[Assam] RTI Act reduced to a mockery

[Pradip Kumar Datta]

‘RTI Act reduced to a mockery’
By A City Correspondent
 GUWAHATI, Dec 24 – With most of the State Government departments yet to position Public Information Officers (PIO), Assistant PIOs and First Appellate Authorities (FAA), the much hyped Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 has been reduced to a mockery, observes Aloran, a forum of 150 NGOs and civil rights activists of Asom.

Though sections 2 (h), 5 and 19 of the Act, make it mandatory for all public authorities to designate the aforesaid officers, the government is still to shake off its inertia and take the necessary steps to implement the Act in its true spirit.

According to Aloran, it is not only the citizens who are ignorant about the Act, but most of the government officials too lacked knowledge about the Act, considered as a significant step towards making the provisions of the Constitution effective in the true sense.

A study by the forum reveals that the gaon panchayats, block development offices, DRDA offices, revenue circle offices, district electricity board offices, transport offices, PHE offices, PWD offices, police stations, food and civil supply offices, health institutions etc have not designated PIOs and FAAs, resulting in difficulties for the citizens.

The forum has appealed to the government to take action on the Act and publish a directory of Public Authorities, PIOs, Asst PIOs and FAAs and make the same available to the citizens and NGOs working in the field of public welfare.

Aloran has requested the Government of Asom to make adequate budget provision for RTI training, administration and monitoring and for e-governance. It has asked the government to publish one year of progress of RTI implementation in the State complete with the details of the number of applications received, disposed, action taken against erring officials etc.

Aloran has chalked out a three-pronged action plan to take the Act to the grassroots. The plan outlines opening of facilitation centres, partnership with reputed NGOs and launching a mass movement across the State.

Abdul Kader, president of Aloran on Thursday revealing the action plan, said 15,000 applications seeking information would be submitted by the forum members by December 30.

In the beginning of the new year, the forum members will visit the villages to generate awareness on the Act amongst the rural folks, and to encourage them to file RTI applications to public authorities.  

Meanwhile, the waves created by the Right to Information Act has had far reaching implications in the country as well as the North East. 

The repercussions in the aftermath of the Act coming into force, have stretched to the walls of the Namsai Pariyatti Sasna Buddhist Vihara, located in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, encouraging monks to become vocal about rights and obligations.

The venerable Aggadhamma, Chief Monk of the Namsai Vihara, on Thursday said the Right to Information Act (RTI) is a true reflection of the ideals enshrined in the Indian constitution, and his fraternity would do their best to create awareness on the Act. 

“At first we thought, the Act has no relevance for monks like us. But when we were enlightened on the Act by Aloran, we felt we too have to contribute for the Act ensures human welfare,” said Aggadhamma.

With his mind filled with the sections and clauses of the RTI Act Aggadhamma, is a convinced monk, who is bent on taking the Act to as many people as he can. “Generating awareness amongst the people on the Act will also be a part of our religious activities from now on,” confirmed Aggadhamma

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