Highlights 2002

Police Commissioner Faces PIL :

JANA SAHAYOG assisted the Joint Action Committee to file a PIL in the High Court and Supreme Court against the Police Commissioner’s order to fingerprint and photograph people living in slums regardless of whether or not they face charges. The Police Commissioner withdrew the order, and the process of taking photographs was suspended.

Workshop on Slum Act :

Through the Slum Dwellers Joint Action Committee, JANA SAHAYOG influenced the state government and Slum Board to organise a workshop on the National Slum Policy and the relevance of the existing Slum Act. A committee comprising Shri Virupakshaiah, Commissioner, Slum Board; Professor Ravivarma Kumar, High Court Advocate; Professor Hasan Mansur, President, PUCL - K; Shri YJ Rajendra, JANA SAHAYOG; Shri Arul Selva, Slum Jagatthu; and Shri Patil, APSA, designed the workshop that was held in June 2003.

CRY, Action Aid Invite Policy Suggestions :

Donor agencies such as Child Relief & You and Action Aid have invited our suggestions to help evolve their urban development policies. Issues raised and recommendations put forth by JANA SAHAYOG have been incorporated in their policies.

Fighting Police Atrocities on SWs :

JANA SAHAYOG has initiated a process to deal with police atrocities on sex workers and ensure the protection of sex workers’ human rights. A team comprising representatives of PUCL, Slum Jagatthu, VIMOCHANA, SANGAMA, SAMRAKSHA, Alternative Law Forum, and JANA SAHAYOG support the initiative. A group of sex workers have already formed their own informal association and are meeting regularly. So far, 15 sex workers have challenged police atrocities in court.

Joint Action Forums Active in Cities :

Land issues are being addressed by city-level Slum Dwellers Joint Action Forums consisting of slum people and dalit, mass and human rights organisations, including NGOs associated with slum improvement. Tumkur and Davanagere forums have already been registered under the Societies Registration Act while Joint Action Committees in the other cities are in the process of registration.

Nirmal Jyothi in Six Cities :

The Nirmal Jyothi Scheme for providing basic amenities such as water, toilets, drainage and road maintenance within slums was sanctioned for 36 slums in all six cities. JANA SAHAYOG has disseminated information on this scheme to people living in slums.

People’s Education Forum Established :

A People’s Education Forum that aims to maintain peaceful coexistence and communal harmony in Bangalore slums through education and information intervention was established this year. JANA SAHAYOG is an active member of this forum.

KEY LEARNINGS:

There are checks and balances built into the existing legal system. We need to identify these, and use these to challenge corrupt action.

Addressing slum issues, particularly land matters, is easier and safer when it is done through a network like the Joint Action Committee of dalit, mass and human rights organisations.

Human rights education is required to reduce the misuse of the many laws and resources meant for the development of slum dwellers.

Siddalinga Murthy, Coordinator and Reporter, Slum Jagatthu (Davanagere), was attacked by a Councilor and his supporters for highlighting the low quality of work in his ward. He and Ramachandrappa, President, Slum Dwellers Joint Action Committee, lodged a police complaint. The police received a complaint from the Counselor as well. On investigation, the police filed a case against the Counselor in the district court. The Counselor subsequently approached the plaintiff for a settlement, but the Joint Action Committee decided to take the case to court. The case is in progress.