SAMADHAN

Background | Objectives | Modus Operandi | NGO Status | Structure

Success Story | FAQs | Address For Communication

BACKGROUND

          The National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi in its letters to the Collector & District Magistrate, Keonjhar on December 26, 1997 and April 28, 1998 had urged upon the district administration to set up a pressure group to combat the growing menance of atrocities against women. "The only way to combat this menace is to set up pressure groups in all districts and establish networking of organisations at various levels, within the district to tackle such cases of inhuman treatment and atrocities and also to create awareness amongst the community on how to face upto such incidents", remarked the NCW Member Secretary Ms. Binoo Sen in her letter.

          Responding to the request of the NCW, the district administration formed a forum on May 30, 1998 comprising of six advocates and five Non-Government Organisation (NGO) representatives who agreed voluntarily to spare their time for the purpose. Out of the 11 members six were women. The Officer-in-Charge of the Grievance Cell of the Collectorate was appointed as the Convenor of the forum which met on Saturdays (barring the second Saturdays and government holidays) to function as a special grievance Cell for women under direct control and guidance of the Collector. A senior Police officer from the district police headquarters also attended the cell proceedings. Later on, Media persons, social workers, advocates and students of the local Law College have voluntarily joined the forum taking the membership to 18 besides seven ex-officio members representing the administration.

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OBJECTIVES

• To support the victims of inhuman treatment within the family and society.

• To take up negotiation and reconciliation process as and when the Collector’s Grievance Cell refers the case to SAMADHAN.

• To identify the injustice meted out to the victims and to convince the oppressor to refrain from further harrasment, oppression or ill-treatment.

• To provide required counselling to the oppressed and oppressor as well as those in distress.

• To organise legal literacy and awareness generation campaigns at various levels to educate the people about Womens’ I\rights and issues.

• To develop networking with organisations and forums with similar objectives.

• To take up survey, study, research, documentation and publication on issues relating to women, children and those affecting the family values.

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MODUS OPERANDI

          Coinciding with the Collector’s Grievance Cell on Saturdays, this exclusive Cell for Women too remains open on these days. Whenever a case is referred to the Cell by the District Collector, the members of SAMADHAN alongwith the Officer-in Charge of the collector’s Grievance Cell and the Police Officer give a patient and detailed hearing to the petitioner. Then both the petitioner and the opposite party are being summoned through their respective Police Stations to the Cell on a later date to listen to the opposite party and then to attempt for an amicable settlement through a dialogue. Whenever required, family members, relatives and village community leaders are also being invited to be involved in the reconciliation process.

          When the attempt for an amicable settlement fails, SAMADHAN offers necessary advice and assistance to the victim through its liaison with the Legal Aid Board and NGOs.

          An important function of the Cell is to ensure follow up of the settled cases. The Cell members arrange periodical field visits to assess the status of the settled cases.

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NGO STATUS FOR SAMADHAN

          In order to make the forum a permanent body with a long term action plan SAMADHAN was registered as a non-government organisation on 11.06.2000 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 with the following objectives.

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STRUCTURE

          SAMADHAN has a two-tier structure comprising of a 13-member Governing Body and a General Council with 25 members.

The SAMADHAN Family

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SUCCESS STORY

          Since its inception in May 1998, so far 342 cases have been referred to SAMADHAN out of which 236 cases have been disposed off with 100 cases settled amicably.

          A booklet in Oriya titled ‘MAHILA SURAKSHYA AINE’ containing information regarding various laws on women, agencies available to support the women in distress including SAMADHAN has been published and widely circulated free of cost.

          A district level workshop on ‘Legal Literacy on Women’ was organised on March 8, 2000- the International Womens’ Day- which was addressed by the District Collector; Superintendent of Police; Chief Judicial Magistrate, Keonjhar; Civil Judge (Sr. Dvn), Keonjhar; Government Pleader; Member of the State Bar Council; District Labour Officer; Advocates and NGO representatives. Among the 120 participants in the workshop were CDPOs & Supervisors of the ICDS; elected lady members of the Zilla Parishad; Urban Local Bodies and Panchayat Samities and NGO workers.

Appreciations

          The Chief Justice of Orissa High Court Hon’ble Justice S.N. Phukan and Hon’ble Justice Arijit Pasayat visited SAMADHAN on 18.11.1998 and address the members. The Chief Justice lauded the activities of SAMADHAN and suggested other states and districts to set up similar forums.

          National Commission for Women member Ms. Sukeshi Oram and representative of the Member Secretary Ms. Leena Mehendle have visited SAMADHAN and have expressed their pleasure over its activities.

On another occasion Justice R.K. Patra, Justice P.K. Mohanty and Justice P.C. Nayak have also visited the Cell.

          Besides Inspector General, Human Rights Protection Cell Mr. B.K. Tripathy, IPS and Chairperson of the State Commission for Women Prof. Lopamudra have also sent letters of appreciation to the forum.

          National Commission for Women member Mrs. Anasuiya Uike visited SAMADHAN on 22^nd July, 2000. During the visit she reviewed the performance of the society, addressed the members and watched the proceedings of the reconciliation process at the Cell.

          State Social Welfare Advisory Board Chairperson Ms. Sabitri Chaudhury visited SAMADHAN on 7^th August, 2000. During her visit she held discussion on SAMADHAN with District Collector and members of SAMADHAN.

          The Chairperson, State Commission for Women Prof. Lopamudra Mohanty during her visit to Keonjhar on 19^th August’2000 conducted a Camp Court in collaboration with SAMADHAN and settled 26 cases out of 36 cases. Lauding the achievements of SAMADHAN she stated that the number of cases reported to State Commission for Women in the District have drastically come down following the setting up of the SAMADHAN.

Some Success Stories Of "SAMADHAN"

(1)  Kum. Pravati Sutar of Keshdurapal village under Ghasipura Police Station area complained to SAMADHAN that she has been sexually exploited by her neighbour Sri Radheshyam Bindhani on a false assurance of marriage. When she conceived owing to the relationship, Radheshyam got the pregnancy terminated and refused to marry her.

          The State Commission for Women, being aware of the affair through a newspaper report, requested the District Collector to look into the matter which was referred to SAMADHAN on 26.05.1999.

          Both the parties were summoned to the Cell for a reconciliation. Through initially the opposite party was reluctant to cooperate in the process following consistent counseling and exercise of pressure through his family members, relatives and villagers he agrees to marry Pravati.

          The marriage was solemnized on 18.06.1999 in their village as per the vedic tradition in the presence of a member of SAMADHAN.

(2)   Smt. Sanjulata Mahanta of Teranti village under Sadar Police area reported that her husband Sri Purna Chandra Mahant had tortured her both mentally and physically and had driven her out of the house along with their baby.

          Both the parties were summoned to the Cell and a reconciliation was reached following which the husband agreed to take back the wife and child. But again on 27.02.2000 the wife reported that her husband has repeated his previous misconduct. Then her husband was summoned to the Cell on 20.03.2000 through the Police where he was explained about the legal consequences and provision of punishment for his misconduct following which Purna Chandra promised not to repeat his past mistakes and behave with his wife properly.

          Members of SAMADHAN made a visit to their village on 31.05.2000, after one year of the reconciliation and found that the couple were living happily together.

(3)  On 25.03.2000 Smt. Sebati Mahanta of Tukudia village complained to the district Collector that her village complained to the District Collector that her husband Sri Bhaganbat Mahanta of Kalinga village under Baria Police renge was not having normal relationship with her and was having quarrel with herbeing instigated by his mother for which she was staying with her parents. The case was referred to SAMADHAN.

          Through the opposite party was summoned to the Cell, he remained absent on two successive dates. When he finally appeared on 27.05.2000, it was revealed that Sri Mahanta is a teacher who had filed a suit in the Court against Sebati prior to their marriage alleging that she was blackmailing him to marry him through pressure. It was also learnt that the marriage has taken place amidst misconducting which at times resulted in bitterness between the couple. However, counseling at the cell resulted in a mutual settlement and both the parties gave in writing to live perfectly together thereafter.

(4)  75-years old Sri Harichandan Sahoo of Taratkaman village under Sadar P.S. complained to the District Collector on 06.11.1999 that he and his wife were being neglected by their sons and demanded maintenance.

          Both the parties were called to the Cell on 20.11.1999 and with the help of the village leader (Padhan) the matter was resolved. The sons gave in writing to look after the old parents. The petitioner was also convinced to withdraw his demand maintenance.

          After six months, as part of its follow-up programme when the SAMADHAN team visited the village on 31-05-2000, they learnt that the family members are pulling on well without any disturbance.

(5)  50 year old blind lady Smt. Jemamani Mahanta reported to SAMADHAN that her husband Sri Naba kishore Mahanta of Jadipada village under Champua PS works as a class IV employee in government service. Jemamani became blind after the birth of a daughter and to look after the household affairs a maid servant was appointed whom her husband later accepted as the second wife. He also negelected Jemamani for which she was compelled to go back to her parents where for the last 30 years she has been staying maintaining herself as a maid servant.

          The blind lady appealed to provide her maintenance by her husband since she was no more able to sustain herself.

          SAMADHAN took the help of some local people as well as the authority of the irrigation office where the man is employed to intervene in the matter. Finally, on 28.04.2000 in the presence of the villagers in the lady’s village, Naba Kishore agreed to take back her to his house and to provide a room and Rs. 500/- per month. On 29.04.2000 both of them came to the Cell and gave in writing about their reconciliation after 30 years of separation.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question No-1 What is the need of ‘SAMADHAN’ in Keonjhar District?

Answer- SAMADHAN is a cell for distress women functioning in the Collectorate, Keonjhar and take voluntary initiatives to settle the family disputes amicably through counseling and provide necessary help as and when required.

Question No-2 Do you think that your husband/ family members torturing you?

Answer- Apply SAMADHAN Cell at Collectorate, Keonjhar on every Saturday who not only try to settle the matter amicably but also provides assurance & necessary help to a distress woman.

Question No-3 Do your husband/ family members demanding dowry?

Answer- Inform SAMADHAN Cell who will try to solve your problems by calling your husband & others and give assurance and advise to both parties and settle the problem through re-concilliation and take necessary action as per law.

Question No-4 As an unwed mother do you hesitate to go to Police Station or Court of Law and need necessary helps for your future?

Answer- SAMADHAN Cell will try to provide necessary assistance for getting natural justice and necessary action against the accused person.

Question No-5 Do you feel that your sons are not taking care of you at the old age?

Answer- SAMADHAN Cell will solve your problems through counseling by calling your sons & others and give assurance to live peacefully with your family.

Question No-6 Do you think that your husband is going to marry another woman or keeping a woman which is illegal?

Answer- SAMADHAN Cell will try to settle the matter amicably and take necessary action against your husband & others as per rule. If necessary, SAMADHAN also provides legal help for maintenance.

Question No-7 As a woman, do you face any type of harassment in your family or society?

Answer- If so, contact SAMADHAN Cell for amicable settlement of your problems.

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ADDRESS FOR COMMUNICATION

In case you need further information or counseling you can contact us at

‘SAMADHAN’, GRIEVANCE CELL,COLLECTORATE, KEONJHAR-758001, 0RISSA

                            or

You may directly send e-mail to the Collector at kjr_dmkjr@sancharnet.in

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