The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Info panel to reach out to tribals

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Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
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Info panel to reach out to tribals

Staff Reporter

Awareness campaign on big scale planned

Aspects of the law being translated into tribal languages
SIC proposes to organise ‘Soochana Mahasabha’

BHUBANESWAR: Members of tribal communities living in Orissa’s hinterland making use of their right to information sounds quite unusual. But if the measures initiated by the State Information Commission (SIC) bears fruit, many of them may start seeking information about the developmental works being taken up in their respective areas soon.

In a bid to bring primitive tribals into the fold of users of Right To Information (RTI) Act, the SIC has started work on translating basic aspects of the Act in eight major tribal languages of the State.

“We are trying to make tribals aware about the revolutionary Act. It is often being alleged that government officials rule the rural India. Once tribals know about the powerful tool, they will be able to assert themselves,” according to State Information Commissioner Radhamohan.

He said major tribal languages which had been selected for the purpose included Ho, Munda, Sanathali, Kui, Kubhi and Desia.

“We will reach out to community leaders and tribal people’s representatives starting from village sarpanch to Member of Legislative Assembly and Member of Parliament educating them on the Act,” he said.

Moreover, SIC proposed to organise a ‘Soochna Mahasabha’ where State government officials employed in tribal welfare departments such as Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), 17 micro projects, Adivasi schools and Kanyashram would be educated about the law and oriented about their responsibilities.

Two organisations -- SCs and STs Research and Training Institute (SSRTI) and Tribal Academy, were entrusted with the task to perform the role of enabler for availing members of tribal communities of access to the Act, Prof. Radhamohan said.

SHGs to be targeted

He said tribal self-help groups would be targeted in the first place to take the lead in seeking information campaign in the tribal communities. Prof. Radhamohan, who is getting retired from his post on January 30, said the SIC had given maximum emphasis on making people aware about the law after the commission was set up in the State.

Moreover, 36 ‘Soochna Sivirs’ were organised for awareness and also training people to file RTI applications, he said.

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