Dear All,
Greetings from Janata Vikas Manch.
We have pasted below and attached too a detailed report on Janata Vikas Manch (JVM)’s state level convention on People’s Manifesto “JANAMATA-2009” held on April 1, 2009 at Red Cross Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. The report is prepared by Mr Gobind Ballabh Dalai, a youth activist, JVM.
The convention was organized by JVM in a ssociation with BISWA and supported by Adhikar, Agragamee and Youth Matters.
The convention was organized by JVM in a ssociation with BISWA and supported by Adhikar, Agragamee and Youth Matters.
We have also pasted the Draft People’s Manifesto. A large number of suggestions have been offered in the convention. We will include all the points and a final People’s Manifesto will be released on April 5, 2009.
Motor Cycle Yatra: In line with suggestions offered by the people, JVM plans to take out a state-wide motor cycle yatra to convey the common man about the People’s Manifesto or Common Minimum Programme (CMP). The yatra is proposed to begin from April 8, 2009.
Individuals or organizations interested to join this yatra can confirm their participation through mail. JVM appeals all to support this yatra whole-heartedly to strengthen the political process in the state.
Please feel free to send your comments and suggestions at janatavikasmanch@gmail.com. And, visit http://www.janatavikasmanch.blogspot.com/ for more details.
Looking forward,
Regards,
Sai Prasan
Member
JVM
Bhubaneswar
Date: April 4, 2009
Member
JVM
Bhubaneswar
Date: April 4, 2009
=========================================
A detailed report on Janata Vikas Manch (JVM)’s state level convention on People’s Manifesto “JANAMATA-2009” was held on April 1, 2009 at Red Cross Bhawan, Bhubaneswar
Pritikanta Panda, a member of JVM introduced the non-party people’s political forum and briefed about the mandate and background that JVM started with.
Sai Prasan welcomed everybody to the convention. He said that the entire world is facing an ideological crisis. After the disintegration of USSR, the capitalist system of US is also facing a crisis. The global meltdown has hit India and Orissa too. The Lok Sabha elections and the Assembly poll will decide the political and economic line for the country and the state.
He said that the political parties need to strengthen political processes and people’s participation in politics are keys to the development of any state and country. He cited the socio-political development that Odisha is facing.
He call upon the Youth to play a vital role in the politics. Digging at the political lethargy in this part of the country and subsequent development retardation, Sai Prasan explained the main features of the People’s Manifesto or Common Minimum Programme.
Deliberations of the first session
Speaking on the occasion, Nageshwar Patnaik, chairperson of first session told about the global development in the political scenario and juxtaposing Odisha’s situation. People’s manifesto as a forceful political process is bound to shape the political scenario as a whole. Raising concern over the political development in the wake of the 2009 elections, he made a strong point in having proper understanding and stand of political parties on key areas like agriculture, Education, Health, industry and tribal development. He stressed on the morality of political parties and reforms in political parties.
Mr Patnaik said that a large scale use of black money, much beyond the ceiling of money to be spent, is a matter of concern. Recall of the government,/political leaders, not to vote to any leader, these are some of the reform initiatives that are necessary.
In Orissa’s context, policy on the natural resources leading to the development of the state is necessary. There is political consensus on some key areas of the development.
Ramakrushna Panda of CPI said that the political parties should prioritise the path they want to follow for the development. Poverty has gone to such an extent that 80% of people live on Rs. 20/- per day to sustain their family. When we talk about alternative development, we should talk on collective development. We should fight against the divisive forces inside and outside the country. Hypocrisy is rampant among the mainstream political parties. Land reform is very important but major political parties are silent about that. We are not against the urbanization, but the process of urbanization is affecting the interest of the farmers in terms of SEZ and other major investment in cities only. We are not speaking of loan exemption only, loan should be given but at the same time, we should focus on small and marginal farmers. Those who are getting loans are waived but what about those who are not getting. WTO agreement is totally against the agriculture and is bound to hit Indian farmers.
The introduction of corporate farming is dangerous and bound to degrade the scenario. Exploitative capitalists - big companies are grabbing farmers’ land. We strongly condemn the policy of corporate agenda. Water privatization, Public Private Partnership (PPP) ghost have been surrounding the government. There is no real partnership in PPP at all; government is avoiding national responsibility on key areas. Don’t we have the system and mechanism to provide the basic minimum facilities to the people of the land? We are against water privatization. With regard to Hirakud dam – we are against Hirakud water going to Jindal, Vendanta and Posco. But people are not getting for agriculture. We should priortise the development agenda . We are clear on the interest of farmers, crop insurance is not yet insured.
Panda criticized the BJP for their communal politics. Such an irony, Modi will take the development of Orissa and will teach us. CPI believes in composite culture. Multi-cultural values had to be retained and strengthened and such divisive forces should be kept outside the national interest.
Nageshwar Patnaik gave a view on the RP’s statement. He said CPI and CPI (M) should bring innovative ways of solving the issues of the development. People should give land on lease like it is being done in Japan.
Suresh Panigrahi of CPI(M) welcomed the measure taken by JVM. He said that CPM was in UPA government for a important cause. We saved the insurance and banking sector from getting for development. We should effect the change in the land acquisition policy and displaced should get adequate compensation. People have not got proper representation or compensaton. We should see the cost effectiveness about the setting up of industries. The industry and agriculture should go hand in hand. It is not one after another.
Mineral export should be based on the value added price not like looting. National Mineral Policy, 1995. We advocated the development of tribals and dalits through land policy. The primary health should not be privatized…The primary health should be well accessible. Young blood should be infused into the party to give proper directions. There should be an alternative policy on youth employment.
Indian is a secular country. Various experiments on the political situation in India. The scenario is very precarious. Congress and BJP can not be the two power centres, rather we need an alternative. The state should demand for the proper share from the centre..We will mobilize the people on such an issue of partiality of Centre.
Narendra Swain of BJD spoke about his party’s commitment in fulfilling the dream of the common man and regarding the holistic nature of the manifesto. Responding to a query on forestry, he mentioned that during their government, the land under forest had been increased from 31% to 37 % of total land cover. He also spoke about their party’s stand on having a non-Congress and non-BJP government. He told about his government’s special measure like Gaon Sathi had brought transparency and accountability in NREGS programme.
Second Session on Holistic Development of the state: Issues and Challenges
The session was well attended by the panelists. Ms. Sruti Mohapatra, Dr Dhanada Mishra, Mr Lalit Patnaik, Mr. Achyut Das, Mr Sai Prasan, Mr Ghasiram Panda and chaired by Mr. K. C. Mallick of BISWA.
On inviting the panelists to the discussion, Mr Mallick drew the attention of the floor on the step motherly approach of the government to the non-governmental organizations in spite of their remarkable contribution in the last few years to the development process of the state. Whereas micro-finance institutions are instrumental in the development of the state, issues like social justice, equity and communal harmony are being ensured only by meaningful contribution of the civil society sector.
Speaking on the thematic topic “Disability and Political Action”, noted disability activist Ms. Sruti Mohapatra deliberated on the history of negligence towards disabled people and in Orissa’s context, it is deplorable. She had been fighting for their rights and have drawn the attention of the political parties in the past, but in vain. She demanded that as disabled people are 10 % of the total population, the political parties should give proper representation to the people with disability. In response to one query, she also spoke that whatever changes had happened in the dismal scenario, it had been only by the help of judiciary. However, the political will is required for proper redressal of the issues like provisioning of services and access of the disabled people as ensured by the constitution of India.
Dr Dhanada Mishra, an educationist deliberated on the education scenario of the state and the proposed role the state had to fulfill the commitment. While he felt that public private partnership should be taken in right spirit and it is the need of the hour to understand the compulsion and have innovative solution to the problems. He also raised concern over the pathetic condition of the higher education especially university education.
Mr Lalit Patnaik, political activist spoke on the thematic discussion on ‘Lack of political responsibility for the weak railways in Odisha” and provided a detailed note on the historical injustice to Orissa on railways. He also held poor communication network that to absence of railways in Kandhamal as one of the reason for the large scale destruction in Kandhamal’s communal violence. The density of Railways in Orissa is the minimum i.e. 14.6 km per one thousand square km area though railways in Orissa have more profit to national income.
Mr. Achyut Das, noted social social worker discussed the issues of social exclusion, socio-economic marginalization of the tribal people in the wake of unplanned industrialization process that the state is experiencing in the last few decades. While he asserted that the lack of political will and participation of youth in active politics would severe the situation to a large extent. It is dis-heartening to see the youth workforce to be migrated to other states and living in sub -standard human condition and the state is languishing in extreme poverty.
Mr Ghasiram Panda, social activist long associated with forest right and livelihood issues of tribal people narrated the only successful involvement of people’s movement in forest management in the form of community forest management which has helped the conservation and management of forest. Taking a dig at faulty governmental policy historically, the role of local people in forest management had been paramount.
Mr. Sai Prasan, a member of JVM, had a thorough discussion on the politics of industrialization in the state of Orissa and raised concern over the jeopardized condition of the state in expediting the process of planned industrialization. While, in one hand more than 60 MoUs have been signed over the last few years, actual work had not yet started due to unplanned and lack of farsightedness of the government in implementing the same. He also appealed the political parties to clear their stand and the government should involve people in any negotiation that the government is having with the corporate. He also appealed that the government should keep the MoUs in public domain so that people can know about them and take appropriate steps for proper implementation of the same.
On inviting the panelists to the discussion, Mr Mallick drew the attention of the floor on the step motherly approach of the government to the non-governmental organizations in spite of their remarkable contribution in the last few years to the development process of the state. Whereas micro-finance institutions are instrumental in the development of the state, issues like social justice, equity and communal harmony are being ensured only by meaningful contribution of the civil society sector.
Speaking on the thematic topic “Disability and Political Action”, noted disability activist Ms. Sruti Mohapatra deliberated on the history of negligence towards disabled people and in Orissa’s context, it is deplorable. She had been fighting for their rights and have drawn the attention of the political parties in the past, but in vain. She demanded that as disabled people are 10 % of the total population, the political parties should give proper representation to the people with disability. In response to one query, she also spoke that whatever changes had happened in the dismal scenario, it had been only by the help of judiciary. However, the political will is required for proper redressal of the issues like provisioning of services and access of the disabled people as ensured by the constitution of India.
Dr Dhanada Mishra, an educationist deliberated on the education scenario of the state and the proposed role the state had to fulfill the commitment. While he felt that public private partnership should be taken in right spirit and it is the need of the hour to understand the compulsion and have innovative solution to the problems. He also raised concern over the pathetic condition of the higher education especially university education.
Mr Lalit Patnaik, political activist spoke on the thematic discussion on ‘Lack of political responsibility for the weak railways in Odisha” and provided a detailed note on the historical injustice to Orissa on railways. He also held poor communication network that to absence of railways in Kandhamal as one of the reason for the large scale destruction in Kandhamal’s communal violence. The density of Railways in Orissa is the minimum i.e. 14.6 km per one thousand square km area though railways in Orissa have more profit to national income.
Mr. Achyut Das, noted social social worker discussed the issues of social exclusion, socio-economic marginalization of the tribal people in the wake of unplanned industrialization process that the state is experiencing in the last few decades. While he asserted that the lack of political will and participation of youth in active politics would severe the situation to a large extent. It is dis-heartening to see the youth workforce to be migrated to other states and living in sub -standard human condition and the state is languishing in extreme poverty.
Mr Ghasiram Panda, social activist long associated with forest right and livelihood issues of tribal people narrated the only successful involvement of people’s movement in forest management in the form of community forest management which has helped the conservation and management of forest. Taking a dig at faulty governmental policy historically, the role of local people in forest management had been paramount.
Mr. Sai Prasan, a member of JVM, had a thorough discussion on the politics of industrialization in the state of Orissa and raised concern over the jeopardized condition of the state in expediting the process of planned industrialization. While, in one hand more than 60 MoUs have been signed over the last few years, actual work had not yet started due to unplanned and lack of farsightedness of the government in implementing the same. He also appealed the political parties to clear their stand and the government should involve people in any negotiation that the government is having with the corporate. He also appealed that the government should keep the MoUs in public domain so that people can know about them and take appropriate steps for proper implementation of the same.
Third session on Young Generation and Electoral Politics
The third and last session on “Young Generation and Electoral Politics” was chaired by Mr Akshaya Kumar Sahoo of The Asian Age and panelist present were Mr N.A. Ansari of Youth Matters, Mr Debi Prasad Prusty of Youth Congress, Mr Jatin Mohanty of Youth Wing of BJP, Mr Baboo Singh of Youth wing of BJD and Mr Rupak Johnson, communication expert.
Mr Debiprasad Prusty of Youth Congress took a dig at the recent change of political leaders into different parties and cautioned that it is not at all a healthy sign of true democracy. He termed it to be opportunistic politics and believes that the people will give answer to such politicians in future time to come. He also raised concern over the economic imbalance and discrimination happening in present time. He also felt sorry to see the income disparity among the common people and the government employees and asked for immediate scrutiny of the policies like NREGS and revision of the minimum wage employment to be 360 days in a year and enhancement in the daily wage. Narrating the historicity of the student’s politics of Orissa, he held the opinion that the students in recent times are not so politically active as it was in 80’s and 90’s. He blamed this to the new generation being more academic oriented and luxury seeking.
Mr Jatin Mohanty of BJP claimed that his party Bharatiya Janata Party had been a young party and believes in the youth’s active role in politics. He also appealed the youth to be dedicated and sacrificing to be part of politics to bring in change in society. He welcomed the debate organized by JVM and reaffirmed the need of organizing such debates.
Mr Baboo Singh of Youth Wing of BJD claimed that BJD had always been promoting youth in the party and recent municipal election of Bhubaneswar is a clear example where party had fielded more than 60% of seats to youth candidates. He also narrated that how it had so happened that young elected representatives are engaged in corruption too. So a mix of youth and experienced people should be part of the political parties for proper functioning of the political processes.
While all the speakers were of the same opinion of role of youth in electoral politics they raised few concerns over the age that we fix up.
Mr Rupak Johnson strongly appealed the political parties to give scope to youth to articulate their demands and their enhanced participation in the political process to bring about significant change in the state of affairs of Orissa.
Mr Ansari also brought the attention of the floor on the corrupt political practices that are going on at present and the lethargic attitude of the government to the development of youth in Orissa. No government had tried sincerely to bring in vibrant youth policy and implement the same. One such attempt only during the ministership of Mr. Ranendra Pratap Swain of BJD had not culminated into policy formulation and criticized the lack of commitment of the government in effecting the same.
Summarising the sessions on various issues concerning upcoming election in the state of Orissa, Mr Gobinda Ballava Dalai of JVM thanked all the participants for their cooperation for being the part of the process. He also opined that it is the beginning and a long path has yet to be covered to see visible change in the state of Orissa’s development scenario in future times to come. He thanked BISWA for getting associated with JVM in organizing the convention. He also thanked Adhikar, Agragamme & Youth Matters for lending support to the convention.
Mr Debiprasad Prusty of Youth Congress took a dig at the recent change of political leaders into different parties and cautioned that it is not at all a healthy sign of true democracy. He termed it to be opportunistic politics and believes that the people will give answer to such politicians in future time to come. He also raised concern over the economic imbalance and discrimination happening in present time. He also felt sorry to see the income disparity among the common people and the government employees and asked for immediate scrutiny of the policies like NREGS and revision of the minimum wage employment to be 360 days in a year and enhancement in the daily wage. Narrating the historicity of the student’s politics of Orissa, he held the opinion that the students in recent times are not so politically active as it was in 80’s and 90’s. He blamed this to the new generation being more academic oriented and luxury seeking.
Mr Jatin Mohanty of BJP claimed that his party Bharatiya Janata Party had been a young party and believes in the youth’s active role in politics. He also appealed the youth to be dedicated and sacrificing to be part of politics to bring in change in society. He welcomed the debate organized by JVM and reaffirmed the need of organizing such debates.
Mr Baboo Singh of Youth Wing of BJD claimed that BJD had always been promoting youth in the party and recent municipal election of Bhubaneswar is a clear example where party had fielded more than 60% of seats to youth candidates. He also narrated that how it had so happened that young elected representatives are engaged in corruption too. So a mix of youth and experienced people should be part of the political parties for proper functioning of the political processes.
While all the speakers were of the same opinion of role of youth in electoral politics they raised few concerns over the age that we fix up.
Mr Rupak Johnson strongly appealed the political parties to give scope to youth to articulate their demands and their enhanced participation in the political process to bring about significant change in the state of affairs of Orissa.
Mr Ansari also brought the attention of the floor on the corrupt political practices that are going on at present and the lethargic attitude of the government to the development of youth in Orissa. No government had tried sincerely to bring in vibrant youth policy and implement the same. One such attempt only during the ministership of Mr. Ranendra Pratap Swain of BJD had not culminated into policy formulation and criticized the lack of commitment of the government in effecting the same.
Summarising the sessions on various issues concerning upcoming election in the state of Orissa, Mr Gobinda Ballava Dalai of JVM thanked all the participants for their cooperation for being the part of the process. He also opined that it is the beginning and a long path has yet to be covered to see visible change in the state of Orissa’s development scenario in future times to come. He thanked BISWA for getting associated with JVM in organizing the convention. He also thanked Adhikar, Agragamme & Youth Matters for lending support to the convention.
The report is prepared by Gobinda Ballava Dalai, Youth activist, Janata Vikas Manch
No comments:
Post a Comment