State
Food Commission is still defunct in Odisha
Food Commission is still defunct in Odisha
(A Case of
Maladministration of Nabin Patnaik Govt. in Odisha )
Maladministration of Nabin Patnaik Govt. in Odisha )
It may be recalled that in the month of January, 2016,
the state Govt. disclosed to public
about State Information Commission designated as
State Food Commission by showing an outdated Gazette Notification of October,15. During that time, the opposition political parties
and Civil Society Groups criticised the Govt.
for keeping the people
in dark about functioning
of State Food Commission. RTI Activists
opposed decision of the State
Govt. for designating State Information Commission to function as State Food
Commission on the ground that the Information Commission is already overburdened
with pendency of 6000 cases.
the state Govt. disclosed to public
about State Information Commission designated as
State Food Commission by showing an outdated Gazette Notification of October,15. During that time, the opposition political parties
and Civil Society Groups criticised the Govt.
for keeping the people
in dark about functioning
of State Food Commission. RTI Activists
opposed decision of the State
Govt. for designating State Information Commission to function as State Food
Commission on the ground that the Information Commission is already overburdened
with pendency of 6000 cases.
However, after long fight, the State Govt. was compelled
to issue advertisement seeking
application for the post of Chairman and members of State Food Commission in
Feb. 2016. Finally a full-fledged State
Food Commission was constituted with
appointment of Chairman and two members on 9.5.16.
to issue advertisement seeking
application for the post of Chairman and members of State Food Commission in
Feb. 2016. Finally a full-fledged State
Food Commission was constituted with
appointment of Chairman and two members on 9.5.16.
It is worth to mention here that
more than 4000 complaint
cases on denial of entitlements
under NFSA ( National Food Security Act)
have been filed in State Food
Commission since January 2016.
more than 4000 complaint
cases on denial of entitlements
under NFSA ( National Food Security Act)
have been filed in State Food
Commission since January 2016.
RTI Application was
filed to the PIO, Dept. of Food
Supply and Consumer Welfare , Govt. of Odisha
seeking information about
details of functioning of
State Food omission and details of
cases disposed by them within two months of their functioning. On 22.7.16, the PIO has supplied the
following information.
filed to the PIO, Dept. of Food
Supply and Consumer Welfare , Govt. of Odisha
seeking information about
details of functioning of
State Food omission and details of
cases disposed by them within two months of their functioning. On 22.7.16, the PIO has supplied the
following information.
1.
The
State Food Commission is located at Toshali Plaza, Satya Nagar, Bhubaneswar.
The space provided to state Food Commission
is under renovation. At present,
the following supporting staff
has been provided to run the Commission:
The
State Food Commission is located at Toshali Plaza, Satya Nagar, Bhubaneswar.
The space provided to state Food Commission
is under renovation. At present,
the following supporting staff
has been provided to run the Commission:
a.
Member
Secretary-1
Member
Secretary-1
b.
Administrative
Officer-1
Administrative
Officer-1
c.
Section
Officer-1
Section
Officer-1
d.
Assistant Section Officer-2
Assistant Section Officer-2
2. Within period of two months of
their functioning, a conference
of RDC, Southern Division, concerned
Collectors, Project Directors , DRDA was held on 23.6.2016 at Conference Hall of RDC, Berhampur to review
the progress of implementation of NFSA.
their functioning, a conference
of RDC, Southern Division, concerned
Collectors, Project Directors , DRDA was held on 23.6.2016 at Conference Hall of RDC, Berhampur to review
the progress of implementation of NFSA.
Comments
1. Though State Food Commission was
constituted since October.2015, not a single case has been heard or disposed by
Commission till yet.
constituted since October.2015, not a single case has been heard or disposed by
Commission till yet.
2.
More than 4000 complaint cases are pending in Commission for disposal.
More than 4000 complaint cases are pending in Commission for disposal.
3. If
Salary and allowances of Chairman
and two members for two months is calculated, it will be around 6 lakhs
which is a big loss to state exchequer.
Salary and allowances of Chairman
and two members for two months is calculated, it will be around 6 lakhs
which is a big loss to state exchequer.
4. It must be remembered that the
primary work of the Commission is hear complaint and render justice to deprived
one.
primary work of the Commission is hear complaint and render justice to deprived
one.
5.
Though corruption and irregularities in respect of distribution of
Ration card and deprivation of genuine families from list of Priority
Households in the state has become
order of the day, State Food Commission is sitting idle without doing
anything.
Though corruption and irregularities in respect of distribution of
Ration card and deprivation of genuine families from list of Priority
Households in the state has become
order of the day, State Food Commission is sitting idle without doing
anything.
6. It is needless to mention here
that the selection Committee has not given any justification about their
competency and efficiency while selecting these persons for the post of
Chairman and Members of Commission and why other applicants are less competent
to them which has been exposed through RTI.
that the selection Committee has not given any justification about their
competency and efficiency while selecting these persons for the post of
Chairman and Members of Commission and why other applicants are less competent
to them which has been exposed through RTI.
Pradip
Pradhan
Pradhan
M-9937843482
Date-
28.7.16
28.7.16
