AWERNESS PROGRAMME ON G.O 34 ,47

Regional workshop on “Orphan Rights”   Organized by Bala Vikasa Social Service Society   Collaborated by Prajadharana Ashramam at Bala Vikasa People Development Training Center Warangal on 16th April, 2011

Workshop Declaration A Regional Workshop on “Orphans Rights” Organized by : Bala Vikasa Social Service Society Siddarthanagar, NIT, Kazipet, Warangal Collaborated by  : Prajadharana Ashramam Regadi Thanda, Zaffargadh, Warangal. Venue : Bala Vikasa People Development Training CenterFatimanager, NIT, Kazipet, Warangal. Date    : 16th April, 2011 Time        : 10.30 a.m to 5.00 p.m. 

Chief Guest :Mrs. Sunitha Laxma Reddy Members present    Chief Guest     :Mrs. Sunitha Laxma Reddy Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Govt. of  A.P.  ( Mrs. Sunitha Laxma Reddy  interacted with the participants through video conferencing from Hyderabad) Govt. Officials    : 10 CWC members : 13 NGOs        : 34 with 43 representatives Total        : 66  

Objective of the workshop To provide better understanding and orientation on the GO’s 34 and 47 To explore effective methods for better coordination and implementation of GOs.  II. Workshop Background Andhra Pradesh Government passed GO no. 34 on 27th September, 2008 and GO no. 47 on 31st August, 2010  with the objective of providing identity and opportunities to the orphan children in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Though the intention of the GOs is very good, it is not effectively implemented by the concerned authorities. Not even a single certificate was issued until March, 2011 though the GO was released more than two years ago.  The main reason for the delay is due to communication gap between the stake holders, misunderstanding on the GOs among the stake holders, lack of initiatives etc.   Bala Vikasa Social Service Society, Fatimanagar, Warangal and Prajadharana Ashramam, Regadi Thanda, Warangal being active in implementing various welfare programs to the orphan children at large scale have felt the need to organize a workshop inviting all the stake holders at different levels in government, NGOs and the target group in order to create sufficient awareness among different stake holders about the GOs and motivate for active participation, cooperation and execution.  Smt. Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Minister for women and child welfare and IKP encouraged the proposal of BalaVikasa and Prajadharana Ashramam and gave her consent to be present at the workshop. The Mrs. Chaya Ratan, the Principle Secretary, Women and child welfare department has issued directions to RDD Warangal, Regional PDS and to all the APOs in the state to attend the workshop.   

Introduction and clarification on GOs Mr. Shoury Reddy, Director, Bala Vikasa presented in detail the GOs no. 34 and 47.  Necessary clarifications were made by the concerned government officials present, CWC members and the NGOs who are actively promoting the GOs. The Officials from Warangal district and Mr. Gade Inna Reddy from Prajadharana Ashramam who stood first in the state to issue orphan certificate shared their experiences in claiming and issuing the certificates. The participants congratulated the Warangal district authority and NGOs for initiating the process of issuing certificates and they said the experience of Warangal district is very inspiring for them to initiate in their respective districts.   iv. Appreciating the government initiatives The members present at the workshop have unanimously resolved to thank the government of Andhra Pradesh for launching the two relevant GOs for the benefit of the orphan children. The members have expressed special thanks to Mrs. Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Minister for women and child welfare for her special interest on the orphan issues and regularly following up with different stake holders to implement the GOs for the benefit of the deprived orphan children in the state. The members also expressed thanks to Mrs. Chaya Ratan, Priciple Secretary and her team for providing continuous encouragement and cooperation to NGOs and making sure that the concerned authorities take active role in initiating the benefits of the GOs to the target communities.

Recommendations   While appreciating the good that has been intended and implemented so far by the government, the following recommendations are made to the government of Andhra Pradesh for the purpose of enhancing dignity, recognition and security to the orphan children To involve relevant departmental staff and active NGOs at gross root level and collect the data on the orphan children at state level so that it will help in better planning, implementing and assessing. To provide clear guidelines and targets to all the stake holders especially to government authorities at district level so that the process of issuing “ Orphan certificate” will become less complicated and more encouraging. To facilitate a sate wide movement to ensure that every deserving orphan child is provided with “Orphan Certificate” so that the children will live with right dignity. Security and opportunities so that the children becomes better citizens of India. To immediately implement the eligibility of orphan children for Arogya sri program as decided by the state cabinet. To provide free bus and train passes to the orphan children. To provide note books, uniforms etc. to orphan children as it is being provided to BC, SC, ST and handicapped children. To provide required fee to the children studying in private schools and colleges. To provide financial assistance to the orphan when they become eligible for higher studies in foreign countries. To establish a special corporation for orphans like SC- STs,  Minorities etc. and provide special opportunities and security for their betterment.

To study the benefits provided to orphan children in Rajasthan and Maharashtra governments and try replicate appropriate programs for better security to orphans in A.P. To issue clear orders to all the Universities, inter board and other education institutions to implement the 3% reservation with immediate effect. To ensure that there will be a special coloumn for orphans in all the applications in educational institutions. To ensure that there will be a special coloumn for orphans in all the fee reimbursement application forms. To provide employment opportunities to the unemployed orphans in government departments and to encourage the private establishments who create employment to orphans.   To provide unemployment benefits to orphans when they are jobless. To provide loans and subsidies to self employed orphan children. To develop a platform and mechanism to provide needed recognition, publicity and encouragement to the institutions working for the betterment of orphan children. To establish special division in the women and children welfare department for immediate settlement of orphan issues that arise from time to tome. To provide benefits such as Abhaya Hastham and also allowances provided to the children of DWACRA members. To provide vote ID cards to eligible orphans. To set up effective structures and mechanisms to identify and include the orphans who are residing neither in the orphan homes of government nor NGOs. Also include the children of parent who is chronically sick and bedridden for longer period.     To enhance the role and authority of CWC chair persons in issuing orphan certificates To identify a “Respectable Title” instead of “Orphans” which provide dignity and security to orphans. To allocate special budgets for orphan programs and also provide special incentives to the orphan homes run by NGOs especially in terms of power bill, taxes etc. To take actions for immediate implementation of House Committee recommendations made in 1998. All the above points are discussed at length by the participants present at the workshop and unanimously agreed to present them to Government of Andhra Pradesh through Minister for Women and Child Welfare. 

Signed on behalf of the workshop participants.    Mr. S. Shoury Reddy Mr. G. Inna Reddy Executive Director, Bala Vikasa Founder – Prajadharana Ashramam Secretary – Forum for_______________ President : Forum ____________