विकास के लिए रुपयों का पहाड़ खड़ा कर देगी सरकार: रमेश

मलकानगिरि. आदिवासियों और गरीबों के रक्षक होने के नक्सलियों के दावे पर केंद्रीय ग्रामीण विकास मंत्री जयराम रमेश ने ऐतराज जताया है। ओडिशा के मलकानगिरि और छत्तीसगढ़ के सुकमा के दौरे के बाद मंगलवार को रमेश ने कहा कि असलियत यह है कि हिंसा के बूते नक्सली तरक्की की राह रोक रहे हैं। विकास योजनाओं के लिए पैसे की कमी नहीं होने दी जाएगी।

सरकार रुपए का पहाड़ खड़ा कर देगी। लेकिन काम होना चाहिए। ओडिशा के बाद रमेश सुबह करीब सवा नौ बजे हेलिकॉप्टर से सुकमा पहुंचे। उन्होंने ग्रामीण विकास के कार्यक्रमों को आदिवासी इलाकों में बेहतर ढंग से लागू करने पर जोर दिया।

मनरेगा में नकद मजदूरी भुगतान, सुकमा में ग्रामीण उन्नयन प्रशिक्षण केंद्र खोलने, चेक डेम बनाने, सड़क व पेयजल सुविधाओं समेत कई प्रस्तावों पर अपनी सहमति दी। रमेश ने कहा कि माओवादी अपनी विचारधारा से भटक गए हैं। उनकी वजह से लोगों को बुनियादी अधिकार भी मयस्सर नहीं हो पा रहा है।’ कोई भी मसला बंदूक तान कर हल नहीं हो सकता।

उन्होंने माओवादियों से बंदूक छोड़ चुनावी राजनीति में आने की अपील की। रमेश ने कहा कि प्रशासन भी बहती गंगा में हाथ धोने की तैयारी में रहता है। ओडिशा के ही चांदीपुर से हम प्रक्षेपास्त्र दागने में सफल हो रहे हैं, लेकिन मलकानगिरि जिले में गुरुप्रिया नदी पर एक पुल नहीं बन पा रहा है। उन्होंने इस बात पर जोर दिया कि जहां ठेकेदार काम नहीं कर पा रहे हैं, वहां पंचायत प्रतिनिधि, सरपंच, समिति सदस्यों के द्वारा काम कराने का निर्णय करना होगा।

सुकमा में अधिकारियों से बातचीत करने के बाद रमेश ने कस्तूरबा गांधी बालिका विद्यालय में बालिकाओं और शिक्षकों से मुलाकात की। खेल मित्रों और बाल बंधुओं से भी उन्होंने चर्चा की। रमेश ने कोंटा एवं छिंदगढ़ में बाल बंधु कार्यक्रम चलाए जाने की बात कही। इस दौरान उनके साथ कोंटा विधायक कवासी लखमा, बस्तर कमिश्रर दुर्गेश चंद्र मिश्रा, कलेक्टर एलेक्स पॉल मेनन एवं जिपं सीईओ नीरज बंसोड़ मौजूद थे। सरपंचों ने जिले में मलेरिया और उल्टी-दस्त की बीमारी को जानलेवा बताते हुए इसके इलाज की समुचित व्यवस्था करने की भी मांग की।

सरपंचों से पूछा, जंगल सरकार से कैसे निपटा जाए

सुकमा कलेक्टोरेट सभागार में जयराम रमेश ने सरपंच और पंचायत प्रतिनिधियों से विकास कार्यो पर चर्चा की। उन्होंने पूछा कि जंगल सरकार से कैसा निपटा जाए? इस सवाल पर इक्का-दुक्का सरपंच को छोड़ सभी ने चुप्पी साध ली। सरपंचों ने नक्सलवाद बढ़ने की एक बड़ी वजह सलवा जुड़ूम को भी बताया। रमेश ने 30 सरपंचों को एक माह के भीतर विकास कार्यो के अध्ययन के लिए सिक्किम व केरल भेजने की बात कही।

Pension hope for labourers

After bicycles, labourers from the unorganised sector in Jharkhand can hope for pension, thanks to a decision of the Jharkhand Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board.

According to the National Pension Scheme (NPS), once they turn 60, labourers will start getting pension like regular workers, provided they register themselves with the welfare board.

“From this year, we have decided to help labourers avail the benefits of the National Pension Scheme. The board will pay an annual instalment of Rs 1,000 for each labourer, against which the Centre will give its share of Rs 1,000 per annum, paving the way for pension once the worker turns 60,” said state labour commissioner Aradhana Patnaik, on the sidelines of a meet organised by the board in Ranchi to discuss labour welfare.

NPS, launched by the government of India on January 1, 2004, is a contributory pension scheme open for every citizen of the country. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is the prudential regulator for NPS.

While the state labour welfare board has introduced different welfare schemes, it is the bicycle distribution plan that has found maximum favour among unorganised workers. So far, the board has distributed 15,000 bicycles, while 55,000 labourers are registered with it. Nearly 18,000 others have been given items like sewing machines, construction tools, carpentry equipment etc.

On Wednesday, Jharkhand Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board held a review meeting in the state capital to discuss the progress of different welfare schemes in the state. The meet was attended by district level labour officials, apart from the deputy labour commissioners and state labour commissioner.

The welfare board in Jharkhand had been set up in 2008. It has a corpus fund of its own, for which builders have to regularly contribute. Under the Building and Other Construction Workers’ (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, any government or private agency carrying out construction work worth Rs 10 lakh and above has to deposit 1 per cent of its estimate with the welfare board’s bank account. This makes up the workers’ fund, which now stands at Rs 50 crore, from its November 2011 figures of Rs 33 crore. This fund is used for doling out goodies to the labourers.

The labour commissioner also said from this year, the board will try to focus on skill development by holding different training programmes. Labourers who are engaged in the construction sector would be given training to make them skilled while those interested also would be trained in skills like electrical, electronics and motor vehicle repairs.Courtesy:TheTelegraph.

Saharia community radio station to go on air on May 31

With a view to spreading voice of primitive Saharia tribes, world’s first Saharia community radio station will go on air at Sesaipura in Sheopur district on May 31, 2012.  The radio station being launched with the assistance of Vanya, an undertaking of the Tribal Welfare Department, will broadcast programmes in Saharia dialect and Hindi by tribals themselves for their community members on 90.8 FM (mega hertz).

Member of Parliament Shri Narendra Singh Tomar will be the chief guest while Tribal Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah will preside over the inaugural function of Sesaipura radio station. The guests of honour will include in-charge of Sheopur district and Minister of State for General Administration Shri Kanhaiyalal Agrawal, Minister of State for SC, ST Welfare Shri Harishankar Khatik and Madhya Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Vice-Chairman Shri Babulal Mevra.
It is perhaps for the first time in the world that a State Government has started community radio stations in tribal dialects with a view to direct participation of tribal communities in administrative machinery. This will not only protect tribal art and culture, but will also lead to their social and educational progress. These community radio stations will serve as vehicles for disseminating information about welfare schemes of the government aiming at the welfare of tribal communities in the remote areas of the state. These radio stations will also serve as a bridge between tribal people and the government.
Initially, radio stations are being started at 12 places including Sesaipura situated in areas dominated by primitive tribes in Madhya Pradesh. These include Korku-dominated Khalwa in Khandwa district, Gond-dominated Chicholi in Betul district and Bhabra in Alirajpur district from, which have already started broadcasting programmes. Besides, community radio stations at Baiga-dominated Chada in Dindori district, Baihar in Balaghat district, Bhil-dominated Nalchha in Dhar district, Meghnagar in Jhabua district, Umri in Guna district and Bharia-dominated Bijori in Chhindwara district will also start functioning soon.
With a view to spreading voice of primitive Saharia tribes, world’s first Saharia community radio station will go on air at Sesaipura in Sheopur district on May 31, 2012.
The radio station being launched with the assistance of Vanya, an undertaking of the Tribal Welfare Department, will broadcast programmes in Saharia dialect and Hindi by tribals themselves for their community members on 90.8 FM (mega hertz).
Member of Parliament Shri Narendra Singh Tomar will be the chief guest while Tribal Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah will preside over the inaugural function of Sesaipura radio station. The guests of honour will include in-charge of Sheopur district and Minister of State for General Administration Shri Kanhaiyalal Agrawal, Minister of State for SC, ST Welfare Shri Harishankar Khatik and Madhya Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Vice-Chairman Shri Babulal Mevra.
It is perhaps for the first time in the world that a State Government has started community radio stations in tribal dialects with a view to direct participation of tribal communities in administrative machinery. This will not only protect tribal art and culture, but will also lead to their social and educational progress. These community radio stations will serve as vehicles for disseminating information about welfare schemes of the government aiming at the welfare of tribal communities in the remote areas of the state.
These radio stations will also serve as a bridge between tribal people and the government.
Initially, radio stations are being started at 12 places including Sesaipura situated in areas dominated by primitive tribes in Madhya Pradesh. These include Korku-dominated Khalwa in Khandwa district, Gond-dominated Chicholi in Betul district and Bhabra in Alirajpur district from, which have already started broadcasting programmes. Besides, community radio stations at Baiga-dominated Chada in Dindori district, Baihar in Balaghat district, Bhil-dominated Nalchha in Dhar district, Meghnagar in Jhabua district, Umri in Guna district and Bharia-dominated Bijori in Chhindwara district will also start functioning soon.Courtesy:CentralChronicle.

Tech training for tribal youths

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for life.

Proving the contemporary value of this ancient proverb, Tata Steel, Tribal Cultural Society and Indian Institute of Hardware Technology (IIHT), Jamshedpur, will jointly train 46 tribal youths to become hardware professionals.

The youths — from either Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe category — are from across Kolhan region. They will be given free training for a year in hardware technology after which they will get placed in firms.

The initiative was inaugurated last week by Vinay Prasad, head (procurement, IT), central buying, Tata Steel, on the premises of Tribal Culture Centre, Sonari.

It comes as a lifeline for jobless but educated tribal youths.

“I graduated from college eight years ago but am unemployed. I taught village children to make both ends meet. I hope this training programme gets me a good job after a year,” said Srijan Kisku of Chandil.

Pummi Kumari of Chakradharpur, studying honours in Hindi, also wants a certificate as a hardware networking professional.

“I am currently a student of BA part I. Only pursuing graduation from a small town such as Chakradharpur won’t help me to get a job. My brother is a Montessori teacher in a private school in Chakradharpur, which is not sufficient to feed three mouths of our family. I wanted to do something that has a demand in the market,” Pummi said, adding that she would travel by train daily from Chakradharpur.

For Pummi and her classmates, IIHT has lowered its course fee to Rs 18,000 per student instead of the normal Rs 26,000.

Tata Steel will bear the fee.

“Needy tribal students from the hinterland also have huge potential to excel. We are taking this initiative as a part of community service. Placements are guaranteed. We will also groom them in software,” said IIHT director Ravish Ranjan.Courtesy:TheTelegraph.

Govt to amend forest Act for tribal rights

Nation Sethi=NEW DELHI: The tribal affairs ministry is moving fast to amend the Forest Rights Act and bring about changes in rules that would make it easier for traditional forest dwellers to get their rightful claim over forest lands and more difficult for the industry to use the green patches without the former’s nod.

The move comes with the central government recording serious flaws in the implementation of the Act across the country. As a precursor to the expected changes, tribal affairs minister Kishore Chandra Deo has written to CMs pointing out how the implementation of what was UPA-1′s flagship scheme had failed, asking them to remove the shortcomings.

The step had been pending for long, with the NAC too recommending altering the rules and regulations to overcome state prejudices against handing back lands to tribals and other traditional forest dwellers.

After Deo took over the tribal affairs ministry, it was expected that the changes would come through quickly but the minister, who had earlier been the key Congress general secretary advocating the passage of the Act, faced an uphill battle against his bureaucracy, which had also opposed the NAC recommendations. A shuffle of the top bureaucracy within the ministry saw the opposition against changes in the FRA dwindle and Deo has now agreed to work the NAC recommendations into the law. The changes in implementation are expected to come at three levels. The ministry is expected to use its powers under the Act to pass mandatory advisories, amend existing rules as well as go to Parliament for amendments where required.

Deo’s letter to CMs is the first indication of what is in the works. He has said that states have not adhered to rules and tribals still face harassment, threats of eviction and forced relocation in violation of the Act. He has asked for strict adherence to the rule that denies industry the right to forest patches unless affected village councils accept it through a resolution.

“Gram sabha meetings… for critical decisions such as diversion of forest land, should be video taped and videos made publicly available. This will ensure transparency and reduce manipulation and dispute,” Deo wrote.

Jharkhand Bachao Andolan seeks governor’s help to resist land acquisition

RANCHI: Members of Jharkhand Bachao Andolan (JBA) under leadership of former MP Salkhan Murmu met governor Syed Ahmed at Rajbhawan on Thursday and sought his intervention in the issue of Nagri land acquisition for setting up central educational institutes. The 15-member delegation comprising former MP Suraj Mandal, director of Xavier’s institute of social service (XISS) Father Alex Ekka, social activist Father Stan Swami and representatives of Left parties handed over a memorandum and asked governor to exercise special powers guaranteed to him by the Constitution in the scheduled area.

“Governor is all powerful in the tribal-dominated scheduled areas and under article 244 (1) B (iv) and (v) he is empowered to set aside government’s decision to acquire land in Nagri mauja for setting up of educational institutes,” Murmu said, who requested the governor to convene a meeting of the tribal advisory council (TAC), in this regard.Courtesy>:TheTimesofIndia.

23 local languages of MP documented during survey

People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) survey is a unique, one of its kind, which identifies the languages not listed in the Census of India but still being spoken by a large number of people. This view was expressed by a renowned tribal activist and founder of Bhasha Research and Publication Centre, Baroda Dr Ganesh Devy. The occasion marked the consultation with people involved in carrying out survey work in Madhya Pradesh during a meeting organized by Aide et Action in Bhopal recently.

23 local languages spoken in various places of Madhya Pradesh were documented. Bhasha has carried out the survey of local languages spoken in MP with support of Aide et Action & Teacher Resource Group. These local languages are Bagheli, Baliyari, Bhilali, Bhadawari, Bhili, Braj, Bundeli, Droni, Yadav Mati, jatwari, Kauravi, Kaurakh, Lodhdhari, Malavi, Nahal, Nimari, Panch maheli, Panwari, Rajputi, Sikarwari, Jinnari, Tanwardhari, Halawi, Kaul, Begani, Kanjar, Lodha and Mawasi.

Dr. Devy also informed that PLSI is the first nation-wide linguistic survey after Independence. The first and only survey was carried out by a British George Grierson in 1926.   And it is not the government or officialdom but linguists, activists and workers across the countries who are conducting the survey that kicked off in 2010. The survey is being carried out simultaneously across states and Union Territories in the country. This survey  captures tribal folk songs, lifestyle, history, grammar in order to identify living languages & spoken by diverse groups of people in the country.
Pravin Bhope Regional Manager, Aide et Action, Bhopal Office, has told “One of the major issues that emerged was whether children lacked access to education as it was provided in other languages.’
Dr. Devy has also shared that the survey across the country will be completed by the end the 2012 and to be handed over the President of India.Courtesy:CentralChronicle.

Tribal leaders rally around Sangma

The race to Rashtrapati Bhavan got a new twist on Friday, with a section of tribal leaders, cutting across political spectrum, deciding to back former Lok Sabha speaker Purno A Sangma.

Led by former Congress minister Arvind Netam, a prominent tribal leader from Bastar, the leaders dismissed Ajit Jogi as a “disputed tribal leader” whose tribal status is yet to be adjudicated by the court.

Another Congress tribal leader from Arunachal Pradesh Kiran Rijiju said Jogi cannot denigrate Sangma chosen by the Tribal Forum of India after considerations among tribal MPs, MLAs and other leaders. Netam, convener of the forum, said they are making efforts to create a consensus among various political parties for Sangma, but he would file nomination even if the consensus eludes.

On the NCP disowning Sangma despite him being its general secretary, Netam said he was not an NCP candidate but a candidate of the tribal community.

Netam said electing a tribal to the Rashtrapati Bhawan alone can remedy the way the tribal voice has been marginalised for long. He claimed that besides AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, several smaller parties have started giving support to Sangma.Courtesy:DNA

Swati Lakra takes over as DIG

Swati Lakra, an IPS Officer of the 1995 batch, has taken over as the new Deputy Inspector General of Visakhapatnam Range here on Friday.

Interacting with the media after assuming charge, she said that the by-elections in Payakaraopeta in Visakhapatnam district and Narasannapeta in Srikakulam district were on top of her agenda at the moment though her jurisdiction covered the three districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.

Ms. Lakra said that the instructions of the Election Commission of India would be followed scrupulously. Asked whether she perceived any threat in the two Assembly segments going to the polls, she said that she was yet to conduct a review meet with the concerned SP s on the situation.

She, however, said that the police were prepared to meet any eventuality.

Pat for predecessors

Replying to queries, she said that the good work done by her predecessors to gain the confidence of the tribals would be continued. Superintendent of Police G. Srinivas was present.Courtesy-TheHindu.

विनीता सोरेन एवरेस्ट चढ़ने वाली पहली आदिवासी युवती

जमशेदपुर [वेंकटेश्वर राव]। झारखंड के सरायकेला की विनीता सोरेन ने इतिहास रचा है। एवरेस्ट फतह करने वाली वह पहली आदिवासी युवती बन गई हैं। 25 वर्ष की विनीता ने जिस ऊंचाई को छुआ है, उसके पीछे उनकी मेहनत और अदम्य साहस की कहानी है। शनिवार की सुबह सोरेन ने ही नहीं झारखंड के एक और जांबाज मेघलाल महतो ने भी एवरेस्ट पर झंडा गाड़ा। इन दोनों के साथ राजेंद्र सिंह पाल भी थे।

विनीता व मेघलाल सरायकेला-खरसावां जिले के राजनगर प्रखंड के पहाड़पुर गांव के रहने वाले हैं। राजेंद्र सिंह पाल मशहूर पर्वतारोही बछेंद्री पाल सिंह के भाई है। कॉरपोरेट सोशल रिस्पांसिबिलिटी के तहत टाटा स्टील ने इन लोगों को एवरेस्ट फतह के अभियान में भेजने का बीड़ा उठाया था। पूरे अभियान के लिए टाटा स्टील ने 75 लाख रुपये की राशि स्वीकृत की है।

ऐसे मिली कामयाबी

इको एवरेस्ट स्प्रिंग 2012 अभियान के तहत विनीता, मेघलाल और राजेंद्र ने 20 मार्च, 2012 को जमशेदपुर से चले थे। शनिवार सुबह 6 बजकर 50 मिनट पर विनीता और मेघलाल महतो ने एवरेस्ट के शिखर पर भारतीय पताका फहराई, राजेंद्र करीब दो घंटे पहले वहां पहुंच चुके थे। अभियान की खासियत यह कि एवरेस्ट पर चढ़ने के लिए दो रास्ते हैं, इस टीम ने शिखर पर चढ़ने के लिए कठिन रास्ता [लुकला] का चयन किया।

एवरेस्ट पर पर्वतारोहियों का मेला

काठमांडू। दुनिया की सबसे ऊंची चोटी माउंट एवरेस्ट पर चढ़ने की होड़ से मची है। पिछले दो दिनों के भीतर करीब 225 लोग इस चोटी पर पहुंचे जो अपने आप में एक रिकार्ड है। इन पर्वतारोहियों में चार भारतीय शामिल हैं। 8848 मीटर ऊंचे पर्वत शिखर पर इतने लोगों का एक साथ जमा होना अपने आप में अद्भुत और एक मेले सरीका है। शनिवार को 150 जबकि, एक दिन पहले 75 पर्वतारोही इसकी चोटी पर पहुंचे थे।

माउंट एवरेस्ट की चोटी पर पहुंचने वालों में शामिल चार भारतीयों में तीन झारखंड के हैं। भारतीय दल का मार्गदर्शन मशहूर पर्वतारोही बछेंद्री पाल कर रही थीं। बछेंद्री ने ही झारखंड की विनीता सोरेन, मेघलाल महतो और अपने भाई राजेंद्र सिंह पाल को प्रशिक्षण दिया था। चौथा भारतीय उत्तराखंड का लवराज धर्मसत्तू है। पिथौरागढ़ की मुनस्यारी तहसील के अति दुर्गम गांव बौना निवासी और बीएसएफ में तैनात धर्मसत्तू ने चौथी बार एवरेस्ट फतह किया है।

भारतीय पर्वतारोहियों का यह दल स्थानीय समयानुसार सुबह करीब पांच बजे चोटी की शीर्ष पर पहुंचा। माउंट एवरेस्ट अभियान के लिए टाटा स्टील ने 75 लाख रुपये प्रायोजित किए थे। भारतीय दल का अभियान सोमवार को पूरा होगा।

नेपाली माओवादी प्रमुख पुष्प कमल दहल उर्फ ‘प्रचंड’ के बेटे प्रकाश दहल भी शनिवार सुबह दुनिया की इस चोटी पर पहुंचने वालों में शामिल थे। 27 वर्षीय दहल और उनकी टीम में शामिल दूसरे अन्य पर्वतारोही लुम्बिनी-सागमाथा पीस एक्सि्पडिशन के बैनर के तले शनिवार सुबह आठ बजे चोटी पर पहुंचे। नेपाली अधिकारियों के मुताबिक पर्वतारोहियों का यह दल माउंट एवरेस्ट के दक्षिणी छोर से चोटी पर पहुंचा।साभार-दैनिकजागरण