Vallabh Pandey - Advocate for RTI, Education, MNREGA, Food Security & Environment

1. Vallabhacharya PandeyAfEFellow Progress and proposal Amit sharma Feb 2016

2. Vallabh Bhai Biography • Vallabh Pandey has been a long time volunteer with Asha Trust, associated with Asha Kashi (Varanasi) since early days of Asha Trust • Nominated by MelliAnnamalai, and was subsequently approved as an Afe-SV fellow in 2005 • Plays a crucial role in coordination and administrative activities of Asha Trust, across AfEprojecta and Asha Trust chapters • Manages communications and correspondence of the Trust with MHRD, IT Department, and IB, including administrative paperwork

3. Vallabh Bhai Biography • Participates and stewards awareness program on Right to Information, Food Security Act, Right to Education and monitoring of MNREGA etc. • Participates and organizes programs, seminars, conclaves on a variety of issues ranging from Environment, RTI/RTE, Monitoring of various Government schemes and programs in and around Varanasi [and UP in general] • Fellowship has helped him with his pioneering work in RTI advocacy in Varanasi and surrounding area • Vallabh Bhai has been instrumental in conceptualization, selection and execution of a variety of asha trust projects • Over the years Vallabh has been the primary contact Asha Trust contact for AfE as well as been helpful with conducting site visits for various AfE projects (Asha Darshan in 2013, VARUN in 2015 to note a few)

4. Activities 2014-2015 • Right to Information • Weekly RTI camps in Varanasi near City Court conducted every Thursday since 2006 • Organized a seminar on RTI (व्यवस्थाकीस्वच्छताऔरसूचनाकाअिधकार) on 12/13/15 • Attended by SIC and members from Office of CIC • 30 government departments were surveyed to assess state of RTI compliance • Coordinated with Prof. P.K. Mishra of IIT-BHU • Conducted a signature drive on the occasion of 10th anniversary of RTI • Conducted in Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Varanasi • Coordinating a group of ~30 youth working in various districts of UP on RTI advocacy and stnethning of RTI provisions

5. Activities 2014-2015 • Right to Education • Actively working on monitoring and improving quality of government primary schools • Working with SMCs and helping organize SMCs • Coordinating signature campaign to implement the order of Allahabad HC (to improve quality of education in primary schools) • RTE advocacy and implementation of 25% reservation for LIF in private schools across UP • Active member of “ShikhakaAdhikaarAbhiyaan” • MNREGA • Closely working with local organizations and MNREGA Mazdoor Union to raise awareness and issues related to MNREGA thorough training camps, workshops, and meetings

6. Activities 2014-2015 • Food Security Act • Published a leaflet on FSA in simple language so that is easy to understand norms and facilities available under the act • Raising awareness through camps and meetings with local community with help from students of IIT-BHU • Environment • Coordinating discussion and dialogue on issues of environment and deforestation with school students, and community. • Coordination of plantation drive at school campuses • Conduced a five-month long Earth Case Water Campaign -2015 (Jul-Nov’15) • Five local organizations – VJC, JVS, VES, DEV Excel Foundation, Kiran, and Asha Trust participated • Cleaning up of local waterbodies, parks, and other community places was undertaken • Successfully saved 24 matured trees on road divider on Fatmaan Road (in center of Varanasi City)

7. Activities 2014-2015 • Panchayat Elections • Published leaflets on “Panchayati Raj” that were used during elections for generating awareness • Organized Rallies and street-play before election to promote free elections and motivating participation

8. Q&A with Vallabh Bhai