Communication for Development: Ideas and Experiences

Study Materials for Peer-Education on HIV & AIDS

2012-03-11T13:39:00.000+05:30

( While I was working with UNICEF, Assam Office as Programme Communication Officer, we developed some study materials on HIV & AIDS for use during training of peer-educators. A simple set of materials providing some basic information on HIV &AIDS, it was mostly in the form of a FAQ. I thought it might help people in the Government and Non-Government sectors in their endeavour to spread message on HIV & AIDS in the community.)

Why do I need to know about HIV/AIDS?

At present over 5 million peoplein Indiaare infected with the virus. However, unlike other diseases HIV infection ispreventable. While it can be disturbing to think about AIDS and consider yourown risk, getting up to date information is the first step towards protectingyourself.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for: Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HIV weakens the body’s defensesystem or immune system.

What is the immune system? And how does HIV weaken it?

The immune system is the means bywhich the body protects itself from infection and disease. White blood cellsare an important part of this defense, which fight and destroy any infectioncausing bacteria and viruses. HIV directly attacks, enters and stays insidethese white blood cells. Slowly, the number of white blood cells in the body isreduced and immune system is paralyzed.

Most people with HIV show nosymptoms of disease and may be asymptomatic for months and even up to ten years. Thereis no way of knowing whether a person is infected with HIV except by having ablood test.

What is AIDS

AIDS stands for

Acquired : notgenetically inherited but one gets it from somebody
Immune Deficiency :weakness or inadequacy of the body's main defence mechanism, the immune system.
Syndrome : not just one diseaseor symptom but presents as a group of diseasesor symptoms.

AIDSis a condition caused by a virus. The word Syndrome is used to emphasize thatAIDS presents itself as a group of signs and symptoms and not a single disease.Therefore, a person cannot tell whether he/ she has AIDS or not unless he/shehas been examined at a hospital or health centre and diagnosed as such. Thedevelopment of AIDS can take more than 8-10 years after infection with HIV.

How is HIV transmitted?

The virus is spread through the blood, semen, and vaginalfluids of an HIV infected person. People can become infected with HIV when theyhave contact with these fluids. There are four main ways or routes oftransmission of the virus:

Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person.
Use of non-sterile, HIV infected syringes or needles. This is very common among injecting drug users.
Transfusion of infected blood.
An infected pregnant women to her unborn child.

Themost common route of HIV transmission in

India

is through heterosexualroute. Sharing of syringes among injecting drug users is common. Such abehaviour is highly risky from the point of view of getting HIV infection. Injectingdrug use is most common cause of HIV/AIDS in North-east India. Besides, injecting drug use is on an increase in

Assam

too.

What is the"Window" period?

This is the time that the bodytakes to produce measureable amounts of antibodies after infection. For HIV,this period may be as short as 2 weeks, but it may be upto 6 weeks or even 12weeks, and in rare instances this period may be longer.

This means that if an HIVantibody test is taken during "the window period", it is likely to benegative since the blood test is looking for antibodies that may not yet be developed.Yet that person may already be HIV infected.

What does the asymptomaticcarrier stage mean?

It is the period of time between infection and thebeginning of signs and symptoms of AIDS. This varies from person to person forHIV/AIDS. It may be as short as 6 month or as long as 10 years or more. Duringthis period there may be no evidence that the person is sick, and yet the person can pass HIV on to others.

Do some people have ahigh likelihood of getting HIV?

It depends on a person's behaviour. At risk are:

People who have more than one sexual partner.
People who already have other sexually transmitted diseases and are sexually active.
Injecting drug users who share needles and syringes.
People whose one partner has multiple sex partners.
People who receive blood transfusions with blood that contains HIV, or with blood that has not been tested to ensure that it does not contain HIV.

Can a person getinfected by blood transfusion or by blood products?

Yes, if the blood is infected. Recommended standardpractice for all transfusion services is to test and exclude from use all bloodand blood products that are "sero-positive". In

India

under the Drugs and CosmeticsAct, it is mandatory to test every unit of blood for HIV.

How does one get HIVby injection needles and syringes?

Small amount of blood can remain in the needle and syringeafter use. If someone else uses that needle or syringe, the blood left in theneedle or syringe may be injected into his/her bloodstream. If the first userwas infected with HIV, the second person might also become infected. Such apossibility is very high among the injecting drug users. The possibility ofgetting infected with HIV through general injections that are given by a doctoror nurses in a hospital are almost negligible.

Do mosquitoes orother insects spread HIV?

No.The evidence clearly shows that HIV is not spread by mosquitoes and otherinsects. From the way they bite, it might be thought that mosquitoes are likeflying injection needles, passing HIV on to whoever they bite. But it is not sobecause mosquitoes do not inject blood, they suck blood.

Can blood donors getHIV by donating blood?

No.HIV cannot be acquired through blood donation. Neither HIV nor any otherdisease can be contracted from giving blood. The materials used for collectingblood are sterile and used only once.

How can a person notget HIV? What are the misconceptions people have regarding AIDS?

Aperson cannot get HIV by:

Shaking hands and embracing, through objects in phone booths and public transport,
touching doorknobs, coins, bank notes;
Shared use of crockery, glasses, towels, bedding, linen, toilet articles
Eating and drinking from common dish,
Caressing, petting, kissing;
Masturbation; Coughing, sneezing, tears;
Use of public toilets, swimming pools, community showers;
Medical treatment in hospitals, in doctor's and dental clinics and in all therapy
situations where normal rules of hygiene are observed;
Massage, physical therapy, cosmetics, (cosmetic treatment), hairdresser, accupuncture, piercing of ears and other comparable treatment, as long as normal standards of hygiene are maintained;
Donating blood;
Scratches and bites by pets;
Caring for person with AIDS or HIV.

Can a person get AIDSfrom a barbershop?

No.It is very unlikely. The chances of so many incredible coincidences in onemorning would be less than a billion to one.

HIV/AIDS:ITS PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Howto prevent and control HIV/AIDS is a very difficult question. There is nopreventive vaccine or cure. The only option available today is to prevent it byobserving practices that are safe.

Is there a vaccinefor HIV?

While there is currently no vaccine for HIV or AIDS,research is under way to develop such a vaccine.

What can I do toprotect myself against HIV infection?

There is a lot you can do to protect yourself from HIV infection:

Do not feel shy to talk about your doubts and fears. Get them clarified.
Do not let peer pressure force you into unsafe activities.
Practice abstinence. Postpone sex as much as possible – many other activites such as hugging, cuddling, and kissing.

If not,

· Practice “safe sex”. Have sexual intercoursewith only one faithful, uninfected partner.

· Use a condom every time you have sex.

· If you are using needles, syringes or otherinstruments that pierce the skin, make sure they are sterile.

· Make sure blood is tested before transfusion.Use blood that is certified “HIV free”.

HIV/AIDS:MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

There are many myths andmisconceptions about HIV/AIDS. Many of the myths perpetuate beliefs that leadto gender inequity; some of the misconceptions can also cause emotional stressamong young people and also lead to risky behavior among young people. If youknow the correct facts related to HIV/AIDS, then you are already starting toprotect yourself. And then you have tomake sure your friends and other young people you know have the correctinformation.

My ROLE: “I CAN……..”

A person with AIDS needs your friendship and love more thanever; so it is important for him to know that you are a friend that he cantrust and rely upon. What most people living with HIV /AIDS want is yourrespect and to be treated with dignity. Small things are important Talk withthe person. Find out what he or she is feeling, what their concerns are. Findothers

· Respect that person’s privacy and do not spreadthe word about his or her status.

· Give him a hug or hold his hand, if you get theopportunity - he/she will enjoy the physical contact and the reassurance thatgoes with it.

· Remember he/she needs a friend who he can getclose to and with whom he can relax and show how he really feels.

· Just because someone has AIDS does not mean thathe/she wants to stay home all the time. Take him out for the day or evening.

· If he/she wants to talk about his illnessencourage him/her to do so. He/ she may want to let off steam and you may bethe ideal person on whom he/she can vent the anger or frustration he/she feelsabout being ill.

· Hope is very important to someone with AIDS.

Remember you cannot get HIV infection from casual contactwith this person.

My responsibility “IWILL……….”

We all have the responsibility in the AIDS era to talkopenly about HIV and to prevent its spread. This includes understanding peoplewith HIV/AIDS and giving them love and support, not prejudice and rejection.

Get accurate facts and share them with my friends.
Challenge myths and misconceptions.
Get involved in community activities, youth clubs, in helping “breaking the silence”.
Learn to resist peer pressure.
Get to know and support people living with HIV in my community.
Find others to give support such as local NGOs working on HIV/AIDS or self-help groups etc.
Talk to family members to remove their fears and find out what help they need.

Challenge Discrimination!!!!!!

Decentralization and Panchayats in West Bengal

2012-03-10T12:54:00.000+05:30

I had been to Mahishadal Girls' College to deliver a seminar lecture on Decentralization and People's Participation. I would like to post part of the PowerPoint presentation that I used during the Seminar.

Panchayats in West Bengal

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Say “NO” to Child Marriage

2012-03-06T15:51:00.000+05:30

(During the Republic Day Parade, 2009 at Red Road, Kolkata I facilitated for Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Department the process of preparation of a Tableau on Child Marriage. As a part of the exercise, I composed a flyer on the issue for distribution among the officials. Unfortunately the literature reached very few people. Hence I thought if I could share the content through this blog.)

Definition of a “Child”
Definition of a child varies from country to country, from context to context. Age range varies between 14 and 18 years. However, the internationally accepted definition is in the United Nations’ Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which states “a child means every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.” In India, the legal age of maturity having been 18 years, a child is an individual, either male or female who is yet to attain 18 years of age.

Defining “Child Marriage”
When marriage is contracted for a child, it is child marriage. However, the term has to be understood in its socio-legal context. In India, the “Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006” defines marriage of a male or a female individual before attaining 21 years and 18 years respectively as “Child Marriage”. Socially, the scourge is more poignant for the girls and the discussion on Child Marriage becomes much more relevant in the context of under-age marriage for the girl child.

Prevalence of Child Marriage: National
National and state level data on child marriage varies from source to source. While identifying India as one of the top twenty “hot spot” countries in relation to this menace, International Council for Research on Women (ICRW) put the national figure to 50%. Census 2001 churns out the figure of 32 as the percentage of girls marrying before attaining 18 years of age. National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is accepted as a robust data source on demographical characteristics of the population. NFHS-III identifies that in the country 44.5 % of the women between 20-24 years were married before completing 18 years of age. The percentage was much higher in rural areas (58.5%) than in urban areas (27.9%) and exceeded 50% in eight states. The figure stood at 61.2% in Jharkhand followed by 60.3 % in Bihar, 57.1% in Rajasthan, 54.7% in AP, and 53% in MP, UP and West Bengal.

Prevalence of Child Marriage: Local
Provisional district-wise data in relation to girls given in marriage before attaining 18 years of age is available with the International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai and also in the website of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. As per the district-wise fact sheets of the District Level Household Survey-III (DLHS-III), the following is the order of the West Bengal districts in terms of the severity of the problem. The districts have been ranked from worst to best:SL No District Percentage of girls marrying under-age1 Murshidabad 61.42 Birbhum 58.33 Malda 56.74 Purulia 54.35 Bankura 49.76 Dakshin Dinajpur 48.77 Paschim Medinipur 46.78 Koch Behar 45.89 Nadia 42.910 South 24 Parganas 41.211 Purba Medinipur 40.412 Bardhaman 39.413 Uttar Dinajpur 39.114 Howrah 32.315 North 24 Parganas 28.916 Hooghly 26.117 Darjeelng 25.118 Kolkata 19.419 Jalpaiguri 17.5

SL No	District	Percentage of girls marrying under-age
1	Murshidabad	61.4
2	Birbhum	58.3
3	Malda	56.7
4	Purulia	54.3
5	Bankura	49.7
6	Dakshin Dinajpur	48.7
7	Paschim Medinipur	46.7
8	Koch Behar	45.8
9	Nadia	42.9
10	South 24 Parganas	41.2
11	Purba Medinipur	40.4
12	Bardhaman	39.4
13	Uttar Dinajpur	39.1
14	Howrah	32.3
15	North 24 Parganas	28.9
16	Hooghly	26.1
17	Darjeelng	25.1
18	Kolkata	19.4
19	Jalpaiguri	17.5

Causes of child marriage
The causes of child marriage are complex, varied and often interlinked. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, family circumstances, a community’s marriage customs and practices, and girls’ lack of access to empowering options like education all play a role in whether girls marry too young. The following chart summarises the major contributing factors to child marriage:

Causes of Child Marriage

Consequencesof child marriage:

Child marriage makes it harder for families, communities andcountries to escape poverty. It erodes the health and well-being of girls andthe overall welfare of communities. It also undercuts international efforts tofight poverty and HIV/AIDS, improve child health and survival, and supportother international development initiatives. Early pregnancy is a nearlyuniversal outcome of early marriage for the girl child. Early pregnancy may befatal for the mother and the child resulting in maternal mortality and/orinfant mortality. Chronic illness and under-nutrition are most commonbi-products of teen-age pregnancy. The cycle of malnutrition thus createdcontinues to haunt individuals and families for generations together. Theconsequences of child marriage are summarised in the following chart:

Consequences of Child Marriage

Action against childmarriage, the enabling environment

“Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,2006”

· makescontracting child marriage a cognizable and non-bailable offence

· makesprovision for appointment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers

· makeschild marriage voidable if one of the contracting parties applies for annulmentof the marriage within two years from the date of attaining adulthood

· providesfor injunction on contracting child marriage and the marriage solemnized afterissue of the injunction order as void

· makesprovision for maintenance of the girl child given in marriage even afterannulment of the marriage

· stipulatesrigorous imprisonment up to two years and fine which may extend up to rupeesone lakh for the contracting adults as punishment

· extendspenal provisions to “any person havingcharge of the child, whether as parent or guardian or any other person or inany other capacity, lawful or unlawful, including any member of an organisationor association of persons who does any act to promote the marriage or permitsit to be solemnised, or negligently fails to prevent it from being solemnised,including attending or participating in a child marriage”.

Action against childmarriage, the social perspective

The legal sanction against childmarriage exists in the country. However, such a complex development issue havingwide social ramification cannot be resolved by way of enacting law alone.Societal action is very much necessary to bring about changes in the practice.

A clarion call foraction

The arrow of oppression, violation ofone of the basic human / child right is piercing the heart of 51 million girlsacross the globe. It is your call. You are to decide whether you wantperpetuation of this debilitating practice or not. It is you to decide whetheryou want our little girls a life in cages, sans childhood bliss, sans freedomof choice. It is your call to decide whether you want this socially sanctionedrape of young girls should continue or not. It is your call to decide whetheryou want our mothers die of child bearing before attaining the right age, deathof our infants due to obstructed labour, malnourishment of out children due tounderdeveloped physique of the poor little girl forced into motherhood.

ENDOWYOURSELF WITH CORRECT KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE
MAKEOTHERS AWARE OF THE EVIL EFFECTS
DONOT CONTRACT CHILD MARRIAGE
DONOT ASSOCIATE YOURSELF WITH CHILD MARRIAGE IN ANY WAY
RESISTOTERS FROM MARRYING CHILDREN YOUNG
PROTEST
INFORMTHE AUTHORITY AT BLOCK/ MUNICIPALITY/ DISTRICT

LET US RID OURSELVES OF THIS SOCIALEVIL. LET THEIR CHILDHOOD BE FREE, HEALTHY, FULL OF STRENGTH, FULL OF GLEE.

NVD Road Show in Kolkata

2012-02-23T15:26:00.001+05:30

Road Shows for NVD, 2012

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Revision of Electoral Rolls: Five Infrequently Asked Questions (IAQ)

2012-02-22T14:30:00.000+05:30

(We dooften provide answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to different processes associated with implementation ofdifferent policies and programmes. However, there are certain critical issueson which questions are sparingly asked, although the issues required thoughtout solutions. For better understanding of the functionaries associated withthe process, there should be some forum for discussion on those issues. Ithought it prudent to use this blog for raising and responding to suchquestions. This may be useful for the officials. Since this is posted in a blogwhich is accessible to interested people, this may also guide the electors aswell.)

1. What are the remedies available to intending electors/electors for getting their names registered or getting corrections done in entriesin the electoral rolls when an Election Commission of India announced Special/Summary revision process is not ongoing?

Usually the electoral rolls of theconstituencies are published in draft sometime around the month of Octoberbased on which the intending electors who would attain 18 years of age as onthe 1^st day of January of the succeeding year are givenopportunities to apply for inclusion of names. The same opportunity is to beutilized for seeking correction of entries, transposition of names from onepart of an AC to another part where the elector has shifted her ordinaryresidence and also for seeking deletion of names of enrolled electors.Applications in such cases are to be filed at the polling station locationbefore the Designated Officer and a single copy of the application would do.Once the final rolls of the year is subsequently published in the month ofJanuary, the regular revision process closes.

Once the regular revision process closes, theelectors are given opportunity to apply afresh to the Electoral RegistrationOfficer under a process known as continuous updation of electoral rolls. Toavail oneself of the opportunity of the continuous updation process, one has toapply directly to the Electoral Registration Officer. The applications,addressed to the ERO should be preferred in two copies and sent directly to theERO concerned. The ERO, on completion of a process of inquiry and hearing, ifrequired, passes appropriate order accepting or rejecting the application. Oncethe order accepting the application is passed, the inclusion/ deletion/correction/transposition is effected in the database and there is no problem inissuing EPIC to the newly included elector. However, the entries are not reflected informally published electoral rolls until publication of the next draft rolls/special supplement during elections.

2. Whether applying to the ERO means that the applicationsare to be directly delivered to the Office of the ERO?

Byapplying to the ERO it is meant that the applications are to be disposed of bythe ERO himself. There is no issue if the Booth Level Officers (BLO) or any ofthe Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO) receives the applicationon behalf of the ERO and transmits the same to the ERO for disposal. The onlystipulation is that in all such cases, the applications are to be disposed of directlyby the ERO concerned and not by any authority subordinate to the ERO.

3. Whytwo copies of the application forms to be submitted in case of continuousupdation?

Duringthe regular revision process, the Designated Officer receives the claims andobjections at the polling locations and at the end of each day prepares and publishesthe list of claims and objections in separate format (Forms 9, 10 and 11, asappropriate). A similar list is also published in the Office of the ERO oncethe applications reach her. The claims and objections thus notified are to bedisposed of after expiry of seven days from the date of such publication. Ifduring a regular revision process, applications are sent directly to the EROinstead of the DO, the same process of display of notices would be followed atthe level of the ERO.

Incase of continuous updation, however, there is no such provision for usingForms 9/10/11. In such cases, the duplicate copy of the application has to bepublished in the office notice board of the ERO concerned which is supposed tobe displayed for seven days and the people are at liberty to file objections tosuch proposed inclusions etc. Hence, there is the provision for two copies ofthe applications.

4. Whatare the procedures for disposal of applications received during the continuousupdation process?

Asmentioned above, any application received under Sections 22 and 23 of theRepresentation of the People Act, 1950 during the process of continuousupdation is to be notified in the office notice board of the ERO by displayinga copy of the application form received. This display is to be made for aperiod of seven days excluding the date of publication and if the last datefalls on a holiday the next working day should be specified as the last datetill which objections can be entertained.

Oncethe period of seven days, as specified above, expires the ERO takes up theapplication for further action. If she is satisfied that all papers arefurnished as per requirement and there is no doubt as to the proposedinclusion/ correction, she may dispose of the application without any furtherprocess of inquiry/ hearing. If, however, the ERO has any doubt or the paperssubmitted are insufficient, the ERO may arrange field inquiry into the case.She may also ask the applicant to come for a hearing. In case of hearing,however, the same has to be taken by the ERO herself. Based on her findings/findings of the field enquiry or the evidences adduced during hearing, the EROpasses reasoned order accepting or rejecting a claim or objection. Theacceptance or rejection is communicated to the applicant/ objector and the nameis included in the electoral rolls/ modified as ordered.

Incase of objections as to the entry of a person in the finally publishedelectoral rolls, the ERO has to give the elector whose name is objected againstadequate opportunity of being heard. No deletion from the electoral rollsshould be ordered without giving the elector whose name is proposed to bedeleted an opportunity of being heard as this goes against natural justice.

5. Whento appeal against an order to the ERO? Where to prefer such appeals?

The EROpasses orders against claims/ objections at two different stages - During theregular revision of electoral rolls and during the process of continuousupdation. During the regular revision process, orders can be passed by an AEROas well. Any order passed by the ERO/ AERO has to be communicated to theapplicant. Within 15 days from the date of announcement of the decision of theERO, the applicant can prefer an appeal before the District Election Officer(DEO) for reconsideration of the decision of the ERO thus communicated. Sincethere are lapses in communication of the order of the ERO/ AERO, the date offinal publication of the electoral rolls is usually taken as the date ofcommunication of the order of the ERO. However, it is pertinent to mention thatthe communication is a statutory responsibility of the ERO and the same shouldbe strictly adhered to.

As perlegal provision, the appeals are to be disposed of by the appellate authority,i.e., the District Election Officer concerned. However, for administrativeconvenience there should be no bar in assigning the responsibility of hearingon behalf of the DEO to any sub-ordinate officer, not being an ERO. In suchcases, the subordinate officer shall take the hearing and record theproceedings. The proceedings thus drawn up should be placed, under thesignature of the drawing officer, to the DEO for issue of the final order. Onlythe DEO shall issue the final order accepting or rejecting an appeal.

Anorder passed by the ERO during the process of continuous updation of electoral rollsshould be preferred to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State only. Inall such cases the CEO would dispose of the appeal in a manner similar to theone detailed above.

Return to roots through my progeny

2012-02-16T22:33:00.002+05:30

Aftera series of blog posts on the issues associated with the work environment, Ipropose to take a welcome break in this blog post where I would like torecollect some snap shots of my life wherein I could reconnect with naturethrough my son in the very early ages of his life.

Iwas then posted as the Block Development Officer in Moyna Development Block inthe District of the then undivided Medinpur in West Bengal. While going to orcoming from the block from our ancestral home on the other side of the riverGanges, we had to cross the river Rupnarayan which marked the boundary betweenthe districts of Howrah and Medinipur. There was a railway bridge over theriver. When our son, Soham was less than three years old, he used to pick upthe words that we spoke. During one such visit, he was told the name of theriver. While on the train journey, he used to take his place by the side of thewindow and explore nature passing by the running train with intense pleasure.Whenever the train was on the bridge, he used to chant the name of the river inhis melodious voice; “ROOOOP NARAYAN”. The innocence that used to be reflectedin his looking at the river in utter amazement and in his clear but childishvoice helped us reconnect to the roots, to nature and the bygone days of ourchildhood. All the co-passengers in the train too used to appreciate hisexpressions.

Aftermy stint of seven years at Moyna, I was transferred as a Deputy Magistrate atBarrackpore Sub-division in the district of North 24 Parganas. Although I hadto shift immediately, my family continued to stay at Moyna for another year asmy wife continued in a school there. In such a situation, they had to crossthree rivers in course of their travel from Moyna to Barrackpore where I wasposted, Kangshabati, Rupnarayan and Hooghly. Soham was hardly four years at thattime. Whenever he had to cross a river, he used to immediately recite from Tagore,“Amader chhotonodi/ Chole banke banke/ Baisakh mase tar/ Hantujol thake” (“Ourrivulet/Meanders downstream/ In the month of Baisakh/ Water is only knee deep…”A boy hardly four years of age reciting Tagore with such fluency used toattract attention. I used to go back to my roots by the river Ichchhamati whereI spent my own childhood days.

Irecollect another very interesting incident of communion with nature that thechild used to experience. I was then staying in a guest house at Barrackpore bythe side of the river Hooghly. Since his mother was in her place of posting, myson spent some of his days with me at Barrackpore when his grandmother used tolook after him. Between the river and the guest house there was a lawn. At noontime, some squirrels used to play on the lawn. Both the elderly grandma and thelittle child used to take a lot of interest in the activities of the squirrels.In Bengali squirrels are known as “Kathberali”. He devised his own way ofaddressing the squirrels as “Kakai”. The grandma used to keep some grains ofcooked rice and the two used to spread the grains of the floor of the guesthouse balcony to attract the little creatures. I have witnessed with pleasurethe kind of excitement in the duo in their interaction with the cute littleplaythings.

Lastbut not the least is his excitement in witnessing high tide in the riverGanges. Barrackpore having been close to the confluence, the river there usedto experience the ebb and tide of the sea water entering the river at regularintervals. There are some seasons when the river used to swell by even a meterduring the high tide. When the first tidal flow came, the sea water used to jointhe existing water with gusto. Rush of fresh water into the stream could beheard from far away distance. The policemen on guard at the guest house (thepolice uncles to my son) used to beacon him when the high tide sounded itsonset. I have seen his excitement in seeing the phenomenon and could connectmyself with nature through my little son of four years.

Photo Essay on the National Voters' Day 2012

2012-02-14T13:38:00.000+05:30

I would like to share a 'Photo Essay' that we prepared on the National Voters' Day 2012 as celebrated at the State Youth Centre, Moulali, Kolkata. The State Election Commissioner and the Additional Chief Secretary in charge of the Home Department, Government of West Bengal were the honored guests at the function. There were State level Debate and Quiz Completions prior to the formal function. First three contestants in the NVD Essay competition were also given prizes. We arranged felicitation to some of the youth icons who supported in our endeavour to reach out to the people with messages of electoral participation, both at the time of the General Elections to the State Legislative Assembly and during the NVD campaign. Professor Biswanath Chakraborty of the Raqbindra Bharati University delivered the NVD Lecture. Pledges were administered to the audience and Electoral Photo Identity Cards were distributed to the newly enrolled electors, especially those in 18-19 years age group.

National voters’ day 2012

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SVEEP Jingle

2012-02-09T21:24:00.001+05:30

During the National Voters' Day campaign,2012 Nadia District Election Office developed an Audio Visual Jingle on Voters' Education and Electoral Participation. A puppet based jingle, it proved effective in reaching out to electors during the NVD campaign. An innovative exercise, this may be a good learning point for other districts. I appreciate the initiative of Nadia District administration and all the people associated with the production.

A video Documentation on National Voters' Day Campaign in Kolkata South Electoral District

2012-02-09T12:10:00.000+05:30

The District Election Officer, Kolkata South Electoral District has prepared a video document covering various aspects of the National Voters' Day campaign. Professionally developed, the document covers the campaign in its myriad aspects. Officials in the districts and down below may watch the video here for an understanding of the quality of documentation that we do look for.

Electoral Rolls and EPIC: New Initiatives

2012-02-06T20:28:00.002+05:30

In my blog post of 20 December 2011, I endeavored to provide a citizen's perspective to revision of electoral rolls and EPIC. Meanwhile we were exploring the possibility of bringing about certain positive changes in our approach to electoral participation. We have succeeded to take some specific steps in this direction which, if implemented, would go a long way in ensuring appropriate measures for convenience of the electors. Following are some of the steps in the positive direction:

A) A specific direction on continuous updation of electoral rolls has been issued to the field functionaries. Although this is a standing practice and have appropriately been provided in the act and rules, it is often forgotten by the field functionaries that an elector/ a citizen is entitled to get her name registered throughout the year, summary revision or no summary revision. The only difference between filing an application during the period of revision and at other time is that in the later case applications are to be filed directly to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and in two copies in place of filing the application at the polling station and in single copy.

B) We have been able to introduce bi-lingual format in relation to certain specific particulars like name, relation name and address in the application forms (Form Nos 6, 8 and 8A). This single initiative is likely to reduce the probability of wrong entries in the EPIC to a large extent as the applicants themselves would be able to provide desired spelling of names (including surname), relation name and address particulars reducing the scope of errors in translation. The new format is available in http://ceowestbengal.nic.in/. If you click on 'Forms' at the left pane, you will be directed to forms under different categories. Click on Electoral Roll and you will get both the English and Bengali versions of all the forms relating to revision of electoral rolls.

C) We are also initiating a process of reorganization of polling stations which might effectively provide opportunities to rectify some of the defects in assignment of areas to individual polling stations.

D) Another recent initiative afoot is the process of maximization of EPIC where special campaign is being designed to provide EPIC to non-EPIC electors.

While the people, especially those in the electoral age group are requested to take advantage of the recent initiatives, our officials in the field should acquaint themselves with the recent guidelines and ensure that the people get the required services without hassles. Our principle should be of "no refusal" to the applicants without sufficient cause. Even in cases the electors have not been able to provide adequate papers and evidences, the fact should be clearly explained to respective elector in order to ensure that they come back satisfied with our services and the next time come prepared with required papers.

Voluntary Blood Donation

2012-02-03T14:29:00.000+05:30

On 15 March, 1962, Nari Contractor, the captain of the touring Indian team, received a career-ending head injury from a bouncer bowled by West Indies fast bowler Charlie Griffith. Frank Worrell was the first player from both sides to donate blood to the injured Contractor, which saved his life. In 1981 when the CAB was celebrating its 36 days Jubilee programme, AVBDWB approached them to give one day for blood donation in the name of Sir Frank Worrell, which CAB agreed. Nari and his wife were invited by AVBDWB to inaugurate the camp. They came down to Kolkata and inaugurated the camp not by delivering any lecture, but by donating blood themselves.

The media gave a good pre and post camp coverage and hailed the camp as the best of the jubilee programme. There were 446 donors. The national media highlighted the camp. Since then the CAB has been observing their Foundation Day as Frank Worrell Day by having a Blood Donation camp jointly with AVBDWB.

Many eminent cricketers of yester years including Sir Don Bradman signed the certificates of the donors.In remembrance of this act, the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors, West Bengal in association with the Cricket Association of Bengal organizes a blood donation drive on this day every year and the day is commemorated as Sir Frank Worrell Day in the State.

In 2009, the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee, which was founded in 2007 to mark the 40th Anniversary of his death (which coincided with the opening match - West Indies vs Pakistan, Sabina Park, Jamaica - of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies), began the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Blood Drive in Trinidad and Tobago, which was inaugurated by the 74-year old Nari Contractor.

31st year’s Frank Worrell Day’s mass blood donation was organised at Dr B.C Ray Club House on February 3, 2011. 866 donors donated blood in Kolkata and there were 23 simultaneous camps in all the 19 districts of the state concurrently on the same day where 702 donors donated thereby making the day’s tally of 1708. The donors were presented with a CAB Badge and a certificate signed by former Sri Lanka Captain, Sanat Jaysurya.

Today I donated Blood at the Eden Gardens organized jointly by the Cricket Association of Bengal and the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors, West Bengal on 32nd Frank Worrel Day. While registering at the counter, the person at the desk asked me, “before this donation how many times you donated blood?” I was embarrassed. In fact I started voluntary Blood Donation in the early years of my career at the Block in Moyna in 1987 and continued thereafter with a minimum of two donations every year. Often it went beyond two and I had the opportunity of donating blood thrice or even four times in a year. Thus, it certainly exceeded 50 donations. However, I never kept track of my donations. Moreover, all my blood donations were not voluntary in the strict sense of the term. I often donated as replacement donor and am never choosy about the Blood Bank collecting my blood. Just prior to this donation, I donated blood at the Blood Bank at R. N. Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RNTIICS) where I happened to visit on 28 October 2011 for a health check up of my mother-in-law. The previous donation was on the Rakhi Bandhan Diwas organized by the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors in July 2011. Three months passed and I was idling my time at the reception at the RTIICS. Since I had time, I explored their Blood Bank and volunteered to donate blood there. Such donations are not usually accounted for as voluntary blood donations and records are not maintained. I remember,in 2005 when I visited Anadaman Nicober Islands as a resource person in one of the training programmes organized by UNICEF, I found a blood donation camp organized by the authority at Port Blair. When I was passing the hospital, I stepped in and volunteered to donate blood. I distinctly remember the first replacement blood donation I made at Tamluk Sub-divisional Hospital Blood Bank. A poor person approached me at the Office of the BDO, Moyna requesting financial support for purchase of blood for his ailing daughter, who was admitted at the Hospital with serious ailment and severe loss of blood. The girl needed blood and the father approached me for financial support for purchase of the same. I enquired about the blood group and learnt that the girl had B+ blood group which happens to be my own blood group as well. I asked him to be present at the Sub-divisional Blood Bank the next morning and went there to donate blood for the girl. The little nameless pleasure that I felt for the said donation in 1987 is still fresh in my memory.

The purpose of this blog post is not to brag about my own history of blood donation. Rather I sincerely want to propagate the message amongst my junior colleagues that since the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) Officers occupy various nodal positions in the Block, Sub-division and Districts, they can bring about positive changes in the endeavor to promote voluntary blood donation by way of leading the movement by examples. If a Block Development Officer or a Sub-divisional Officer or even an Additional District Magistrate donates blood and exhorts others to come forward, a large number of people will come forward and donate blood. While posted as the Block Development Officer, Moyna, I was initiated to the movement by one Shri Chitta Ranjan Das, an Assistant Teacher with Moyna Purnanda Vidyapith and after that there was no looking back. At that time requirement of blood in the State was estimated to be around 150000 units. Dividing the requirement by the population of Moyna we found that if we could contribute 350 units in a year, the people of the block could achieve 100 per cent voluntary blood donation. We took initiatives to organize blood donation camps accordingly and could achieve the desired results. That the Block Development Officer himself is promoting the cause and leading by example motivated people, especially the youth in schools and colleges and we could generate enough momentum.

Any person who is in the age group of 18 to 60 years, who has a weight above 45 kilograms, has no history of recent major ailment and does not take certain specific medication can donate blood at an interval of three months. There is no negative effect of such blood donation. Rather, it gives immense pleasure as the blood that one donates, usually end up in the body of an ailing patent in dire need of the liquid. There is a touching poster in Bengali developed by the AVBD, WB in early eighties which says (in Bengali), “Rokto dane tinbar lage. Bhoy lage- Rokto deoar age; Byatha lage- Such Photanor somoy somoy; Bhalo lage- Rokto deoar pore”. (When you donate blood, you have three distinctive feelings- you feel apprehensive before donating blood; you feel pain when the needle pricks; you feel pleasure when the donation is accomplished).

It is often said that in Government Blood Banks blood is wasted down the drain and despite voluntary donation, blood is not appropriately utilized. While this is a vilification campaign engineered by certain vested interests, it is certainly a fact that most of the blood units voluntarily donated reach the recipients. When it does not harm me in any way and more often than not saves lives, why should I not volunteer? I agree that the civil service officers have umpteen other priorities and promoting voluntary blood donation may not come under any so-called priority of the administration. But where is the harm in contributing to a social cause as a person? If we contribute a little of our time and energy to this cause, we may derive the satisfaction of doing something meaningful for the society going beyond the expectations from our official position. Let our children say, “I am proud. There is a voluntary blood donor in my family.”

Self-development

2012-02-02T01:17:00.000+05:30

This is a PowerPoint presentation on Self-development. The presentation is mostly based upon the path-breaking publication of Stephen Covey, "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". I have also added inputs from different other sources. The presentation has been used in numerous training sessions that I facilitated on the subject.

Self exploration

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Srishti Learning Programme

2012-01-30T13:23:00.000+05:30

(This blog post is on a totally different kind of initiative outside the domain of Government initiatives. I have been associated with Bosepukur Srishti Welfare Association, a Non-Government Organization promoting education for students from the economically challenged families, along with certain other initiatives. This blog post is about the “Srishti Learning Programme” as we visualize it. I would request people in the field of development come forward to support the initiative. Support may be in the form of sponsoring students, giving time for teaching students during monthly remedial sessions organized at Srishti premises, or even identifying potential partners to join hands with Srishti. Please comment on this blog post and pledge your support to the initiative)

Background

Bosepukur Srishti Welfare Association is a non-government organization in Kasba, Bosepukur, Prantik Pally trying to reach out to the community with its interventions in the fields of art and culture, education, economic activities through different activities taken up round the year. Activities include organization of Art Mela with youngsters, organizing Art Workshops with aspiring and established artists which usually culminate in an exhibition of the creations in the workshops, development of Srishti Self-help Group where women from the weaker sections of the society engage themselves in economic activities, supporting students from the economically challenged families having potential for higher studies through educational scholarship etc.

Srishti Students’ Scholarship Programme

Under this particular programme students from the economically challenged families are identified for support. The initiative started initially as a programme to provide support in purchase of books and exercise books, school dresses and other educational tools. Requirement of identified students were assessed through an intensive discussion with the students and their guardians and based on the assessment individual support was extended in installments. The initiative, though proved critical in the education of the identified students, had certain inherent weaknesses with resulted in relatively weak monitoring and there was inadequate progression of the students through years of support. In 2011, an effort was made to identify students for continuing support and accordingly support was extended to the identified students for continuation of their studies, Here too, the organizers were faced with the dilemma of continuing support to the students despite relatively poor performance in the next school examination. Accordingly an idea was mooted to develop a sense of earning the scholarship amongst the students and identification of relatively meritorious students from amongst the economically challenged families. Accordingly the following criteria for selection were identified:A) Monthly income of the family below Rs.5,000.00B) Minimum 50 % marks (equivalent grade) in the last examinationC) Qualifying a selection test to be conducted by Srishti.Requests were sent to different schools for sending students in classes VI to IX fulfilling the economic and educational criteria. A selection test was organized on 15 January 2012 in which 103 students from different schools in Kolkata and South 24 Parganas districts participated. 24 of the students who qualified in the selection test and met other criteria were selected. Additionally there is a plan to extend support to some more students who could not attend the selection test or students reading in higher classes. However, these 24 students would be specifically recognized as “Srishti Scholars”.

Srishti Scholar

A ‘Srishti Scholar’ is one who has a monthly family income below Rs.5,000.00, has obtained at least 50 percent marks in the last annual examination and has qualified in the selection test organized by Bosepukur Srishti Welfare Association. The ‘Srishti Scholar’ is certified as such and receives a monthly financial support from the Association as per the following scale:A. Standards V and VI: Rs.300.00 per monthB. Standards VII and VIII: Rs.400.00 per monthC. Standards IX and X: Rs.500.00 per month.In addition to the financial support, a Srishti Scholar is to receive remedial teaching assistance at Stishti Welfare Association on a monthly basis where teachers and others from different walks of life would guide the students in getting their queries clarified.

Srishti Learning Centre:

Srishti Learning Centre is planned to be the hub of learning interventions for the Srishti Scholars where they would, as initially planned, on a specified Sunday every month and engage themselves in learning activities. The idea is that the first one hour of the learning day would be devoted to peer-group learning. During this peer-group learning session, the students would be encouraged to discuss their queries amongst themselves, first within the same standard and then to the students from relatively higher standards. These sessions have been planned to ensure that the students develop their learning and communication skills through peer- learning processes. Doubts clarified by the peers would certainly be easily remembered. As for the students providing inputs, it would enhance their learning through sharing and would also develop their communication skills. Once the first one hour of peer-group learning is over, the teachers and other experts would intervene to resolve outstanding issues. There would be conscious efforts to go beyond school syllabus and inculcate positive thinking amongst the scholars. Teaching of values would be one of the major interventions during the learning sessions.There are plans to upgrade the learning centre in future with computer support and by introducing some elements of computer-based learning. However, that is subject to availability of machines and adequate space.

Srishti Learning Programme:

Stishti Scholarship, Srishti Learning Centre and other educational support to the needy as provided by Srishti Welafre Association would be collectively known as Srishti Learning Programme. Although we have a modest start, we visualize a future when Srishti Learning Programme would be reckoned as a leading educational initiative in the state.

Republic Day Tableau on Red Road, Kolkata

2012-01-27T15:10:00.000+05:30

India celebrated its second National Voters Day on 25 January 2012. This year focus of the NVD was on young electors in the 18-19 years age group and women electors. A series of activities were undertaken as a run up for the National Voters' Day celebration in the state of West Bengal. Promotional activities included outdoor publicity, radio spots, television spots, audio visual presentation during cinema shows, mobile campaign vans and campaign workers reaching out to the people and a host of innovative exercises. To propagate awareness on electoral participation, special competitions were organized at the Block/ Municipality, district and state levels involving the students of schools and colleges. The competitions covered Essay Writing, Debate and Quiz and followed a cascaded structure. The final state level competition was organized at the State Youth Centre, Moulai, Kolkata where 80 competitors from the districts participated. The day-long programme culminated in the State level celebration which was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary in charge of Home Department and the State Election Commissioner.

We continued the promotional activities further and presented a Tableau during the Republic Day Parade in Kolkata on 26 January 2012. See the link for some photographs of the Tableau.

Tableau

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Prisoners' Right to Vote

2012-01-25T01:05:00.000+05:30

On 29 September 2011 I published a post on the voting rights for the prisoners. Based on my experience in the Department of Correctional Administration (previously known as the Department of Jails)I strongly advocated in favour of granting the right to vote to the prisoners, especially those in the under-trial category. While going through old records on the hard disc of my computer, I could locate the PowerPoint presentation that I developed for a consultative session on this particular subject. The presentation is posted on this blog for the advocates of prison rights to use in course of their advocacy at different levels.

Prisoners’ emfranchisement

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A PowerPoint Presentation on Transactional Analysis

2012-01-23T13:08:00.001+05:30

On 12 April 2011, I published a post on this blog wherein I tried to briefly describe what Transactional Analysis is and how it helps people understand the dynamics of human behaviour better. While attending a session with the Lecturers appointed to various colleges as a part of the orientation course to the newly recruited college teachers at the Academic Staff College, Calcutta University, I developed a simple PowerPoint presentation highlighting different aspects of transactions in human interactions. The PewerPoint presentation was used in the training session. I am now posting a copy of my presentation through slideShare for use by the development workers and people in managerial capacities in the Government.This may positively be used by others who are interested to understand the basics of human transactions.

A presentation on Transactional Analysis

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A Guide to Voters

2012-01-18T23:48:00.000+05:30

I was exploring internet in search of a user-friendly guide to electors, especially in the matter of electoral registration and EPIC. I found this particular video presentation by Tamil Nadu quite useful. Someone from our districts may please develop a video on this line and send us for sharing with all the districts.

Please see the link for the Tamil Nadu presentation:

Photographs of On-Gound activities during the campaign forthe National Voters' Day 2012

2012-01-18T18:29:00.001+05:30

We have initiateda special campaign to attract the young generation towards electoralregistration, Elector's Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) and voting. The campaign,released by the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal on 17 January 2012 willculminate in the State level Celebration of the Day at the State Youth Centre,Moulali (Moulali Yuva Kendra), Kolkata-700014. As a part of this campaign, wehave initiated some on-ground activities with Oye-FM of the India Today groupas the professional agency entrusted with the implementation. If you click atthe link provided below, you would be able to see some of the photographs ofthe on-ground activities, as initiated.

On ground activity nvd

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The Promotional Film

2012-01-16T22:29:00.000+05:30

The Feluda-Topse combine is now spreading the messages on electoral registration, EPIC and Voting. You may see the final version of our promotional video on this link.
Feluda-Topse promoting electoral participation

Feluda-Topse promoting electoral participation

2012-01-12T22:38:00.000+05:30

Two college students are flipping through books and magazines at a street-side book-stall at College Street.

The Boy: Are you a registered elector?
The Girl: I am yet to apply. What about you?
Boy: I am on the same boat.
Girl: What are the procedures for registration?

In a profile composite Feluda enters frame in a dramatic manner. May be in a slow motion. He has bent down to pick up a book.

Feluda: Don't you surf the net?
Boy: Feluda!!!
Girl: Feluda!!!
Feluda: Consult website.
Topse (He was standing behind Feluda): ceowestbengal.nic.in

Now Feluda and Topse start talking to camera.

Feluda: Once you are eighteen, get yourself enrolled as an elector.
Topse: (Showing his Electoral Photo Identity Card) Collect your EPIC.
Feluda and Topse in chorus: Your vote, future of the country.

Feluda theme music plays in the background. On screen appears as graphics- "25th January, National Voters' Day. Join Feluda at your polling station".
Campaign released by the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal.

This is how the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal is using the famous Satyajit Roy duo to promote messages on electoral participation. The occasion? Obviously, the campaign for the National Voters' Day which falls on 25th January. The promotional, neatly packed in a capsule of 30 seconds, would be released in the television channels, cinema houses, cables and other places of public viewing for a week-long campaign prior to the National Voters' Day, 2012.

Why Feluda and Topse? West Bengal is one of the most progressive states in the country in terms of electoral participation. During the Assembly General Elections, 2011 the state recorded its highest ever voter turn out which is much higher than the national average. However, when it comes to elctoral registration, there are gaps which require special attention. The gap is wider when it comes to registration of people in the young age group. Election Commission of India, while promoting youth participation in the electoral process, closely monitors enrollment of people in 18-19 years age group in the electoral rolls. If we consider the electoral rolls as finally published on 5 January this year (in case of the 7 Assembly Constituencies within 23-Kolkata Dakshin Parliamentray Constituency, the final publication is scheduled on 16 January 2012), we could see that whereas the elector-population ratio has gone up to 0.62 against an ideal ratio of 0.64, there are considerable gaps in registration of 18-19 years age group in the electoral rolls. Out of total electors in the finally published electoral rolls, only 1.51 percent belong to 18-19 year category. This is far less than the ideal share of slightly above 3 percentage points. Addressing this youth imbalance in the electoral rolls is possible only when we reach out to the youth with messages promoting participation in electoral process. In today's context, just a promotional video without some element of identification do hardly attract attention. This is especially so to the young generation who cannot be motivated without smart and relevant messages with which they can identify themselves. The famous characters of Feluda and Topse as created by Shri Satyajit Ray first in literature and then in the form of film and later on promoted by Shri Sandip Ray in the Feluda series of films directed by him have some kind of a universal appeal, especially to the youth. Thus. a conscious decision was taken to promote electoral messages to the youth and the adults of any age through the famous duo. Time will tell whether the campaign put paid or not. We are optimistic of a positive outcome of the campaign.

A Step towards correct EPIC

2011-12-24T13:00:00.000+05:30

If we look into the major defects creeping in the Elector's Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) issued to voters, we would find that the most common defect is misspelling of names of the elector or her father/ mother/husband (relation name). This again is mostly due to the fact that the elector gets the opportunity of spelling her name in one of the two languages in which the identity particulars are written in the EPIC. The forms (6, 8 or 8A) are, in West Bengal, either in Bengali (Nepali in case of the hills) or in English. Hence when the elector fills her form in ether of the languages, it left to the data entry operator to transliterate the spelling in the alternative language. We also experimented with the e-rolls software doing the transliteration exercise. Computers having little interest in capturing the nuances, the experiment proved to be disastrous. Naturally, we had to shift to the data entry operator making the spell choice for the elector. However, this cannot result in error-free EPICs as individuals pronounce their names in umpteen individual ways and spelling of names cannot be restricted to any stereotype.

While we were looking for the alternatives, some of the states have gone ahead with transferring the responsibility to the electors themselves. Out of 27 websites of the Chief Electoral Officers consulted to assess what kind of forms they are using, I could find that although most of the states are either using the vernacular of the English version as stand alone devices (one can use either the English or the vernacular form), States like Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are following some kind of a bi-lingual pattern in their forms. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are having English forms where there are additional rows for entering one's name in English and Tamil forms where there are additional rows for entering one's name in English. This additional facility is available for the specific areas of name and surname of the elector and the name and surname of the relation. If this partly bi-lingual feature is introduced in Forms 6, 8 and 8A the problem of guessing what the transliteration would be like can be settled.

The other area of mistake is the address field. Here too there are problems in spelling and problem in providing the detailed particulars. The spelling problem is addressed by our counterparts in Uttar Pradesh by way of providing bi-lingual entry in case of the address particulars as well. The issue of the detailed address field is more in the mindset and in the tendency to achieve speedier data entry than in the way of getting the particulars from the electors. It is the common notion that the EPIC is supposed to contain only the particulars as in the part and section details of the electoral rolls. This notion is strengthened due to the fact that if we rely on the part and section details, the EPIC software automatically draws the data from the e-rolls software and the data entry operator can glide through the details much more smoothly. However, no where it has been told that the two (particulars in the address field in the EPIC and the particulars in the electoral rolls (part and section details) will have to match. The only caution that the functionaries are to apply is that people not in the part/ section are given EPIC for the same part/ section. With that limiting factor one can jolly well have further details in the EPIC. In fact the way one's EPIC has come to be used as an identity document in different walks of life, it is imperative that the correct address of a resident is reflected in her EPIC. The solution probably lies in designing the address fields in some kind of a universal way which would raise no doubts as to the residential address of an EPIC holder.

Considering these, an initiative may be afoot to redesign the application forms (6, 8 and 8A) to make provision for bi-lingual entries in case of the name (with surname), relation name (with surname) and the address field along with some kind of rationalization of the particulars to be entered in the address field.

Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC): a Citizen’s Perspective

2011-12-20T16:41:00.000+05:30

(This particular blog-post is aimed at generating a discussion on the need for a Citizen's Charter on electoral services, especially registration of names in electoral rolls and issue of an EPIC. All associated issues like deletion of names, correction of entries, correction of EPIC, issue of duplicate EPIC etc. are to be included into the ambit of the proposed Citizen's Charter. I would expect primarily the service providers associated with the electoral process to respond to this post with their comments on the structure and the content of a Citizens’ Charter on this issue. Any feedback from the people at large is also welcome.)

In today’s world, a valid identity document is one of the most important prerequisites for identifying a person during the interaction with the wider world. There are different kinds of identity documents available with the people in the country. A person usually has her ration card, an employee her identity card issued by the employer, a tax assessee her Pan card, a wage earner under employment guarantee scheme has her MGNERGS job card, a passport holder has the passport document and a host of other documents for identification. However, with the Election Commission reaching out to nearly every citizen in above 18 years age group, the most universally accepted identity document has come to be the EPIC. Use of EPIC for identification during an election is certainly the prime use of the document. However, without this universally accepted document, it is now getting difficult for the people to access services extended by different service providing organizations. You go to a bank to open your bank account, people will invariably ask for your EPIC. You go to a telephone service provider for a land-line or a mobile connection, you would be requested to give a photocopy of your EPIC. You go to the passport office with your application for issue of an Indian Passport, you would be requested to produce your EPIC. The list can go on and on. The moot point is that one’s EPIC is the gateway to a host of other services.

Someone is eligible to have her EPIC once she is eligible to have her name entered into the electoral roll of an Assembly Constituency. No entry into the electoral rolls, no EPIC. For entering her name into the electoral rolls, one has to complete 18 years of age, be an ordinary resident of the area where she intends to get her name enrolled. Some of the disqualifications for entry into the electoral rolls are things like not being an Indian citizen, being debarred by the Election Commission due to some electoral malpractice or otherwise, being adjudged by a competent court to be of unsound mind etc. One who is not thus disqualified and possesses the essential prerequisites for entry into the electoral rolls should apply in Form-6 with related documents. She should also submit photographs to facilitate preparation of her photo identity card. Once the name is entered into the electoral roll, getting an EPIC is only a matter of time.

The process described above looks very simple. However, the hassles that a common person have to undergo for getting her EPIC are manifold and often gets her harassed to the extreme. The usual question is, I have all the qualifications and am eligible for getting an EPIC. Why am I not getting that? I have applied for EPIC several times, have gone from pillar to post and even then people are not sensitive enough to give me the document which I am eligible for.

Another issue raised by the common person is that despite my best efforts and repeated attempts, the EPIC that has been issued to me is erroneous. There are mismatch in spelling between English and the vernacular, there are mismatch in the surname of my husband and me, there are mistakes in recording of my date of birth. Over and above, the residential address is almost always incorrectly mentioned in the EPIC.

As a common person, I am prepared to submit whatever documents are required of me. I am prepared to personally meet officers at whatever level is required to attend personal hearing on some specified date and time, provided I have been appropriately informed. I am even ready to pay whatever charges are fixed by the Election Commission for procuring a duplicate EPIC. But I want a sensitive person to listen to my submissions and provide me with a correct EPIC wherein all the details are appropriately entered and correctly spelt. Often there are instances when I have not been properly guided on where to go and who to meet, on how to apply and what documents to attach. Even when I could piece together the information required for submission of requisite forms and could fill in the form with supportive documents, I am not assisted in the matter of filing of my claim. Even when I have finally been able to file the claim often my claim is not entertained and I am not given any cogent reason on why the same has been rejected. I have a right to know the fate of my application which is denied.

Let the election authority come with a Citizen's Charters wherein the process for obtaining the services is recorded, the people responsible for providing such services at different level are clearly identified, the time schedule within which an application would be disposed of is clearly delineated and finally the mechanism for appeal and other kind of superior support one can get against non-delivery of services without assigning any cogent reason are clearly spelt out.

Voters' Right not to vote at an election

2011-12-06T18:35:00.001+05:30

The No-Vote Issue in Indian Elections

Recording a negative vote or so-called ‘no vote’ is an issue which gains currency in India when an election knocks at the door. In West Bengal, there was a bye-election to the Lok Sabha from 23-Kolkata Dakshin Parliamentary Constituency. Vote was taken on 30 November 2011 and counting of votes took place on 4 December 2011. There was a news item in The Telegraph on 4 December 2011 depicting the plight of a Middleton Street voter who turned up at the polling station to record his vote and decided to register a ‘no vote’. Excerpts of the report:

No-vote jeers at city booth- MONALISA CHAUDHURI

"A Middleton Street resident who wanted to cast a “no vote” during Wednesday’s by-election to the Calcutta South Lok Sabha constituency because he did not like any of those in the fray said he was ridiculed inside the booth by poll personnel and told by the candidates’ agents he would be marked out.

Suneil Sarawgi narrated his plight inside the booth, at the Seventh Day Adventist Day School in Park Street, to The Telegraph…

“ I didn’t want to vote. But I didn’t want to waste my vote, either. So I decided to cast a “no vote” - a right I am guaranteed as an Indian citizen. Only a handful of people were at the booth when I entered it around 1.15pm on Wednesday. The agents of the various political parties sitting on the right asked my name and verified it against the voters’ list. I walked over to the presiding officer, who asked my (voter identity card) number and underlined my name on the register. When he was about to put the indelible ink on my middle finger, I said I had come to cast a “no vote”. That seemed to change everything. The official gaped at me without uttering a word. I repeated what I said, and that seemed to annoy him. He shot back: “Sherom kichhu hoy na (there’s no provision like that).” Next, he asked me if I was one of those “who sign on the register but leave the booth without casting their vote so that someone else can easily vote on their behalf”. I was shocked but tried to explain the rule to him. He was not convinced and asked me to stand apart so that those behind me could continue voting. I insisted that the official talk to his superior. He did, but with no better results. He called out for someone who was standing outside, chatting with a policeman. When the first official explained the situation, the second man seemed equally confused. The policeman standing beside him couldn’t help scoffing at me: “You want to bring in a difference! Hahaha.” The second official rang someone up and handed the phone to me. This third official was the worst. Instead of scolding his subordinates, he tried to convince me that I was wasting my time as well as theirs. “Notun notun system to ashtei thakbe… keno shomoy noshto korchhen (new systems will keep coming up... why are you wasting everyone’s time),” the third official said without identifying himself. When I remained firm, he asked me to pass the phone to the second official and told him to allow me to vote. Finally, I was allowed to not vote. But not everything had been sorted out. For the next few minutes, the officials kept passing the responsibility for registering the “no vote” among themselves, from one to the other, as if it was something illegal. I lost patience and announced I would myself scribble the words. I didn’t wait for a response, grabbed a pen and scribbled the words “I don’t want to vote” in the box next to my name. I signed my name in the same box. Then they refused to ink my finger, still not sure whether I had technically voted or not. I realised it was pointless fighting with them. My basic purpose had been served. As I was about to leave the room, one of the party agents spoke out loudly to another man: “Er naam, address ta likhe rakh (note down his name and address).” I knew what this meant, but I didn’t care. I shouted my name and address before leaving the room. I wish there had been a “no vote” button on the electronic voting machine, which would have spared me the 30-minute brush with officialdom….”
The newspaper has rightly pointed out the plight of a relatively enlightened voter who knows the legal provision and, in this particular case, catches the presiding officer and his team at the polling station on the wrong foot. As all election-related officials are supposed to know, there is a specific provision in the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 (Rule 49 O) which runs like this:

“49-O. Elector deciding not to vote.-If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.”

When votes used to be recorded by ballot papers, there was an option available to the voter to be present at the polling station, go through the detailed voting procedure and then come out of the voting compartment without putting the ‘arrow cross mark rubber stamp’ against any candidate or even putting the mark against multiple candidate thereby recording a negative vote. The advantage in that system was that the voter was able to record her/ his dissent without having been marked as dissenting voter. Thus secrecy of her voting was ensured.

With the introduction of the electronic voting machines (EVM), it is not possible to have that kind of immunity. It is either you vote, or you do not vote. If you turn up at the polling station, there is no way you exercise your choice of ‘no voting’ without having been marked. The procedure tells that you go through the process of identification, signing in the register of voters (Form 17A), get your figure marked and then pronounce your intention not to cast your vote. The Presiding Officer is then supposed to take over the proceedings, record a comment “refused to vote” in the register against your entry and obtain a second signature before allowing you leave. In the process, the elector gets exposed and remarks like “Er naam, address ta likhe rakh (note down his name and address)” are passed by the polling agents.

It is unfortunate that after so many rounds of training and support to the presiding officers, the polling parties are often not aware of the provision. In the Handbook for Presiding Officers, there is clear guide to the process. It is mentioned in the brief outline of duties in the preliminaries and there is a full and exclusive chapter on this in the Handbook (Chapter-XXIII). Prior to the Assembly General Election 2011 in the State, the Election Commission of India issued a specific instruction on this particular issue (No. 4/2010/SDR dated 10.3.2011) which was to be communicated to all the Presiding Officers. There is also the provision of recording of the cases of refusal in Form-17 C (account of votes recorded) which is supposed to be compiled Assembly Constituency-wise and sent to the Election Commission for records. After all these, if the presiding officer, the polling officers and even the officers higher up in the ladder (Sector Officer in the instant case?) are clueless on how to deal with a voter who has come to record a negative vote. Probably the election management has to be more careful to avoid such embarrassment in future.

Now, I would like to ponder a while on the centrality of the debate, whether ‘none of the above’ option as in a multiple choice question should be introduced in the electronic voting machine. Apparently, it is an easy option since you will have to unmask an additional button on the electronic voting machine and print an additional line on the EVM ballot. If the Rules are modified, it does not involve much labour on the part of the election management to implement the provision. However, the issue will certainly not be put at rest once the proposed change (introducing the provision) is brought about. The next logical extension of the debate would certainly be whether a candidate would have the right to represent a constituency where most of the people coming for voting have not indicated faith on any of the candidates? In fact it is not a new question. There were reports of a misinformation drive in 2008/ 2009 on the implications of Rule 49 O and the Election Commission of India had to come out with a press note on 5th December 2008. Text of the press note is reproduced below:

“It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that various misleading reports are being circulated though the Press, the electronic media, emails and through SMS to the effect that if the number of voters who choose to exercise their option not to vote for any contesting candidate as provided in Rule 49-O of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, exceeds the margin of votes secured by the winning candidate over the runner up, this will invalidate the election and a repoll will be held. It is clarified that under Rule 49-O, the voter has an option not to vote at the election after he has been identified at the polling station and his name has been registered in Registers of voters (Form -17A). The Presiding Officer shall thereupon make a note to that effect against the name of that voter and obtain his signature (thumb impression in the case of an illiterate). In such case, the voters who exercise the option of not voting at the election under Rule 49-O would only be deemed to have abstained themselves from voting and under the law, the candidate who secures highest number of valid votes polled, irrespective of his winning margin, is declared elected.”

Voting at elections is relatively low across the world and the most formidable challenge to the election management bodies is to ensure universal registration and enthuse the registered electors to come forward for voting and thus take part in the process of nation building through the democratic process. Whereas the right of the voter not to cast their votes in favour of any candidate, if the candidates are not to their choice and doing this without violating their right to the secrecy of votes probably needs to be appreciated, the question of linking this to the outcome of the elections cannot be accepted. Probably we should focus more on universal enrolment, providing correct Electors’ Photo Identity Cards (EPC) and Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiatives to make our democracy more inclusive.

Vishaka Guidelines against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

2011-11-28T12:47:00.001+05:30

(Most of us are unaware of the guidelines laid down by the Apex Court of the country in the matter of sexual harassment at workplace. Here is the text of the guidelines for reference)

Guidelines and norms laid down by the Hon’ble SupremeCourt in Vishaka and Others Vs. State of Rajasthan and Others (JT 1997 (7) SC384)

HAVINGREGARD to the definition of ‘human rights’ in Section 2 (d) of the Protectionof Human Rights Act, 1993,

TAKINGNOTE of the fact that the present civil and penal laws in India do notadequately provide for specific protection of women from sexual harassment inwork places and that enactment of such legislation will take considerable time,

Itis necessary and expedient for employers in work places as well as otherresponsible persons or institutions to observe certain guidelines to ensure theprevention of sexual harassment of women.

1.Duty of the Employer or other responsible persons in work places and otherinstitutions: Itshall be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in work placesor other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexualharassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement orprosecution of acts, of sexual harassment by taking all steps required.

2.Definition: Forthis purpose, sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determinedbehaviour (whether directly or by implication) as:

a)Physical contact and advances;

b)A demand or request for sexual favours;

c)Sexually coloured remarks;

d)Showing pornography;

e)Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature

Whereany of these acts is committed in circumstances where-under the victim of suchconduct has a reasonable apprehension that in relation to the victim’semployment or work whether she is drawing salary, or honorarium or voluntary,whether in government, public or private enterprise such conduct can behumiliating and may constitute a health and safety problem. It isdiscriminatory for instance when the woman has reasonable grounds to believethat her objection would disadvantage her in connection with her employment orwork including recruiting or promotion or when it creates a hostile workenvironment. Adverse consequences might be visited if the victim does notconsent to the conduct in question or raises any objection thereto.

3.Preventive Steps: Allemployers or persons in charge of work place whether in public or privatesector should take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment. Withoutprejudice to the generality of this obligation they should take the followingsteps:

(a)Express prohibition of sexual harassment as defined above at the work placeshould be notified, published and circulated in appropriate ways.

(b)The Rules/Regulations of Government and Public Sector bodies relating toconduct and discipline should include rules/regulations prohibiting sexualharassment and provide for appropriate penalties in such rules against theoffender

(c)As regards private employers, steps should be taken to include the aforesaidprohibitions in the standing orders under the Industrial Employment (StandingOrders) Act, 1946.

(d)Appropriate work conditions should be provided in respect of work, leisure,health and hygiene to further ensure that there is no hostile environmenttowards women at work places and no employee woman should have reasonablegrounds to believe that she is disadvantaged in connection with her employment.

4.Criminal Proceedings:Where such conduct amounts to a specific offence under the Indian Penal Code orunder any other law, the employer shall initiate appropriate action inaccordance with law by making a complaint with the appropriate authority.

Inparticular, it should ensure that victims, or witnesses are not victimized ordiscriminated against while dealing with complaints of sexual harassment. Thevictims of sexual harassment should have the option to seek transfer of theperpetrator or their own transfer.

5.Disciplinary Action: Wheresuch conduct amounts to misconduct in employment as defined by the relevantservice rules, appropriate disciplinary action should be initiated by theemployer in accordance with those rules.

6.Complaint Mechanism: Whetheror not such conduct constitutes an offence under law or a breach of the servicerules, an appropriate complaint mechanism should be created in the employer’sorganisation for redress of the complaint made by the victim. Such complaintmechanism should ensure time bound treatment of complaints.

7.Complaints Committee:The complaint mechanism, referred to in (6) above, should be adequate toprovide, where necessary, a Complaints Committee, a special counsellor or othersupport service, including the maintenance of confidentiality.

TheComplaints Committee should be headed by a woman and not less than half of itsmember should be women. Further, to prevent the possibility of any unduepressure or influence from senior levels, such Complaints Committee shouldinvolve a third party, either NGO or other body who is familiar with the issueof sexual harassment.

TheComplaints Committee must make an annual report to the Government departmentconcerned of the complaints and action taken by them.

Theemployers and person in charge will also report on the compliance with theaforesaid guidelines including on the reports of the Complaints Committee tothe Government department.

8.Worker’s Initiative:Employees should be allowed to raise issues of sexual harassment at a workers’meeting and in other appropriate forum and it should be affirmatively discussedin Employer-Employee Meetings.

9.Awareness:Awareness of the rights of female employees in this regard should be created inparticular by prominently notifying the guidelines (and appropriate legislationwhen enacted on the subject) in a suitable manner.

10.Third Party Harassment:Where sexual harassment occurs as a result of an act or omission by any thirdparty or outsider, the employer and person in charge will take all stepsnecessary and reasonable to assist the affected person in terms of support andpreventive action.

11.The Central/State Governments are requested to consider adopting suitablemeasures including legislation to ensure that the guidelines laid down by thisorder are also observed by the employers in Private Sector.

12.These guidelines will not prejudice any rights available under the Protectionof Human Rights Act, 1993.

Electoral Registration and EPIC

2011-11-27T19:38:00.001+05:30

( While working for the electoral system in the state of West Bengal, I have often seen people getting frustrated in their attempts at getting their names registered in the electoral rolls. This is often because of lack of clear understanding of the process and the requirements. Hence I have decided to post a series of articles on electoral registration and EPIC to give clear understanding of the process. This is the first in the series where the emphasis is on registration of new electors)

Registrationof name in the Electoral Rolls and obtaining Elector’s Photo Identity Card(EPIC)

Legalinstruments governing electoral registration and elections

Votingat elections (parliamentary and assembly) is guided by the Representation ofthe People Act, 1951. The Act is supported by the Conduct of Elections Rules,1961. An essential pre-requisite for voting is registration as elector in theelectoral rolls of the assembly constituency concerned. The process ofregistration is guided by the Representation of the People Act, 1950 supportedby the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Essential pre-requisites forregistration of names in the electoral rolls

AnIndian citizen who has completed 18 years of age as on the first date ofJanuary of the reference year (presently 1^st January 2012) and whoordinarily resides in a polling area within the assembly constituency iseligible for inclusion in the electoral rolls of the said assemblyconstituency. However, one who is found to be not an Indian citizen/ who hasbeen declared of unsound mind by a competent court and who has incurred anyelectoral disqualification cannot retain his/ her name in the electoral rolls.

How to register names in the electoralrolls

ElectionCommission of India periodically revises the electoral rolls intensively.During such period of intensive revision, election commission representativesvisit households and register names of eligible electors. However, thatparticular process is only periodic in nature and the usual gap between twosuch intensive revisions is not lessthan five years. Meanwhile there is annual summary revision where the peoplecan apply by submitting certain specific forms.

What are the formats to be used forenrolment?

There are four different kinds of forms whichare to be used by the people in the electoral process:

· Form-6 for application of enrolment as a newvoter

· Form 8-A for application for enrolment as avoter shifted from one part to another within the same assembly constituency*

· Form-7 for filing objection against any namein the electoral rolls which the objector thinks should not be there

· Form-8 for correction of entries in relationto an elector when correction in particulars is found to be required.

o * A voter shifted from one assemblyconstituency to another, however, is to apply as a new voter and suchapplication is to be furnished in Form-6 only.

Copiesof all these forms are available in English and Bengali at the followingwebsite: <www.ceowestbengal.nic.in>.

Whereto submit forms?

Whenthe schedule of the revision of electoral rolls is announced by the ElectionCommission of India (newspaper advertisements are always given by the ChiefElectoral Officer of the state), claims and objections in prescribed forms(6/7/8/8A) are to be submitted to a Designated Officer at the premises where usuallypoll is conducted (polling premises). The applicant has to know the pollingpremises for his/ her polling area and submit the application there along withrequisite documents. Usual working hours for the Designated Officers at thepolling premises is between 11 AM and 3 PM. The last such session was heldbetween 12 October and 1 November 2011 in West Bengal when the DesignatedOfficers were posted at the polling premises and claims and objections werereceived against draft electoral rolls with reference to 1 January 2012 as thereference date.

Isthere any other way of filing applications?

Beyondthe period of special summary revision when the Designated Officers are postedat the polling premises, one can apply to the Electoral Registration Officer ofthe Constituency as a part of a process known as continuous updation. In suchcases, the applications forms are to be submitted in duplicate copies.Electoral Registration Officers are appointed by the Election Commission ofIndia for every assembly constituency. Usually these officers are state civilservice officers posted at the district or sub-divisional headquarters. In thewebsite of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal <www.ceowestbengal.nic.in>,you will find a complete list of the Electoral Registration Officers of WestBengal.

Onlinefiling of forms is also possible. For that one has to visit the website of theElection Commission of India <http://eci.gov.in>.The usual procedure for online forms is for the ERO to obtain a copy of theelectronically submitted form, send a representative to the applicant andobtain his/ her signature on the application. Thereafter normal processes arefollowed.

Whatare the details to be provided in the application?

Atthe end of each of the forms, there is a detailed set of guidelines on how tofill up the forms. One has to read the guidelines thoroughly and fill up theform accordingly. In case of new enrolment, name, age, sex, date of birth,place of birth, relation’s name, place of ordinary residence and details offamily members are to be provided. A set of declarations are to be given by theapplicant. If someone is already enrolled in some other constituency andapplies to include her/his name in a different constituency where she/ he isclaiming to be an ordinary residence, she/ he should provide photocopies ofboth sides of the Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC) for reference.

What are the papers required to besubmitted along with the application?

Anyapplication for inclusion of name should be supported by age-proof document,document in support of ordinary residence, documents supporting the claim as tothe place of birth, a copy of the existing EPIC (both side photocopied) in caseof electors seeking shifting of name from one part to another (within AC) orone AC to another. The ERO would usually request you to provide some kind of alinkage to establish that you are an Indian citizen. If you have a birthcertificate issued by the competent authority or if you hold an Indian passport,your citizenship would be established. However, if none of the above twodocuments can be produced, the ERO might ask for the electoral roll particularsof your parents. It is better to have those kept handy along with photocopiesof one of the EPICs. Any document supporting your place of birth may be helpfulin establishing your citizenship.

Anapplicant who has reached 25 years of age and is the first time applicant hasto submit a self-declaration stating therein the reasons for non-inclusion ofname in the electoral rolls till date.

Theremay be people who do not have any birth certificate or school leavingcertificate where the date of birth is recorded. In such cases, a declarationby one of the parents as to the age of the applicant would be accepted.

Toestablish ordinary residence in an area, a host of documents like Bank / Kisan/ Post Office current passbook, ration card / passport / driving license / incometax return filed or assessment order, latest water / telephone / electricity / gasconnection bill for that address, either in the name of the applicant or thatof his / her immediate relation like parents etc., postal department’s postsreceived / delivered in the applicant’s name at the given address are listed.One such document should be attached as proof of ordinary residence.

Why despite repeated attempts peoplefail to get their names registered?

Ifthe form is correctly filled up and if necessary documents are attached, thereshould be no problem in getting one’s name registered. However, our experienceshows that people often fail to

a) fillthe form correctly with all required information

b) leave the declaration part of the form blank

c) althoughshifted from a previous place of residence, do not mention that properly in theform

d) provideany document establishing linkage/ Indian citizenship

e) provideconclusive age proof

f) f) giveany declaration (in case of first timer above 25 years of age) as to why thename was not included earlier

g) providedocument establishing ordinary residence

h) attendhearing programme, despite having been called for the same.

Whatare the means available if despite submitting all relevant papers the applicationis rejected?

Theauthority for registration of names in the electoral rolls lies with theElectoral Registration Officer (ERO). If someone is not satisfied with theorder of the ERO rejecting one’s application, an appeal shall lie with theDistrict Election Officer (usually the District Magistrate/ District Collector) against the orders passed by the Electoral Registration Officer between the draft publication and the final publication. Once the roll isfinally published, an order passed in course of continuous updating process can be appealed against with the Chief Electoral Officer of thestate concerned.

How to get one’s EPIC?

Issuingof EPIC is a natural follow up of enlistment of one’s name in the electoralrolls. While applying in Form-6/8A for inclusion of name in the electoral rollsit is advisable that you provide your recent passport size colour photographwhich would be used for providing your photo in the electoral rolls and alsofor generating your EPIC. Keep in touch with your ERO for updates on the EPIC delivery. It is always advisable to provide your mobile phone number inthe application so as to enable the office of the ERO to get in touch with youfor essential communication.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2011-11-18T20:43:00.001+05:30

(This is a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which, I thought, we should be thoroughly conversant with. The civil service officers, although not always directly associated with assignments having a human rights angle, will often find occasions when there is every likelihood of infringing on human rights. Hence I thought it appropriate to post the entire document on my blog for my fellow colleagues to ponder.)

UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherentdignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the humanfamily is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt forhuman rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscienceof mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedomof speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as thehighest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is notto be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion againsttyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule oflaw,

Whereas it is essential to promote thedevelopment of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the UnitedNations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights,in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men andwomen and have determined to promote social progress and better standards oflife in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledgedthemselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion ofuniversal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of theserights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization ofthis pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and allnations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keepingthis Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education topromote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures,national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognitionand observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and amongthe peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1

All human beings are born free andequal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience andshould act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rightsand freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind,such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Furthermore, no distinction shall bemade on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status ofthe country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent,trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to life, libertyand security of person.

Article 4

No one shall be held in slavery orservitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5

No one shall be subjected to torture orto cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6

Everyone has the right to recognitioneverywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7

All are equal before the law and areentitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All areentitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of thisDeclaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8

Everyone has the right to an effectiveremedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamentalrights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9

No one shall be subjected to arbitraryarrest, detention or exile.

Article 10

Everyone is entitled in full equalityto a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in thedetermination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge againsthim.

Article 11

Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12

No one shall be subjected to arbitraryinterference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacksupon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of thelaw against such interference or attacks.

Article 13

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14

Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15

Everyone has the right to a nationality.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16

Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17

Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom ofthought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change hisreligion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others andin public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice,worship and observance.

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom ofopinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions withoutinterference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through anymedia and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21

Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22

Everyone, as a member of society, hasthe right to social security and is entitled to realization, through nationaleffort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organizationand resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rightsindispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23

Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24

Everyone has the right to rest andleisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidayswith pay.

Article 25

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27

Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28

Everyone is entitled to a social andinternational order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in thisDeclaration can be fully realized.

Article 29

Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30

Nothing in this Declaration may beinterpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage inany activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of therights and freedoms set forth herein.

Education for Deepening Democracy

2011-11-13T19:22:00.001+05:30

Dr.S.Y. Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner, India delivered the annual MaulanaAzad Memorial Lecture at the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies(MAKAIAS) at Salt Lake, Kolkata. The lecture delivered by Dr. Quraishi on 11^thNovember 2011 provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of the approachto electoral participation that the Election Commission of India is pursuing. Theway the CEC has blended the discussion on Maulana’s emphasis on education forall as a staple ground for democracy and the present day focus of the ElectionCommission of India on electoral participation for deepening democracy is amasterstroke. I have taken liberty in producing the entire text of the lecturefor the benefit of the officers associated with the electoral process in thestate who may find it difficult to access the lecture till it is formallypublished by the Commission/ MAKAIAS. The initiatives pointed out by the CEC’sin enhancing electoral participation may form the basis of the strategy for theensuing National Voters’ Day celebration at the state, district and sub-districtlevels on 25 January 2012. The DEOs may circulate it to the EROs and otherofficials who may brainstorm among themselves to devise the district SVEEPstrategy for the NVD for which the ECI guidelines have already been circulated.

Maulana Azad Memorial Lecture, 11 November2011

Educationfor Deepening Democracy

Dr.S. Y. Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner of India

As I stand here to talk to you, I amdeeply conscious of the great man in whose honour this Institute of Asianstudies has been established. This great city is also the mother of anotherAsiatic study centre called Asiatic Society set up in 1784 ‘to study laws ofHindus and Mohamedans, and scriptures, art, sciences and music of the Asiatics’.Today, more than five decades after his departure, we all look so small beforeone of the tallest leaders India produced in the 20^th century. Hewas a real Bharat Ratna (1992) promoting a grand vision of education, socialreform and social harmony and dedicating his entire life for interfaithunderstanding and unity.

If Mahatma Gandhi was one of the two millenniumleaders of the world sharing the honour with Einstein, let us see how thismillennium man spoke about Maulana and I quote Gandhi’s own words – “Abul KalamAzad was the “Emperor of learning, a person of the calibre of Plato, Aristotleand Pythagorus. Pandit Nehru referred to him as “Mir-i-karawan” the caravanleader, “a very brave and gallant gentleman, a finished product of the culturethat, in these days, pertains to few”. He had adopted Prophet Mohammad’s, (Peace be upon him), ideas by livingsimply, withdrawing from material possessions and pleasure, spinning his ownclothes using khadi and charkha. And Ido not know how many of you are aware that he was the youngest man to beelected as President of the Indian National Congress in 1923, when he was just35 years old. In India we define youth as a person in the age group of 13-35. Thisevent itself was so inspiring that it drew millions of young Indians to join thefreedom struggle.

This “Emperor of Learning” was the firstEducation Minister of free India and had many ‘firsts’ to his credit. He was the first prominent Muslim leader who openly,repeatedly and consistently had opposed the demand for partition of the countryand today looking at what is happening in our neighbourhood, we realise thewisdom and farsightedness behind his views. In order to give a new direction to the highereducation and technical education, he founded the University Grants Commission(UGC) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Today these IITs have emergedas world class institutions making India a knowledge and technology super powerof the world. To connect the country with the world of culture and education,under his leadership India hosted the first UNESCO world conference.

A precocious child, he was also the first Indianand probably the last who was running a library, a reading room and a debatingsociety before he was twelve, contributing learned articles to the best knownliteracy magazine of the day ‘Almisbah’ when he was fourteen, editing andpublishing a journal ‘Nairangg-e-Alam’ when he was in his teens, and teachingstudents who were twice his age. ‘Azad’was the pen name of Maulana Azad but many of his admirers used to call him asthe ‘Azad Maulana’ because of his liberal and progressive views.

Although deeply religious andextremely erudite scholar, he was never dogmatic, used to lambast religiousfundamentalism and communal separatism. In his writings he continuouslyappealed to all Indian Muslims to work for the unity and integrity of thecountry.On being elected as the Congress President he said in his presidentialaddress -“...Full eleven centuries have passed by since then. Islam has now as great a claim on the soil ofIndia as Hinduism. If Hinduism has beenthe religion of the people here for several thousand of years, Islam also hasbeen their religion for a thousand years. Just as a Hindu can say with pride that he is an Indian and followsHinduism, so also we can say with equal pride that we are Indians and followIslam. I shall enlarge this orbit still further. The Indian Christian is equally entitled tosay with pride that he is an Indian and is following a religion of India,namely, Christianity.” Only such feelings can promote mass ownership and makethe Indian polity inclusive.

Universaladult franchise

When we talk about inclusive electionsit is relevant to remember today another significant event in Azad’s life thathappened after he was released from jail in 1934 as a follow up to Gandhi - IrwinPact in 1934. A year after when the first elections were called under Govt. ofIndia Act 1935, Azad opposed it tooth and nail and declined to contest becausethe Act had provided for a high proportion of unelected members in the centrallegislature. The thinking in those days was that all Indians cannot be eligibleto vote as most of them were illiterate and poor. Later on, as a leading member in the ConstituentAssembly, Azad was a vociferous advocate of universal adult franchise pleadingfor all eligible Indians to have voting rights irrespective of their socialeconomic and educational status.

At that time it was a bold decisionand many thought it to be an adventure full of risks in view of the fact thatit took 144 years for all men and women in USA to get the right to vote. In UK, the women got it in 1928 after acentury long struggle. Some of you may remember how Emmelin Pankhurst, aBritish woman activist, sold her house and property and toured England and USAextensively to advocate for women’s right to vote. Her famous address “freedom or death” isstill quoted by democracy lovers as a landmark event. Switzerland, another country traditionallyknown for high human development indicators, gave Right of Vote to its womenpartially in 1959 and fully in 1984, that is full 37 years after India did. On the other hand, poor, illiterate India gavethese rights to all its women and men as soon as it became a republic andadopted the constitution. Just two yearslater, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rightsendorsing equal voting rights for all.

Lookingat India’s decision, American diplomat Bill Bullitt wrote in Life magazine: “Animmense country containing 357 million people, with enormous natural resourcesand superb fighting men, India can neither feed herself nor defend herselfagainst serious attacks. An inhabitantof India lives, on average, 27 years. His annual income is about $50. About 90 out of 100 Indians cannot read orwrite. They exist in squalor and fear offamine.” Six decades later, Amartya Sen,another great son of our land and Nobel Laureate in economics, reiterated thata country does not become fit for a democracy, rather it becomes fit throughdemocracy. This is exactly what has happened.Despite serious misgivings and reservations, we introduced universal adultfranchise when the rate of literacy in the country was around 15% and thestandard of living and life expectancy were abysmally low. Interestingly it is India’s poor andilliterate who created and sustained its Parliament and even now come forwardin large numbers to exercise their franchise unlike the urban educated whoseelectoral apathy continues to be a serious concern.

Today, in 2011, while poverty still remains tobe wiped off, there also exists alongside swathes of middle class wealth. An Indian’s life expectancy today stands at67 years and is rising. Literacy ratehas jumped from 15 to 75% in 60 years. Its economy has survived negative impact ofworld recession and is maintaining a steady rate of growth. The changes takenplace in the last two decades are there for everybody to see. While rural Indiais getting urbanised, migration has ruralised our urban centres and millions of people lifted out of poverty aresimply not willing to return to their previous condition. The middle class has crossed 300 million markand still growing. Both power andprotest politics, difference and concurrence, are coexisting because of thespace provided by democracy.

Improvingquality of politics

Towards this end, the Election Commissionof India has been striving to improve the quality of politics in the country byproviding this space and a level playing field to all the stakeholders. There is, of course a discernibledisenchantment as the ordinary citizens expect a more effective and responsivegovernance to improve their lives. Toensure this the country needs quality leadership at all levels which boils downto effective scrutiny and control exercised by elected leaders over publicservice providers in their areas of operation and execution. This bringsjustifiably under close focus the electoral system, the electoral process andelection management. The moot question is do these carry the strength and theimmunity to throw up the best leadership that in turn occupies the positions ofauthority. Towards this end, I am happy about the seriousness with which thegovernment has of late approached the issue of electoral reforms. I do not haveany doubt that a set of well considered reforms, when legislated, would cleansethe system and pave the path for a new India, an India that would no moreremain only the largest democracy, but also become the greatest democracy.

Capable leaders can only be elected byan informed electorate and education and awareness are the tools which can makeit possible. What we need today is to plant the seeds of democracy in everygarden and gully and help it to flower and to fruition. A cultural and ethicalhabit of voting for the best candidate in a voter friendly environment can bethe game changer. As more and morevoters turn up at polling booths, less and less will be available for streetpolitics.

It is not as if people are not voting. In factthey vote every day for a whole range that has quick appeal for the senses:television serials, song and dance shows, film awards and beauty contests, notto speak of Kaun Banega Crorepati and Big Boss. Only, they need to be guidedfrom serial to serious voting for their own country and participate in thedance of democracy. But then, we haveto understand and appreciate the fact that in the 21^st centuryelectorate, the aspirations of the voters are also changing very fast in a highconsumer society. The children born inearly 1990s will be voting for the first time in 2014. They are impatient andwant immediate results in the field of education, health care and goodgovernance. Perhaps they need to be explained the power and benefit that theywield through vote, in addition to giving a call to their sense of duty. If they realise that participating inelections can bring them closer to these aspirations, they are more likely tovote than not.

MaulanaAzad’s birthday today is celebrated as the National Education Day because it ishe who had given a big thrust to adult literacy, universal primary educationand introduced constitutional commitment of the State to provide free andcompulsory education for all children up to the age of 14 within 10 years withspecial focus on women’s education, diversification of secondary education andvocational training. We will be failing the Maulana as long as the universalprimary education for all is not fully implemented in the country. He used toemphasise repeatedly that it was a birth right of every individual to receivebasic education to discharge duties as a responsible citizen. The Right to EducationAct passed in Parliament in August, 2009 is the logical outcome of the processinitiated by him long ago.

DeepeningDemocracy

Weat the Election Commission have sought to emulate this in our own humble way. The Commissiondecided to dedicate its own foundation day, the 25^th January, a daybefore India became a Republic, as the National Voters’ Day. This year, we hadthe first National Voters’ Day and the second one is a couple of months away.We have woven an elaborate pattern of voters’ education and participationaround this Day, with a special focus on the youth of the country. We are very much encouraged by the initialresults; 52 lakh newly eligible youths were given their voter ID Cards in about8 lakh simultaneous events across the country on the 25^th January2011. I understand, this happens to be the largest single occasion ofempowerment of the youth anywhere in the world. The Day isalso a rallying point for ethical and conscientious participation and attendsto women, marginalised sections, urban and apathetic voters through positiveand optimistic messages thus helping to reach out to the unreached. I am grateful that the government haswithout the slightest hesitation adopted the National Voters’ Day and put it inthe national calendar. Like Maulana, I believethat an educated and aware citizenry is the best guarantee for deepening bothdemocracy and development. We seek tosincerely act on his belief.

Nodemocracy can survive and grow without citizen participation for whichelectoral literacy and civic engagement in public affairs is essential. In India, the voter turn-out hovers between55 to 60 percent. In the 2004 General Election, voter turn-out was not morethan 56 percent. When the latest general election to the 15^thLok Sabha was held in 2009, the country had 714 million eligible voters and the average turn out in all 828,804 pollingstations, was 59.7%. This means 281 million eligible voters in the country,many of whom were below 35 years, did not exercise their voting rights forwhatever reason. In order to improve this situation, we put voter education andawareness programmes on fast track. To start with, the Commissionestablished a Voters’ Education Division in order to build a social support and a chorus of views and voices in favour ofdemocracy. This initiative has already tasted success in the last generalelections in seven states with historic records of participation in somestates. Your State witnessed the highest ever turn-out of 85% in the recent Assembly elections.

Ideally, democracy should manifest people’s power and be a matter of celebrationof an involved public in order to bring changes and reforms in governance. Itbegins with citizens’ participation and thus the need for voter education. It is only through civic participation in theelectoral process, that the citizens authorize the elected representatives toact on their behalf. Thus, the term “voter education” implies dissemination ofknowledge, information, materials and programmes designed to sensitize thevoters about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process for a particularelection. Voter education involves providing information to the people on whois eligible to vote, where and how to register, how electors can check thevoter lists to ensure they have been duly included, what type of elections arebeing held, where, when and how to vote, who the candidates are, what are theirantecedents, what is their plan for the country and the constituency and how tofile complaints, etc.

We have also established the India International Institute of Democracyand Election Management (IIDEM) in order to further professionalise electionmanagement and electoral democratic processes and work for developing asymbiotic partnership with civil society strengthening meaningful connectivitywith various stakeholders. It isimportant that voter education remains a core area of emphasis in IIDEM. TheCommission is now seriously looking at the social media on the internet as thehubs to impart electoral education.

Recently, the Commission has entered into a dialogue with policy makers ofEducation and Youth Ministries to integrate citizenship and voter education asa part of the curriculum. The youth ofIndia need to be educated about their respective roles and responsibilities asinformed citizens. This will be acontinuous process not tied exclusively to the electoral cycle and go beyondcomprising three main elements, namely, civic knowledge, civic values and civicskills. Such education may be carried out beyond school and university systemcovering civil society organisations and other social and volunteer networks ofyouth including young women. Only asking people to participate in theelections, allowing political parties to fight it once in five years and electtheir representatives to power and positions of influence does not makedemocracy if this opportunity is not used to build a liberal and humanesociety. We have high hopes from this newly forgedpartnership with educational institutions and voluntary groups.

A sound and professionally managedelectoral process facilitates the full expression of the people’s will, which inturn forms the basis for state authority and power. Elections are also the means by which thepeople concretize the five interlocking rights, namely, a) the right topolitical participation b) the right to take part in government; c) the rightto vote and be elected; d) the right to equal access to public service andfinally, e) the right to self-governance.

Voter Awareness

All these are dependent on electoral education to create the broadestpool of enlightened and serious voters who do not take democracy for granted.Some of us like to call it the second EVM, meaning Enlightened Voters Movement,the first one being our Electronic Voting Machine. In fact, in another strategic initiativecalled YUVA (Youth Unite for Voter Awareness), the Commission has planned torope in more and more number of new and young voters into this process. The ultimateindicator of democracy is not the extent of freedom, equity, equality andsecurity given as a gift or charity but when one gets it through informedparticipation in electoral process. Many dictatorships also guarantee good foodand safe streets but are well known for ringing terror bells at our door stepwhen we dare to disagree.

It is reported that in several countries which have gone through pro-democracyrevolutions in recent times, the common people had enough of material comforts,many of which were also available free of cost. Then why the people in generaland the youth in particular rose in revolt? So, in the age old bread versusfreedom debate, the real benchmark is how free are the citizens from physicalviolence of their person or from fear of it, how inclusive is the country ofall who live within its territory, how equally the civil and political rightsare guaranteed for all and how far is the elected government able to influenceand control matters that affect the lives of its people and how well thecitizen are informed and organised.

Jaiprakash Narayan used to say that “Lokniti – people’s power – wouldsoon purify Rajniti – state power”. Itis the voters who represent the people’s power and thus it is the voters whocan purify politics as well as public service by participating in the electoralprocess in large number. Therefore, inaddition to registering political parties and monitoring election processes,the Commission is keen to promote larger democratic values through sustainedvoter education and awareness. “Democracy is not astate in which people act like sheep”, Mahatma Gandhi used to say. A significant and oft quoted statement ofAbraham Lincoln is: ‘As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a mastereither. This expresses my idea of democracy’. Further there is a saying that ‘freedom is when the people can speak anddemocracy is when the government listens’. So the challenge is how to make peopleelectorally educated so that they can freely ventilate their views effectivelythrough the ballot box.

But then the education need not be votercentric only and must cover political parties and their candidates, civilsociety organisations, media and other advocacy and interest groups. When theedifice of a democratic polity is built on voters only the process isinfluenced by arithmetics. What it needs is the organic relationship with thelarger social and democratic value orientation for collective participation inthe public affairs and public service, the real sociology of democracy. Despite15 national elections, democracy in India is still ‘a work in progress’ as eachnew election offers a few new lessons. Hence, at our Institute, the IIDEM, wehave started education workshops for political parties, who, in my assessmentoften tend to undermine the democratic electoral process by ignorant omission,and not by any culpable commission. After all, it is the politicians, who Ineed to loudly underline, have cemented the edifice of our functionaldemocracy, and by no stretch of imagination, they can be written off. Paintingthem all black is dangerous for democracy. But at the same time, like votersand other stakeholders, they need continuous education in the art and craft ofdemocracy. Even our very enlightened friends in the media need their educationregarding the damage caused to the health of democracy because of thepernicious practice of Paid News. We are trying to address this requirement aswell.

It is a significant coincidence thatwe are discussing these issues in the land of Biswakavi Rabindranath Tagore whohad actually captured the true spirit of democracy when he wrote:

“Where the mind is without fear

And the head is held high,

Where knowledge is free,

Where the world has not beenbroken up,

Into fragments by narrow domesticwalls......

Into that heaven of freedom,

My father let my countryawake.”

Tagore, like MaulanaAzad, also wanted to create an innovative education system that enablesstudents to “act on reflection”. TheElection Commission of India has been striving to help create conditions in thecountry that enable every eligible citizen to vote and vote “on reflection” sothat we have a true, representative and responsible democracy. Infact, democracy is both an internal and external discipline, to sustain whichwe need both enlightened voters and educated politicians. In principle, I donot foresee any conflict between the voters and the voted as there is aconvergence between their interests. Sincepolitics is a constant process of choice and negotiation, political institutionsin a democracy evolve around this choice and voice of the voters. Conflict arises when the process fails toreflect this reality. Sometimes Democracy may appear to be imperfect or indecisivebut its beauty is, it is also open to periodic correction and change. It doesnot allow an indefinite, impatient wait. Thus in a way, this process itself alsorecognizes and respects the concept of voters right to recall as well as rightto reject as soon as the periodic mandate is over. Such periodic elections ensureand introduce a continuous process of intervention, innovation and self renewal. As a result what countries have not beenable to achieve through armed and violent revolutions, India has achievedthrough democracy making use of its virtuous possibilities. Hence to me in thiscontext, the mechanism of both the right to recall and the right to reject arealready built in to our electoral system. The debate around the town is onlyabout enhancing the degree of these rights, but all of us here would appreciatethat no right is worth it, if it implies an invitation to chaos. Revision ofthe existing arrangement would indeed call for extra-ordinary scrutiny.

InAsia, democratization got a big boost with India’s independence. Now, 65 years after, it has emerged as thesingle most important political process of the continent. For quite some time, many countries in theAsian region were in a dilemma as they saw probably a potential tension betweenthe universality of democratic core norms and diversity of their culturaltraditions. This dilemma has now ended looking at India that succeeded insustaining its democracy with all its diversity. In fact, there is absolutelyno need to either impose or import external democracy as the classical roots ofthe great Asian religious and ethical systems already represent the beststandards of humanity and rationality as reflected today in the modern theoryand practice of democracy. If followed in true spirit, it obviates the need forstreet noises, for democracy itself is a revolution by consent. I find thatadherence to this faith can only come through the path of voters’ education,electoral education, civic education and education in general, a path thatMaulana Azad would have for sure commanded to us. And this is the path thananything else that would determine India’s transition from the largestdemocracy to the greatest democracy in the world.

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A slideshow on my recent visit to Thimphu, Bhutan

2011-10-23T23:57:00.001+05:30

Breathtaking Bhutan Slideshow: Dibyendu’s trip from Kolkata, West Bengal, India to Thimphu, Bhutan was created by TripAdvisor. See another Thimphu slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Charge Report of a Jail Superintendent in 1956

2011-10-23T22:09:00.000+05:30

(When I visited Purulia District correctional Home in 2010, the Superintendent gave me copy of an old document-the report of the Superintendent in 1956 when he took over charges. Certain grammatical mistakes apart, the report gives us a detailed insight into the functioning of the Jails in the past. Moreover, the details of the report gives an idea of the minute details that the head of an institution used to go into. I thought it appropriate to post the report on the blog for historic interest.)

Itook over charge of the Purulia District Jail on the forenoon of 2.11.1956, inconsultation with the Deputy Commissioner Purulia from Shri M. R. Mullick, Superintendent of theJail. Shri Neyaz Ahmed, Jailor was alsopresent. Mr.Mullick was very kind to be always with me and helping me with allinformation required. He made the new stock books and registers prepared withthe balance that stood on 1.11.56 and arranged for their verification. All thearticles were actually verified with the relevant registers and attested by the relievedSuperintendent in my presence. The entries were made both in words and figures.Details about their condition etc. are noted separately.

Area:-

As far as it could beascertained this Jail was established in the year 1912

The total area of thisJail is 37.11 acres. This is distributed as under:

Inside the perimeter wall: 7.08acres

Outside i.e., the frontage including the warders barrack andthe staff quarters 3.16 acres

Jail garden no.1 including Superintendent’squarter and one Assistant Jailor’s quarter: 18.07acres

Jail garden no.2: 8.80acres

Encroachment of the Jail land:- There is an encroachment on the Jailland through the garden no.2. The local S.D.O, P.W.D (Bihar Government) hadrequested the party to remove it from the Jail land. Nothing appears to havebeen done by the party in this respect excepting that further construction at thatplace seems to have been kept suspended. The S.D.O. (W.B.) department, thelocal Municipal Authorities and the Deputy Commissioner, Purulia are beinginformed to take suitable action for demarcating the boundaries stopping suchencroachments. There is no sketch plan. It will be submitted as soon as it isavailable.

Jail Garden: The area of the Jail Garden is about26.87 acres. It is divided in to two gardens viz. Garden Nos.1 and 2. Garden No.1is around the Superintendent’s quarter. There is no mark, boundary wall oranything like that demarcating the Superintendent’s quarters from the Jail Garden.It requires to be done. It will be put up before the I.G. of Prisons, WestBengal, on his next visit.

GardenNo.2 is on the north eastern side of the Jail. This area is 8.80 acres. Almostall the lands are lying un-cultivated. Some bringal seedlings have been put inone plot only very recently. Some seedlings of tomato and chilies are foundready for transplantation. It is learnt that these could not be transplanteddue to rain and for want of prisoners to be passed for extra-mural labor.However, these are being put in as soon as possible.

Someseeds for winter vegetables are in stock. A copy of the circular orderappointing the contractors for the winter vegetables seeds may kindly be sentimmediately by the Prison Directorate to place orders with them. Meantime, some seeds are being purchased fromContai Beej Bhander, as it surely take some time for the Narayan seed stores ofSrinagar, Kashmir, who I remember have been appointed as the contractor.

Armory:- The armory is situated just by the side of the Gate. It is within the GateSentry’s beat. But at night when thereremains no Sentry outside the gate and it remains practically unprotected. The Sentrywho performs his duty within the two gates cannot see it at all and he cannotbe held responsible for it. It is checked only at the change of guards.Suggestion about guarding of the armory will be submitted along with mydetailed report on re-organization of guarding staff.

In the armory articles as per Appendix A havebeen taken charge of.

Warders’ barrack:- There are four barracks. Barrack No.1 falls onthe left hand side, while entering the Gate. It has an accommodation of eight Warders.There is also another room adjacent to it to accommodate two persons.

Barrack No.2:- It is on the right hand side of the Gateand accommodates 8 Warders. Here also there is a side room to accommodate twopersons. Both the Barracks are fitted with concrete overhead racks.

Barrack No.3:- It is on the opposite side of the Gateand just on the right hand side of the approach road of Jail. It accommodates12 persons and is fitted with concrete overhead racks.

Barrack No.4:- It is just by the side of the BarrackNo.3. It has also similar accommodation. But no overhead rack is found fixed inthe building.

Boththese two buildings are sufficiently ventilated and wide verandahs run on allthe front sides of each of the buildings. Barracks 1, 2,&3 are fitted with the electrification and it isto be done in Barrack No.4.

Warder’s kitchen: - These are provided in along departmental tile shed. The walls are madeof bricks and clay. A partition wallruns all through the shed length-wise making two sets of kitchen on eitherside. There are eight single kitchen (four on either side) and two very longrooms for covering kitchen. It is learnt that there is dearth of kitchen. Somekitchen may have to be built.

Family Quarters: - The Jailor resides just over the Gatein his quarters. It is learnt that this quarter is quite accommodative. Jailoron joining will occupy this. The S.A.S. and the Senior Assistant Jailor live inthe Government quarters (maintained by the W.B. Department) just in front ofthe Gate. The S.A.S will continue tooccupy the quarter where he is present. The Deputy Jailor will occupy thequarter in being vacated by the Senior Assistant Jailor. The Junior Assistant Jailorlives in a quarter in Garden No.1 near about the Superintendent’s quarter. Jailclerk will occupy it on being vacated by the Assistant Jailor. There is a setof quarters just by the side of the Warders’ Kitchen to accommodate four Head Wardersand the senior Female Warder. Another set of twin quarters just by the side ofthis said accommodation is occupied by the Jail Clerk and one Head Warder. Allotmentof these quarters on vacation will be made as and when required considering thenecessity and the demand in each case.

Thereis another departmental tile-shed on the left hand side of the approach whichwas formerly being used as cattle-shed. This shed is quite suitable forconversion into family quarters with certain addition and alteration. This willbe shown to I.G.P on his next visit.

Warders’ Latrines

Thereis a service latrine of the Warders in Garden No.2. It is made of corrugatediron sheets and is in a dilapidated condition. It requires immediate repairs.It will be shown to I.G. in his next visit.

Superintendent’s Quarter

Thereis a quarter for the Superintendent just adjacent to the Jail Garden No.1. I amoccupying that quarter. It requires many addition and alteration to make itcomplete. There is no arrangement for getting drinking water. The bathroom isvery small and without roof. Many other things require to be done. The localS.D.O. is being consulted to draw plans and estimate for I.G.’s approval andexecution of the work. As regards the condition of the family quarters, furtherreport will be submitted when those quarters will be occupied by our staff.

Water Supply

Thereare two ring wells, one in front of the S.A.S quarters and the other by theside of the Barrack No.1. These two ring wells supply water for drinking andother purposes. During the dry season the wells dries up. It is learnt thatthere is a ring well each at the Superintendent’s quarter and in the Assistant Jailor’squarter in Garden No.1. The water of the ring well at Superintendent’s quarteris unfit for using for drinking purpose. The ring well at the Assistant Jailor’squarter goes dry during hot season. All these ring wells require cleaning anddisinfection.

Area: The area as I have stated already is7.08 acres.

Wards: There are altogether 14 Wardsincluding the Hospital and Female Wards. I give below the capacity of each oneon them. Nos. 1 to 8 comprises a big double-storied building. Capacity as notedin the lock up registry is:-

Ward No./s Capacity as per lock up register

1,2 63

3&4 63

5&6 67

7&8 63 (Total1-8 - 256)

9 43

10A 23

10B 17

11 18

12 15

13 5 (Cells for Lepers).

14 10 (Cells)

Total 387.

Temporarybarrack four is to accommodate 40-160

Total 547

Lighting arrangements: - There is electricity for lighting insideportion of this Jail around the perimeter wall. Altogether -- no. of electric points onposts have been fitted to keep the perimeter wall and the area lighted atnight. No electrification fitting is found in any of the Wards except Hospital Wardwhere there are ten fans and arrangements for lighting the Wards as well. Inall other Wards hurricane lanterns are used with kerosene for the purpose.

Cells: Thereare two sets of Cells. One comprising 5 numbers is kept reserved for leprosycases under the management of the Hospital. It is learnt that these Cellsremain full always. Another set consisting of 10 nos is for disciplinary andsegregation purposes. None of these Cells can practically be called punishment Cells.Requirements as per Bengal Jail Code Rule are not in cases of any one of these.There is no Cell for condemned prisoners.

Female Ward: - There is a Female Ward separatedby high walls from all the Wards and yards. The registered accommodation is 18.Besides the main sleeping ward, there is a Hospital Ward to accommodate twobeds and two Cells for segregation of Leprosy cases.

Kitchen for Divisional-II Prisoners: - The Div. -II kitchen appears to be abit small. Though the doors and other openings are covered with fly proofnettings it cannot practically be called fly proof. There is no double doorsystem. There is no separate fly proof room to keep cooked rice and otherarticles. The kitchen requires thorough repairs also. Lots of addition andalteration will be necessary to make it a suitable kitchen. These will be putup before I.G. in his next visit.

Kitchen for hospital patients: - Thisis just by the side of general kitchen. This also requires to be made fly proofwith separate arrangements for keeping cooked food etc. Thorough repairs withsome other addition and alterations will surely make it a quite nice kitchen.

Other sheds: - There is one long shed where theSmithy and Carpentry is being run. Another shed accommodates oil pressing,weaving and durries section. There is a third shed where twine and ashniweaving are being done at present. Besides these, there is another shed to keepthe Jail cattle.

Hospital: - There is a well ventilated double-storiedbuilding fitted with electricity. It has a registered accommodation of 30 beds.18 on the first floor distributed in twoWards of 12 & 6 beds and 12 in the ground floor in two Wardsaccommodating 6 in each. Besides the two small Wards theground floor accommodation comprising doctors sitting room and a store room.All the wards are fitted with electric fan. There is one small operation tablebut there is no suitable room for the purpose. Hospital equipments andmedicines those were found have been shown in Appendix “B”. It is learnt thatthe accommodation in hospital is normally sufficient. The stock of medicine isvery little. The stock of Antibiotics and Sulpha drugs is nil. The CivilSurgeon, Purulia has been requested to inspect the stock and arrange for thesupply immediately. The number of scarlet blankets for hospital patients onstock has been shown to be 30. Of these, 21 are in issue to the patients and9 are actually in stock. I examined allof them and that 4 are practically unfit for using and the rest though veryold and these can be used for season.Immediate requirements for supplying 30 more scarlet blankets may kindly be made. A stock of 115 Jail blankets has also been shownunder this head. Almost all these blankets are very old and torn. There are 29 mattresses in stock and all are in use. These mattresses aremade of coir in prison clothes. Thesereally look very shabby and indecent. All of them have become dirty also. Theymay also be replaced. I note below the position of availability with the numberof articles those may be required immediately for running the hospital. All areold and almost unfit for use.

No.in stock No.required

Kurta 50 60

Janghia 116 90

Gamcha 20 90

Bedsheet 33 60

Scarletblanket 30 30

Bedmattress 29 30

Pillows 30 60

Pillowcover 40 120

Mosquitonet 16 30

Cap 40 30

Towel 1 12

JailDairies

3 bullocks and 3 cows have been takencharge of. It is learnt that the heifer was diseased during our last visit diedthe day after. The bullock will be required for the cultivation of the land andfor the oil ghanies as well. If this continues, order as to the three cows maykindly be passed. It is learnt that two of the cows are covered and areexpected to deliver very soon. All the bullocks are very old and have becomealmost unfit for further use.

Watersupply

There are three covered wells filledwith pumps inside the Jail. At one place, there is double set of pump. Water ispumped from the wells in to reservoirs for supply at different places. It islearnt that the supply reservoirs sufficient during rains. It becomes veryscare during summer. It is reported that this pumps were being maintained bythe P.H. Department. These require immediate repairs. All of this are leakingvery badly and water from outside enter the wells. The platforms other placesare also broken. It is not known where the over head reservoirs will cleansed.These also required to be cleaned. The question of the deep tube well oranything like requires to be considered to meet that demand for water.

Latrines(day) :-

There are 11 sets of latrines in the Jailwith 150 seats. This is quite sufficient according to the average population ofthis Jail. But besides two sets with 60 seats, 30 in each all are of old type.There one is practically no privacy and sitting arrangement is also very bad.These requires remodeling. It will beput up before the I.G. on his next visit.

Jail Industries :-

1. The following industries are being runin the Jail

2. Durree and Ashani making

3. Weavingand Newar and Prisons cloth

4. Smithy and Carpentry for the G.D.

Thereare only twenty seven maunds of mustard seed in the stock on 1.11.56. The outturn of mustard oil is satisfactory. If this industry is to be continuedsufficient mustard seed shall have to be stocked. For the present, I amarranging to purchase the seeds locally by inviting quotation. Stock of 16 greyyarn 150 lbs. The weaving section may be run with this stock for certain period.Requirement of yarn of different counts will be submitted to I.G. in duecourse.

Stock of Provision

Statementof articles those were on stock on 1.11.56 has been shown in appendix. Thestatement will definitely will show that the stock will not last even up to the end of November in almost all the cases. So quotation of required items are being invited inconsultation with the Deputy Commissioner, Purulia. A copy of which has alreadybeen forwarded to I.G. under this office memo no dated.

Prison’s clothing stock :-

Statementof prison clothing in stock on 1.11.1956 taken charge of have been shown in appendix.

Thestatement will itself prove that the stock is not at all sufficient to meet thedemand of the prisoners. The condition of the clothing with the prisoners isalso very bad that this require immediate changes. I saw all the prisoners onfile almost each one of them has some complaint with regards to kits. It ishighly desirable that they should be supplied with their full kits withoutfurther delay. The total number of prisoners unlocked on 2.11.56 the day I tookover charge was 442 but the number of thalies is only 307 and all of them areunserviceable. There is a stock of 222 Brass tumblers and no stock of bati. Theprisoners take their meals in batches with these set of utensils. I propose todiscontinue the brass utensils. It is also thought desirable that each one ofthe prisoner should get one aluminum cup and one aluminum plate as per rule no.1090, Bihar& Orissa Jail Manual. If it is thought advisable one aluminumtumbler also for each one of them can be issued as is done in West Bengal Jails.For this purpose, I have sent indent to the Superintendent, Presidency Jail forthese items. A copy of this has also been sent to I.G.under this office memo no. dated. Early orders may kindly be passed on the Superintendent,Presidency Jail to comply with the store orders. As regards clothing ofprisoners, I have sent an indent to the Superintendent, Midnapore Jail inanticipation of .G.’s sanction. A co-y of the indent has also been sent to theDirectorate under this office memo no. dated. In this connection, I wish todraw the I.G.’s notice that the female convicts Are not allowed here to wear sarees. Stri8ped prison cloth sewn together into5 yds with width of 44” are allowed tothem. I think this should bediscontinued forthwith and the female convicts be allowed to wear sarees as are being allowed to other Jails of the State.

Thereis not a single item of bedding (excepting 19 blankets & 6 jerseys) forclassified prisoners. 12 mattress, 24bed sheets, 24 pillows, 48 pillow case, 12 mosquito nets and 12 blankets may beordered to be supplied.

Warders Uniform :-

Nota single uniform of any varieties is in stock, under this head. Formal indentis been submitted meantime Superintendent, Midnapore Central Jail is beenrequested to send the Warders and Head Warders with the full equipment. A storeorder for Head Warders and Warders Belt plates has been sent to theSuperintendent, Presidency Jail in anticipation of I.G.’s sanction. All theHead Warders and Warders who have joined are performed their duties without anybelt. So the Superintendent, Presidency Jail may kindly be requested to complywith it urgently.

Dead Stock

Thereis not a single item of Dead Stock in store exactly 10 rice scoopers list ofDead Stock articles found to be in use and has been drawn up and verified withthe stock balanced as was drawn on 1.11.56 is attached in appendix. All thearticles are in use and very old and worn out. Most of them require immediatechanging. There is single item in dead stock for the use of the classifiedprisoner. This also requires to bearranged without delay. I am afraid if any classified prisoner is admitted,they will be put in great inconveniences. In the office also the condition isvery very bad. There is an ordinary table which the Superintendent is said tohave been using. Both of its top legs are broken. The look is also very shabbyand dirty. The chair on which I am sitting at present is also in the samecondition. It is being used after repairing with tin plates etc.and can giveway any moment. There is no extra chair for any visitor to sit on.

Inthe list ten chairs have been shown and two of them are broken. Though otherscan be used some of them requires repair. The condition of the hospital also isalmost the same. The S.A.S. requires as chair to sit on. The chair on which heis sitting requires replacement. Another chair for the medical officer is alsorequired in the hospital. There is no rack or anything like it in the hospitalto keep the stock mixture etc. The ho9spital clothing and blankets are keptstacked on the floor. There is no almirah or rack for these articles. For this,I give below a list of minimum requirements of articles offurniture those may be required for using the offices. I add with it theequipments of wash etc. for the Superintendent’s office. There is an improvisedbathroom in the Superintendent’s office but practically there is noarrangement. It requires to be done. If the list metts with I.G.’s approvalorders for the purchase of these articles may kindly be passed by him. If thePresidency Jail can supply them without delaying orders may kindly be placed onthem to supply immediately. But if it is not possible for that Jail to undertake the work these articles may beordered to be purchased from any Calcutta firm as it will not be desirable toget them locally inviting tenders as the finished goods will not be decent andless cost.

Superintendent’s Office No. Existing No. required

1. Superintendent Table X 1

2. Chairfor Superintendent 1(broken) 1

3. Chairfor Visitors X 6

4. Commode X 1

5. Pisspost with stand X 1

6. Washingstand X X

7. Towelrack X 1

8. Looking glass X 1

Jailor & Deputy Jailor Office

1. Jailor’s Table X 1

2. Tablefor Dy.Jailor,2clerks 3 X

3. ClothingGodown 1 X

4. G.D.Godown 1 X

5. M.D.Godown X 1

6. Hospital for S.A.S. X 1

5 3

Chair

1. Jailor X 1

2. Jailor’sOffice X 2

3. Dy.Jailor,2clerks,Teacher 4 X

4. G.D.Godown 1 X

5. M.D.Godown 1 X

6. ClothingGodown 1 X

7. S.A.S. 1(broken) 1

8. Medical Officer X 1

8 5(1forM.C.)

For classified Prisoners

1. Wooden Cot-12

2. WoodenTable-12

3. WoodenChair-12

4. Meet Safe-6

Staff

Thefollowing staff was found to be presenton the day of taking over.

Superintendent 1

Jailor 1

Assistant Jailor 2

Clerk 1

S.A.S. 1

HeadWarder 5

Mail Warders 39

FemaleWarders 2

Four warders were reported to havegone on leave and one warder replacementof transfer to Dhanbad has not been made. 2 Assistant Jailors, 2 Head Warders,10 Warders have been relieved in the forenoon of 2.11.56. Three warders whohave been informed to have been opted tocontinue in West Bengal Jail Service have been interrogated by me. All the three wanted to be absorbed in the West Bengal Service. Of these, ShriAbdul Jabbar belongs to Chas thana area. This area has fallen in Bihar.The other two belong to the integrated position of Manbhum District. As regardsHead Warder I had a talk with theSuperintendent, Midnapore Central Jail. As instructed by you over the telephoneon 5.11.56. It was decided that he would send a batch of three Head Warders andtwo Warders within 2 or 3days and another batch of eleven Warders will followafter 2 or 3 days. Again this will makethe existing strength complete withthe West Bengal warder establishment except the female warder. There are twofemale warders. One of them who states herself to be East Bengal Refugeehailing from Rajshahi has opted to be absorbed as female warder in the WestBengal Jail will continue as has been decided already. The other female warderwould be relieved by appointing a femalewarder temporarily as has been instructed over telephone on 5.11.1956. The Jailor and another clerk has not joined as yet. They maybe ordered to join without delay. The question of granting allowance to the Medical Officer also requires examination. It is learnt that the Medical Officer used to visit the Jailtwice a week and got an allowance of Rs.100/- per month this Jail being 1^st class on theyear preceding.

The set of the Jail requires thoroughexamination. Further report will be submitted as soon as possible. Though therule management of the Jail vary very little from those in West Bengal thepractical procedures for theirimplementation requires thorough examination and changing. This Jail can runvery many industries as well. So to cope of the work and organizing the industries, anotherexperienced Deputy Jailor may kindly be posted immediately to this Jail for 6months for the time being.

JailTank:-

There are 3 tanks, two in garden no.1and one in garden no. 2. It is learnt that these remains very little quantityof water in these tanks during summer months.

Prisoners

The total number of prisoners unlockedon 2.11.56 was 442. Their details are noted below.

Male Female

Remands 144 6

Session 32 X

R.I. 259 1

435 7

Of the convicts 39 , one sentenced totransportation for life. Their cases require examination. It is not desirablealso to keep so many long terms prisoners in a district Jail. So I have alreadysubmitted a list under this office memo no. dated for favor of consideration oftheir transfer to the Central Jails. Early order may kindly be passed. Inamongst their 39 prisoners, one is leper. He is being sent to Midnapore CentralJail as instructed. There are three other leper prisoners also. They are alsobeing transferred to Midnapore Central Jail.

There are some more long termprisoners. Transferred to them also willbe applied for in due course.

There is practically no systematicadministration. Everything seems to be running a bit lazily in an indifferentway. Though the general behavior of the prisoner is good, the discipline doesnot appear to be of a very high standard. It requires to be pulled up.

DietScale

A copy of the diet scale is submittedherewith for favor of perusal. The diet scale is being followed in toto.

In this connection, the followingpoints have drawn my attention.

Prisoners are allowed to fast onSundays and they are given fruits, sugar etc. within the cost of their diet.There was a one unofficial (within the knowledge of the officers) arrangementalso to change these items. I have allowed the prisoners to go on fast onSundays and have passed orders to give substitute within the cost of diet whichwas according to Bihar Jail Manual and current circulars. But the unofficialpractices have been disallowed.

They are not allowed any mustard oilfor inunctions. On the day previous to the Superintendent’s inspection, somequantity of mustard oil is deducted from the quantity of their diet and issuedto them. This practice has been stopped and the mustard oil is being issueddaily for inunctions as is being done in other Jail in West Bengal.

No special diet is allowed on anyceremonial occasion. The practice is that some change of diet is only allowedwithin the cost.

Orders with regard to the above itemis solicited.

Sweepers

Sweeper is being felt here also. No special diet isallowed to them except meat. I am trying to get some sweepers, if possible byextending privileges in vogue in other Jails.

Newspapers

Prisoners are allowed to readnewspapers at Government cost. OneBengali, one Hindi daily were being subscribed. I have continued that pendingfurther orders. It is desirable that this practice be continued for someperiod. If it meets your approval, funds may kindly be allowed for the same.

JailLibrary

The few books that the Jail library possessedhave been entered into a list (appendix). The list will show that there areonly a few Bengali books. A sum of Rs.150/- may kindly be sanctioned for thisyear to purchase books for the prisoners library. There is no book or circularfor reference. Only the copy of Bengal Jail Code has been brought with me. Isubmit below a list of books that may be required for reference. Sanction for their purchase as well may kindly be accorded.

1. WBSR…Vol.1 & 2

2. TreasuryRules

3. SubsidiaryRules

4. FinancialRules

5. DetentionManual with circulars regarding their treatment etc.

6. Acopy of the Gazette containing the revision of pay Rules ,1950

7. CriminalProcedure Code

8. IndianPenal Code

9. Copies of all current circulars andGovt. orders regarding treatment of prisoners, purchase of grains and otherarticles, pay and travelling allowances.

Registers and forms by me for this Jail from Krishnagar has not arrivedas yet. As a result, many of the important registers could not be opened. The press and forms Manager maykindly be reminded to send it immediately.

Stationery

There was not a single item ofstationary article with this office. I have already purchased articles worth ofRs.25/- for running the office for the present. Formal letter requesting thesanction of the purchase has also been submitted under this office memo no.dated. A copy of the Credit Note Book for taking delivery of goods may kindly be ordered to supply immediatelyto this Jail from any of the Central Jails.

Cash

A cash balance of Rs. has beenreceived. This contents C.O’s and N.W’s and for P.A. of G.D. and for P.A. ofM.D. I have kept unspent the total amount of P.A. of the Bihar Govt. received along with the cash. Order is solicitated asto how thje amount is to be accounted for. The current expenses are beingmade from the advance I had alreadydrawn from I.G’s office.Rs.85/- has been shown as advance in G.D.cash book andRs.15/- in the M.D. cash book. P.A. cash fixed for G.D. of this Jail was Rs.85/- and for the M.D.it was Rs.15/- orderis solicitated as to how these advance shall have to be adjusted. The FinanceDepartment in an order conveyed through the Deputy Commissioner, Purulia has fixedup the P.A. cash as the amount that was existing previous to the inaugurationand immediate orders may kindly be passed in this respect for drawing up properaccounts.

There is no cash for the Warderssports fund which is not raised here. This is to be started.

Gratuity

C.O. and N.M. get gratuity at the rateof re.1/- and 8/- respectively per month. There is an accumulation of Rupees one hundred and ninety and annas sixunder this head. Of this only Rs. /- belong to the prisoners who are in Jailsat present as per register. Orders as to the disposal of the above money maykindly be passed.

The procedure at present followed inregard to this is that the prisoners appointed as such on received ontransfer to fifteenth of a month become entitle to the gratuity andprisoners discharged prior to fifteenthdoes not get anything at all. I am maintaining an attendance register for C.Osand N.Ws showing date of appointment andrelease etc. so that there may not be any difficulty in accounting.

Assetsand liabilities

In almost all the registers valueshave been put in against the items of articles found in stock on 1.11.56. Thevalues appears to be very much inflated and requires examination. As the oldregisters are not available, it is not possible by this office.

OfficeRecords & Registers

Registers as per statement has beenreceived only. All of them have been opened new with balances struck on1.11.56. No other record has been kept in the office. The statement will showthat only a few admission registers of U.Ts and convicts and some releasedairies have been received. The warrants of commitment have been received but their names do not find out inthe Admission Registers. Release diaries are also almost blank. The dates ofreleases have not been entered on the calculated date as required. Many otherimportant things which cannot any delay requires to be finalized immediately.For this purpose, the Deputy Jailor and the Clerk posted here, both are workingvery hard to bring up the works to some position.

Adult education:-

The percentage of literate prisonersappear to be very low. It is desirable that the scheme for imparting compulsoryprimary education to adult prisoners needs be introduced immediately. For this purpose,a teacher may kindly be posted here.

General:-

The main problem both for the staffand the prisoners is supply of water. The arrangement existing at present isthough to be too inadequate to meet the requirements even now. It is sure to be taken a very serious turn ifthe supply position of water both for the prisoners as well as for the staff benot improved before long. Special attention of the Inspector General ofPrisons, West Bengal is drawn to this.

(S.B.Bhattacharjee)

Superintendent,

PuruliaDistrict Jail.