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NEWS ALERTS | Accountability Yatra strengthens voice of the marginalized
Accountability Yatra strengthens voice of the marginalized

Accountability Yatra strengthens voice of the marginalized

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published Published on Feb 1, 2016   modified Modified on Feb 2, 2016
Seldom rural citizens get the chance to meet high-level officials who are responsible for delivery of public services and implement pro-poor schemes. But this was made possible thanks to the Accountability Yatra, which is taking place in Rajasthan since December 2015.  

It is indeed a rare opportunity to find a District Education Officer (DEO) being asked directly by a simple villager in a public meeting that in how many school buildings toilets have been constructed, and how many such toilets are functioning.

Despite the DEO throwing statistical figures on being questioned, one rarely gets the chance to meet villagers who cross-examines and corrects the official facts given by the bureaucrat, straight to his face.

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A delegation representing Accountability Yatra met high-level officials at Dholpur Collectorate (Rajasthan) on 29 January, 2016
 
 
Not often one comes across a rural woman, who is empowered enough to ask the district-level Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in a meeting held inside the Collectorate that why in a particular Community Health Centre (CHC) there is no X-ray machine.

When a CMO faces questions like: Why the condition of a particular CHC is so poor that the delivery of babies cannot take place there?, one could see how that embarrasses the official, and makes him confess that necessary steps will soon be undertaken.

It is a rare opportunity to witness public servants listening to the demands raised by rural citizens.

On 29 January 2016, the Inclusive Media for Change team from Delhi observed the district-level officials listening and answering patiently to the demands and grievances of rural folks and civil society organizations (CSOs) regarding the delivery of public services and implementation of schemes.

This happened when a delegation representing Accountability Yatra held a meeting with higher officials in the presence of District Collector Ms. Shuchi Tyagi at Dholpur Collectorate in Rajasthan on 29 January 2016. The Inclusive Media for Change team was part of that delegation so as to witness the interface between bureaucracy and citizenry.

Inside the Dholpur Collectorate, the most powerful bureaucrats in the district were seen replying to the questions raised by ordinary villagers regarding the state of health, education, food security, MGNREGA, old-age pension, widow-pension etc. (Please click here to access the demands made by Accountability Yatra).  

Outside the Collectorate, as the air got filled with slogans such as: Hum Apna Haq Mangte - Nahin Kisi Se Bheek Mangte (We are asking for our Rights – We are not begging from you), Humara Paisa - Humara Hisaab (Our Money – Our Transparency / Accounts), it was not difficult to understand that the success of Accountability or Jawabdehi Yatra lies in the fact that it has empowered the ordinary citizens to question the status quo.

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Jawabdehi Mela near Dholpur Collectorate (Rajasthan) on 29 January, 2016
 
 
The Accountability Yatra or March started on 1 December, 2015 from Jaipur, and has covered more than 18 districts by the end of January 2016. Around 70 people are part of this rally. Alongside the rally, filing and tracking online grievances is also taking place, apart from street theatre, puppet shows, folk songs etc. so as to raise awareness about transparency and accountability in governance among citizens. The Yatris / Marchers are joined by local sangathans or CSOs/NGOs in each district.

The Jawabdehi Yatra is being organized by Suchana Evam Rojgar Adhikar Abhiyaan (SR Abhiyaan). The Yatra will continue till 10th March 2016.

The Accountability March spends three days in each district. Two days are spent in towns and villages in different blocks, followed by a day-long Jan Sunwai (public hearing) cum Shikayat Mela/ Sammelan on the 3rd day at the district headquarters. The Jan Sunwai/ Jawabdehi Mela ends with a rally and a detailed meeting with District Collectors and other district-level officials.

In order to participate in the Accountability Yatra as a media person or CSO, please contact:

Nikhil Dey–09910421260, Mukesh–09468862200, HariOm–09413831761, Kamal Tonk–09413457292


References:

Facebook page of 100 days Accountability Yatra in Rajasthan, please click here to access
 
Jawabdehi Yatra Route Map, please click here to access
 
BJP MLA leads attack on RTI rally in Rajasthan, injuring activists, vandalizing vehicles, snatching cameras -Pankti Jog, CounterView.net, 17 January, 2016, please click here to access

We need more state accountability -Osama Manzar, Livemint.com, 31 December, 2015, please click here to access


Image Courtesy: Shambhu Ghatak, Inclusive Media for Change



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