SOCIAL WORK AND RESEARCH CENTRE BENSWARA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ORDER :- Mrs. Srilata Swaminathan, petitioner 2 had sent a letter dt. 17th April, 1985 addressed to Justice Mr. G.M. Lodha. Justice Lodha treated that letter as a writ petition and ordered that it should be registered as such. He also admitted the same and ordered that the notices be issued to the State of Rajasthan, Chief Secretary to the Government of Rajasthan, Special Secretary to the Government of Rajasthan (Special Schemes Organisation), Jaipur, Commissioner for Tribal Areas and Director, Social Welfare. Justice Lodha further requested Justice Mr. B.L. Mehta, Chairman, Legal Aid Board to provide financial legal aid by engaging a counsel for this matter.

(2.) The Chairman of the Legal Aid Board did not sanction any financial legal aid to the petitioners. Mr. C.K. Garg, Senior Advocate offered his services voluntarily to help the petitioners without charging any fees and so, he was appointed as Amicus Curiae on behalf of the petitioners. Shri C.K. Garg filed a detailed writ petition on 16-7-1985. The respondents were served and they have filed reply of the writ petition on 1st Aug. 1985. A rejoinder has also been filed by the petitioners on 19-11-85.

(3.) According to the petition, Social Work and Research Centre, hereinafter referred to as the 'Centre', is a voluntary organisation working primarily for the welfare of tribal people residing in remote and backward area known as 'People Khunt' in District Banswara since 1978 with its Project Director. Smt. Srilata Swaminathan, petitioner 2. The main aims and objects of the Centre are to work amongst the tribals in order to solve their socio-economic problems, protect them against exploitation, make them self-sufficient; educate them and to give them a sense of pride in their own culture, heritage and tradition. The details are given in Annx.-2 filed along with the writ petition. The work of the Centre has been appreciated widely by Government and non-governmental quarters. The petitioner 2, Project Director of the Centre, has been awarded a three years Fellowship of Rs. 500/- per month by Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation in the year 1980. A letter of appreciation by the Collector, Banswara, dated 26th January, 1984 has also been annexed with the petition as Annex.-3. The progress report of the Centre for the years 1981-82, 1982-83 and 1983-84 has been annexed with the writ petition as Annex. 4. Micro Project carried an by the Centre has benefited 45 tribal families. Vocational Centre under 'TRYSEN' is also being run for self employment of tribal women where weaving, spinning and tailoring are being taught. A letter by Smt. Sonia Gandhi wife of Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi. dt, Nov. 10, 1984, has also been placed on record, which runs as follows :-