Using Innovative ways to improve Child Sex Ratio

Posted on December 24, 2011 by SRRF

Kolhapur administration in Maharashtra is using a software called ‘Silent Observer’ to help reduce the Girl Child Foeticide. It has installed this software in all 800 sonography clinics in the district. The software directly provides the information to administration and helps it identify the family which has got a sonography done at a clinic. Once the officers have undertaken necessary checks to verify the authenticity of the test / family, they approach the family to persuade them not to go for abortion, simply because the child is likely to be a girl. In a short period, the initiative has had its impact and the sex ratio which was one of the worst in Maharashtra at 839 has not further declined and marginally moved up to 845. This is far better than the declining ratio in Maharashtra as a whole, where the child sex ratio is now 883 compared to 913 in 2001. In Beed the ratio is only 801 which has come down from 894 in 2001.

Validity of the scheme was challenged in the High Court by Indian Radiological & Imaging Association. However the court has justified the scheme considering the ground reality of declining sex-ratio largely due to the impact of sex-screening by such clinics, as long as the Govt. does not share the information with third parties. Now Maharashtra Govt. is considering of replicating the scheme in other districts. Even a number of other state govts, including Punjab, Goa, etc. are keen to implement a similar scheme in their states.

________________________________
Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

Posted in Child Rights | Comments Off on Using Innovative ways to improve Child Sex Ratio

FCRA funds to Self Help Groups

Posted on December 23, 2011 by SRRF

Dear SRRF Friends, 21st December 2011

May I seek the opinion or correct position regarding prior permission as per the recently amended FCRA.

I am closely associated with few organisations working with HelpAge India. These organisations are managing Elderly Self Help Groups- ESGs and each ESHG is given one time annual grant of around Rs.12,500.00. HelpAge India says that as per the new provisions these unregistered bodies that are activities of the association also need prior permission from Ministry of Home Affairs. I differ with them.

If there is a technical ambiguity, it is my opinion that these funds can be given as grants to individual elderly who will in turn park their amount with their ESHG. This is nothing illegal or even immoral, given the sum involved.

What is the position?

V.B.Chandrasekaran,
People’ Peace and Prosperity Mission.
e-mail: verivaan2049@yahoo.com

Posted in FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 10 Comments

Innovative ways for reforming prisoners

Posted on December 21, 2011 by SRRF

While delivering a judgement a judge has suggested to the Delhi Govt that it should consider the model where first-time convicts with very less risk of absconding and non-dangerous women convicts should be allowed to go out of jail premises for work and return in the evening for the headcount.

She stated that there are 32 such prisons already in the country. She specifically referred to one in Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh. Most of the prisoners housed in that prison work during day time in the city. She stated that idea is to provide convicts a corrective and rehabilitatory process. She mentioned that despite the liberty given to prisoners in Bilaspur prison, none of them have resorted to any offending or violative behaviour or had a second innings in crime. It has been been able to re-integrate the inmates into the society, the objective of a prison.

The judge further stated that while rapists, pick-pockets, thieves and burglars are excluded from the benefit, murder convicts are allowed where it had been established in the judgement that the murder happened in the heat of the moment. The system also allows women in the above-mentioned category to leave in the evening to be with their families and return to the prison in the morning. Judge stated that a modified version could be implemented for Delhi without any additional financial burden.

________________________________
Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

Posted in Governance Reforms | 1 Comment

Delhi to give preference to Ground level crossing over FOBs

Posted on December 20, 2011 by SRRF

As per a new Guideline developed by Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre, in future pedestrian Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) will be constructed only if crossing a road on ground level is not feasible. The meeting chaired by Lt. Governer of Delhi, decided to ban the use of escalators in new pedestrian bridges, instead elevators and staircase will be used.

The above is relevant considering recently Joint Commissioner Traffic, Shri Satyendra Garg also posted on Delhi Traffic Police FaceBook page that he finds that people often resort to jumping over the railings while FOBs are available at many places. Perhaps while planning traffic management in Delhi, one needs to consider that there is a large floating population in Delhi, and people always find it more convenient to use ground crossing of a road rather than using FOBs / underpasses. Ground level crossings of course are also more suitable for Snr citizens and disabled persons.

________________________________       
Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

Posted in Pedestrian safety | Comments Off on Delhi to give preference to Ground level crossing over FOBs

Tobacco-free Village in North East

Posted on December 19, 2011 by SRRF

Sahpuriya, a village at the outskirts of Jorhat in upper Assam is working to become the first tobacco-free village in India. Considering in Assam chewing tobacco with tamul (pan) is part of local culture, this is really heartening and courageous of the villagers.

A village of around 360 households. Initial initiative was taken by a resident of village who read about the ill-effects of tobacco. He got in touch with Tobacco Control Cell in Jorhat district. He teamed up with the District Nodal officer of the cell and started an awareness campaign on causes of tobacco on oral cancer. Many youngsters initially resisted their efforts as they felt the campaign was against the Assamese culture. But involvement of children in the campaign helped. As many children influenced their parents to stop consuming tobacco, after learning about the effects of oral cancer. Soon women joined the campaign. Considering many of the women in Assam also chew tobacco, this was a significant achievement, which resulted in a pledge by all 360 households on Women’s Day not to use tobacco in their daily lives.

The Global Adult Tobacco India (GATS India) Survey, conducted in 2009-10, reveals that out of the 274.9 million estimated number of tobacco users in India, 163.7 million Indians chew tobacco. The report also reveals almost 90 per cent cases in India are linked to tobacco. India has the highest prevalence of oral cancer in the world, with 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of oral cancers being reported every year and Northeast India accounts for more than 40 per cent of these cases.

In this scenario, Sahpuriya’s crusade leads by example. “It is great to see the zeal of the villagers given the fact that tobacco is a part and parcel of their daily routine. Thus we are trying to inspire them to take it further. If Sahpuriya succeeds in its mission, I am sure the rest of Assam will follow,” said a hopeful District Collector of Jorhat.
________________________________
Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

Posted in Positive Stories | 2 Comments

Food Security Bill

Posted on December 15, 2011 by SRRF

In recent debate on Food Security Bill, which will promote Govt. procurement on massive scale, one aspect of implementing this bill has been overlooked – Efficiency of Govt system of procurement, storage & distribution. We all know how inefficient this system has been from our past experience. However if further evidence of the same was needed, we have example of Madhya Pradesh.

MP Govt. announced a bonus of Rs 100/- per quintal over and above the Minimum Support Price of Rs 1120/-. The price became very attractive for farmers, enabling the MP Govt. to procure 48.40 MT of wheat, nearly 10 times more than what was procured during 2008. While undoubtedly the procurement process has been most successful, however it has created its own problems. The state govt. never had the capacity to store such large amount of wheat that it procured, leaving huge amount of grains to rot in the open fields. While the farmers have rec’d far more than Rs 5000 crores from the state govt. however question needs to be considered, is it really an efficient way of providing food security.

In view of the above experience, it is worth asking if the Food Security Bill being considered by the Central Govt. will also result in similar wastages, but at much larger scales. Estimate of the likely cost of the Food Security Bill is around Rs 92,000 crores. Perhaps use of Cash Transfers could be a better option than large scale procurement by the Govt.

Any suggestions / comments ?

________________________________
Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

Posted in Governance Reforms | 2 Comments

Delhi first Indian city with functional Children Courts

Posted on December 14, 2011 by SRRF

Delhi has become first city in India where 11 functional children courts have been set up. Purpose of these courts is to help expedite cases where children have been victims of criminal offence. These are different from Juvenile courts which are basically administrative courts where crimes have been committed by the minors.

These courts have come after a lot of struggle by Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) and intervention by the High Court. As per a report already 450 cases have been registered under these designated courts.

________________________________       
Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

Posted in Child Rights | 1 Comment

Preparing Annual Return (FC3) – Your Take ?

Posted on December 12, 2011 by SRRF

Friends,

I would like to initiate a new topic on a dilemma which all the associations (and their financial advisors) face whenever preparing annual return (FC3). What does closing balance in FC3 should represent, should it be funds as per FCRA Bank account or should it be unutilised money as per the Balance sheet. Obviously if there are no advances or liabilities outstanding as at 31st March, then unutilised money as per FCRA balance sheet should be in agreement with the closing bank balance. To illustrate,

Say a new grant received of Rs 10,00,000 against which association has been able to utilise say 9,00,000 with nil liabilities at the yearend. Balance Rs 100,000 will be unutilised as per balance sheet and on the debit side 100,000 will be in the Bank account. Thus two balances are identical and there are no problems. This can be represented as follows:

Grant Unutilised 100,000/- (being 10 lakh – 9 lakh)
FCRA Bank Account 100,000/-

However if say we have not been able to pay Rs 30,000/- of expenses at year-end. The position is as follows

Grant Unutilised 100,000/- (being 10 lakh – 9 lakh)
FCRA Bank Account 130,000/-
Liabilities (30,000/-)

In the above scenario what would be the position should we show unutilised funds in FC3 100,000/- or 130,000/-.

Friends, I am initiating this discussion to understand what treatment most of us are following in this regard.

subhash mittal

Posted in FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 9 Comments

Men still shy away from sterilisation

Posted on December 10, 2011 by SRRF

Family Welfare Department of the Delhi Government’s recent disclosure indicates a sharp decline in the number of men opting to go in for sterilization (vasectomy). As per the numbers provided for period 9 month period Apri-Dec’2010 only 1930 men have opted for the procedure compared to almost 9000 women opting for sterilization (tubectomy). While traditionally also lower number of men have generally opted for sterilization, compared to women (FY 2009-10: 4323 men against 17,102 women), however there is a discernible trend of lower number of persons now opting for this.

This is inspite of the fact that vasectomy (No Scalpel Vasectomy) does not involve surgery, hence has far less risks of infection and post-operative care (men can walk within a few minutes of the procedure) compared to tubectomy. Further men are given a monetary incentive of Rs 1300 (1100 for operation and 200 for motivation) compared to Rs 450/- in case of women.

Despite these incentives drop in men sterilization indicates far deeper social and psychological reasons, which is what perhaps needs to be considered by the government while framing these schemes in future.

________________________________
Socio Research & Reform Foundation
(A Non Government Organisation)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Tele/Fax: +91-11-25821088, 25817157, 25722044
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in

Posted in Health | Comments Off on Men still shy away from sterilisation

Travel from foreign agency – Local or FCRA ?

Posted on December 9, 2011 by SRRF

Dear SRRF Members

I have received reimbursement of abroad travel expenses towards attend the project workshop., Kindly suggest the amount which type treat Local or FCRA and where deposit FC Bank account or Local account.

Regards

Sunil K Suryavanshi

Posted in FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 9 Comments