Gram Vikas and Gram Vikas became a part of Odisha state RTI coalition. slowly
all the project offices got the exposure and ... appeal forms. • Make liaison with ...
RTI progress in Gram Vikas: Gram Vikas started use of RTI in the year when its benefit were well accepted in different forum. As a special programme it got introduced and for its understanding and importance a massive orientation took place. In the initial stage wide spread training programme conducted for community and staff. They slowly started understanding the process and the out come out of the initiative proposed for share of information at all level, initially success rate of applications were very low and fear and unfamiliarity of the act made few attempts to get the benefit. But slowly the message of RTI penetrated in the rural areas and in few areas it had been a successful instrument to implement NREGA work. But the process were followed could not establish governance system and sustainability approach. Then, Gram Vikas revitalized the implementation process where involvement of volunteers done at the village level. As a result RTI clinics were established in different villages of the operational area of Gram Vikas. The established RTI clinics are run by Master Trainers and Community volunteers. Till date 4 master trainers have been created to implement RTI act. The success of network approach in this filed opened another window for Gram Vikas and Gram Vikas became a part of Odisha state RTI coalition. slowly all the project offices got the exposure and benefits of the use of RTI and started involving the community to gets its right and make accountable the government officials. Gram Vikas has a quite range of RTI filed on education, health, infrastructure, electricity, government schemes like IAY, old age pension, MNREGS etc, Issues like FRA and many more directions. The efforts at Gram Vikas are slowly gathering its momentum and a special team is prepared to look at this issue at oganisatinal level. Mechanism for strengthening RTI Gram Vikas has established strong mechanism that has been designed through Odisha state RTI coalition. About RTI coalition and its function: A coalition has been set up in Odisha to promote and increase awareness of RTI. The RTI coalition is a formal body having their own secretariat. It is composed of NGO’s, media, public authorities and other organizations. The role of secretariat is: To formulate campaign and coalition strategy To agree, documentation and disseminate minimum norms and standards for coalition. To approve fund expenditure and manage administrative reporting of all funding-related activities To coordinate joint events, campaigns and contribution to state, national and global initiatives such as ‘stand up’
Role of coalition: To provide technical support, expertise and materials to the coalition members (eg. IEC materials, documentation, case studies and M&E tools) Training and support to members at programme and field level To plan, coordinate and implement campaign strategies with participation of all members To identify needs of coalition members To document process and monitor media outputs. Aim and objective of RTI clinic: The aim of the RTI clinic is to empower people and marginalized population in using RTI tools effectively to improve their living conditions by asserting their rights and accessing entitlements. The objective of RTI clinic is ensure that information on RTI and its provisions and disseminated to target communities, particularly marginalized groups; Facilitate a process where marginalized communities use the tool to ensure that they access their rights; Ensure information of government schemes and programmes are available at the panchayats Function of RTI clinic: Help to community for asking information and guide them to write application and appeal forms Make liaison with government officials about the progress of RTI Assist to governance for writing suo-motto disclosure Organise training for community Disseminate collected information to public Conduct awareness drive Update RTI clinic with different information Role of Master Trainer: The trainer will facilitate training programme for community and volunteers of RTI clinic Visit to villages and make discussion with people, find out their problems, and assist them for filing applications. Ensure maintenance of RTI related records in RTI clinic Organise different awareness event Make coordination with RTI clinic volunteers and check the progress of RTI clinic Update RTI clinic with different information Role of RTI volunteers: Volunteers will guide villagers to solve their issues through RTI Assist to Master trainer for different training and campaign activities Ensure keeping of RTI clinic records Keep regular opening of RTI clinics
RTI development in Gram Vikas:
Orientation and training to the staff members and the community on RTI and its use for accountable society
Formation of State level coalition of NGOs, practitioners and Government - Orissa State RTI Coalition
Work shop and design of coalition with strategy of implementation i.e. RTI clinic formation at GP level
Orientation on RTI clinic and its strategy and focus to PRI, School teachers and others for better implementation
Creation of Master trainers and village volunteers to operate at village level
Development of dissemincation material and conducting awareness drives with the new materials
Activities in Gram Vikas: Regular State level RTI coalition meeting conducted. These meetings conducted under the chairmanship of State information commissioner and other Government officials. Staff training conducted at Gram Vikas Mohuda Conducted training for PRI members and community leaders in zonal wise (Ganjam, Gajapti and Kalahandi) Conducted training for School teachers and school students of MTA School Koinpur and Gram Vikas High School Kankia.
Panchayat level RTI training conducted for PRI members at Koinpur and Gangabado Panchayat. One time evaluation conducted by Odisha State RTI coalition in Koinpur and Gangabado panchayat. Established RTI clinic at Laxmipur, Gangabado, Lokasahi and Parisal panchayat. 2 time organized master trainer training programme 1 time conducted RTI volunteers training programme RTI survey conducted at Laxmipur panchayat Developed pamphlets and wall writing done Assisted to villagers and staff of Gram Vikas for filing RTI applications Created 4 nos. RTI master trainer and 14 volunteers
Submission of application: Project name
Application submitted
Response received
Kerandimal
32
4
Karadasing
30
12
Koinpur
10
3
Anandapur
11
2
Tumba
24
5
Thuamul rampur OTELP-I
18
0
Th-Rampur OTELP II
63
41
Bafla
11
1
Kankia High School
18
5
217
73
Total
Issue wise RTI applications submitted: Actvity MDM and function of school NREGA FRA BPL card Old age pension JSY and GKS IAY SHG University Suo motto disclosure TSC subsidy RGGVY Voter ID Anganwadi building and school building Godown Drinking water facilities Panchayat info Social security scheme Irrigation dams Village plan
No of application 2+1+1+1+1 1+1+1+1+1+1 4+1+1+2+1 3+1 1+1+1+3+1 4+1+1+1+1 4+1 1 1 1+1+1 1+1+1 1+1+2+1 1 1+1 1 1 1 1+1+1+1 1 1
Challenges faced and overcome: IPOs are not accepted by PIOs through RTI act because in the act it is not mentioned. So many of the applications got rejected. The issue was raised at higher level and it got cleared. Recent developments and government orders have cleared the constraints and IPOs are accepted these days. General Information not provided by showing under section 2(i) (j). But again filing application explaining the reason behind such information and public benefit objective, it generally get accepted and information is provided. Applicants are threatened by the outsiders is a common phenomena in the higher monetary transacted projects. Mostly these issues are taken seriously and support is provided at Gram Vikas level to the concerned person if he has got any such situation. Incomplete answers received in some of the applications. The option of first appellate is followed at once. Not receiving response those are forwarding to third party and other offices. If the situation persists in some cases direct authorities are contacted and issues are discussed. In some other cases when a favourable situation do not exist first appellate is done at the next higher level.
Materials collected and prepared: Gram Vikas has developed IEC materials like canvas posters, pamphlets, songs and wall painting work for creating awareness. Posters and pamphlets have been collected from CYSD and ODAF that have been widely used in training and meetings. RTI songs in progress for awareness drive.
Panchayat study report: A pilot study was conducted in Laximpur Panchayat, Gajapati district of Odisha to identify the level of awareness among people about RTI and different government schemes. The survey format having general information, information on migration, household members information, income of the house hold, knowledge on RTI, access to governmental schemes, participation in public decision making relationship with Gram Panchayat, availing NREGA and RTI. There are two different studies conducted one for general public and another for PRI members. This study was conducted to assess the level of awareness of RTI and examine the various factors which influence the level of awareness. The results of the study indicate that overall, awareness about RTI was very low at 10 percent of the sample surveyed. Individuals were not aware about their fundamental rights. They should be informed on these rights and also about the remedies which they can evoke in the event of a violation of any of the fundamental rights granted by the Constitution of India. The majority of the individuals were unaware of the various government schemes which are available. They must therefore be informed on these schemes and how RTI can support them in achieving this.
While the majority of individuals would like to see an end to corruption, they are unaware of how to achieve this. RTI is an effective means for tackling corruption. Therefore, individuals need to be informed on the means to achieve this. Thus in the event that an individual becomes a victim of corruption, they are empowered on how to fight it.
