EKTA PARISHAD (NGO) Vs. STATE OF M.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) EKTA Parishad, NGO, which is a mass based social organization dedicated to the Gandhian principle of non -violence with the aim of assisting people to gain control over livelihood resources such as land, water and forest and, on the principle of Gram Swaraj, Gram Swavalamban (local self -reliance), has filed this Probono Publico Petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India for a relief in favour of the members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes to protect their possession over the lands allotted by the Government on patta under the various beneficiary schemes formulated by the State of M.P. and have sought further direction to remove all the encroachments from the lands allotted to them and further with a prayer to deliver possession to them and to provide security.

(2.) IN the petition it was stated that the aforesaid Institution Ekta Parishad is working in the field to help poor and has taken up a land rights campaign to assist poor people in gaining control over their livelihood resources. It was stated that the petitioner society is working in more than 66 cities in 8 States touching 4,000 villages situated in the remote places covering the population of 30 lacs. The society is also running its social activities for upliftment of the poor members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes in all over the country and also working in the field of generating employment to the unemployed poor villagers. Social Worker Shri P. V. Rajgopal is the National Chairman of the Society and other social worker Dr. Ram Singh Parmar is the National Convener and Smt. Shriddha Kashyap, Shri Uday Bhan Singh and Dr. Harendra Sharma are also assisting them. In the petition it is submitted that pursuant to the decision of the State Government to allot land to the landless persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes, the Government has allotted land to the landless needy persons, but it was submitted that there are various irregularities in the allotment of the lands committed by the revenue authorities. Merely paper formalities have been done and no steps have been taken to see that the land is actually given in their possession to cultivate over the said land. It was further submitted that in the name of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes, Bhu -mafia and encroachers are actually enjoying the possession over the land by using their influence and muscle power and in many a case, after allotment the possession has not been handed over to them, therefore, they are unable to cultivate and earn their livelihood.

(3.) THERE is no dispute that the petitioner society - Ekta Parishad, is a mass based society dedicated to the Gandhian principle of non -violence with the aim of assisting people to gain control over livelihood resources such as land, water and forest and they have also launched a land -wise campaign. From the literature filed on record it appears that the petitioner as an NGO has done a commendable work in the State with a view to help the poor people of this State, particularly belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes. Therefore, we are of the view that this petition which has been filed is really in the public interest and for that we record our appreciation to the petitioner society.