NEW DELHI 30 August, 2006
The NHRC has recommended extension beyond March 2007 of the Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) for the on-going relief and development programmes in Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) region of Orissa. The Commission has been dealing with this matter since December 1996 under a mandate from the Supreme Court by carrying out periodical monitoring of relief and development programmes in KBK region through its Special Rapporteur Shri Chaman Lal. In the hearing of the matter held on 18 July 2006, the Commission took final assessment/stock taking of the various departmental projects and found the performance of the State Government satisfactory in sectors of Rural Water Supply, Social Security targeted public distribution system, Rural Development and Afforestation. Deficiencies were observed in Public Health Care, execution of Soil Conservation Projects and implementation of Land Reforms. The Commission expressed its distress over the failure of the State in dealing effectively with the menace of Malaria and even Diarrhoea in KBK region.
The Commission has recommended improvement in Primary Health Care by filling up vacancies of Medical Officers and posting of Specialists, opening of additional Sub Centres, strengthening of Immunisation Programme and intensification of drive against Malaria. It has requested the Government of India to suitably enhance the allocation of BPL rice to the State to enable it to meet its commitment of providing 35 Kg. Per month to all the BPL households. Besides the launching of a special campaign to detect the cases of alienation of tribal land, under the amended provisions of Regulation 2/56 the State Government has been asked to bring forth similar amendments in Orissa Land Reforms Act so as to completely ban the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
It has recommended that all the students in the schools run by ST/SC Department should receive the benefit of the scholarship scheme and Government of India should allot BPL rice in sufficient quantity to meet full requirements of rice for hostels run by ST/SC Departments. A thorough review of the educational infrastructure and position of teachers especially in pre-dominantly tribal pockets of these Districts is another important recommendation made by the Commission.
A special system of monitoring with peoples' involvement has also been recommended for ensuring efficiency and transparency in the execution of all developmental projects.

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