(INDIAN SOCIAL
ACTION FORUM)
12-14
April, 2002
Shree Jain Seva Sangh,
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Secretary’s
Annual Report (April 2001 - March 2002)
I.
INTRODUCTION
During the past two months,
strangely, I have passed through a period of depression and discouragement as a
social and human rights activist. The Gujarat Genocide, Ayodhya, POTA, passing
of the Budget, and now the Israel’s military attack on Palestine, had made me
feel helpless and hopeless as never before. Very fundamental questions like “where
is this world going to” and “whether there is any hope” kept bothering me for
quite some time. The mercenaries of death and doom have taken over the entire
space, both in the government and on the streets. For a moment, it appears as if
the very hope and humanity is at stake! The way people have expressed themselves
both politically and practically, however, did revive some of my spirits. This
has also given reason to me to continue to repose my faith in the people, and
their unfailing faith in the future of humanity, which they are shaping up
through suffering and struggling.
INSAF as a national forum,
and its various activities, has contributed a great deal towards this revival.
The various State Conventions provided me with an opportunity to interact with
small social action groups and movements, activists – both political and social,
intellectuals and, above all, ordinary people associated with such social and
political action. It is their actions that have upheld the principles of
secularism, socialism and democracy. The message we get from the people’s
actions are that Peace & Justice are still a Vision to realize in reality.
This is a case of Hope against Hopelessness! It is against this backdrop that
INSAF National General Body Meeting is being held today at Hyderabad.
But, before we venture into
what have we done or not done during the past one year, it is necessary for us
to be reminded of the mandate given to us exactly two years ago at the National
General Body Meeting held in February, 2000 at Nagpur, MS. The two-fold task
assigned to the NEC was:
a)
to go for the Membership
Drive and organize the State units as per the new Constitution of INSAF, and
transform it into a truly national forum with a political thrust; and
b)
to organize programmes in
tune with the basic ideological thrust of INSAF to resist globalization, combat
communalism and defend democracy.
The report for the period
April 2001 to March 2002, both for activities and organisational, would probably
run into several pages. It is practically impossible to report about every
programme that has taken place during the past one year. And, since the State
Reports have already been presented in considerable detail at this NGB, the task
of the Secretary is limited to highlighting some of the events and interventions
that INSAF has been able to make as a national forum with a political thrust.
And, secondly to put these activities in perspective.
At the very outset, it must
be mentioned that this period was largely devoted to:
a)
strengthening the
organisational base of the “forum” through a conscious membership drive;
b)
co-ordination, campaign
& solidarity action on social and political concerns among the members
through state units, and other secular-democratic organisations;
c)
giving concrete shape to
the new structure as spelt out in the new Constitution of
INSAF;
d)
finalizing the project
proposal and budgets for the three year’s period; and
e)
working on the technical
modalities in implementing the project proposal, etc.
Programmes as planned could
not be undertaken due to technical reasons. However, the focus remained on
projections made at the last National Convention in March 2001 at Ranchi on the
Theme of: PEOPLES’ POLITICS – Combating Capitalist & Communalism.
The Membership Drive has,
so far, resulted in bringing into INSAF about 518 members, out of which 109.are
renewal and 409 are new applicants. The procedure of admitting them as members
was unfolded at the respective State Conventions, where the State General Body
appointed Monitoring Committees to screen the applications, and establish the
credentials of member organisations. As a result, social action groups, social
movements and support organisations have been brought into playing a central and
crucial role in the national forum. Although, only a limited representation
(i.e. one out of every five member organisations) is reflected at this National
General Body Meeting, the broad-based participation of such groups and
organisations INSAF has, at least, come to justify its name as a: INDIAN SOCIAL
ACTION FORUM.
In this regard, it must be
made clear from the very beginning that it is neither the numbers game nor
expansion geographically that justifies the mandate given to us by the General
Body held in February 2000 at Nagpur, where we gave ourselves a new
Constitution. It is the shift in the organisational base that brings out the
political character of INSAF. Let
us remind ourselves of what we said at Nagpur. One, that we shall be a “forum”
of “social action”. Two, we would make a conscious effort neither to become an
“NGO Forum” nor a “national net-work”. Three, the re-organisation of INSAF would
begin at the base by strengthening the state units. As the Secretary, I can
conveniently claim that we have followed these guidelines. The New INSAF has
come to be recognized as a national forum with a political thrust.
The present position is as
follows:
|
State |
Total
Membership |
Renewal |
New |
|
Andhra
Pradesh |
56 |
08 |
48 |
|
Kerala |
20 |
13 |
07 |
|
Tamil
Nadu |
73 |
25 |
48 |
|
Karnataka |
31 |
10 |
21 |
|
Jharkhand |
37 |
00 |
37 |
|
Bihar |
30 |
05 |
25 |
|
Chattisgarh |
53 |
07 |
46 |
|
M.P. |
32 |
02 |
30 |
|
Maharashtra |
42 |
16 |
26 |
|
Orissa |
45 |
07 |
38 |
|
West
Bengal |
03 |
02 |
01 |
|
Gujarat |
10 |
02 |
08 |
|
Goa |
01 |
01 |
00 |
|
Pondicherry |
23 |
01 |
22 |
|
U.P. |
52 |
04 |
48 |
|
New
Delhi |
10 |
06 |
04 |
|
Total |
518 |
109 |
409 |
II.
NATIONAL PROGRAMMES:
a.
Co-ordination among
People’s Organisations in the newly constituted states of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand
and Chattisgarh.
At the INSAF
National Convention at Ranchi, it was proposed that INSAF take the
responsibility of co-ordinating the peoples movements and organisations in the
newly constituted states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakand. The
movements in these newly formed states are in the process of evolving
broad-based people’s initiatives for greater accountability and transparency of
the governments in these states.
As a part of this process,
a social-audit of the promises and performances of the governments of Jharkhand
and Chhattisgarh had been undertaken. It was not the outcome, but the process
which yielded these documents was of political significance. The Jharkhand
document has been published, and widely distributed. The Chhattisgarh document
has been used for discussions, and would be printed soon. As a next step, A
people’s charter on the hopes and aspirations of the people would also be
prepared and placed before the governments for wider discussion on Development
with social justice.
Programmes were planned to
expose the myth of “new states” to coincide with the first Anniversary
celebrations by the state authorities. Sharing the contents of the report of the
social-audit, creating mass awareness to mobilise popular movements for a more
responsible and people-oriented governments were programmes organized in these
two states. The third state of
Uttaranchal had elections. The state unit of ISNAF is yet to be fully recognized
in this state. But, a dialogue was organized to provide a platform to
secular-democratic forces to creatively intervene in the forthcoming elections,
and a follow-up programme just concluded in the past week.
b.
People’s Tribunal on Relief
and Response to the Earthquake in Gujarat
INSAF organised a Public
Hearing in collaboration of the Indian People’s Tribunal (IPT) on Gujarat
Earthquak in Kutch, Rajkot and Ahmedabad districts of Gujarat from
17th to 20th August. Over 5000 victims participated in these
hearings, while over a hundred earthquake-affected villagers, people's
representatives, humanitarian workers as well as a few government officials and
media personnel testified before the panel at hearings at Anjar, Satapar, Bachau
town, Samakhyali and Maliya town and during IPT members' visits to several
villages.
The report was published
and widely circulated to expose the Gujarat Government’s bias against
minorities, women and dalits etc. in relief and rehabilitation.
c.
People’s Politics to Combat
Capitalism, Communalism and Defend Democracy
Coinciding with the SHAHEED
NIYOGI DIWAS on September 28 this year, representatives of People’s
Organisations, mass movements and social activists met at Raipur on 29-30
September 2001 met to prepare a plan of action on the PEOPLES’ POLITICS. The
INSAF delegation drawn from several parts of the country also participated in
the Tenth Martyrdom Day of Comrade Shankar Guha Niyogi, the labour leader from
Chhattisgarh who was assassinated by the industrial mafia in 1991. The Public
Rally & Meeting focused its attention on the developments after the
terrorist attack on WTC, and the implications of war that was then being planned
to be waged. It also issued a public statement clarifying INSAF’s stand on
Terrorism & War!
The two-day Consultation
was devoted to discuss and analyse the emerging socio-political scenario in the
country and the impact of globalisation and communalism on the lives and
security of the people. The meeting also discussed the state of democracy and
the increasing fascist threats to the democratic and secular political space in
the country. The meeting finalised a draft paper on `Peoples Politics’, which
was circulated in the country to prepare for The PEOPLES’ ACTION WEEK that was
observed all over the country from December 3 to December
10.
The PEOPLES’ ACTION WEEK
(December 3 – 10,2001). The Week was observed around three historic dates i.e.
December 3 (Bhopal Gas Tragedy), December 6 (Babri Mazjid Demolition Day)and
December 10 (International Human Rights Day). The Poster and campaign material
prepared in Hindi, English & Urdu by the National Affairs Office-NEW DELHI
was widely used in the country, and the programmes conducted in several states
was attended by secular and democratic organisations and individuals.
During the Peoples’ Action
Week, INSAF brought together large number of social activists, people’s
organisations, mass movements, NGOs and other individuals to focus on the impact
of globalisation and communalism on the nation and the status of democracy. The
Week was observed in several states, that have also reported on it. Campaign
material such as posters and pamphlets were designed and distributed, that were
also translated into regional languages by the state units.
The PEOPLE’S ACTION WEEK-
2001 brought into focus INSAF’s socio-political perspective in knitting together
resistance to globalization, combating communalism and defence of democracy as
part and parcel of the same struggle to uphold the guiding principles enshrined
in the Indian Constitution i.e. Secularism, Socialism and Democracy.
d. Peoples Tribunal on
Koel-Karo
In February, 2001 armed
police opened fire on a unarmed and peaceful gathering of tribal protesters
outside the Police Outpost at Tapkara in Jharkhand killing 8 people and injuring
more than 35 people. The people had gathered outside the police station to
demand action against police who was beaten a tribal person the previous day.
INSAF sent a five-member Fact Finding Team to the area. The Team in its report
said that the firing was totally unjustified and was part of a larger plan to
crush the mass movement of the Munda adivasi people against the Koel-Karo Dam,
which will inundate their traditional lands, forests and displace people from
over 235 villages. The Team recommended an investigation into the incident by a
Peoples Tribunal under the Chairmanship of retired Judge.
INSAF in collaboration of
the Indian People’s Tribunal for Environment and Human Rights constituted a
Peoples Tribunal under the Chairperson-ship of Justice Rajendar Sachhar (Former
Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court). The other members of the Tribunal were:
Adv. Sanjay Parikh, Adv. Chittaranjan Singh, Adv. Sudha Baradwaj and Dr. Vinod
Raina. The Tribunal was to visit the area in first in August –September, but had
to postpone its plans due to non-availability of Justice Sachar. Finally, it visited the area
from November 1-3, 2001, and met with experts, journalists and academics
concerned with the issue of dams, held a public hearing at Tapkara to hear the
views of the people, visited the dam site and their important locations in the
area. They also tried to meet concerned government officials to get their views
on the issue.
The Tribunal announced
their preliminary findings at a Press Conference at Ranchi on 3rd
November 2001, and the final report of their investigation in was published and
released on 19th January 2002.
The main focus in the new
INSAF is on the re-organisation of the state units. Not only the State Units are
becoming the organizational base for new INSAF, but playing a pivotal role in
programme implementation. In addition to the state level programmes that are
planned and implemented by the State Units, they play a definite role in
carrying out the Campaign & Solidarity Action programmes. The National
Programmes also get concretized through the State Units. The Table below shows
the activities undertaken by the state units during the period April - October
2001:
|
No. |
STATE |
Activities (April 2001- March
2002) |
|
1 |
Karnataka |
Workshops on Secular
Action, Indigenous Preparation of Consumer Items, Impact of Globalisation
on Rural Agricultural Life, Conference on Globalisation and Communalism,
The People’s Action Week, Water Campaign, Secular
Action |
|
2 |
Kerala |
Campaign on Farmers
Rights, Campaign on Adivasi Land Struggle, Water Campaign, The People’s
Action Week, |
|
3 |
Tamil
Nadu |
People’s agenda and
campaign during State elections for a secular government, Seminar on
emerging communal politics in Tamil Nadu, Water Campaign, The People’s
Action Week |
|
4 |
Pondicherry |
Campaign to stop
pollution by leather industry, Empowerment Of Women, campaigns on people’s
agenda in state elections |
|
5 |
Andhra
Pradesh |
Solidarity with
farmers struggles, consultation on impact of
globalisation. |
|
6 |
Maharashtra |
Campaign and
solidarity on the issues of Child Rights, Vidharbha Autonomy, Godavari
valley. |
|
7 |
Gujarat |
Earthquake Relief
& Rehabilitation monitoring/ Campaigns /Advocacy, Indian People’s
Tribunal. |
|
8 |
Madhya
Pradesh |
Campaigns and
agitations against communalism, globalisation and displacement of urban
& rural poor. Solidarity actions with struggles of adivasis and the
poor for forest land rights. |
|
9 |
Chattisgarh |
Campaigns against
child labour, land-water-forest rights of the adivasis, anti
liquor. |
|
10 |
Jharkhand |
Campaign on a Secular
and Democratic Jharkhand, Campaigns on Development and Displacement,
Workshop on Cultural Rights / Language, Fact-Findings on human rights
violations, Support and Solidarity to people’s movements and
struggles. |
|
11 |
Bihar |
State Workshop on
Panchayati Raj Election, State Campaign on 73rd and
74th Amendment, State Campaign on
malnutrition. |
|
12 |
Uttar
Pradesh |
Campaigns against
communalism, globalisation. Fact-findings on human rights
violations. |
|
13 |
Orissa |
Mobilising mass
organisations and other networks for a united campaign on food
rights. |
State Conventions &
General Body Meetings were held as
follows, which have streamlined the organisational set-up in States, gearing
them to play a pivotal role in the future functioning of the
forum.
·
Pondicherry
December 7, 2001 at Pondy
·
Uttar Pradesh
January 5-6,2002 at Allahabad
·
Bihar
January 12-13,2002 at Forbesganj
·
Chhattisgarh
January 16-17,2002 at Raipur
·
Jharkhand
January 21-22, 2002 at Madhupur
·
Madhya Paradesh
January 23-24,2002 at Indore
·
Orissa
January 27-28,2002 at Bhubaneshwar
·
Maharashtra
February 9-10,2002 at Aurangabad
·
Karnataka
February 26-27,2002 at Mysore
·
Tamilnadu
March 2 at Tambaran, Chennai & April 6 & 7, 2002 at
Madurai
·
Kerala
March 2-3, 2002 at Adoor
·
Andhra Pradesh
March 23 & 24, 2002 at Hyderabad
·
Gujarat
March 5, 2002 at Ahmedabad
The Theme of the State
Conventions has been: PEOPLES’ AGENDA FOR SOVEREIGNTY & SURVIVAL. However,
after the Gujarat Carnage, the State Conventions focussed mostly on: CITIZEN’S
AGENDA FOR STRENGTHENING SECULAR-DEMOCRATIC POLITY.
The Regional Co-ordination
Committees (RCC) for the East and South Zones met twice duringt this
period. (East Zone RCC at Ranchi (May) and Patna (September); and South Zone RCC
at Bangalore (April) 2001 and Hyderabad (August).
The NEC in its meeting in
March 2001 at Ranchi (during the National Convention) had evolved a
participatory mechanism for identifying, implementing monitoring programmes for
carrying out Campaign &
Solidarity Action Programmes in the states & regions. Four Zones have been identified on the
basis of geographical convenience. North Zone (New Delhi, MP, UP, Uttaranchal,
Rajasthan), East Zone (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar & W Bengal),
West Zone (Gujarat, Goa & Maharashtra), South Zone (Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala, Pondichery and Tamilnadu). Dr. Neelavalli & Ms. Amrita
Dasgupta were appointed as Regional Co-ordinators for East & South Zones
respectively in June & July, 2001 by the Regional Co-ordination Committees.
And, North Zone appointed Ms. Sulekha Singh as the Regional Co-ordinator in
September, 2001.
The RCC consist of all
State Convenors and NEC Members from the region, plus the national
office-bearers if present. The National Secretary (State Co-ordination) is a
permanent invitee, and co-opted members (not more than three) representing
expertise that is not ordinarily available in the RCC could be appointed. The
Tasks assigned to the RCC are :
1.
Monitor, identify and
relate to the ongoing struggles and movements in the
region;
2.
Establish and facilitate
linkages and solidarity with and among organisations, movements involved in
people’ issues;
3.
Facilitate and co-ordinate
all campaign and solidarity actions in the region
4.
Co-ordinate all activities
and programmes in the region in consultation with State
Committees;
5.
Mobilize, allocate and
account for resources for campaign and solidarity action.
The Committee could meet,
at least, thrice in a year i.e. once in four months and, if necessary, as and
when necessary.
The South Zone & East
Zone RCCs focused on the issues of concerns in their respective states and
region, and decided to focus on campaign and solidarity action on four issues:
Farmer’s Rights Vs WTO, Politics of Water, Democratic Rights, and Secular
Action.
The East Zone RCC discussed
on the issues of concerns in the east zone states and the region and decided to
focus on campaign and solidarity action on four issues: Food Sovereignty,
Politics of Water, Human & Democratic Rights, and Natural Calamities &
Disasters.
However, the similar
process could not be unfolded in West and North Zone due to organisational
problems.
In future, we need to
strengthen the Regional organisational structure so as to make INSAF more
effective.
V.
CAMPAIGN ON WATER POLITICS:
The launching of CAMPAIGN
ON WATER POLITICS ( January 26,2002 at Bhubaneshwar). The Campaign material and
a two month’s programme outline have already been prepared and sent to
respective States for carrying on the campaign. It includes brochures in Hindi
& English, Poster and a booklet. The Campaign has provided the basis for
streamlining the resistance to globalization with people’s participation at the
local, regional and national level. The first phase of the campaign came to an
end on either March 22 ( International Water Day) or March 23 ( SHAHEED BHAGAT
SINGH’S MARTYRDOM DAY) in several states, and pave the way for the second phase
of the campaign, materializing in a mass movement bringing together a broad
alliance of forces facing the threats posed by gloabalization.
VI.
INTERVENTION IN STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN UTTTAR PRADESH:
Since the UP State Assembly
Elections held in February 2002 were of utmost political significance, INSAF
intervened in it by first organising a Pre-Election Consultation in Uttar
Pradesh (December 15 & 16,2001 at Lucknow). It resulted in issuing AN OPEN
LETTER to the Secular-Democratic political parties in the State on behalf of the
INSAF Consultation. A systematic voter’s awakening programme was also launched
with the preparation and publication of THE PEOPLE’S MANIFESTO which was widely used during the
election campaign. Several Conventions & Mass Meetings were held bringing
together social action groups and people’s organisations to enabling the voters
to take a bold stand in strengthening of the secular-democratic polity in the
state. Needless to say, INSAF had taken the lead in this regard, and its
intervention in the political event crucial for the entire nation was recognised
and appreciated.
VII.
GUJARAT & AYODHYA
The communal
carnage in Gujarat and the build-up for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya are reasons enough
to bow our heads in shame. "We the people of India...." have
proclaimed ourselves to be a “secular and democratic republic”
and, thus, profess the right to a life with no communal
violence.
As a national
forum of social action groups, social movements and progressive intellectuals,
INSAF is committed to resist globalization, combat communalism and defend
democracy INSAF had planned positive responses to these challenges posed by the
forces of fascism. Since its inception in November 1993, INSAF had taken up
Secular Action Agenda as its main plank of programmes. All member organizations
have been involved in action to ensure peace and harmony in the midst of
communal carnage in the country, especially during 12th and
15th of March, 2002.
In order to chalk out a
long-term strategy to combat communalism, INSAF organized a Convention on
“Citizen’s Agenda to Strengthen Secular-Democratic Polity” on 17th
& 18th of March, 2002 at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), in which
discussions rotated round the
current communal situation in the country – analysis and interpretation.
Various aspects of it were discussed. “Hindutva Agenda” & Its Implications
On Nation & People (Sri
Prabhash Joshi, Senior Journalist); “Globalization Agenda” & Its Linkages
with “Hinduta Agenda” (Sri Anil Chaudhary, Vice-President, INSAF), and
“Hindutva Agenda & Its Historical Perspective” (Dr. Lal Bahadur
Verma, Historian, Allahabad). The Lucknow Convention made a suggestion to send
An INSAF Team to study-
a ) the
fascist mobilisation,
planning, training (militia) and pogrom in Gujarat.
b) the conditions of
victims of the genocide pogrom (issues of
economic/physical assaults, sexual barbarism, etc. Specific focus on the authenticity and
reasons behind statements like : “for the first time women have been directly /
actively involved in the communal carnage/riots”, and as to how Adivasis and
Dalits were effectively used as a shield and weapon in the communal carnage in
Gujarat).
c) the Role of the State
d) the issues of concerns
for social action groups and the anti-fascist
mobilisation.
STUDY
TEAM:
1.
Dr. Kalpana Kannabiran,
Professor, NALSAR, Hyderabad
2.
Chittaranjan Singh, Human
Rights Activist & Free Lance Journalist, UP
3.
Dayamani Barla, Journalist
& Social Activist, Jharkhand
4.
Manimala, Free Lance
Journalist, New Delhi
5.
Ms. Shashi Sail,
Chhattisgarh Mahila Jagriti Sangathan, Chhattisgarh
OBSERVERS:
1.
Akshay Sail, Communication
Activist, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Co-ordinator:
Mr. Wilfred D’Costa,
National Secretary (State Co-ordination), INSAF, Gujarat
The Study Team spent more
time in the rural areas of North Gujarat (Mehsana & Sabarkantha districts),
which have remained largely un-touched by earlier investigations/studies, and
visited Gujarat from 2nd to 5th of April, 2002.
The Report &
Recommendations of the Study Team would form the basis for formulations of a
long-term strategy and action plan for INSAF to intervene in the Gujarat
Situation in particular, and the growing communal situation in the country in
general. It would be presented at the NGB ain a Public Meeting at Hyderabad.
The plan prepared at
Lucknow has projected District level Conventions to Combat Communalism,
culminating in a People’s FORUM for Peace & Secularism on 2nd
June 2002 at Lucknow, the people’s political will to strengthen
secular-democratic polity should be demonstrated in defeating the draconian
designs of fascist forces.
The National Executive
Committee met in June 28-29, 2001
at Mumbai, February 12 & 13, 2002 at Puri, and recently on April 11
at Hyderabad to discuss and finalise concerning programmes, staff and other
organisational matters, preparing and planning for the National General Body
Meeting. The Sub-Committees on Finance and Administration, Programmes and others
concerns met at Raipur on 26-27 September, 2001 and later on March 23 2002 at
Hyderabad to finalise and co-ordinate financial management and administrative
matters. The Staff Team met at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Raipur and Puri to co-ordinate
programmes and other activities.
The Working Group on Gender
strategies was constituted to fulfil specific needs
·
To write a position paper
that stated clearly the Gender Perspective of INSAF
·
To translate into action
the outcomes of the Women’s Consultation held in October, 1999, and the Women’s
National Convention in February, 2000;
In order to give concrete
expression to this task, INSAF organized a Consultation in Mumbai on
27th –28th June with the mandate to:
·
Agree on a common / shared
perspective;
·
Formulate strategies that
would enable INSAF and the people’s forum to incorporate gender in their policy,
programmes and structure;
·
Suggest / propose action
plans;
·
To develop linkages with
various women’s groups and movements.
1.
Gender politics is
inseparable from general politics;
2.
A gender strategy would
mean applying “feministic principles” and should be an integral part of policy,
planning, decision- making and power sharing;
3.
A gender strategy would not
mean “women’s’’ activities alone;
4.
The impact of globalization
and communalism on women is made harsher by the continued onslaught of
patriarchy.
A full-fledged meeting of
the WGGS was held in February 2002 at Puri which gave definite shape to a Gender
Strategy in and for INSAF. The draft document would be presented at this NGB
Meeting.
The National Affairs
Office-New Delhi has been keeping alive the presence and participation of INSAF
through active role and place of its Member organisations led by PEACE &
APPEAL, etc. However, it was only after the appointment of Ms. Sumshot Khullar
that the programme is taking definite shape. INSAF had taken initiative in and
actively participated in several solidarity action programmes held at New Delhi.
It has also been providing the support to groups and movements at New Delhi
through documentation, advocacy and campaigns. The main focus of the National
Affairs Office-INSAF has been persistent protest against POTO.
It has also played a
prominent role in preparing the campaign material on Water Politics, The
People’s Action Week-2001, and now on Communalism. The material brought out, and
the documentation done speak for the relevance of the INSAF-National Affairs
Office at New Delhi.
In addition to focussed
attention on current issues, and providing supportive and solidarity action to
its own constituency, it has been representing INSAF’s concerns and spelling out
INSAF’s political stand on national affairs, participating and representing INSAF in
various forums and protest programmes in New Delhi.
XI.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATIVE
MATTERS
We have been able to
streamline very important aspect of our functioning i.e. Financial Management
& Administrative matters. The assistance provided by FMSF, New Delhi, and
the participation of RRMOs PEACE, ASMITA & RCDRC are praiseworthy. BUILD,
has been instrumental in providing the necessary infra-structural and legal
support.
Needless to say here, this
could be considered one of the major achievements of the first year of the
current phase of re-organisation of the programmes. Partly due to the
requirements of laws of land, and partly due to our own commitment towards
transparency and accountability, we have given equal importance to developing
this part of our functioning. A Sub-Committee on Finance & Administration
has also been providing the necessary guidance and working as a watchdog. Of
course, there are hiccups in the formative period that any organisation of the
nature of forum of social action groups and movements would face. But, we are
firmly committed to strengthening this aspect of the Project
function.
Due to definite reasons and
focus on combining the organisational and programme functioning we closed down
the National Secretariat at Mumbai, and worked on the principle that it should
be located wherever the Secretary was located. We succeeded in filling in the
staff vacancies, and a separate sheet provides the present staff position. We
are happy to inform you that in tune with the commitment we made on gender
equality, fifty per cent of the staff are women and with wide experience and
commitment in their respective fields. However, a need has already been
expressed to strike a balance between the changing organisational base of INSAF
and the staff and its style of functioning.
One area where we have not
been able to succeed in getting INSAF registered under the Societies Act 1860.
This has been largely due to failing to fulfil the legal formalities, which are
not only cumbersome but frustrating. However, now we are ready to go ahead with
completing this task.
In the end, I would like to
express my deep sense of gratitude to all members of the NEC, the office
bearers, State Committees, especially the State Convenors & Co-oridnators
and, above all, hundreds and thousands of social activists, people’s leaders,
intellectual for bearing with me the pain and joy of the birth of a New INSAF! I
am specially thankful to all of you for your continued faith in me in spite of
my failing health since August 2001. A very special word of thanks to the staff
team of INSAF, which has not only grown with time, but has brought within its
fold various experiences of involvement in the concrete structures of society.
This period was a new experience for me as I got the necessary support from all
of them in sharing various responsibilities of both the “forum” and the
“project”.
This report would remain
incomplete, if I do not share with the wider community of INSAF my concern and
commitment about the need for change in the forum’s leadership. Many of us have
been associated with INSAF in leadership positions since its inception in
November 1993. Next year, i.e. in 2003, INSAF would be completed ten years of
its existence. That may probably be the occasion to take stock of the situation,
and make meaningful projections for the future. It must be the right time to
enter into such a celebration of solidarity and action with new leadership in
the forum. This may be the right time to take concrete steps to move from
“social action” towards “political action”, and from “forum” to “front”.
Personality cult is of limited usefulness if we move in such a definite
direction!
We do hope that we would
continue to be committed to our calling as a national forum with a political
thrust, which is more and more becoming a political necessity in the present
times. Times, when the powers of global capital, the designs of the fascist and
dictatorial forces, and the mercenaries of war and violence are posing a threat
to the entire humanity.
Now that we have separated
the National Political Convention & the General Body Meetings, it may be
appropriate to have the National Political Convention of INSAF this year
preferably in October or November at Gujarat. At this Convention, hundreds and
thousands of representatives of people’s organisations, mass movements, social
action groups and intellectuals must renew their resolve to build a new society
based on the principles of socialism, secularism, peace and democracy! These are
times to stand united and face the challenges posed by the powers of death and
doom! And, towards this end, we renew our commitment!
13.04.2002
Rajendra K. Sail
Hyderabad, AP
Secretary
STAFF
POSITION:
INSAF
(INDIAN SOCIAL ACTION
FORUM)
A – MUMBAI OFFICE:
NAME & DESIGNATION
Appointment TERM
EXPIRING ON: EXTENDED
UPTO
a)
Mr. Raajen Singh, :
31.03.2002
RESIGNED
National
Secretary
b)
Ms. Rathna Doss,
Senior Office
Secretary
:01.03.2001
31.03.2002
30.06.2002
b)
Mr. Vankatesh Komati,
Office
Helper :
31.03.2002
B- ( State Co-ordination)
a) Mr. Wilfred D’Costa,
31.03.2002
30.06.2002
National
Secretary,
b) Dr.Neelavalli
: 01.06.2001
31.03.2002
resigned wef.
Regional Co-ordinator,
(South Zone)
01.02.2002
c) Ms. Amrita Das Gupta
: 01.07.2001
31.03.2002
30.06.2002
Regional
Co-ordinator, East Zone
c)
Ms. Sulekha Singh
: 01.09.2001
31.03.2002
30.06.2002
Regional
Co-ordinator, North Zone
C – DELHI LIAISON OFFICE:
a)
Ms. Sumshot Khullar :
01.10.2001
31.03.2002
30.06.2002
Programme
Co-ordinator
:
D- SECRETARY’S OFFICE (
Raipur, Chhattisgarh)
a)
Mr. B C G Suresh,
Senior Office
Secretary
June 20,2001 31.03.2002
30.06.2002
b)
Mr. Rajendra Namdeo,
Office Helper
April 1, 2001 31.03.2002
30.06.2002
E- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Adv. Rajendra K. Sail :01.04. 2001
31.03.2002
30.06.2002
F- FINANCE SECRETARY:
Mr. S K Pandab
: 01.11. 2002
31.03.2002
30.06.2002
(Services loaned by
RCDRC)
G- Assistant Finance
Secretaries ( based at the RRMOs)
a)
Mr. R S Bisht, PEACE, New
Delhi
b)
Mr. V K Joshi, RCDRC,
Raipur
c)
Ms. S Sudha, ASMITA,
Hyderabad
d)
Ms. Laila Jacob, BUILD,
Mumbai