Friday, July 13, 2018

Dismal Performance of Odisha Disable Commission


Dismal performance in respect of hearing and disposal of cases by Odisha Disable Commission - A Report

Dear friends
The State Government has set up the office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities under  section 60 of the Persons with Disabilities  ( Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Protection ) Act, 1995 . The Commission has the mandate to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities  and ensure  them justice. Since 2015, Dr. Minati Behera  has been working State Disable Commissioner. As part of our activities  for monitoring of  performance of different public authorities, RTI Application was filed  to the PIO, office of State Disable Commissioner seeking information about  activities of the office of the Commission, cases head, disposed and pending  and  budget, salary, allowances of the Commissioner.  On  19.6.18, the PIO  has supplied  the information  which is presented below  with critical  comments.


1.       As  the primary  of the Commission is  to dispose  the complaint cases and  render justice  to the  victims, the  information about  number of cases heard and disposed  by the Commission was sought for.  The PIO  has supplied the  information.

Number of cases heard by Odisha Commissioner for persons with disabilities

Year
2015
2016
2017
2018
January

17
3

February

13
3
3
March


6

April


8

May
2

4

June
2
21
8

July
11
46
1

August

40
10

September
28
4
8

October
18
2
7

November
10
6
5

December
5
6
67


Comments
·          The Disable Commission has heard total number of 364 cases  within 3 years  ( March, 2015 to Feb. 2018).  It means   in an average, the Commission hears only 10 number of cases per month which is much lower to other Commissioners like Odisha Information Commission which  conducts hearing  of  250 cases in a month.
·          Within 3 years of her performance,  the  disable Commission has disposed 1837 cases . It means,  the Commission has disposed average 610 cases in a year. But Odisha Information Commission ( a single  Commissioner)  disposes 900 cases per year.  
·         Out of 1837 cases disposed by Disable Commission, 1473 cases have been disposed  with just speaking order to concerned  authorities without hearing of the case which is very  easy technique  followed  to reduce pendency  of the case.
·         But still, there are 733 complaint cases pending  in the disable Commission for  disposal.
·         How the complainants have  got the justice from speaking order,  that is the biggest question mark .

2.      Voluntary disclosure of information under RTI Act ?
Though implementation of RTI Act has completed 13 years, the Disable Commission has not  yet proactively  disclosed  information under  section 4(1) (b)  of the RTI Act. Even the PIO does not understand what is suo moto disclosure of information mandated under  RTI Act. The PIO  has not provided  any information. The first appeal has been filed .  No document  about  order of the Commission is available  in the website  which remains secretive and elusive.

3.      Salary  and allowances of Disable Commissioner
Within 3 years , the Disable Commissioner  has received  Rs.15,94,498.00 towards honorarium and house rent .
·         Honorarium Rs. 25,000/- per month received upto March 2016 ( 2015-16).
·         Honorarium Rs. 50,000.00 per month and House rent Rs. 10,000.00 PM , total 60,000.00 upto March 2017.
·         Honorarium Rs. 50,000.00 per month and House rent Rs. 10,000.00 PM , total 60,000.00 upto March 2018 ( 2017-18).

4.      The Commission has  not awarded  compensation  to any  victim.

( Hard  copy  of the document is available with me and can be supplied  on request)

Pradip Pradhan
M-9937843482
Date- 13.7.18

Friday, July 6, 2018

Inefficiency of Sashi Prava Bindhani, SIC was again exposed


Inefficiency of Sashi Prava Bindhani, SIC was again exposed, Copy of decision sent to Appellant after one year of disposal
Dear friends
Under Right to Information Act, the Information Commission is the independent, autonomous and final adjudicating body entrusted with primary function of hearing and disposal of complaint and Second Appeal cases filed by the citizens. As per section 19(8) of the RTI Act, the decision of Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, shall be binding. The Commission is also empowered to impose penalty on erring PIO and recommend disciplinary proceedings against the PIO in case of persistent violation of RTI Act by him.

So, the effective implementation of RTI Act depends on effectiveness of the Information Commissioners and their efficiency to hear and dispose the case properly and ensure justice  to the aggrieved  Information-seekers.  If the Information Commissioners will be inefficient, callous and lethargic, RTI Act will, no doubt take silent burial and the citizens will be harassed and suffer.  Timely hearing and disposal of the cases is the most important work of the Information Commission. If it does not happen, the people will not only lose their faith on RTI but  the state  will push to disaster.  

I cite here an example how an appellant is harassed and frustrated due to lethargic work of a Information Commissioner of Odisha.

1.    On 18.1.14, Sri Radha Krishna Ram had filed RTI Application (9437920981) to  the PIO, Dept. of Housing and Urban Development , Govt. of Odisha seeking information about details of  steps taken  by the Dept. as per direction of the Information Commission dt. 3.5.2012 in Complaint Case No. 2119 and 1695/10.
2.    Finding no information from the PIO, he made first appeal and then Second Appeal to Odisha Information Commission. The case was registered as Second Appeal No. 1800/2014.  
3.    After 3 years, the case was heard by Smt. Sashi Prava Bindhani, State Information Commissioner on 20.3.17. The appellant was supplied the information. The Commission disposed  the case on 19.4.17. and appraised  the appellant that  the copy of decision will be sent  by post. The appellant waited   to get the copy for a long period.   
4.    After  around one year, the Commission had sent  the  copy  of the order on 9.5.18.  It  is  perceived  that  as  the Information Commissioner  could not write  the decision, the staff of the Commission could not  despatch the copy of the same.
5.    Each  Information Commissioner is getting Rs. 2,50,000.00 salary  per month and other allowances like house rent, free vehicle  etc.  When  the State  Govt. spends  such a huge  amount of salary and other perks,  the  citizens  have right to question  and monitor  how he or she delivers.  Sri  Radha Krishna Ram, a senior and respected  citizen of Banpur block of Khurda district  had filed  complaint  to Governor, Odisha  under section 17 of the Act  against Sashi Prava Bindhani  seeking an inquiry  and quick  action  against her  in order to save RTI from her clutches.

( It is circulated in the  public interest as per request of aggrieved appellant)

Pradip Pradhan
M-9937843482
Date-6.7.18  

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Cabinet Decision was defied by Achyut Samant while acquiring land for KIMS


Undue haste and favour, illegalities and corrupt practice followed in respect of land allotted for establishment of Kalinga Institute of Medical Science ( KIMS) in Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha
Dear friends

RTI Application was submitted to the PIO, Department of General Administration, Govt. of Odisha   and IDCO, Bhubaneswar to get the  information  about  details of  land leased out to KIIT  for establishment  of Kalinga Institute of Medical Science, procedure  followed  to lease out land to KIIT  for 99 years and decision  taken in this regard  including  copy  of the file noting. Both the PIOs have supplied the following information.  It deserves  to be mentioned here that   within  a period  of  12 years, KIIT has been allotted  around 100  acres of  land  in Chandaka Industrial area and Pathargadia area by State  Govt. through due  procedure,   fraudlent  and illegal means  as cited by CAG report.  Besides  that , KIIT  has  illegally  encroached  more than  20 acres of forest  land  in Chandaka area  in connivance with corrupt  Revenue and Forest Dept. officials.  A lot  of complaints has been filed by  the  villagers of Patia, Civil Society Groups  to the  Prime Minister, Govt. of India, President, Governor, Odisha, Chief Minister, Odisha, State  Vigilance seeking an honest  enquiry  into the matter. Two PIL case is also pending in Odisha High Court.   

Background of the Case
1. Dr. Achyut Samant, founder of KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) had applied in 2004 to General Administration Department, Govt. of Odisha for lease of land (allotted by IDCO) in favour of KIIT for setting up of a 700 bedded hospital at Chandaka Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar.  
2. Earlier, IDCO, a Public Sector Company of the State Govt.  had leased out  an area measuring  Ac. 26. 970 to KIIT in 2004 at Mouza Patia  bearing lease Plot No. 14/A, 14/B, 25, 44,24, 12/A, 65 and 20/B  in favour of KIIT  for establishment of professional institute, Medical College for a maximum period of  73 years.  The details of land leased out to KIIT constantly in different phases   are as follows. ( the  leasing out  of land to KIIT  one after another plot within short span of time by IDCO  has never happened  in any other case  in  history of Odisha. It is just like an emperor occupying one country after another with marching army. It  has been possible  because of unholy alliance of  corrupt  and unscrupulous bureaucracy  and Sri Achyut Samant)   
Sl.No
Lease Deed No./Dt.
Premium paid @ per acre ( in lakh)
Purpose
IDCO Plot No
Area (in Ac.)
Period of lease
1
4046/31.5.03
O.67
Establishment of Professional Institute
14/A
14/B
6.000
73 years
2
1956/28.2.04
18
Establishment  of KIMS
25
6.883
68 years
3
4487/18.5.04
22
Setting up  a Professional / Management Institute
44
4.278
72 years
4
6434/8.6.04
25
Establishment of 700 bedded  hospital
24
12/A
3.896
72 years
5
8325/29.07.05
25
Establishment of Professional  Institution  in the filed of education, research and training
65
4.852
71 years
6
8327/29.07.05
25
-DO-
20/B
1.061
71 years



Total
26.970


 3. While  producing the letter of MCI, New Delhi, Dr. Samant wrote the letter to  State Govt. that  MCI  was not allowing  for opening  of a Medical College  on the ground that  the lease period  may be extended  for a period of 99 years instead of 73 years.
4. As IDCO cannot grant lease  of land for 99 years,  the Industry Department  suggested  that IDCO is required  to surrender the land to G.A. Dept. G.A. Dept will initiate action  for leasing  out the said land to KIIT  for a period of 99 years.
5. G.A. Dept. in its file noting on 20.4.2005 pointed out that G.A. Dept.  is leasing out land for  a period of 90 years. In case it will be considered for leasing out the land to KIIT for 99 years, the approval of the cabinet is necessary.  Before the proposal is placed in the Cabinet for enhancement of lease period from 90 years to 99 years, the following formalities need to be observed.
a. KIIT will surrender the above land to IDCO through a registered agreement.
b. On execution of surrender deed, IDCO will surrender the same to G.A. Department through a registered agreement for eventual leasing out of  the said land  along with the structures  standing  thereon  to KIIT for a period of 99 years.  
c. IDCO has charged concessional rate @ Rs. 18.00 lakhs  per acre to KIIT  considering hospital project  as a “Social Infrastructure”.
d. The rate of premium notified  by G.A. Dept.  in respect of  Mouza-Patia  is Rs. 25.00 lakhs  per acre  for Industrial/ Institutional purpose.
e. So before execution of the lease deed with KIIT for 99 years, KIIT is required to pay differential amount to G.A. Department.  
f. It was also pointed out that after observance of above formalities by IDCO/KIIT, necessary draft  cabinet note/ Memorandum will be placed  after obtaining Govt. order.

6. After getting concurrence of Dept. of  Revenue, Finance  and Industry,  a Draft  Memorandum  was  prepared  by  Department  of General Administration  to be placed  in  Cabinet  for  approval  to lease  out   an area measuring 6.883 acres  in favour of KIIT  for establishment  of Medical College and Hospital.  Accordingly,  the  Cabinet  in their meeting  held  on 19.11.2005  approved  the proposal  regarding  allotment  of land  in favour of KIIT , Bhubaneswar for establishment of Kalinga Institute of Medical Science ( KIMS) with  the CONDITION  that
·      KIIT will surrender the above land to IDCO through a registered deed, as they have signed lease agreement with IDCO.
·      IDCO will surrender the same to GA Department through a registered deed for eventful leasing out the said land by GA Department for a period of 99 years.
The decision of the Cabinet   was communicated to KIIT and land allotment order was issued  on 6.12.2005 ( GA Department letter No. 15287/CA dated 6.12.2005).

7. without executing formalities to fulfil the condition of Cabinet to get the lease of 6. 883 Ac. from GA Dept, Sri Ahyut Samant   again applied to the State Govt. in January 2006  for leasing out  of  another 20  Ac of land  already leased out by IDCO  for the same purpose.

8. Without examining the genuineness of requirement of quantity of  land  by KIIT  for establishment  of KIMS, the GA Dept. again moved the  file  for cabinet approval to lease  out another 20 Ac  of land  to KIIT .

9.  On 22.4.2006, the State Cabinet in their meeting approved the leasing out of 20 acres of land to KIIT for  99 years  with the same CONDITION  as imposed earlier by Cabinet on 19.11.15.  Accordingly allotment order dated 28.4.2006 was issued to KIIT (GA Dept. letter No.5575/CA dated 28.4.2005).  

10.  Without taking any steps for execution of Condition imposed by Cabinet for lease Agreement with GA, Sri Achyut Samant, Secretary, KIIT   again requested Govt. dated 27.4.2006 to issue a land use certificate  in respect of above land on or before 30.4.2006 which is required to be produced  before Medical Council of India for establishment of Medical College and Hospital during the current academic session 2006-07.

11. On 16.5.2006,  Sri Achyut Samant, Secretary, KIIT  paid differential amount of Rs. 2,06, 99,500.00  through  pay order of Allahabad Bank vide Bank Draft No. 028637 against an area Ac 26.970 ( the differential amount  was calculated  as Rs. 7 lakh per acre. As KIIT  has already paid Rs. 18 lakh per acre while taking land from IDCO and   premium amount of Rs. 25 lakh per Acre has been fixed by GA Dept.) . While depositing the said amount, Sri Samant requested to Govt. to issue final land allotment order without execution of the lease deed. He also intimated that the allotment order is to be produced by him before the M.C.I.  Inspection Team on 17th May’2006.

12. From the File noting, it  was found that  the Director of Estates has pointed out that allotment order  can be issued after surrender of said land by IDCO and  re-allotment order  to be issued by GA in favour of KIIT.   He suggested that  an interim order  may be issued to KIIT  in order to meet  the inspection by Medical Council of India ( MCI). KIIT may be asked to sign lease agreement with GA for 26.970 Acres of land.

13. From the file noting and the correspondence made with KIIT, it is not ascertained whether interim or final order was issued to KIIT  for leasing out of 26.970 Acres of land.

14. However, without signing lease agreement with GA Dept., Sri Achyut Samant manipulated the Govt. procedure and eventually succeeded in getting permission from MCI to open kalinga Institute of medical Science ( KIMS) in 2006.

15. The Story does not end here. From the file noting dated 28.10.12, it  was found that  Revenue Office of the GA Dept. intimated  that  out of the total land of Ac 26,970 allotted in favour of KIIT, an area of Ac 10.191   is “forest” kisam land. Without getting  prior approval of Ministry of Environment of Forest, Govt. of India as per provision of Forest Conservation Act, 1980, IDCO arbitrarily leased out the said land to KIIT. Astonishingly, the GA Dept. did not verify  the  land kisam  while seeking cabinet approval for 99 years lease of the said land. The Cabinet  was misled  by corrupt officials.

16.  This issue of forest Kisam land leased out to KIIT  was raised  by Audit Team of CAG in 2012.  The State Govt. could not give any satisfactory response to CAG. However, the Director of Estates cunningly  sent the  copy of audit objection  to the Secretary, KIIT for necessary compliances in order to send the  compliance to A.G., Odisha. KIIT has not yet  complied it nor obtained  any approval  for diversion of forest land.      

17. Since 2006 till today, the State Govt. has been writing series of letters  to Sri Achyut Samant, founder of KIIT  to sign lease agreement  with GA Dept. Sri Samant is simply turning his deaf year to Govt. and behaving very carelessly. The Lease Agreement for 26.970 Acres of land  has not been executed till yet.

18.  CAG in its report submitted to State Govt. that undue haste and favour has been shown to KIIT for establishment of private hospital. The State Govt. has bypassed all legal procedure and adopted all illegalities to grant land in favour of KIIT. Even the State Cabinet was swayed away to approve the lease of  such a valuable land to KIIT for 99 years. Though  one decade has passed, KIIT  has not cared to  State Govt. to enter into lease  agreement with GA for the said land.

19. RTI Application was also submitted to the PIO, office of IDCO, Bhubaneswar  seeking information whether KIIT has made registered surrender deed  with IDCO for surrendering the land to IDCO which will be surrendered to GA for signing lease agreement with KIIT as per  cabinet decision. The PIO has replied  that no such information is available. It means KIIT has not surrendered the land to IDCO till yet.   

20. Sri Achyut Samant stands as biggest land grabber in Odisha. Since his rise as one of the giant education entrepreneurs, he has adopted all fraudlent means  to acquire Govt. land in connivance with corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. This is his great achievement.

21. Since last three years, GA Dept. is not sharing any information   about situation of lease agreement with KIIT for  land allotted to KIMS. The case is pending in Odisha Information Commission.

22. KIIT never discloses any information suo moto about details of land leased out  by Govt.
Pradip Pradhan
M-9937843482
Date- 6.7.18