History of Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan
Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan emerged as Platform of Social Activists and Civil Society Groups in 2006 just after enactment of Right to Information Act. At the outset, few Social Activists and Public Spirited persons came together to discuss about newly enacted RTI Act and decided to make campaign to sensitize the people about the Act. Late Sri Chiita Behera, Social Scientist was the brain behind such brilliant initiative for such campaign. In fact, he gave the intellectual input to this campaign by developing campaign materials, posters , leaflets and booklets both in Odia and English. The Campaign grew every year as more number of Social Activists joined and worked together to carry forward campaign to grass-root level. Sri Pradip Kumar Pradhan, Present State Convener lead the campaign from very beginning till today and made Abhijan a vibrant forum in Odisha. OSAA emerged as only RTI Forum in the state having expertise on RTI and help thousands of common people to exercise their right to access the information. Within 19 years of long span of time, OSAA emerged as strong State-level Forum rendering voluntary service to the common people and Activists fighting against corruption. The Abhijan, registered under the Indian trust Act has a Core Body at State level and District Conveners in 20 districts to carry out campaign for effective implementation of RTI Act. After 2014, the Abhijan tuned into platform of Anti-corruption crusaders who exposed corruption after obtaining information under RTI and file corruption to various forums seeking inquiry. The Abhijan led mass campaign against corruption against Naveen Patnaik Govt. and resulted in downfall of the said BJD Govt. in 2024 General election.
