Experiences during RTI Module

RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT 2005

Introduction: Right To Information Act, came into effect on 12th October, 2005 under the rule of UPA Government. It was a need of a common man, especially in India as the level of corruption is so high.

When we speak of Right to information, we can inspect works, Records & documents. We can get extract copies from document & also we get sample of material. Any Indian citizen can get information from any public authority under RTI Act. Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information related office.

The reason the RTI Act is a potent tool is simple — if the information requested is not provided by the officials, they need to pay Rs.250 for every day of delay from their salary. There is no other act that directly links performance of government officials to their salary.
The Act also enables to BPL families to get the information with free of cost, without paying anything extra for getting the information.

Public Authority: It is made by or under constitution or it made by law parliament, it is made by law state Legislature and order made by Government.

Later we discussed about sections Suo-Muto under Sec 4(1)(b) & specific information under Sec(6)(1) availed under the RTI Act 2005. Suo-Muto is self declaration that means, it provides detail information of the department that covers 17 points under the Act. Example Details of employees, Budget & responsibilities. The Sec(6)(1) provides any specific information that is required under any department by paying a nominal fee of Rs.10 either by PO, Cheque & DD.

Learning:
1. Though we had some information about RTI Act, it was not sufficient to speak about it nor to tell someone about it. Even if I was asked to file an RTI I had no enough knowledge to do so. But the 3 days class on the Act nourished with the proper guidance to use it as an effective tool to fight against the inefficient system and corruption that takes place in the Government Institutions. It also enables every citizen of India (not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir) to utilize the available right to function over the system to know what they deserve from the Government policies.

2. The session sensitized to know our role in RTI Act. It also gave a picture, that its responsibility of each and every citizen of the country to bring awareness about the Act to those who are unaware about it and mainly to the under privileged sections.

3. Filing Suo-Muto under Sec 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005.

4. Filing under Sec 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 to get any particular information of the Department.

5. Street plays to aware the people on the Act.

Experience:
1. The first day experience of filing an RTI under the Sec 4(1)(b) for getting information on Suo-Muto from the Karnataka Water Supply Board, Hubli, Dharwad was the first experience of filing an RTI. Though at the beginning no one responded properly, later there was a quick response once they came to know the purpose of visit was to file RTI. The Public Information Officer was not available, so the Executive Engineer was contacted to file the Act. There was no much response from him, he collected the application, called the attender and asked him to take the counter signature on the acknowledgement. During that time, he asked how it will help us? The reply was given such “I’m social worker, residing in Hubli so such information will help me for my further course of action”. He just showed a blank face and handed over the signed acknowledgement.

2. The second experience was little tough while filing under Sec 6(1) under the RTI Act for specific information. I visited Hubli-Dharwad Munciple Corporation with an written application and a postal order of Rs.10/- to file RTI. The purpose of filing RTI was to obtain information on the a) Budget and utilization of funds and b) Development measures taken in last 2 years at Indira Glass House in the last 2 years. The information was asked as the park was not maintained upto the mark it had to be. in the beginning as I met Mr.Kulkarni to know where the PIO is available, he asked to go to another office i.e., at Zonal office-4 to lodge RTI. Then I had to speak to him with exchange of heated words, then he spoke up saying “ok, you go to General Information department and you can file it there”. This was enough to make rest of the work successful. RTI was filed at the inward section as the concerned person was not available.

3. After knowing the RTI Act and having practical experience, it was time to pass the information to others. The medium chose was through Street Play and the area chosen was Taj Nagar. A group of 7 members went to the place with an attractive story netted around the RTI Act. The play was so effective that the people gathered appreciated us and at the end they shared their experiences that they met in their life in Government offices. They were given the helpline number to contact, if they come across any such difficulties in future.

Future Plan: After knowing the act well in content and application of it, now my future plan is to scaling up by providing the information to as many as possible. To take an effort to see that each and every common man knows about this act and uses it effectively.