Charge adults who push minors into crime

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SRRF

Recently Juvenile Justice Board discovered about existence of an organized gang named as ‘’Thak Thak gang’’ which use minors for crime. The gang which operates through children- instruct them how to steal. Thefts of valuable articles like laptops, mobile, from the cars by distracting the attention of passengers.

Advocate Bhupesh Chandra Samad from the Human Rights Law Network was directed by Juvenile Board to study the issue and report the same. The report stated that several juveniles who were being produced before it were actually being used by some organized gangs. Keeping this in mind Principal Magistrate of Juvenile Justice board has issued order to special Juvenile Police Unit of Delhi to widen their area of probe to ensure that adults who introduce minors to a life of crime are also charged. She added that Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) should be invoked against gangs pushing children into illegal activities.

________________________________

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 Human Rights | 1 Comment

THE DROPOUT RATE AMONG CHILDREN IN THE SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES CATEGORY IS STILL HIGH

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SRRF

A latest statistics revealed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the period 2004-05 to 2007-08 reveals that dropout rates for SC & ST children at the primary school level is much higher than the overall dropout rate. Though, in 2004-05 the dropout rate in ST was higher compare to SC by 8 %; the difference has come down to less than 1% in 2007-08, indicating that government policies may be having some impact.

Dropout rates for (Classes I-V)


Period 		SC
 ST
 ALL
2004-05
 34.2
 42.3
 29.0
2005-06
 32.8
 39.8
 25.7
2006-07
 35.9 33.1 25.6
2007-08 30.1 31.3 25.1

Source: Indicus Analytics, Business Standard

However the above finding also reinforces the hypothesis held by many that in India the social class into which one is born continues to determine a person’s socio-economic well being. This gets reflected in almost all development indicators for SCs & STs. One reason for persisting of such social conditions is that these groups are isolated from the mainstream society, on account of social & geographical isolations. The challenge our policy-makers face is how to narrow such isolation and bring such groups into mainstream.

_________________________________
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 Education | 1 Comment

Muslim children enrolment in primary schools increase

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SRRF

Enrolment of Muslim children in schools is improving in the country. Data from across 1.3 million recognised schools offering elementary education across 635 districts shows that

 

  • 13.48% muslim children have enrolled in 2009-10 compared to 10.49% in 2008-09.
  • Among states, with high muslim population have also generally shown better enrolments. Lakshdweep 99.4%, Jammu & Kashmir 66.9%, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Karnataka enrolment rates are 30-37%, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and MP are around 11-4%.
  • Enrolments for SC/ST is 20.07% and ST 11.54%.

 

The report is brought out by National University of Educational Planning & Administration (NUEPA).

____________________________________

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 Education | Comments Off on Muslim children enrolment in primary schools increase

Bihar making long strides in educating its children

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SRRF

A recent study has indicated that Bihar has notched several impressive improvements in the education sector. These include

  • Less than 3% children between the age group of 6 to 14 are out of school. In 2005-06 children in this age group who were out of school amounted to 25 lakhs, this has come down to 5.9 lakhs.
  • 92.7% children have enrolled in VI-VIII, in earlier 3 years this figure was only around 32%. One of the main reason for this is almost doubling of the schools (114.3 schools per one lakh from 60 schools 3 years ago).
  • Average attendance in classes I to VIII is now 61.6% compared to less than 40% thre years ago.
  • Some of the incentives given by Nitish Kumar govt. credited with this improvement include, free uniform to children enrolling in classes VI to VIII. Earlier girls enrolling in class IX got free bicycles, which has now been extended to boys too. Doubling of schools and off course mid-day meal school.
  • 94.1% students study in Govt. schools, 5.7% in private schools and ).2% in unrecognised madarsas.

Study undertaken by Asian Development Research Institute, Pratchi (WB) and Centre for Economic Policies and Public Finance.

____________________________________

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 Education | Comments Off on Bihar making long strides in educating its children

BAN ON GUTKA POUCHES ONLY ON PAPER

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SRRF

 

The ban on metallic and plastic pouches for pan masala and gutkha since March 1 is hardly having any effect. As usual, the Govt. has hardly put any mechanism to implement the Act. The result is that it has enabled the shopkeepers to inflate the price, without any impact on sales. Thus neither the environment there is any impact on the environment – the main motive behind the ban; nor any on health – expected by product of the ban.

The notification specifically mentioned that civic agencies were to be made responsible for implementation of the ban. The Delhi State Govt. Environment department had written to MCD and NDMC to take necessary action. NDMC said it would initiate action soon, while MCD denied receiving any such direction, and instead suggested that the matter was probably under Delhi Police’s jurisdiction.

Let us hope that the civic agencies soon get their act together and start implementing the ban in its true spirit.

________________________________

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 Environment | Comments Off on BAN ON GUTKA POUCHES ONLY ON PAPER

Compensatory afforestation on Degraded Forests

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SRRF

Whenever a project requires ‘forest land’ it is required to undertake compensatory afforestation on non-forest land. This is to as comply with India’s forest cover policy as set out in 1988 to enhance forest land cover to 33%, which at the time was near about 23%. This is a huge ambitious task, considering extreme pressures on land by increasing population, as well as increasing economic activities. Often projects are not able to find non-forest land to undertake mandatory afforestation. Further almost 40% of the so called forest land is in fact degraded forests with extremely poor tree cover.

Recognising this fact MoEF has now allowed projects afforestation on degraded forests.

Already SAIL, which had to undertake compensatory afforestation to mine Chiria mines in Jharkhand has been allowed to do the same on degraded forests in the state.

As a cynic would say that such initiatives always start with noble intentions, however problem is that considering significant scope of malpractices, safeguards should be put in place to ensure, that down the line required afforestation results in increased tree-cover in actuality and not just on paper.

____________________________________

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 Environment | 5 Comments

Infant Mortality Rate improving

Posted on June 1, 2011 by SRRF

There has been a 6% drop in IMR (50 deaths per thousand in 2009 from 53 in 2008). While IMR has been steadily improving since 2003 in most states, there have been some states where it has marginally gone up. These are Meghalaya, Goa, HP, Manipur, Sikkim and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. While IMR for states like UP (67 to 63) and Bihar (56 to 52) has dropped, however overall it still remains high.

Health ministry undertakes yearly survey for the states with poor health indicators and hopes to make specific policies for districts where specific interventions are considered necessary.

____________________________________
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 Infant Mortality Rate improving

Fresh focus under NRHM

Posted on May 31, 2011 by SRRF

As per the latest data available from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, around 18 lakh child-deaths occur every year, of this over 10 lakh occur within 28 days of the birth. Further around 68,000 mothers die on account of pregnancy–related complications.

To further increase the institutional deliveries to reduce these deaths (which are currently covered through Janani Suraksha Yojana under NRHM) Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is working on plans so that women who deliver in a government institution do not have to pay for anything towards service fee, drugs, diet, consumables and other miscellaneous expenses. It is working with the states to put in place a system which provides for ‘free treatment and free referral transport’ for all sick newborns for the first 30 days of their life under the NRHM.

_____________________________________
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 Fresh focus under NRHM

Clarification received from Ministry on “Transfer of Funds”

Posted on May 30, 2011 by SRRF

GOOD NEWS WHICH ALL OF US HAVE BEEN WAITING

We would like to intimate all the members of SRRFDialogue that a clarification has been received from the FCRA Dept. that there is no need to take prior approval from the department for transferring funds to other registered NGOs considering Section 7. Copy of the clarification is attached. Some conditions have been mentioned, which are being studied and precautions which need to be taken would be shared with you.

____________________________________
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 FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 11 Comments

Transfer of Funds between registered organisations – Dept. to clarify

Posted on May 28, 2011 by SRRF

As many of the readers of these posts would be aware that new Rule 24 alongwith Form FC10 of FCRA provisions, has made it mandatory for all registered organizations to obtain permission of the FCRA department before transferring funds to other registered organizations. This caused genuine concern and anxiety.

The matter was immediately taken up by Socio Research & Reform Foundation (SRRF) with Shri GVV Sarma, Joint Secretary, incharge of the Department alongwith representatives of a few of such organizations.  They explained their problems particularly that most of them were having almost 100 or more partners and many of them transfer these funds on a regular basis (even monthly) to other registered NGOs.

Shri Sarma heard the delegation patiently and stated in clear terms that the intention of the Act is not to cause any unnecessary inconvenience. He understood the problem and suggested that such organizations could give the details through a letter indicating the organizations and amounts to be transferred even for a whole year. He indicated that the department was already in the process of developing a suitable system for online application for the same. However the organizations further explained that if the permissions were not given within a time bound manner, than the funds down the line for various activities would dry up and would hamper the development activities of various NGOs. It was also pointed out that the Rule is inconsistent with Section 7 of the FCRA Act 2010.

SRRF also submitted a written representation offering several alternative solutions. (See attached letter submitted to the Dept.)

The Joint secretary promised to immediately look into the issue to find solution and if required the dept. would issue necessary clarification through its web-site.

SRRF and all the representatives of donor agencies thanked Mr Sarma, the Joint secretary for his promptness in meeting the delegation.

____________________________________
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 FCRA, TAX, LEGAL | 21 Comments