Kharagpur Slums (under Railway Area) Improvement:
As reported and observed, there are nearly thirty clusters/areas densely populated of the local and outside the state emigrants as slum dwellers on the vast Railway area with over 50,000/ population. These people are reportedly established since very beginning of the country’s independence in search of shelter and self employment as laborers & beggars etc. Surprisingly, most of them had been issued Ration & EPI cards by the State Government Agencies with the mention of a particular locality like Kamal Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Shivaji Nagar etc (all under the Railway Elaka in the electoral roll of the Assembly & Parliamentary segment). Since they had not been included in the municipal roll (for the municipality electoral process), no local political or social activists bother about their plight mainly for the proper sanitation, drainage, road/passages, water etc which are the acute necessity. Situation turns ugliest during the unprecedented and incessant rain which causes heavy devastation and shelter problem. Despite six decades of our glorious independence with a few laurels to the Kharagpur town like having world’s longest railway platform (with largest Real Estate amongst all Indian Railway Divisions), country’ best and World renowned Technology Institute (IIT), established political stability both in Assembly & Parliamentary representation, the condition of these people remained quite inhuman with far below civic status.
Noticing pathetic situation in the Kamal Nagar locality (behind Bus stand) hardly 100 meters away from the world’s longest platform, I had noticed unusual situation on 17th June 2008 being all the huts badly damaged, drain water flowing through their huts, chullahs & all belongings were either submerged in water or perished. The slum dwellers with their kith and kin had to take shelter on Railway yard or platform for so many days. Due to selfish reasons, no social and political activists moved for relief or rehabilitation measures. Getting inspired due their pathetic situation, I had desired to move for their rehabilitation and civic amenities infrastructure development works (under P.Ms New 15 Point Program for welfare of minorities vide item No. 12) and to get them awarded full citizenship status with rights and privileges. For which, it is quite essential to study the detailed socioeconomic/educational status for proper follow up action with concerned government agencies. Hence data preparation for all such clusters is underway for the ambitious project (vide format enclosed herewith).
1) Kamal Nagar (Behind New Bus Stand): Nearly 150 huts having population of approx. 2000 people in the rectangular area of approx. 50 feet X 300 feet . Most of these people had been issued EPIC in 1995 as well as Ration cards. Ration card and EPIC states their locality as: Railway settlement, Kharagpur (Town). On the north side is Midnapore Road and on south side adjacent is spacious Guin lodge (two story private building built on Railway land) for private commercial purpose.
2) New Bus Stand Gandhi Nagar: Nearly 500 huts with over 5000 population. Other facts and conditions are similar. It is being reported that political activists visit the locality only during the Assembly and Parliamentary election process.
3) Shanti Nagar: From behind the Janata Market, an important passage for Municipal localities namely Debalpur and Kalkati, cluster of more than 1000 people in over 100 huts are living in the narrow Railway free area under shabby conditions with similar civic amenities problems. Their plights are also similar as observed through conducted survey in the area particularly during incessant rain in monsoon season.
SLUMS AREA SOCIO ECONOMIC SURVEY FORMAT
1) Name of the area / locality:
2) Hut / settlement No.
3) Name of the head of family:
4) No of family members: 1) Adults: I) Male , II) Female
2) Minors: I) Male , II) Female
5) Educational status: Adults ( ), Minors: if school going or not ( )
6) Status of ration cards:
7) If EPI Cards issued:
8) No of earning members:
9) Major source of income:
10) Approx monthly income from all sources:
11) Type and area (in Sq feet) of the residential place:
12) If anyone employed in govt. / private / self employed:
13) If bank account holder: Yes/No
14) Major health problem (like T.B. blindness, Leprosy, Polio, Physically handicapped etc):
15) If any one as senior citizen / handicapped / widow in the family:
16) If ICDS / literacy centre exists in the area:
17) If getting any kind of pension or financial assistance:
18) Major grievance / problem:
19) If any social / political activist visits / supports the family / area:
20) Expectation / demand from the Govt. / NGOs etc
Survey Report of Leper Colony at Kharagpur (WB)
(Survey carried out on 27/28th December 2009 in Kharagpur town)
A hutment having cluster of leper patients was established in the Nimpura area under Kharagpur municipal jurisdiction in 1952. This area (at a distance of 5 km from the railway station) was inhabited exclusively leper patients of the district and its surrounding. A comprehensive socio-economic / literacy survey was conducted by team of our voluntary organization named: Kharagpur Community Development Centre on 27/28th December 2009. Today there are around 250 huts some of them bricked / cemented houses, mostly of thatched roof and earthen wall. The area under ward No 21 in the municipality is represented by Mr Amit Baran Mandal of CPM. With the population of approximately 1000 persons there are only 500 ration card holders, 374 BPL cards and 16 Antyodaya cards. The revision and enlisting of fresh members for such beneficial cards is very much required. The inhabitants constitute of nearly 50% of the General castes and OBC category people while rest 50% are from amongst the SC and ST class. Amongst them there are around 50 educated persons (having passed Madhyamik, Higher Secondary and graduation) and very few are in the employment.
The area is surrounded by electrical installations (by WBSEDCL) but there are only 22 valid connections and large No of persons are interested in taking electricity connection. No specific treatment centre exists at this moment. The earlier one established had been withdrawn in 2002. However, no new cases in the past 2-3 years had been reported of the leper recurrence. Since then for treatment of any kind including leper, they depend on State General Hospital which is about 8 km away from the hutments. Public Distribution System (MR Dealer Mr. N Mahato) for sufficient rationing at the subsidized rate under BPL and Antyodaya scheme is quite meager and often material is distributed with delay causing harassment to the inhabitants. It is surprising that despite a lot of voluntary organizations (NGOs) in the district are operating with siphoning substantial fund, but hardly any organization reaches to their rescue and relief. Under the flagship GOI program IAY, 32 houses had been sanctioned wherein 12 are completed and the remaining 20 are incomplete due to apathy of the Municipal / Govt. machinery. Even the work quality is far below the standard. The inhabitants had reported that they are still in dilemma about the status of ownership of their huts / houses as no any kind of lease / patta or deed had been executed to regularize their ownership. The said colony established around six decades ago stands on the vest land. With the overall conditions prevailing, it is apparent that such segment is the worst neglected society of the fast corporate developing Kharagpur town. It is high time to get involved both the Govt and NGOs/Corporate houses to solve their grievance.
In view of our observations and the facts revealed by inhabitants of such colony, following are certain recommendations for taking into action by the Government / NGO / Corporate institutions in order to serve the oppressed class of society. No doubt Tatas are quite generous and have excellent track record in corporate social responsibility but surprisingly their attention had not been drawn to such aspect as here are two important units of Tata. Hence, the immediate requirement/ action plan for these people is suggested as follows:
Existing hospital building may be utilized for periodical (minimum once a week) medical relief by the visiting Govt. and private physicians,
Immediate completion of the IAY Plan houses (with standard quality norms), with sanction of few more houses to extremely deserving people,
It should be ensured that everyone amongst them (deserving person) gets the National old age, widow & handicapped pension,
Fresh enlisting of the Antyodaya and BPL cards is to be done covering entire people under the category,
Total electrification of the area (by installing 15 electric poles) and providing consumer connections at liberal conditions,
More drinking water tapes and hand pumps are required to be put,
There is dire need for a day care centre where fooding and shelter of the uncared old age / handicapped persons can be managed with pooled fooding (by contributing their own food material and supplemented by the donor agency). This centre will remain functional during the day time up to the night meal,
There are nearly 150 huts which need to be repaired at the cost of Rs 5000/each hut. This has to done before the onset of the next monsoon,
Winter blankets (approximate 200) are to be distributed keeping record of the beneficiaries such that it can not be misused which should remain for a period of three years of its use,
Immediate requirement of nutritional supplement to the 20-25 pregnant women of the colony.
Under the aegis of: Khaagpur Community Development Centre
Chand Beg Building, Bhawanipur
Kharagpur (WB) 721 301
email: akmalhusain56@gmail.com
Cell: ++ 91-9434939702
Dated: December 30th 2009
Status Survey Report of Schools’ Working in Kharagpur
(Survey carried out in respect of schools’ working in Kharagpur town)
(17th to 19th February 2010)
As being objective of our institution (Kharagpur Community Development Centre) we carried out sample survey of a few schools (Primary to Sr. Secondary level) in Kharagpur town (under Municipal jurisdiction). Random survey was carried out during 17th to 19th February 2010 and a few schools were covered assessing infrastructure establishment and their teaching performance of Bangla, Hindi & Urdu medium schools. Schools visited were: Lohania Primary School, Panchberia; Lohania High Madarsa, Panchberia; Azizia Primary School, Azizia High School, Bhawanipur; Debalpur Primary School; Debalpur Primary School (Urdu medium); Lohania Sukanta Primary School; Kamakhya Vidya Mandir etc. Following two primary schools under ward No 6 were studied in depth and the facts revealed are stated as below:
Pulin Bihari Primary School West Debalpur: The school is having enrolled 97 students belonging to SC, ST and Muslim community all under the poverty line families. The school is having only 3 teachers wherein 1 is retiring in October 2010. Also the plight in respect of Mid Day Meal execution is very serious as the ration commodity is released sufficiently delayed and also the rice quality is extremely poor which is worth animal feeding. Only Rs 3/ per student is paid per meal for vegetables/ pulses purposes (including wages of the cook) which is extremely low at prevailing price index of the food commodities. Hence following are our observations and recommendations for taking necessary action to improve working condition of this school in particular.
1.Minimum 2 teachers (both male) should be appointed urgently as both the present
1.Minimum 2 teachers (both male) should be appointed urgently as both the present
teachers are female,
2.There needs to be electricity connection for light and fan facility,
3.Insufficient drinking water, there needs installation of 1 water tank,
4.There needs one more room for office and store purposes,
5.There exists NO Boundary wall, hence it should be erected urgently as there remains apprehension of theft and damage to public property,
6.There needs 1 hand pump for drinking and hand washing purposes,
7.There needs 1 security guard during the holidays and the night hours,
8.Local MP/MLA should be pursued to release funds for its up-gradation / renovation,
9.Minimum of Rs 5/ per student should be released per meal under Mid Day Meal provision to satisfy the food supplementary requirement,
10.The PDS dealer should be warned to stop supplying damaged / poor quality rice under mid day meal scheme. Bholanath Primary School, Debalpur: The school is in the extreme interior of Debalpur having enrolled 69 students where up to 90% of the students are of poor Muslim community (all BPL families). The school is at low lying surface and often remains water logged with no drainage. Hence its condition is quite unhygienic. Besides similar common problems, this school is also short of teachers, having no kitchen and store room. Only 2 tin shade rooms are there accommodating 4 classes. The school has never received any MLA/MPLADS fund for its renovation / up-gradation. Because of its peculiar location, hardly attention of public representatives and media reaches to their notice. In view of these findings, it is recommended that a thorough official survey of such schools should be done to redress the grievances of poor public education institutions (due to apathy of concerned agencies and officials) in such a famed town under the municipal jurisdiction.
At the end of this program, a brief interaction with Additional District Inspector of Secondary Schools (Kharagpur Subdivision) Mr Jasodanandan Misra was made under whose control a total of 284 schools are running in the subdivision where 36 Schools (30 in the town & 6 in nearby rural area) are in Block Kharagpur I. As per his version, nearly 20% of the teaching & non teaching posts are lying vacant which hampers the system and compromises the education quality. The lack of infrastructure and public amenities exist in most of these schools as stated by him. Since the primary and secondary level education is of prime importance in shaping the future career of the students and the society, there needs to be strengthened the facilities in these institutions.
It is pity that the government under political lure and threats is accepting the demands of the teachers and non-teaching staff (by paying hefty wages) but very little attention is given to improve quality of the institutional. 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 students 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.
Under the aegis of: Khaagpur Community Development Centre
Chand Beg Building, Bhawanipur, Kharagpur (WB) 721 301
Status Survey Report of PHE Establishments at Kharagpur town:
(17th February 2010)
Kharagpur town in its own has developed into a full fledged state like entity where every meaningful and resourceful institution exists. Besides a host of academic and technical institutions of fame, there is a center named Public Health Engineering Department which provides basic amenities like safe and sufficient drinking water. It is the mandate of such department to furnish technical installation and maintenance of its equipments / installations for regular supply of the essential commodity. At Kharagpur, Directorate of Public Health Engineering is represented by Executive Engineer, Midnapore Mechanical Division Mr A K Naskar (asiskumarnaskar@rocketmail.com).
During formal discussion with Mr Naskar on 17th February 2010, it was revealed that quantum of drinking water (through municipality) is drained from nearby river and after treatment / purification it is sent to public utility. Through regular monitoring of water quality, it has been observed that it is devoid of excess of iron (Fe) and other harmful elements like mercury, arsenic etc. The iron (Fe) content is fairly large in saline zone (Digha and Contai etc). However, for bacterial / faecal contamination, water is chlorinated regularly. As per present scenario, there is no immediate threat of scarcity of precious commodity in the region except in event of mechanical or electrical failures. The Executive Engineer commands both the East and West Midnapore District under its jurisdiction. An important project being undertaken by this unit is Nayagram (in district West Midnapore about 20 Km from Kharagpur) project which has acute water crisis for the population of about 15,000 people. Government needs serious attention for execution of this work.
The important feature of this directorate establishment at Kharagpur is that it has a well equipped water analysis laboratory (under civil wing of PHE Midnapore division, established in 2005) in the same premises. Other such laboratories are also functioning in Midnapore, Contai and Tamluk (established recently) under same division. While discussing technical aspects with laboratory staff, it was revealed that for such a nice and heavy establishment with lot of work load, there are only three persons one each working for physicochemical parameters (pH, density, turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids “TDS”, alkalinity, hardness, Fe, F, NO3 etc) and the other for bacteriological studies / observations of the referred samples.
Based on observations following recommendations are made in this regard:
Periodical public awareness camps need to be organized by Govt. agencies, Municipalities/ Panchayats, school / colleges and NGOs for public participation in safe and sufficient drinking water campaign wherein such institutions (PHE) should be introduced to the masses for their wider utility.
Public authorities (like Block and panchayat officials) should be involved in keeping surveillance towards safe water quality and its sufficient availability,
Working conditions of the laboratory and its employees needs to be improved. The skilled water analysts should be regularized on reasonable pay structure. They should also be imparted periodical training and refresher courses on water analysis in the human health perspective,
PHE water analysis laboratories may undergo a soft MOU with famed IIT for knowledge / technical up-gradation and providing material assistance for its effective working,
University and Colleges should be approached to device small projects (on safe and sufficient drinking water) under outreach program as coordination team fulfilling the objectives of Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission.
By: Akmal Husain (Sr. Scientist Govt. of India)
President: Kharagpur Community Development Centre (VO)
Chand Beg Building
Bhawanipur, Ward No 6
Kharagpur (WB) 721 301
Cell: 9434939702, 9003173400
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