCL  had released  advertisement inviting  International Competitive bidding in e-tendering mode only from reputed manufacturer, type testing, inspection, loading at factory, transportation to & unloading at site / stores  including  guaranteed  obligation  for supply of lightweight  aluminium, modular type emergency  restoration system (ERS) suitable for  400kv transmission line Network  of OPTCL with an estimated  cost of  Rs. 130 Million.  Following   due tender procedure, OPTCL finally awarded this work to M/s High Tech Systems & Services, Kolkatta, an authorised channel partner of M/s Tower Solutions Inc., Canada,  a Manufacturing Company (?).

 As per Tender Advertisement, the bidder should be  a manufacturer or their authorised  channel partner  of 400KV  ERS tower for which he submits the offer. From the document produced  by the final bidder, it  was found that the major items like  Foundation Base plate, Foundation Base  Artiulation,  Tower sections ( TSMast), Universal attachment , Gin Pole etc.  are manufactured  and type tested  at  Laser  AMP, Granby, QC, Canada, whereas  the supplier is  “ Tower Solutions  Inc. , 7030 Woodbine Ave, Suite  500 , Markhan , ON L3R6G2, Canada, which  has claimed as manufacturing company at international level. While browsing the website, it  was also found  that Tower Solution , Canada  is  a Company having ISO 9001 certificate  for sales, engineering  and supply  of emergency tower for the high voltage  transmission industry, training of  electrical utility  companies  in using  temporary tower  and consulting to  electricity utility  companies.    It has also specialisation in transmission Modular Restoration Towers used for emergency restoration of high voltage transmission lines. It is a supplying-partner of Manufacturing Company Laser AMP, Canada.

Now the question comes, when Canada solutions is not a manufacturing  company, why and how OPTCL, a company functioning under Energy Department, Govt. of Odisha  awarded  work  to  a  fake  company  violating principle of advertisement   inviting bidder for supply of ERS materials.  Manipulating all procedures at direction of Hemant Sharma, IAS , CMD, OPTCL and preparing forged  documents , the officials  awarded   Tower Solutions, Canada  a fake manufacturing  company to supply the materials.  It was proved  during my inspection of materials on 15.11.17

On 15.11.17, I  along with my two RTI Activist-friends Sri Sachikant Pradhan and Sri Bikash Mohanty visited EHT Store sub-Division, Mancheswar to inspect the materials supplied Canada Solutions.  This ERS (Emergency Restoration Systems) material for 400 KV line network is essential   during emergency situation to ensure supply of electricity.  After  reaching on the spot, I met  General Manager, Stores Division and store-keepers  to show the materials and asked them  to  explain technicalities of materials.  They expressed  their helplessness to explain me details, as they do not have idea about  this technology. On query about who are the technical persons  of OPTCL having knowledge about this technology, they replied that no such technical person is available in OPTCL. I got astonished why OPTCL purchased  this  ERS materials, when it does not have expertise to handle it.

Then, while inspecting materials,  I asked   them to show name of  Tower Solutions, Canada  written   as manufacturer on  any item  of materials supplied .  After thorough search, I could not trace out  a single item manufactured  by Tower Solutions.  All the materials are  manufactured  by  company of Malaysia, China and US.  Tower Solutions, Canada , claims to be manufacturer  company  is basically a supplier  company  which  we have already exposed and submitted complaint to Chief Secretary on 24.7.17  seeking  vigilance inquiry into it. 

Now, it is proved that how OPTCL  by manipulating all official procedure and preparing fake document   have selected a fake  company  i..e, Tower solutions to supply the ERS materials.    It was learnt that  crore  of rupees  has been given bribe to top officials of OPTCL to get the order. It was also learnt  that  “ this materials are not technically sound  and effective  to address the problem.  The company  has not supplied  genuine  and technically  viable materials”.  Though I persuaded  to take photograph of materials, the officials did not allow me to take it.

It shows  how Odisha suffers due  to  corruption and irregularities  engineered  by officials  under Nabin Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, We will expose more corruption in OPTCL very soon.

Pradip Pradhan

RTI Activist, Odisha

M-9937843482

Date-16.11.17 

People having BPL Card as per 1997 survey still considered as BPL Family

People having BPL Card  as per 1997 survey still considered as BPL Family , says Govt. of Odisha

Dear friends

While implementing National Food Security Act, Govt. of Odisha    identified beneficiaries termed as priority household   eligible to get foodgrains under TPDS and Antodaya Anna Yojana and distributed new Ration Card to them. Presently 3.25 crore people   have been covered under NFSA and availing ration at subsidised price.

The  common people  are under impression  that  old BPL cards  which is being commonly  used   to get foodgrains is replaced  by new  Ration Card.  Now the BPL cards are  outdated and irrelevant.  The Govt. officials   are seen asking the people to return  the BPL card, as the new Ration Cards are  given to them.   It deserves to be mentioned here that  BPL cards are not only used to get only ration  but  also  getting a lot of benefits  like  IAY, medical treatment  free of cost. Now the question comes  who the people are considered as BPL in Odisha.

To remove confusion and establish clarity  on this issue , RTI was filed  to the PIO, Dept. of Panchayat Raj Department, Govt. of Odisha   seeking information about status of BPL in Odisha and number of BPL people  still in Odisha. On 28.10.17,  the PIO has given the following reply.

1.    1997 BPL survey identifying as BPL family still stands today.

2.    Total no. of BPL families  in Odisha is 44,93,410

3.    Percentage of BPL family is 66.23.

4.    BPL card issued as per 1997 survey is still relevant to get all types of benefit  free of cost or subsidised rate.

5.    Boudh has highest BPL families with concentration of 80.20% followed by Deogarh ( 78.79%), Phulbani ( 78.42%).

Comments

a.              The people having BPL card should preserve it to get benefit from Government. 

b.              Misconception is removed and BPL card is still relevant for the poor and needy.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 2.11.17

District Collector, Khurda was directed to conduct inquiry against KIIT

District Collector, Khurda was directed to conduct inquiry against KIIT as per Citizenry Charge filed by Subas Mohaptra under Environment (Protection) Act, 1996

On 16.10.2017, Govt. of Odisha in Department of Environment and Forest has issued instruction to the District Collector, Khurda  to conduct an inquiry in consultation with State Pollution Control Board   as per section 19(b) of Environment (Protection) Act, 1996 following  the allegation  and Citizenry charge  filed  by Dr. Subas Mohapatra dated 4.9.17 and initiate legal action  against KIIT/KISS.

Sri Mohapatra  has filed two Citizenry  charge  against  Kalinga Institute of Social Science ( KISS)  on 2^nd Oct.17  and Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology ( KIIT) on 4^th Oct.17.  Taking queue from the inquiry report released by Child  Welfare Committee, Khurda, a statutory body under Juvenile Justice ( care and protection of children) Act,, he has alleged that  though KISS is registered society, it has not yet registered   under Tribal Welfare Department nor under SC and ST Welfare Department. KISS has been threat to environmental crisis to the vicinity. The huge waste water and other pollutants from accommodation and production unit such as laundry, food processing, napkin production regularly  contribute to pollution and environmental threat. It has emerged as key source and factor behind environment pollution and continues to cause water and environment pollution in a large scale. KISS has posed environmental hazard to the vicinity  and affected land, water and air in the area.

Similarly, he has also alleged that KIIT runs programme all round the year and on several occasions  where thousands of participants  have been accommodating in the campus which has posed  serious threat to environment in the vicinity. The huge waste water  and other pollutants from accommodation, events and other allied programme continue to pollute water bodies  and cause severe sound pollution.

He has urged upon the State Govt. and  State Pollution Control Board to  make an inquiry and  take immediate measures to prevent further damage  to environment.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date- 2.11.17