Survey Reports

Surveys made to Village Rammakpurwa (GP Sakarwara-Baghlihai, Block Talgram on7^th Sept) and to Village Panchayat Farikapur (Jalabad Block on 12^th Sept 2010)

During the hectic schedule (in view of Ramzan fasting and subsequent Eid festival) on wide public demand we made exclusive survey tours to the much neglected / under developed villages: Rammakpurwa (Skarwara-Baghlihai GP, Block Talgram) at a distance of 7 Km from mainland (Talagram) on 7^th September with veteran farmer and social activist (National Agriculture Awardee Shri Ram Kumar Dubey) on 7^th September 2010. It was the whole day raining and lush greenery all along from connecting GT Road to the remote village was a memorable journey, pleasure of the natural beauty and first hand assessment of the immense agriculture and farming resource potential in the relatively poor and neglected part of the district. Due to above average rainfall in the area (during the season) the Kharif crop appeared to be flourishing with sign of improved yield of both the food grain and fodder. Though Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna had increased access to almost every village, but the maintenance of such roads is quite deplorable due to rampant corruption and the common public finds helpless against the mighty corrupt officials and public representatives (hand-in-glove).

During 3 hrs stay in village we noticed that due to incessant rain quite a large number of thatched houses collapsed and their inhabitants became shelter less. The 2 acres wide area pond inside village was found to be flooded, the roads and lanes inside were submerged. Hardship of the people was quite apparent and no rescue/relief team was sent to the site. While discussing with the wide range of people it was opined that most of the people don’t want the pond to be leased on for fish farming as it is an immense source of water requirement for animals and reservoir for extinguishing fire menace (during summer). The small village with population nearly 1000 is still un-electrified. Efforts with elected MLA/MP had remained futile to get it done as often remote villagers are betrayed by mighty / clever politicians who manage to win the election on caste/community/money factors. Thus there was apparently great chaos among the villagers towards such apathy. Shri Dubey through his impressive interaction with farmers encouraged for skilled / innovative farming what he has established through his four decades of experiments and wide visionary zeal. He invited farmers to his farmhouse to share benefits of innovative farming. While we interacted with farmers, old age, widows and deprived persons who had not been getting any social benefit of the Govt. scheme, we assured our cooperation and encouraged them to encounter their problems with Block / Sub Division and District officials for redressing grievances.

While passing through Terajakat-Talagram Road, we noticed a vast stretch of unplanned forestry land (hardly 2-3 Km distance from the Main GT Road) which can be developed into resourceful forest and orchard centre with the help of CSA, ICAR, MOEF as well as UP Govt. Agriculture Directorate through long term culture / plantation planning. Similar experiments had already been carried out in state like Kerala. There is one more proposal that the proposed Mega Food Park Project of the Ministry of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) which needs more than 100 acres of land for the comprehensive project of up to 250 crores under joint venture as Special Processing Vehicle (SPV) for Central Food Processing can be established at this point which will not only consume local agriculture produce like potato, wheat, maize, fruits etc but also generate revenue and local employment. Thus there should be an initiative by government authorities to get such projects established in this area which will become hub of the agriculture industry of UP. Matter needs to be pursued to Planning Commission level. In view of land fertility, moderate climatic conditions, easy transport access, availability of semi-skilled and unskilled labors in the area, such projects should be established for sustainable growth of the district. We strongly suggest that in wake of new Sub Division-Gursahaiganj to be carved out of Chhibramau and Kannauj Sub-Division this area should be chosen for establishing required Sub Divisional Offices.

Second part of our survey tour was for Village and Gram Panchayat Farikapur (Jalalabad) on 12^th Sept 2010. In two long hour’s interaction with villagers and their settlements, quite large number of thatched raw earthen houses mainly inhabited by poor Scheduled castes and weaker sections’ people in so many parts of village, water logging was there, roads and lanes damaged allowing for the parasites to breed for any possible health catastrophe to occur. Interestingly, wherever in any village we find the similar trend of non-development, no maintenance, poor hygienic conditions and non cooperation amongst villagers for effective and clean governance at the village panchyat level. We interacted with an old man Shri Anwar Khan (60 yrs) who is a medical quack in the village and is assisting people in ordinary ailments. The pathetic situation observed was that the main road inside the village at one point was deeply waterlogged due to inner conflict of two warring groups who blocked the water passage by constructing a barrage through MNREGA funds putting hardships to many. The matter was brought to the notice of administrative authorities like BDO, SDM etc but could not get resolved. Reportedly such 2-3 feet deep water-logging on road remained for over a week that at the time Ramzan and Eid festival.

In this connection we visited different localities like Dhobiana (all SCs community) where about 40 poor families of 250 population live under shabby conditions. There is no electrical circuit / connectivity in the area, only 1 hand pump for drinking water and other necessities which is very pitiable. While Govt. has proved one submersible pump for the area but the same was installed by village Pradhan in his premises. The entire area was submerged and thus reeling under severe health threat. Not a single residential house had been provided to these people under IAY. These poor people have also not been issued BPL cards though enlisted in the BPL list and also none is beneficiary under MNREGA due to apathy and discrimination by Panchayat people. It doesn’t have any govt. medical center / facility in the village up to 5 Km range. There is nothing like adult literacy center, Anganwadi or voluntary service group in the whole area. These poor people are having no farmland for their sustenance.

Next we visited Harijan Mohallah inhabited by over 30 families of about 200 population. These people are also deprived of sufficient drinking water facility (only 1 hand pump at a distance of 200 meters). Through PDS, they are getting only K oil due to loot by the dealer. Out of these, only 2 families have BPL cards and the rest are with APL though all are extremely poor with no land for sustenance and even they don’t get employment under MNREGA. The area is not electrified, though poles are erected. Such is the plight of even Harijan Basti despite tall talks and wide claims by government and administrative authorities. We interacted with one Shri Harish Chandra (SC 70 yrs age) having 10 family members who had been allotted 1 acre patta land. None in the family is employed elsewhere. Though they have 2 members MNREGA cards but are hardly called for the works and hence keep deprived. Thus there is reported partiality in the implementation of MNREGA plan. Reportedly none in the family is getting any pension under Old Age category and have no BPL cards. Thus we are of the view that it is callousness / negligence of the concerned government machinery who has allowed the inbreeding of corruption, favoritism and discrimination in implementation of Government welfare schemes. It is pity that despite Late Rajiv Gandhi’s comment in late eighties that hardly 15% of the fund reaches the real beneficiaries, so is still true despite sea change in policies, programs implementation and technological up-gradation. We have to introspect in light of Lord Macaulay’s observation (1835) that none in India was beggar and people were quite happy, healthy and peace loving. What happened to our Sanskars?

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Dated:11^thOctober2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Revised Survey Report on Functioning of Bidi Workers’ Hospital at Gursahaiganj, Dist Kannauj

(Under Ministry of Labor& Employment, Govt. of India, Surveyed on 29^thSept 2010)

In continuation to our earlier visit and survey report on status and functioning of prestigious Bidi Workers’ Hospital in Gursahaiganj (dated 5^th May 2010) another visit for viewing existing situation and public plight concerning the Hospital services was performed on 29^th September 2010 for two long hours. During deliberations with each section of hospital workers including the lone Medical Officer Dr Ravi Bhshan Verma, it was revealed that institutional building maintenance is very poor. There are no sufficient safety measures / arrangement for safeguard of the public property. Often cases of stray theft incidences are reported in the residential area. As earlier pointed out, diagnostic facilities are almost non-existent except the routine sputum test and X - Ray facility. Most of the staff members are from distant part of the state and often face the wrath of vulgar antisocial elements who force for illegal favor in treatment, registration of treatment card and disbursement of welfare facilities / grant.

Strength of the workers’ registration card had crossed by sixty thousand mark and heavy demand for ongoing registration is ever a big challenge. There is need to device a fool proof mechanism for issuing registration card to only genuine and working Bidi labors after thorough testing and enquiry with the endorsement from, Bidi industrialist and local Panchayat office along with an affidavit duly issued by the Magistrate/Notary advocate. Ever since establishment of this centre, it has been understaffed with insufficient diagnostic facilities and shortage of specialists and even scarcity of medicines. It is worth to mention that by this industry alone, hundreds of crores of rupees of central excise duty is earned by union government in addition to substantial sum of income tax from industrialists, but very little money is spent for the welfare of these poor Bidi workers who remain prey to the occupation health hazards like recurrence of asthma, tuberculosis, anemia, orthopedic, gastric diseases including cancer as regular exposure to harmful tobacco and stressed body posture for long working hours. There is no health surveillance of hapless Bidi workers from the occupational health hazards pint of view. Regular visits of health workers (from NIOH Kanpur unit) and social activists/NGOs, is very much required to help improve their health status.

Since the entire hospital is being managed by only one permanent Medical Officer (recently an Ad-Hoc Medical Officer is posted) out of sanctioned strength of five regular Medical Officers which causes acute work pressure problem. This is gross professional injustice due to negligence of top administrative authorities for not providing sufficient physicians for beneficiary of nearly 3 lakh workers and their dependent family members. Other conditions are similar as reported in our earlier survey report (dated 5^th May 2010). Despite our repeated attempts to contact Regional Welfare Commissioner Shri H S Yadav, who administers this center from Allahabad regional office, could not satisfy our demands and had been non committal. Hence matter was referred to Ministry through some MPs for getting serious attention into public grievances. It is reasserted that in view of gravity of the situation (due to vast jurisdiction of two districts Farrukhabad and Kannauj) it needs better upkeep and improved medical and health facilities to meet the requirements of its beneficiaries so as to justify the spirit of social justice and empowerment of weaker section and downtrodden people launched by union government.

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Dated: 11^th October 2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Scientist-Officers-Industry and Farmers meet at FFDC Kannauj

(National Seminar on empowering local farmers through Scientist-Administration-Industry-Farmers interface)

The much awaited one day sensitization program to enhance local farmers’ income utilizing the best possible technical facilities established and being rendered by nationally famed institution Fragrance and Flavor Development Centre (FFDC) Kannauj was organized as outcome of our own efforts to interface the scientific observations with Govt. officers/institutions and Industry and the farmers producing raw material (both edible as well as industrially needful flavor and fragrance agriculture produce). The program was held on 8^th September 2010 began which with overwhelming response from dedicated team of scientific community (FFDC, CSA and Min. Environment & Forests, Govt. of India officials), the District administrative/technical officers, Industrial Entrepreneurs and farmers of all walks (including poultry, dairy, fishery etc). It was attended by over 50 persons in the closed door FFDC conference room through two interactive sessions (morning and afternoon).

The program began with welcome address by FFDC Director Shri KN Dwivedi who highlighted the scope and objectives of the FFDC under Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Govt. of India. This institution was established way back in 1994 and its founder Director Dr Parmarthi also graced the occasion. Shri Dwivedi in his lucid and comprehensive illustration informed the participants about unique facilities under FFDC and various policies / guidelines of the Ministry to enhance rural/farmers’ economy through use of innovative technology and availing financial assistance and grant to establish processing ventures and through short term training programs on extraction and processing of essential oils and other important ingredients from a variety of local agriculture products. Interestingly, despite being FFDC’s major objective of coordinating all segments of Flavor and Fragrance industry, it was the first event in its history which was shared by concerned peer groups under one roof. The Chief Guest of the morning session was Shri M S Tripathi (well experienced and upright district administration officer holding the coveted post of Chief development Officer) who assured full cooperation of district machinery in providing infrastructure facilities, marketing and financial assistance etc. Shri Tripathi opined that marketing of such perishable products is a big challenge for farmers.

FFDC Director Shri Dwivedi informed participants for Ministry’s thrust program by attaining National target from 6% to 20% and Global target from 0.5% to 3% in bringing out the food processing output by establishing Mega Food Park as Special Processing Vehicle through a consortium of 10-15 persons where Government is willing to grant from 50-250 crores to establish Central Food Processing Zone. Innovative entrepreneurs are being encouraged to establish such venture in the midst of Districts Farrukhabad, Kannauj and Mainpuri utilizing the local agriculture produce. Shri Surendra Kumar Gupta representing Kanpur based Goldy spices and pickles in his detailed deliberation pointed out about worth of spicy agriculture produces like pepper, turmeric, garlic, onion etc. Going deep in to the skilled way of such farming and proper marketing, farmers can multifold their income and make the area’s requirement self sufficient. Among other prominent participants, Shri Anurag Katiyar (ayurma07@rediffmail.com) highlighted his tiresome journey to explore marketing window to the west through self innovation. Today Shri Katiyar is a role model in trading his products (mantha and other essential oils) directly to the foreign market. He is an excellent success story in the venture where FFDC has been assisting him technically. Young entrepreneur Shri Sudhir Mishra shared his experiences and offered assistance to ambitious farmers and processors involved in the essential oils extraction, characterization, quality control and marketing. Shri R K Dubey, National Awardee of Agriculture Ministry, Govt. of India thrilled participants through his established innovations in upgrading yield of Garlic, Pigeon Pea, Mustard, Moong, Brinjal etc while improving the land fertility and conserving environment, is a role model in the whole of state much more than an eminent farm scientist who is guru and guide to all concerned to rural economy.

Discussions on energy and irrigation crisis, water level depletion, soil erosion, land pollution, calamities like drought, flood and deleting forestry and water bodies were also carried out in a quite applied manner as how the fate of agriculture and industry is at stake. Dr Akmal Husain (Sr. Scientist, Zoological Survey of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India akmalhusain13@yahoo.com) highlighted the relevance of biodiversity conservation, depleting natural resources and wide scale ecological imbalance wherein farmers, industrialists, scientists and administrators jointly can fight the menace to preserve the planet full of resources for human sustenance but it should be planned and utilized in sustainable manner. The industrial and farm activities should not be detrimental to the balanced ecosystem. Importance of encouraging medicinal plants cultivation and conservation was also highlighted by him. He also emphasized for harvesting monsoon rain and water conservation through devised water management techniques. There is pending need (since over two decades) to establish potato based processing industries in the area for which he has taken up the matter with IICPT (Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology, Thanjavur, T N of the Ministry of Food Processing Technology Government of India). He also emphasized the importance of encouraging medicinal plants’ cultivation, conservation and utilization and for that to establish a medicinal plants promotion centre at the district level.

Second session (afternoon) was chaired by young and upright District Magistrate Shri Govindaraju N S (IAS). He preferred to get introduced with every participant and knew his views / specialization. District Magistrate in his welcome address encouraged and highlighted the significance of such interface programs. He suggested that this should remain a regular feature to sensitize industry, farmers, scientists, administrators and the policy makers to boost the rural economy and get self sufficiency in food availability and essential requirements like ingredients of flavor and perfumery industry. Dr S V Shukla (Deputy Director, FFDC Kannauj) through his power point presentation informed in detail about the flavor and perfumery industry world-wide and relative share of the Indian industries and abundance of various species. Technological revolutions in the industry and ways and means to improve quality control, yield and compete the global market. Through his beautiful illustration, he encouraged the industrialists and farmers to enter into the venture and get regular technical assistance of the FFDC.

Dr Kanaujia, Field Research Officer (CSA Kanpur) deployed at Jalalabad Block (District Kannauj) informed about the research and innovative assistance available at his centre for better agriculture yield and exploring new vistas in the farm technology. Most of the farmers concerned their agony for lackadaisical attitude of banking / insurance authorities in establishing farm and agriculture ventures. Attention of district authorities was drawn for accelerating the pace of genuine financing and timely supply of proper seeds and fertilizers. Necessity of enhancing poultry, goatry and dairy ventures was also raised. Chief Veterinary Officer assured his cooperation in healthy up keep of live stock through better surveillance and upgraded reach to the remotest parts of the district. District Agriculture Officer Shri Ashok Kumar in his upright approach assured better coordination with enterpreneuring farmers in providing technical and material assistance. He shared our views that the agriculture officials need better coordination and scientific surveillance in the fields for improving yield. District Fisheries Officer also shared his views and assured cooperation to the entrepreneurs and stressed the need to venture more into fish farming and aqua culture.

The highly successful program ended with key observation by CDO Shri Tripathi that such programs should be a continuing feature with specialized groupings (like fragrance and flavor farming, dairy, poultry, goatry etc) separately wherein the farmers and specialists will share their views and guidelines will be released for the benefit of farmers/users. FFDC Director acknowledged participants and assured that this centre will enhance its reach to all the beneficiaries in assisting the technological knowhow.

Innovative Pigeon Pea farming tips by National Agriculture Awardee Shri R K Dubey (Jaisinghpur Farmhouse, Talagram Block, District Kannauj, UP: interacted on 28^th Sept 2010)

In continuation to our regular visits to Jaisinghpur innovative farm house (adjacent to GT Road, 3 Km from Gursahaiganj town under Talgram Block) of the visionary entrepreneur farmer Shri Ram Kumar Dubey who has brought so many laurels and established record achievements through innovative farming (for more than two decades). I take it as pilgrimage to study his inventions and tips to propagate to the common local framers. As in the earlier version we have reported about garlic farming tips and so this time another important crop (pulses namely the Pigeon Pea and Moong etc).

In an hour long discussion and field demonstration, Shri Dubey revealed statistical facts comparing the traditional way of Pigeon Pea farming with his composite culture technique where the yield has been multiplied both of the pulses and of the fodder wood from Pigeon Pea trees.

Farming of pigeon pea is recommended along with combination of Moong by sowing in linear fashion (North–South). The recommended method is to keep pigeon pea trees at a linear distance of 30-40 cm and the 6 feet wide lane (trenches). In the wide trenches, Moong seeds are simultaneously sown in similar linear fashion at 25-30 cm length at 50-60 cm width. A specific variety of Pigeon Pea (uphar) 1Kg/Acre is sown in the month of February end / March beginning along with Moong which matures in 60 days and the Pigeon Pea by the end of October,

The fast growing and temperature resistant Pigeon Pea protect subsidiary crops (Moong, Brinjal etc) from heat damages from western winds in the months of May and June where it has been observed that stout Pigeon Pea trees help lowers the surrounding temperature by up to 5⁰C. Thus it acts as thermal resistant to the vulnerable subsidiary crops like Moong, Brinjal, Kheera, Kakdi etc,

Other peripheral benefits include generating natural manure through nitrogen fixation ability of these species. Hence protects environmental damage as well as checks soil erosion from showers in monsoon,

The estimated total cost which includes watering cost, seed costs of Moong & Pigeon Pea, labor cost, farm cleaning and processing cost altogether reaches up to Rs 6,000/Acre. Such Pigeon Pea trees reach up to the height of 12 feet by maturity,

It is reported that with this technique Pigeon Pea wood fetches nearly Rs 10,000/ Acre besides hux and the yield of Moong by 3 Quintal / Acre @Rs 60/Kg whereas the Pigeon Pea yields by 6 quintal / Acre @Rs 50/Kg. Thus an estimated Rs 50,000/ Acre is earned during the vulnerable season of Zaid & Monsoon whereas the farmland for next (main crop) is prepared with improved fertility,

Similarly Brinjal can also be grown in combination with pigeon pea by sowing Pigeon Pea by end of April / May beginning followed by one week later planting of Brinjal where reported yield of Brinjal in the entire season reaches up to 200 Quintals/Acre in addition to the above stated yield of Pigeon Pea,

Simailar combinations of Pigeon Pea can be undertaken along with Kheera, Kakdi etc (during Zaid period) thus supplementing summer nutritional requirements and making farming safe and economical.

Besides safe earning from such technique the farm land is developed in the fertile and environmentally rich manner for the ensuing crop and seasons. Thus it solves the vulnerable problem of Pulses and fire wood requirements. Such technique needs to be widely practiced in our district where heavy drought and uncertain monsoon is being reported during the past so many years thus to make agriculture better and safe remunerative is the message of luminary farmer Shri R K Dubey.

(Akmal Husain)

Dated: 9^th October 2010 CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

Case study of Poor Men’s Exploitation of Ballopurwa villagers under GP and Block Gugrapur

(Surveyed on 30^th September 2010)

In our ongoing efforts to study and help redress grievances of deprived and oppressed people of the Kannauj district we made a Socio-Economic Survey of village Balloopurwa (3 Km away from village Sunsarapur) under GP and Block Gugrapur with the help of local volunteers namely Mr Pradip Kumar (35 yrs working in a private firm) and Mr Dharmendra Kumar Kushwaha a student of B. Sc. The said Mouza inhabits population of about 1000 people and the Gram Panchyat is being represented by Shri Shyam Pratap Bhadauria for over three decades through mighty means. Hardly any development work has been done in respect of road/lane construction/maintenance. The whole hutment of over 100 families, are mainly of the Backward Class Community which has been discriminated due to caste conflict/consideration. It has been revealed that so far not a single person got any housing under the Indira Avas Yojana (IAY) from this Majra. The village is partly electrified (only about 1/3) and there is no school in the village. Interestingly there is no any Bank Branch in the entire Block and so people have to move far off for monetary transaction putting hardships and facing security concern.

Majority of the people complained about bungling in the MGNREGA funds disbursement. As so many fake persons are recipient of such rural employment fund with the connivance of government and Panchyat officials. An interesting case of victimization of a family of four brothers (Sl Nos. 3-6 as below) along with other two members was reported to us for PDS irregularities. These six persons whose BPL cards (prepared in 2004) were kept by the then dealer (Mr Shyam Pratap Bhadauria) after distributing commodities for 7-8 months during 2004-2005. Since then the said BPL cards had not been returned to its owners and they had been deprived of any welfare grant or concessional commodity due to want of such cards. Now after the PDS dealer is changed (being reserved for SC in the name of Rani Katheria) on enquiring from her, she also denied having received such cards. These six persons whose BPL cards had been captured and exploited for more than five years are as below:

Soney Lal S/O Ukhari (OBC)

Sewak S/O Chhiddan (Do)

Ramadhar S/O Moolchandra (Do)

Ram Pal S/O Mool Chandra (DO)

Radhey Shyam S/O Mool Chandra (Do)

Amar Singh S/O Mool Chandra (Do)

Hence in view of the pathetic situation of a large number of inhabitants of the village (Ballopurwa) it is requested that an enquiry should be made to deliver justice to the exploited/deprived persons mainly to the above named six persons whose BPL cards had been captured and they are deprived of Govt. facilities and they ever remain voiceless due to fear of mighty goons. It should be ensured that in the ensuing revision of Socio-Economic Survey for BPL enlistment, these persons along with all other genuine persons should be ensured to avail the Govt. welfare schemes and grants. Fool proof measures should be adopted to weed out corruption at the grass root level in true sense of good and transparent governance at Panchayat level.

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

V&P: Ismailpur (Dist. Kannauj)

site: www.kannaujactionplan.blogspot.com

Dated 7^th October 2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Innovative Garlic farming tips by National Awardee Shri Ram Kumar Dubey

(Jaisinghpur Farmhouse, Talagram Block, District Kannauj, UP: interacted on 25^th July 2010)

A small village Jaisinghpur (adjacent to GT Road, 3 Km from Gursahaiganj town under Talgram Block) has come into national focus through its mentor and visionary enterpreneur farmer Shri Ram Kumar Dubey through innovative farming for more than two decades had been recently acknowledged and awarded by the Union Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar in February 2010 (in a impressive ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi). Shri Dubey had been involved in propagating new innovations through experimental demonstrations at his farm house not only to the farmers but also to the researchers of CSA, DPR and IIT Kanpur. Hence this place has become focus of attention of not only farmers/agriculture scientists but of administrators and policy makers. He has so far successfully experimented on various crops like pigeon pea, garlic, brinjal, papaya, maize, mustard, potato etc and demonstrated increased yield. As usual during my home visit, I take it on priority to learn immense knowledge and experiences gained by the veteran farmer with whom we had been familiar and homely since my birth. The detailed highlights of his activities/achievements had been shown through our earlier survey report dated 21^st June 2010 (submitted and posted on the site www.kannaujactionplan.blogspot.com).

In an exclusive discussion on innovative and highly remunerative garlic farming, Shri Dubey revealed statistical facts comparing the traditional way of farming and the improved (rather self experimented method of crop sowing by doubling seeds gap under the earth surface).

As per traditional method of garlic farming (sowing garlic seeds at a distance of 10 cm) requires approximate 2 quintal seeds, thus total seed cost of Rs 10,000/acre (say at the cost of Rs 50/kg), labor cost for sowing and grass weeding costs Rs 18,000/acre and the overall yield comes out around 30 quintals (with small sized garlic which is sold at the cost of Rs 30/kg approximate) thus total yield fetch around Rs 1 lakh only,

Whereas if the same seeds are sown under the earth at distance of 20 cm it will need only Rs 10,000/ as labor cost (for sowing and grass weeding) and the seed cost will be approximate Rs 4,000/ only and by this the overall yield comes out around 50 quintals (instead of average 30 quintals in the earlier way) and such garlic bunch is of larger size which in market is sold at a high rate of approximate Rs 50/kg, hence fetching the total output of Rs 250,000/ approximate. Thus it will certainly pay more than two times the usual cost by sowing garlic seeds at the double distance (20 cm apart),

For such farming the ideal sowing period is 25^th September to 15^th October and the harvesting period is 15^th March to 15^th April.

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

site: www.kannaujactionplan.blogspot.com

Dated: 9^th August 2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Copies to: 1) The District Magistrate, Kannauj (UP),

2) The Dy. Director/District Agriculture Officer, Kannauj (UP)

3) All BDOs of District Kannauj (UP)

Village Panchayat Roora (Umarda Block in Kannauj District, UP):

(Government Apathy for neglecting the Electrification, Surveyed on 25^th July 2010)

Irony of the fate, even the mainland people in well developed and historically, politically and economically significant Kannauj district of large population (Village Panchayat Roora with over ten thousand) are still languishing in the dark and had ever been dreaming of the greatest gift of Science & Nature: Electricity for which the poles were erected, wires were fitted (even three decades ago which were later withdrawn for the reasons best known to the policy makers and the Government machinery). Subsequent law makers (during the Assembly and Parliamentary elections assure and later dissuade) to their very genuine demand. The pity is that even small hutments in its surrounding are well electrified (at the shorter distance of 500 meters) and entire infrastructure like transformer of sufficient capacity is there in the vicinity. The people (with over 95% Muslims population are so much disgusted of the false assurances and their anguish for which no public representative (like local MLA/MP) dare to enter the secluded and unfortunate village. The village well connected through state highway and rural link road is about 10 KM from the Sub Division/Municipal Town Tirwa. The people of the village had come up in modern farming, school and college education and producing number well qualified persons engaged in education, legal and technical professions. It is due to lack of political will and the apathy of government machinery that most essential commodity/necessity could not yet connect the homes and streets of this important village.

Significance of the gravity can be judged from the fact that there are certain important public institutions (in the village Roora) which are also facing equal crisis in wake of such essential facility. These are Allahabad Bank established in March 1987; a Unani Hospital functioning for more than three decades, a Sub Post Office (for more than 35 yrs), a Government Primary school (having 6 teachers with over 300 students) and one Government aided Madarsah (having 16 teachers with over 500 students). Besides want of electricity, the roads/lanes and streets inside the village are very poorly maintained. There is no drainage, water logging is rampant causing mosquito breeding, thus providing unhygienic status to the rural populace. This is thus a regular feature that sanitation, road/drainage are badly neglected in the rural Panchyat set up for which the government machinery need some regulatory measures to curb the evil practices of local public representatives. The elite district administration/state government authorities are hereby requested to redress such unique grievance of Roora Village Panchayat by urgently electrifying the whole village under the rural infrastructure development program with the concept of equity and social justice adopted by the government.

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

site: www.kannaujactionplan.blogspot.com

Dated: 9^th August 2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Copies to: 1) Hon’ble Union Minister of Power, New Delhi,

2) Hon’ble Union Minister of Rural Development, New Delhi,

3) Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of U.P. Lucknow,

4) Hon’ble Power Minister, Govt of UP, Lucknow,

5) The District Magistrate, Kannauj (UP)

Survey of Samdhan & Gursahaiganj Nagar Panchayats in Kannauj District (UP)

(A case study of mismanagement of ideal Panchayat Raj System; Surveyed on 24^th July 2010)

Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of self governance which came into effect through 73rd constitutional amendment in 1992 had widened the Panchayat Raj base and made Panchayat as local self-government both at Nagar and Village level. Since these Panchayats are vested with financial and administrative powers for their self governance (of their choice as per requirement) through five yearly locally elected representatives. It should deliver satisfactory services in respect of all infrastructure development, maintenance and all kinds of civic amenities like safe and sufficient drinking water, health, roads, drains, culverts, public latrines, street lights, grave yards/burning grounds, safe disposal of sever drain and municipal wastes maintaining environmental and hygienic conditions/norms including arranging fairs, festivals and hats. Although, mandate of such bodies is the welfare through services of common people (mainly those who can’t afford on their own expenses) but the situation is quite reverse of that. The very objective of such bodies has eroded due to corruption and inefficiency of the public representatives and working machinery.

As per our objective and critical need of surveillance, we planned a visit to these Nagar Panchayats (on Saturday 24 ^th July 2010 between 1-4 PM). The work culture and office attendance position in both the establishments was similar (both Executive Officers reportedly not in office, their whereabouts were not known to anyone). Samdhan Panhayat is governed by its elected Chairman Mr Ahmad Sultan who prefers most of the work to execute from his residence. However, Gursahaiganj Nagar Panchayat since being administered by district administration (through a magistrate) is badly neglected in office upkeep, public access & accountability. The executive Officers are behaving as if they are still working in colonial era.

Although ministerial establishment at Gursahaiganj Panchayat is almost sufficient but still office records are not being maintained as per municipal norms. Astonishing fact was revealed by its senior clerk Shri Suresh Chandra that measurement records of various planned roads, streets and lanes inside its jurisdiction is not maintained by this office. This gives easy scope for continuous encroachment and misuse of public land/resource. Following are certain important observations and recommendations in respect of Gusahaiganj Nagar Panchayat:

There is not yet any arrangement for alternate street light (through generator back-up) in Grsahaiganj, as is being experimentally practiced in the nearby small town of Samdhan,

For smooth water supply maintenance, there is not yet any Junior Engineer (water works),

For proper roads, streets, drainage maintenance and development there need one Junior Engineer for Civil Works which is also non-existent,

Municipality should take serious involvement in making Clean and Green Gursahaiganj through intensive plantation and garbage removal/safe disposal derive,

There should be a sanitary inspector for regulating drinking water quality and its treatment from time to time. The edible items (being marketed) sample in the town are hardly monitored for their hygienic aspects as there are never samplings carried out by technical personnel and also non-existent of such testing laboratory at district level,

Conservancy services are very poor, garbage dumping is also not being done keeping in view health/hygienic and environmental norms,

There is no ambulance in twin- towns which the municipality can arrange through its funds.

While studying/interacting affairs of Samdhan Nagar Panchayat (relatively newer) it has been observed that establishment is not up to the mark as no infrastructure development has taken place despite reasonable funding of about Rs Eighty Lakhs (annually). There need lot of infrastructure and services improvement in its functioning and services to the people. During informal discussion with its Chairman Mr Ahmad Sultan, young and energetic public representative who behaves more in feudal manner than being suave and keen in public grievances has pointed out negligence of government in liberal sanction in projects like ponds beautification, roads/drainage improvement etc. The condition of all three important big ponds (two in Ismailpur, both adjoining GT Road and the other adjoining Samdhan Town Area is extremely pitiable which needs urgent servicing under pond beautification program. It is unfortunate that part of the pond’s land had been encroached by neighbors which need to be removed. With overall assessment of the situation it appears that funds available are not being properly utilized in the public welfare. At the concluding point, we observed and hence recommend following steps to be taken up for providing better civic services and infrastructure establishment/development of the much neglected Nagar Panchayat whose inhabitants are the worst sufferer:

There need one 33 KV Power station for better electricity supply and public utilities,

There should be short stoppage (on demand) for the long distance buses including few bus

services to originate from Samdhan i.e. for places like Kanpur, Lucknow, Delhi etc,

There need one 10-15 bed Government Hospital (Health Centre),

There is no Intermediate college in town and hence the existing SNA High School Samdhan

can be upgraded to the level of Intermediate. Also there need a Junior High School in Ismailpur

For street lighting there exist 42 points (alternate back up through 10 KVA generator), it needs

to be doubled for covering another 40 points street lighting (to be installed at Ismailpur part)

with additional 10 KVA capacity generator,

Since the Town Area covers vast stretch of settlements, there is need of regular cleaning and

waste disposal which requires monitoring by supervisor of the level of Sanitary Inspector,

There are no Anganwadi centres to supplement nutrition to malnourished and the expectant

mothers, hence there should be 6 Anganwadi centres (2 in Ismailpur, two in Samdhan and one

each in Darasarae & Gorinabada segments in the TA).

In order to get above works done, huge amount of extra fund is required for which its Chairman, Mr Ahmad has been suggested to prepare category-wise estimate and pass it through its board, thereafter we will jointly make efforts for its sanction from the concerned Department/Ministry for which even we can approach Union Government also for special package under underdeveloped area program. Concerned authorities and agencies are hereby requested to do the needful in the best spirit of Panchayat Raj system, clean and good governance.

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

site: www.kannaujactionplan.blogspot.com

Dated: 9^th August 2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Revised Survey Report on Kannauj District

Ancient Monuments Maintained by ASI

(Surveyed on 31^st May to 3^rd June 2010)

In continuation to our recent survey report on the subject (report compiled on 14^th May 20-10, the copy enclosed herewith) after going through the ASI website as per the registered monuments in Kannauj district, a thorough revised survey was undertaken and startling facts were revealed which are as follows:

Tomb of Sergeant, instructor of Murkestry James Norfolk stated to be situated in Gursahaiganj town (adjacent to GT Road National Highway and about 23 Km away from Kannauj town) has been demolished since past more than four decades, the remains of which can hardly be observed in its broken foundation. Such thing would not have been possible without the connivance of local ASI personnel or at all the negligence of its status maintenance is gross irregularity for whose maintenance even the funds are being regularly released without even its existence. It appears that the demolition of such tomb had been done by the adjacent land owner. Serious punitive action should be taken for such irregularity and misconduct.

While visiting the famed and spacious Big Mosque, Bala Pir Tomb, Mosque and Tomb of Makhdoom Jahania in Kannauj town, the rare architectural monuments are fast eroding without proper repair and maintenance. There is no cleaning and aesthetic concept inside and in the periphery of the monuments.

To our utter surprise, it had been the regular practice of the neighboring inhabitants to use the outer open space and even much of that is already encroached in respect of bricked construction and even farming and personal use by the mighty neighbors. All such things had been indiscriminately happening with the connivance or negligence of concerned local authorities. It has come to our notice that the lone attendant Mr Rakesh Yadav had been helping theft and loot of the government property. He had been even allowing people to encroach the land for his petty gains wherein the onus falls on concerned senior officials for their continued silence and gross negligence.

During the current visit we noticed that the boundary wall was being constructed at Bala Pir complex wherein the lot of its area had been compromised to the neighboring encroachers. Also the quality of building material used is not up to the mark. The boundary wall construction work is going on without involving cooperation of local authorities and public representatives for maintaining the ethics and quality of work,

On each site, there is lack of display of boards (captions) stating about the brief history and importance of the monument. There needs display of information hoardings at railway station, collectorate and other important public places about the details and significance of such vital places / sites of national heritage. ASI should immediately display such information details and proper vigil and safety of the government property.

In continuation to our earlier observation and recommendations, there needs to be a permanent surveillance and maintenance unit in collaboration with district administration and Kannauj municipality for its better upkeep, development and resource utilization to raise the tourism potential and generate local employment. These areas need to be developed as National Heritage for which all round efforts involving institutions like ASI, ITDC, Culture, Transport and Civil Aviation need to play their significant role to regain the past glory of this famed place.

As stated earlier, we have already approached the government authorities and corporate agencies to take up the matter for developing its optimum tourism potential to the international level. In view of several holy shrines of both the Hindu and Muslim community, it can be an ideal place and an attraction center for arranging peace and communal harmony sessions. We further stress that the ASI officials need to inspect the sites which are under threat to encroachment (including already encroached) by the locals and dilapidating monuments need to be properly rebuilt and beautification by plantation, sitting arrangement and fencing etc must be immediately taken up. A National level seminar at PSM Post Graduate College Kannauj (inviting academics, bureaucrats, planners, NGOs, social and political activists) will be shortly arranged for which preparations are going on

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Dated:18^thJune2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Report on Working of Govt. Primary & Upper Primary Schools in District

(Surveyed on 25^th April 2010)

In view of our ongoing efforts to help provide better public services to the weaker sections of our area and district people, a random survey of important public institutions is being taken up to coordinate and supplement best possible services and amenities to the large chunk of poor and deprived class of children for the basic need of primary education. After the enactment of Right to Education (through RTE Act 2010) it has become mandatory to educational institutions to get reach every child of 6-14 age group education up to the upper primary level. The scenario is altogether changed with this heavy responsibility on state education authorities and mainly the working class of teachers. With this concerned, I got appraisal of my own school (Primary School Ismailpur under Talagram Block) from where from I passed out in 1965. Gone are the days when students pass out from such schools could reach prestigious positions like scientists, academics, doctors, engineers, IAS, artists etc. Recalling my school days, it is shocking that the infrastructure and teachers’ wages had spiraled multifold since then but the sincerity, quality and standard of the very foundation of one’s life and career had gone down quite heavily. There appears a clear divide between the haves and have nots. The teachers used to be in time, punctual, very sincere, deeply involved and concerned to education and moral build up of the students.

It is shocking to observe that in the strength of 379 enrolled students in school, there is only one permanent teacher with two others as Shikchha Mitra (temporary). It is horrible to imagine how a herd of over three hundred students can be managed, tutored and monitored for their career and morality build up. Hence only the poor of the poorest (BPL) family children are reaching school that too in lure of token Mid Day Meal (MDM) as well as scholarships. It is common belief that had there been no MDM and scholarship, guardians will not send their wards to such schools. The problem perhaps lies with the corrupt and inefficient controlling machinery. Another theory is that these teachers for most of the time in a year are kept engaged in peripheral works like polio drops, Krishi Gadna, Election processes, census and so many other govt. schemes being run from time to time. The politicization at the selection level had badly corrupted the conduct and functioning of the teachers. To our extreme surprise, we noticed that a large number of teachers selected as Urdu teacher are either quite ignorant of the language (entered into service through dubious means as their eligibility is under scanner) or they are not being taught the subject once selected under the category. After the State Urdu, Arabic and Pharasi Board is elevated to the level of University with its Vice Chancellor Anees Ansari (IAS Retd), we will press for bringing transparency in conducting the examinations by this body including by the Aligarh based Jamia Urdu which has earned dubious reputation for large scale bungling in the examination and sale of certificates and degrees. A high level vigilance enquiry has to be constituted to probe such hundreds of cases (the so-called Urdu teachers who can not even sign in Urdu, reportedly hired persons had appeared in examination with their name). Also credibility of selection committee is highly questionable as why competence and proficiency of the person in the language is not tested at the time of screening and interview for such posts.

No doubt, the fleet of nearly one thousand primary and a little half of it upper primary schools is administered through Nyay panchayat and Block level Resource Centers where some selected teachers had been authorized to regulate mechanism including execution of MDM (a great source of corruption). The students are not being provided sufficient and quality food as the supply is of the worst type of food grain. Hence, it requires moral policing. Unfortunately, teachers used to be the role model but today the trend has revered. This is a great hindrance to the Governments’ mission of Social Justice and Empowerment of weaker sections of society. It is pity that government under political lure and threats is accepting the demands of teachers and non-teaching staff (by paying hefty wages) but very little attention is given to improve the quality of the institutional infrastructure. The teaching / study environment should be healthy, pleasant and comfortable, then only effective and quality education / knowledge can be imparted to make the society and nation stronger and sustainable. In future local area planning, special attention has to be given to rural & urban primary / secondary schools where mainly the poor class of society student study to shape their career and enrich the knowledge. However, every where there are large number of good quality private institutions, but that can be afforded by only the riches. Hence total revamping of the government run primary and secondary institutions is required on priority basis to meet the target of social justice.

Status Survey Report on Kannauj Ancient Monuments maintained by ASI

(Surveyed on 30^th April and 6^th May 2010)

Kannauj being internationally famed for its historical significance and unique cultural heritage in respect of large number monuments of Medieval and Moughal period which draws very sorry picture at the face of its upkeep, development and generating tourism potential. It is pity that the important history and its treasure are buried under debris of government files and school text books. As much as the industrial thrust has been given, very little had been done to protect, develop and strengthen employment and tourism potential from such treasure. During our recent survey to these monuments (the pride of northern India) we came across a sad experience for apathy of Archeological survey of India officials who control from their Agra Regional office (headed by its Superintendent, Dr Ateeque Siddiqui). For such a vast number of huge monuments and edifices like Gauri Shankar & Chaumunda Devi Temples, Balapir Mazar, Haji Sharif and Makhdoom Jahaniya, Sheikh Mohd Mehdi Tomb, Zanana Gumbad, Kachhiriwala Tomb, Old Fort, Sergent Tomb at Gursahaiganj (including a large number of sculptures of its glorious period (11^th -13^th century). During my visit inside Balapir Masjid on 6^th May 2010, I noticed a lone ASI employee (Rakesh Singh Yadav, Attendant) offering rituals and tributes to Holy shrine. It was revealed that he is the loan employee for such a large number of monuments’ maintenance and surveillance. It is pity how the authorities from their luxurious office in Agra are managing affairs of Kannauj sculptures and monuments without manpower and close surveillance.

However, the district website has depicted these monuments in a very beautiful manner but not much has been written about its history and significance. The district website containing this part should better be maintained, developed and depicted in detail separately by the ASI. During the past over a century all potential has been given to the perfumery industry that too on traditional pattern, but very little has been done to develop and maintain these monuments as unique cultural heritage for employment and tourism potential generation. Most of these monuments are in the dilapidated condition, the cleaning and watch and ward is generally done by local faithfuls and worshippers. Ministries of culture and tourism in association with UP Government should device an ambitious plan to attract national and international tourists by developing the monuments, infrastructure and giving due publicity. The seriousness of the government can be gauged from the fact that there is no local controlling or link officer for tourism or archives at the district level.

The author has desired and approached the government authorities and corporate agencies to take up the matter for developing its tourism potential up to the international level. In view of several holy shrines of both the Hindu and Muslim community, it can bean ideal place and an attraction center for arranging peace and communal harmony sessions. The ASI officials need to inspect the sites which are under threat to encroachment (including already encroached) by the locals and dilapidating monuments need to be properly rebuilt and beautification by plantation, sitting arrangement and fencing etc must be immediately taken up. A National level seminar at PSM Post Graduate College Kannauj (inviting academics, bureaucrats, planners, social and political activists) can be arranged to draw the attention and suggest potentialities for development of the tourism in order to regain the past glory of such historic place.

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Dated:14^thMay2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Status Survey Report of Bidi Workers’ Hospital at Gursahaiganj, Dist Kannauj

(Under Ministry of Labor, Govt. of India, surveyed on 5^thMay 2010)

In view of our ongoing efforts to mobilize better public services to the weaker sections of our area and district people, a planned (but uninformed) visit to the prestigious Government of India established hospital at Gursahaiganj undertaken on 5^th May 2010 to assess the working of this great institution with larger hopes and aspirations of nearly five lakh poor bidi manufacturing workers and their dependent family members. The total card holders for such facility are 58,912 who are entitled for committed health and medical benefits. The need to establish this hospital was realized through long fight by trade unionists of seventies and eighties. The government of India realizing the need and plight of the unorganized bidi workers established huge hospital with sufficient infrastructure in 1994. Ever since establishment of this centre, it has always been understaffed with no diagnostic facility and shortage of specialists and even the scarcity of medicines. It is worth to mention that with this industry alone hundreds of crores of rupees central excise duty is earned by the union government in addition to substantial sum of income tax from the industrialists, but very little money is spent for welfare of these poor bidi workers who remain prey to the occupation health hazards like recurrence of asthma, tuberculosis, anemia, orthopedic, gastric diseases including cancer as regular exposure to the harmful tobacco and forced body posture for long working hours.

The hospital is staffed and headed by only one permanent medical officer who has no specialization in diseases of which most of the patients report for their specific and general ailments. While talking to its in-charge Dr Ravi Bhushan Verma (the lone permanent medical officer, other three are temporary) was initially quite reluctant and arrogant to our visit to enquire and discuss about its working. Somehow, we could mobilize him through patience and wisdom stating our core concern for the poor beneficiary patients. The hospital is having huge lush greenery with large space having planned ancillaries but looks like deserted place where only extremely poor patients visit for receiving the government gift at the mercy of merciless staff. Reportedly 200-250 patients visit daily in outdoor for treatment and consultation. Pathology is non-existent. However, only tuberculosis test is carried out. Although staff strength is understaffed (22 out of sanctioned 27) but the attendance here too is very poor. It has not been allotted the ambulance. X ray machine is there but its working is reportedly not up to the mark due to apathy of the technicians. Surprisingly even routine pathological tests for blood, stool and urine are not being provided despite larger number of manpower than in state govt. run hospitals.

The Welfare Commissioner Shri H S Yadav, who heads this organization administers from Allahabad Head Office through which all kinds of supply and financial grant is released. Physician in-charge revealed that there is no contingency grant available, hence recurring expenditures are met by staff’s personal money which is reimbursed later. This is surprising if it is true. The vast hospital having jurisdiction of the two districts (Farrukhabad and Kannauj) needs better upkeep and improved medical and health facilities as it is the pride of the area and dignity of the government of India institution imparting important health services to the poor laborers. The authorities need to fresh look for the revival and strengthening of the functioning of essential health services. We will approach concerned officials and ministry for its up-gradation and fine-tuning the mechanism such that benefits of the government health schemes reach needy persons.

Status Survey Report on District Govt. Health Services

(Gursahaiganj New PHC upgraded to 30 bed CHC, surveyed on 25^th April 2010)

Health service being the vital segment of public services and core responsibility of the State and Union Government had been far neglected in this district as compared to other places and far below the standard of southern states. Mushrooming of private health care and multi-specialty centers in cities and metros had backtracked the government’s health responsibility with poor will of the state and central health policies. District Kannauj in this aspect had ever remained very much neglected obviously for want of effective leadership, lack of pressure groups like credible NGOs and social Activists and poor governance including the medical and paramedical manpower shortage as well as lack of required funds to meet the growing demand of medical and health care particularly to vast number of rural poor masses who can ill afford costly diagnostic tests and cost of medicines including the consultation charges as most of the physicians/surgeons are well occupied in private practices. Lack of trained and qualified doctors for their unwillingness towards rural services is major cause for the neglect of rural health services by the responsible government machinery.

As a model survey to this vital service condition, I have preferred my own area hospital Gursahaiganj New PHC (which is now upgraded to 30 Bed CHC). Incidentally there is one each medical officer in allopath, unani and homeopath. The in-charge physician Dr K N Katiyar (allopath) like others is commuting from Kanpur city and is hardly accessible in emergency cases and often abstains from routine duty for some or the other excuse. There needs to remain one general physician (allopath) preferably with skill in pediatric and maternity matters to cope the emergency requirement. As per statistics by this time more than 260 emergency cases had been reported at the hospital (since 1^st January 2010). Sanitation is extremely poor what to talk of aestheticism. Out of the 2 sanctioned posts of safai karmchari there is only one post filled that too the person works for 2-3 hrs a day (residing at far off place). Regular vaccination for TT, Measles on Wednesday and Saturday is provided, but there is no-where in the area display of such facility in any village or nagar panchayats. Important injection like rabies is not available in the stock. Very little amount of ordinary medicines are available for free supply to outpatients which number around one hundred daily. Routine tests like malaria & sputum are somehow carried out. No blood bank or rabies injection facility is available at the centre which covers an area of more than fifty thousand population in its surrounding.

Worst is the situation at relatively recent establishment (The Gursahaiganj CHC) about 2 Km from the above establishment which staffs only two medical officers Dr Kuldip Singh and Dr Sardaman Singh. Taking the advantage of its little remoteness, most of the staff members including MOs remain generally absent from the duty. Due to erratic attendance of specialists and paramedic, the reporting number of outpatients is hardly 10 to 15 daily. Although the building and infrastructure establishment is well arranged, but it remains under utilized. Even some paramedics are reportedly ill mannered and are drunk even during the duty hours. Surprisingly, within these two health centers, there is no ambulance and even non existent to the local nagar panchayats and by private institution. This way, it can be realized as how far the area people are suffering in health and medical facilities which should be the top priority of administration and the state government.

In this regard, the much awaited meeting with district Chief Medical Officer Dr Rakesh Raman was held at his Kannauj official residence on 30^th April 2010. Dr Raman is quite suave and extremely dedicated professional and through our discussion (earlier in reference to my earlier suggestion letter dated 1^st February 2010) which he shared sincerely and committed to meet the set goals. He has short-listed some constraints in district health centers infrastructure establishment for which government is hardly paying any attention. As per his version, following is the acute requirement in such a vast set up.

There is need of minimum 1 ambulance,

Due to power crisis mainly in the rural areas, there needs installation of sufficient Photo Voltaic Cells (PVC) panel at each PHC, CHC and Sub Centers. Thus a minimum of 600 units of PVC panels are essentially required for lighting purpose at least. The allocation of PVC panels should be: 5 each at 35 PHCs new PHCs, 10 each at 7 CHCs and 2 each at 180 Sub Centers. Though it needs huge expenditure, but the same can be arranged through NGOs work and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),

The total of 42 PHCs, New PHCs and CHCs need plantation numbering about 500 saplings of shady trees for aesthetic look and comfort of patients and visitors including maintaining the healthy ecosystem. This job has to be taken up immediately at the onset of monsoon and sufficient fund will be required to protect these saplings through metal nets. Again the fund can be arranged through voluntary contributions and the NGOs participation. Our volunteers care quite willing to take lead in this project and efforts are being made to manage funds to meet the time bound target.

Hence in addition to the valuable suggestions and quite needful recommendations by the competent and suave CMO Dr Rakesh Raman, in our view following are additional requirements and recommendations to be taken up on priority:

There is no government hospital in and around Gugrapur Block which is the most backward Block among 8 Blocks of the famed district. There is urgent need to fill this void.

Strict surveillance is needed for the absentee medical officers & paramedics on duty. Efforts should be made to arrange residence at the health centers or in its vicinity.

Some medical and health staff members are reportedly ill mannered & keeping drunk even during the duty period, such practice needs to be curbed strictly,

The vacant positions of general physicians and specialists need to be filled as early as possible,

There need to be District Medical and Health Facility website with complete data available of the whereabouts of important functionaries including diagnostic facilities available etc,

There needs to be mitigation and disaster management specialists amongst the existing medicos (including from amongst the private practitioners) to cope up the emergency situation like occurrence of epidemic or endemic diseases.

Regular health check ups in poor urban and rural areas for blindness, anemic, diabetic and tuberculosis should be arranged through involving the active credible NGOs, corporate people.

(Akmal Husain)

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

R/O Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Dated: 14^th May 2010 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

A case study of Eco-disaster in Kannauj District of Uttar Pradesh

During the recent visit to various parts of my native district, as environmentalist I was shocked to see the depleting forestry and water bodies (obviously due to greed of the people and negligence of the Government machinery) at the time when we are meeting and discussing such issues globally as in the ongoing Copenhagen summit on environment. As the native of this important district, memories of dense social forestry and wild trees, birds like peacock, crane and vultures are left behind in the archives only. It is quite surprising that even when we had witnessed such a severe drought in so many districts of the state (the worst hit being Kannauj District) people and the administration have not taken challenge to correct the misdeeds of the recent past. The survival rate of the saplings and their growth is dismal as compared in other parts of the country. The involvement of local NGOs and Panchayat institutions in respect of environmental awareness / protection and developing social forestry is virtually non existent in major part of the district wherever we had undertaken the ecological status survey works voluntarily. Framing harsh and important environmental and biodiversity laws often remain meaningless unless the grass-root machinery take bold initiatives and committed involvement.

In particular we had observed the ponds and lakes surrounding the GT Road under the district territory. The startling fact came to our notice that just adjoined to District Forest office and the collector’s residence in Kannauj, the beautiful pond which used to nurture numerous aquatic organisms is almost fully covered either by plastic or wild grass the water hyacinth and toxic effluents. Most of the area under pond cover is encroached and earth filled by its neighbors. To our dismay, forest officials were either absent from office and those present could not satisfy the obvious queries. Worst is the condition of the huge two aesthetic ponds south facing the famed GT Road at Ismailpur village (under Talagram Block) one on the eastern side and the other on western side of the village. Both such ponds are indiscriminately being filled and had been encroached by surrounding greedy inhabitants. The colorful ducks, fishes and variety of frogs and numerous aquatic life were existing as spirit of pleasure and healthy environment in my early childhood which had now remained the things of past. Although, poor water stocking may be the valid reason (due to lesser rainfall) but disappearance of the area and contaminating the water body/stock is man made problem. It is pity that the elite government officials while often moving through this vast track ignore such situation and there is no concept of periodical environmental monitoring of the eco-habitats. The National and State level Biodiversity Boards had very clearly devised plans to protect small & micro eco-habitats through NGOs & Panchayat institutions with close coordination of Govt. and Research / Academic institutions.

In respect of awakening environmental consciousness & involving various agencies there is urgent need to institutionalize various administrative units under the district administration with clear cut mandate and objective. In this regard, the Collector may form a district advisory committee (board) involving social and environmental activists including the academics with the aim to monitor / assess environmental / ecological issues periodically. The School & Colleges should be largely involved in arranging seminars / debates and essay competitions on various facets of environment and ecology of the local habitat. It should be kept in mind that while dealing with the environment, the noted environmentalist Re Dubos quotes “Think Globally Act Locally”. To promote / encourage environment and social forestry, awards and honors are to be given at the district, taluka and panchayat levels.

(Akmal Husain)

Environmentalist / Social Activist

CEO (Kannauj Action Plan)

Vill & Post Ismailpur (Gursahaiganj)

Dated 14^th Dec 2009 email: kannaujactionplan@gmail.com

Plight of a Cluster of Extremely Backward Muslim Families

under Ladaita G P (Block Chhibramau Dist. Kannauj, UP)

(A Case report)

During my recent visit to the home (1^st to 6^th August 09) I was specially invited to by Captain (Retd) Satish Yadav of Ladaita village under Chhibramau Block to study the miserable living condition of a cluster of over thirty five Muslim families in its majra called Nangla Mohan under Ladaita Gram Panchayat. As our ongoing efforts to highlight the plight of extremely backward areas & people we had studied this case so as to get reach to the plight up to nodal agencies for remedial measures. Special efforts will be made to get their grievance redress through intervention of Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India and the PMO. For this reason, we had photographed the site as annexed with this application / case report.

Captain Yadav has taken us to demonstrate the plight of a cluster of over 35 families (about 400 population) living in far below dingy condition having no shelter, drinking water, no BPL / Antyodaya ration cards. Although everybody is quite malnourished, dependent on a few days of labor job under NREGS etc, even quite a few of them are beggars. Though this settlement is about 5 Km from Chhibramau town (closer to national highway), but it has ever been neglected by the crazy & greedy politicians. This entire hutment belongs to Muslim community, no any NGO or social activist has reached to their rescue & relief. Now Captain Yadav has pledged to fight their cause. The problem area has been thoroughly studied by us and matter will be represented (from Ministry of Minority Affairs up to PMO) for providing basic rights.

The Block level administration is also requested to look into the matter such that proper efforts can be made to provide immediate necessary relief through ongoing welfare schemes. We are also appealing the local public representatives to utilize their constituency development fund, but that all is considered on vote bank politics. It is very unfortunate that certain problem areas are grossly neglected due to political reasons. The district administration is also requested to mobiles public & public representatives’ opinion towards the development of neglected areas & communities irrespective of political considerations. The report along with necessary enclosures is being forwarded to following authorities for its proper follow up:

Secretary Ministry of Minority Affairs, G.O.I, New Delhi 110 003,

Secretary, Minority Welfare Department, UP Govt., Lucknow 1,

District Magistrate, District, Kannauj (UP),

Sub Divisional Magistrate, Chhibramau, Dist. Kannauj (UP),

Block Development Officer, Chhibramau, Dist. Kannauj (UP).

Case Studied and Report Prepared by:

Akmal Husain (CEO Kannauj Action Plan)

V& P: Ismailpur, Via Gursahaiganj

Dist. Kannauj (UP) 209 722

Email: kannaujactionplan.2009@rediffmail.com

Dated: 10^th August 2009