Making a better India – Right to Information Act

Today a thought came to my mind about the Right to Information Act, 2005.  The Act is said to be arming the citizens to demand information from the Government on any matter related to public interest.

This is an interesting Act that actually provides enormous scope for the general public to achieve several things of public importance and citizen welfare.

For example, this has armed the public with the right to ask for information about people contesting in elections, their public standing, personal wealth, Income Tax records etc.  You have the right to ask about the quality and accuracy of the weighing scales and measures used at the public distribution system (Ration shops), the frequency of inspection of these scales, action taken in the case of weighing scales / measures not meeting the standards.  The scope is vast and the list is endless.

Is there an awareness about this act? Is there a public campaign by the Government to make citizens aware of this Act?

I was doing a bit of research on this Act today to know more about it.  I found a detailed information about the Right To Information Act, 2005 in Wikipedia here.  I also found a forum dedicated to the Act here.  This forum has lots of helpful tips on how one can use the RTI Act and also has some success stories posted.

One of the readers of that forum had asked about “open man holes” in the city and the maintenance frequency of the man holes.  Another information requested from the Government related to the speedbrakers in the city.  Open man holes and improperly built speedbrakers do pose danger to the public.  The fact that RTI can be used to get information on these and thus make the Government machinery move to rectify the discrepancies makes it a very powerful tool in the hands of the Indian Citizen.

There are quite stringent time lines mentioned in the Act for “acting” on the information request made by a Citizen under the RTI Act as under:

• If the request has been made to the PIO, the reply is to be given within 30 days of receipt.
• If the request has been made to an APIO, the reply is to be given within 35 days of receipt.
• If the PIO transfers the request to another public authority (better concerned with the information requested), the time allowed to reply is 30 days but computed from the day after it is received by the PIO of the transferee authority.
• Information concerning corruption and Human Rights violations by scheduled Security agencies (those listed in the Second Schedule to the Act) is to be provided within 45 days but with the prior approval of the Central Information Commission.
• However, if life or liberty of any person is involved, the PIO is expected to reply within 48 hours.

I for one, would like to ask information from the Government regarding action taken on the below as I feel that enough publicity has not been given regarding the RTI Act, 2005:

Section 26 of the Act enjoins the central government, as also the state governments of the Republic of India (excluding J&K), to initiate necessary steps to:

• Develop educational programmes for the public especially disadvantaged communities on RTI.
• Encourage Public Authorities to participate in the development and organization of such programmes.
• Promote timely dissemination of accurate information to the public.
• Train officers and develop training materials.
• Compile and disseminate a User Guide for the public in the respective official language.
• Publish names, designation postal addresses and contact details of PIOs and other information such as notices regarding fees to be paid, remedies available in law if request is rejected etc.

Please do send the link of this post to your friends so more people are aware of this Act and can start thinking and acting for the benefit of the community.  https://sathyamurthy.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/making-a-better-india-right-to-information-act/

He thinks it as a game of cricket

As Islamabad continues to deny any connection to the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on a local news channel, “India should not underestimate Pakistan’s military power because Pakistan is capable of thwarting any aggression from the east.” (Source)

I cannot stop laughing reading this comment of the President of Pakistan.  Did he think war is a game of cricket?  And he can press into service the Shoaib Akthars and Sohair Tanivirs?

It is one thing to watch Cricket with warlike passion; but it is a totally different ball game (or bomb game) to think War, like cricket.

He should remember that in this series, India is leading 3-0

We should only talk about peace process and not become rhetoric that may ultimately result in war which is not good for intrinsically friendly citizens of both countries.

‘Test’ing draw (India v England – Mohali)

I hoped yesterday that the second test between India and England may go for a close finish.  I also expected that MSD might push his success record to a perfect five (5 wins out of 5 tests).

However, the weather Gods were not kind.  I think the Gods were bent upon punishing BCCI for its foolish decision to hold the match at Mohali were at this time of the year weather is sure to play a spoil sport.  Kolkatta would have been a better venue for this match.

The interest left in this match, at this stage is whether Gambir will achieve the coveted mark of century in each innings.  He scored 179 in the first innings and looks well set for a well deserved hundred right now.  He is batting on 80 from 193 balls.  Unless he suddenly becomes foolish or loses concentration a century must be his for sure.  I do not know if there are any other instances of batsman from both sides achieving the landmark of century in each innings in the same series.  If you happen to read this and if you know any such instance, please do post in the comments section.

Yuvraj is using up this opportunity to knock a hundred for himself.  He has gone there and from the word go has been batting aggressively.  He has already scored four sixes and six fours in his 79.   A century for him will do a lot of good for his reputation, career, average and might get him more girl friends 😉

A declaration by Dhoni will be meaningless in this match from hereon from the point of view of a result in this match.  However, it can bring in some interest in the meandering proceedings.  May be MSD can give the gloves to Dravid and bowl a few overs, opening the bowling; it will give some pleasure for the crowd.  It is very long time since we saw non-regular bowl in a test.  I remember the times when Sunil Gavaskar used to come and bowl immitating Abdul Qadir (legendary leg spinner from Pakistan)