The removal of Red Cross logo and its brand name from the existing 55 Red Cross blood banks running in the State by a Government order has hurt many members of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Odisha unit.
At the time of establishment of blood banks at different locations, the State branch and the district branches of Red Cross had financed the construction of blood bank buildings, besides providing funds for equipment and met the salary of the staff.
The brand name of Red Cross Blood Bank in Odisha has the approval of the Executive Committee since the establishment of such blood banks.
The Governor of Odisha is the ex-officio president of State branch of the IRCS. It has an Executive Committee. However, no annual general meeting of the EC has been held since January 1, 2010.
According to Red Cross rules, the meeting has to take place every year.
The members are kept in dark regarding the activities and are deprived of their right to take active part in the deliberations and put forth their opinion on the overall functioning of the State branch.
The inaction on the part of the management infringes the rights and responsibilities of members of the State and district branches. Former Governor Dr SC Jamir during his five year term never held a meeting of the Red Cross EC.
Similarly, annual reports and audit reports have not been prepared and presented from 2007 to 2016. The annual budget was also not prepared and placed before the Working Committee and subsequently for ratification by the EC.
Therefore, needless to say, all expenditure incurred so far without ratification by the EC should be considered as unauthorised. As per rule, the budget should have been placed before the EC before commencement of each financial year.
The EC and WC have not been reconstituted after the term of non-official members has expired during last nine years. Members who have died in the intervening period continue as members and no replacement has been sought. The term of the Committee members is for three years.
Meanwhile, the uniform rules issued for implementation by the State units by the IRCS, are yet to be implemented in Odisha despite time extension. On the other hand, all sub-committees on healthcare and disaster management just exit by name only.
There was a time when there were full time secretaries, but the trend presently has been reversed.
The present secretary is an officer in the Health Directorate and saddled with work of other offices. So, he is a part time chief executive.
As per rules of 1990, the Governor and president is the appointing authority of the secretary. The president should appoint a full time secretary for the smooth running of the Red Cross branch.
(The writer is a life member, Indian Red Cross Society. Mob: 8984007600/ 9938537600)