Holding regular meetings, keeping records, at DS and GN levels
Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, MP
Following the establishment of Divisional Secretariat Reconciliation
Committees in all Divisions in the Vanni, follow up meetings were held
in June in Oddusuddan, Puthukudiyirippu, Karachi and Vavuniya North
Divisional Secretariat. As one Divisional Secretary observed, the
difference in the problems raised was remarkable, and indicated the
great strides made in the resettlement process.
One of the Divisional Secretariat Reconciliation Committee
meetings |
Where earlier in PTK, for instance, urgent queries had been raised
about basic facilities, developments with regard to roads and
electricity and water supply were appreciated.
Reconciliation meetings
Attention was drawn though to areas which still had deficiencies,
such as villages in Vavuniya which had not been targeted for an improved
water supply initially. However the Divisional Secretary was able to
explain that, following a visit by the Minister of Water Supply and
Drainage, the proposed scheme had been amended to service a greater
area. Similarly, with regard to electricity, the anticipated
commissioning of the grid at Kilinochchi would facilitate supply to
areas currently deprived.
All this made clear the need for regular communication. Prof
Wijesinha, Adviser on Reconciliation, explained the systems that had
been recommended following the conclusion of the initial round of
Reconciliation meetings, since these had revealed the problems caused by
failure to ensure regular consultation. If the Grama Niladharis had
regular meetings, and presented to the Divisional Secretaries brief
minutes of these, with a schedule of problems to be solved, they could
then ensure systematic feedback. Divisional Secretaries could take up
matters immediately with relevant officials, and ensure decisions were
made swiftly, with reasons for decisions being conveyed to stakeholders.
Remedial action
Thus, with a question regarding possible closure of a school, for
instance, or the need for grazing grounds for cattle, or the closure of
a toddy tavern too close to residential areas, relevant officials should
be urged to take swift decisions and respond sympathetically to the
needs that had been expressed, even while making it clear that they
could not satisfy all needs totally and immediately. The failure to make
it clear that problems were being taken seriously, and to communicate
the reasons for decisions that were taken, frequently caused resentment
that could readily be avoided.
The Divisional Secretaries made clear to the Grama Niladharis present
the need for regular meetings in the areas of a) Development and
livelihood and b) Protection issues, while it was also suggested that
meetings to promote c) Social and cultural activities should also be
held.
The need to involve government officials attached to the Secretariats
was noted, with Development Officers contributing to discussions on
livelihood, while the whole range of Protection officials (concerned
with Probation, Child Protection, Women, Social Services, Counselling)
should be involved in looking at possible problems and devising methods
to deal with them, in addition to taking remedial action when problems
had occurred.
For social and cultural activities, it was noted that relevant
officials could also contribute to work in schools. Though some noted
that they did not wish to trespass on the work of the Education
Department, it was agreed that, in line with current educational policy,
more co-curricular activities were necessary, to involve all students
rather than only those who excelled in performance. Officials attached
to Divisional Secretariats could, in consultation with Grama Niladharis
and Parent Associations, monitor activity and suggest to the Education
Department that greater efforts should be made with and by Principals
whose students suffered from a lack of activity. Encouragement of
activities such as Scouting that contributed to character development
was also desirable.
It was suggested that the security forces should also be involved in
such value addition activities. While it was necessary for the Police,
and in particular their Women and Children’s Desk representatives, to
attend the Protection Committee meetings, it was noted that for others,
including for the Development meeting as requested by a senior Grama
Niladhari, there should be specific invitations from those arranging the
meeting.
While the forces could readily assist with sports and language
classes, and even with vocational training in schools which arranged
this in the absence of more formal arrangements in rural areas, the
communities should decide what they needed and make arrangements
accordingly.
Land issues
One problem that was brought up initially by a leader of a Women’s
Rural Development Society, but which also seemed of common prevalence
elsewhere, was the question of Domestic Violence, in particular
resulting from alcoholism. The recent publications by the Ministry of
Child Development and Women’s Affairs, of guides to dealing with this
were discussed, and made available, but it was noted that the Tamil
versions, which are in preparation, should be expedited and sent on soon
to relevant officials as well as the Police desks dealing with such
problems.
A constantly recurring question was that of land ownership and
utilization, with queries about formalizing titles to land that had been
in usage over long periods, about recovery of lands that had been used
by the security forces, and about repossession after abandonment and
usage by others. With regard to usage by the forces, it was noted that
decisions could now be made quickly and consultation should be arranged
swiftly, while in other respects the decision by the Ministries of
Justice and of Lands to expedite clear-cut legal provisions should lead
to resolution of problems on an equitable basis.
Fortunately, with a process of regular consultations initiated by the
Task Force on implementing the National Action Plan on Human Rights,
land issues had been given priority - though those concerned had also to
be told that possible legal complications might delay solutions unless
these were settled swiftly.
Meanwhile the progress made by several Divisional Secretaries since
the first set of meetings was much appreciated. In Vavuniya North, clear
schedules had been prepared of aid projects in the fields of development
as well as of assistance provided to the resettled, while a systematic
programme of counselling had been put in place.
It is desirable though that the Ministry of Public Administration
formalize reporting arrangements to maximize the impact of the good work
done by officials at the lowest but most important level of the
administrative system. |