Win-Win situation both for people and Tigers

Posted on October 1, 2012 by SRRF

With shrinking forest space, conflict between Man and the Tiger has become quite common. Government’s efforts to rehabilitate villages out of tiger reserve are meeting with more and more resistant, and it has become even more difficult with the Forest Rights Act making it subject to villagers’ consent.

In such a scenario comes positive news.  In three villages in Melghat hills around 350 families have been successfully relocated. Not only that the villagers have consented, but have also petitioned the Forest Department to rehabilitate them.

The relocation was indeed a great boon for the villagers. Not only has it given them a better access to better infrastructure (markets, education, health facilities, court, police and tehsil headquarters), but the relocation has also made them financially strong. Each the relocation has brought Rs 10 lakh per adult, which includes Rs 5-lakh, six-year fixed deposit that fetches the beneficiary around Rs 4,500 per month; Rs 2 lakh in a savings account and Rs 3 lakh in a nine-month fixed deposit. Earlier the villages did not have any electricity, now they have been given free connections and new ration cards, besides an assured government job to a member of each family. Some the families, have been compensated additionally, who legally owned farmland at their previous locations.

The rehabilitation has not only enhanced space for wild-life, it has proved to be very beneficial for the people. This story shows how if the officials decide to become innovative and are determined, they can solve most intractable of the problems.

Posted in Environment | 2 Comments

STATE WISE LIST OF FCRA CANCELLED ASSOCIATIONS

Posted on September 29, 2012 by SRRF

Dear Sir,

Our Institute Bal Bharti Society is 40 Yrs old. Earlier, it was run in rented building Nr. Gulab Baugh Udaipur, but since 2003 we have shifted to our own premises. BBS was registered under FCRA in 1991 (FCRA No.-125690040 dt. 31/07/1991). Since then the registration was continued every year FCRA returns have been filed. Even if no foreign contribution was received, we have been filing (nil )returns. Latest returns for this year (2012) were also filed along with necessary enclosures.
Our FCRA registration has been cancelled without giving any notice, hence this one sided action may please be withdrawn and our society may be continued to be registered under FCRA.

We shall be glad to provide any information desired by Ministry of Home Affairs.

With Regard

M.K.DIXIT
DIRECTOR
MTTC

BAL BHARTI SOCIETY

 

Posted in FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 1 Comment

Can we make difference to ‘Nakushis’

Posted on September 22, 2012 by SRRF

Injustices towards girl children are well documented to be repeated here.

While Maharashtra has been struggling with a declining child sex ratio and is ranked among the five worst states in the country. The reasons are the same as elsewhere: preference for a male child. But shockingly, the bias against the girl child is even more deep rooted and many families across Maharashtra name their daughters ‘Nakushi’ or ‘Nakusha’- meaning ‘unwanted’ in Marathi. It was a popular belief in these parts that if their girl was named Nakushi, their next-born would be a boy.

To minimise / remove the psychological pressures that a girl child who is thus named ‘nakushi’ undergoes, the district officials of Satara, took a positive step and organized a renaming ceremony for around 222 such girls. This certainly would help create awareness about obnoxious practice and also made several ‘Nakushis’ feel wanted. Further, the district administration also ensured that the girls so renamed are provided for adequate financial support for their health and education.

This is indeed a positive step taken by the district administration. SRRF Dialogue through this post wonder if several NGOs/social groups could not take initiative in their own domains. After all it is so simple yet affects not just an individual but creates awareness in a community about importance of a girl child.

Posted in Social Issues | Comments Off on Can we make difference to ‘Nakushis’

FCRA Cancellation

Posted on September 20, 2012 by SRRF

Dear Friends,

Greetings from CWS, Hyderabad!

This is with reference to the cancellation of the FCRA registrations of approximately 4200 NGOs across India. I am trying to seek certain clarification from all of you:

  1. MoHA has not frozen the bank accounts of all the NPOs whose registrations have been cancelled. I am at loss to understand the logic and interpretation behind this move. Does this in any way mean that the existing funds in the account can be used? Or What else could be the reason behind this  move?
  2. Representations have been sent by the aggrieved NPOs and to my knowledge there is a news that MoHA is sending communication to some of these NGOs wherein it is allowing them to use the funds of the ongoing projects. NPOs cannot apply for new projects.
  3. Should the current action of MoHA be treated as cancellation or suspension of registrations?

I would request your feedback on the same.

Thanks and regards,

B V Soma Sastry

Posted in FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 2 Comments

Civic Agencies need to be made accountable

Posted on September 17, 2012 by SRRF

Most of the fatal accidents in roads are due to pedestrians preferring surface crossing rather than subways.

However a recent survey conducted, indicates that a large number of people prefer surface crossing rather than subways. One of the contributing factors why the pedestrian abstain the use of subways is because of their dilapidated conditions and neglect. For instance, the TOI, in its recent article, highlighted the pathetic condition of the subway at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. It has been lying in a state of neglect for the past one year. Pedestrians face lot of problems, especially in the evenings, as only one portion of the subway is lit. The pedestrians are at risk in dark subways, as it is dimly lit and filthy. Apart from being dingy, the subway also has a poor drainage system. During monsoon, it gets submerged in ankle-deep water.

As usual the civic agencies tried to pass the buck. However as the issue got publicity through TOI, which gave prominence in its columns, in less than 24 hours, the massive repair and maintenance work was carried out, which transformed the dark subway and it wore a new look with freshly painted walls, new tube lights and clean drains.

Moral of the story, any problems find TOI correspondent to highlight in its paper and you will see light at the other end of the subway. Let us hope that all subways get a rapid transformation and pedestrians get the benefit.

Posted in Pedestrian safety | 4 Comments

Debate on Cash Transfers or PDS continues

Posted on September 15, 2012 by SRRF

As the Govt moves closer to adopting Cash Transfer model instead of providing subsidized food grains, there are continuing debates. For example, even questions are being raised which option is better cash transfer or food coupons.

In a survey undertaken by well known economist John Dreze, some major findings have been identified. It has observed that there is a reluctance for Cash Transfer schemes particularly areas with a well-functioning PDS. In most cases, the reasons pertained in one way or another to food security – an overwhelming concern for poor households. For instance, many respondents were worried that money might be misused and further it might lead to food inflation. Also, there are apprehensions that traders might raise prices if the PDS is closed. States like Chattisgarh have strongly opposed the idea of Cash Transfers. They say, it is better to reform PDS.

It is only in Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh, where PDS is not working, people showed interest in cash transfers as a possible alternative.

PDS or Cash Transfer!!! The debate is still going on. Anyone would like to share their experiences.

Posted in Governance Reforms | 3 Comments

Inquiry regarding registration

Posted on September 14, 2012 by SRRF
I am from a Delhi registered organization “Saambhavi “. We also have 2 offices in Uttrakhand,  I just wanted to inquire are we not eligible to apply for a grant from Uttrakhand Govt. or  any other National / International funding agency for the projects we are running there. Do we need to get registered again on national level or is there any other way-out for a particular  extension of  only one other state.
Thanks
Anju Pandey
Saambhavi
Posted in FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 1 Comment

Useable footpaths are the first step

Posted on September 13, 2012 by SRRF

Pedestrian safety remains one of the major agenda of SRRF. In a recent SRRF article, http://blog.srr-foundation.org/?p=1030; issue of reduction in road fatalities during the current year was discussed.

Another issue that SRRF has been working upon is the condition of pavements. In a recent article in TOI, the issue was also taken up. Some of the suggestions given in the UTTIPEC for footpath designing are:

  • All footpaths should be continuous and of the same height.
  • Height of a footpath should not be more than 150mm (5.9 inches).
  • Footpaths along arterial roads should have height of 100mm (3.9 inches).
  • Each footpath should have a ramp with a minimum slope of 1:12 (for a 6 inch footpath, a 720mm slope should be there).
  • In case a road is re-carpeted after a footpath is built, the height of the footpath can be reduced till 100mm. But its height should not exceed 150mm.
  • There should be tactile warning strips along each footpath for the differently abled. (It may be noted this is a legal requirement which administration must fulfill).

In an RTI filed by SRRF with PWD and MCD (Road) division, it came out that pedestrians are hardly a stakeholder while designing of the roads. This is a major lacuna in road designing resulting in poor pedestrian safety conditions.

Posted in Pedestrian safety | 5 Comments

Adverse effect of Mining in Goa

Posted on September 12, 2012 by SRRF

In this period, when politically mining is on top of the agenda, perhaps one could also look into the adverse impact of mining on environment. This is a case study of Goa.

Bellary in Karnataka is famous (or should it be infamous) for mining and till recently Supreme Court had banned the same in the district. Bellary with an area of 8447 sq Km has 132 mines, while Goa with only 3302 sq km area has 336 mines (with 90% being active). The effects are being felt by rural population.

One of the villages, Shirago in North Goa, has 3 mines. Villagers reminisce the past when the hills and plains were once lush with rice, cashew, mango, kokum plantations and medicinal herbs. It had seven lakes and 100 odd perennial streams. Now all, but one lake, have dried up. Mining pits as deep as 60 metre below the sea level has led to saline water ingress into the groundwater. Trucks laden with iron ore pass every two minutes on the main road exiting the village, leaving a perpetual trail of dust in the air. This story is being repeated in different parts of Goa.

Mining has caused havoc on drinking water. More than 27 mines operate in the catchment area of Mandovi, the State’s largest river. Huge mounds of iron ore line the bank as it is cost-effective for mine-owners to load them directly into barges for shipping to China. As per a report by the National Institute of Oceanography, due to runoffs from riverside mining, 70,000 tonnes of iron particulates get deposited in Mandovi every year. The story repeats itself across 10 other major rivers. As per a PWD report, Khandepar River, which supplies water to 30% population of Goa, has turbidity level 10 times the capacity of its water treatment plant.

CSE’s report on mining had documented painstakingly, how present day mining has degraded local environment while the people hardly benefited from any major economic benefits. It cited state after state which basically relied on mining as its major source of income were also the States which had low per capita income. Is Goa where mining has taken a major leap after 2003 moving in a similar direction?

-based on a report in Indian Express

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Melghat – Success in NREGA

Posted on September 5, 2012 by SRRF

Generally it is acknowledged that NREGA has partly succeeded in providing money to manual labour in rural areas (reflected in reported shortage of farm labour in Punjab from other states); however often it is felt that the money so provided is not being productive, since it does not produce productive assets.

Well in this regard, story of Melghat, a remote hilly area in Vidarbha’s Amravati district, is worth recounting. The area received much focus in recent times due to the severity of malnutrition. But the region has gained another image in recent time – a success story under NREGA. First the challenges, Melghat are a remote area having low penetration of banks. Since under NREGA payment can only be made into an account, the Administration took the services of Dept. of Post, through their 7 sub-post offices. The post offices pose additional challenges for high volume transactions; however the zeal and resolve of the district administration and Dept. of Post officials in the area helped surmount these problems.

One of the major innovations that the district administration undertook is the nature of works resorted. Instead of tree guards and side roads, the administration allowed stone weir / bunding structures on individual farms. This has helped in prevention of soil erosion, better rain water seepage. Over 500 wells have been created for individual beneficiaries, desalting of water bodies and similar projects, helping the agriculture community of the area. It also provided a pool of engineers for preparing work-estimates.

Many of the beneficiaries are all praise for the administration, since the scheme has resulted in better agriculture yield, sometimes in even two crops, and hence has reduced migration to virtually nil.

Posted in Governance Reforms | Comments Off on Melghat – Success in NREGA