Monday, March 30, 2015

[rti4empowerment] आमंत्रण : भारत में आरटीआई एक्ट लागू होने से दसवें साल में सूचना के अधिकार पर राष्ट्रीय विचार-गोष्ठी एवं विष्णु दत्त मिश्रा स्मारक आरटीआई रत्न (2015) सम्मान समारोह

 

भारत में आरटीआई एक्ट लागू होने से दसवें साल में सूचना के अधिकार पर राष्ट्रीय विचार-गोष्ठी

विषय : "आरटीआई एक्ट के संरक्षक के दायित्वों के निर्वहन में सूचना आयोगों की प्रभावकारिता"

दिनांक,दिन व समय : 18 अप्रैल 2015 ( शनिवार ) 10 AM – 7PM

कार्यक्रम स्थल : जयशंकर प्रसाद सभागार, कैसरबाग, लखनऊ,उत्तर प्रदेश,भारत

विष्णु दत्त मिश्रा स्मारक आरटीआई रत्न (2015) सम्मान समारोह 4 बजे अपराह्न

विष्णु दत्त मिश्रा स्मारक आरटीआई रत्न (2015) पुरस्कार के लिए निःशुल्क नामांकन दिनांक 14-04-2015 के 05 बजे अपराह्न तक ई-मेल rtimahilamanchup@gmail.com या डाक द्वारा 101, नारायण टॉवर, ब्लॉक, राजाजीपुरम,लखनऊ,उत्तर प्रदेश,भारत,पिन कोड-226017 पर संबंधित नागरिक की आरटीआई से संबंधित प्रपत्र भेजकर किया जा सकता है l

कार्यक्रम विवरण :
 निःशुल्क पंजीकरण और निःशुल्क आरटीआई मार्गदर्शिका वितरण : 10AM-10:30 AM
 प्रथम सत्र - "आरटीआई एक्ट के संरक्षक के दायित्वों के निर्वहन में सूचना आयोगों की प्रभावकारिता" विचार-गोष्ठी (आरटीआई आवेदकों की सुरक्षा पर विशेष बल) :10:30AM - 02PM
 अल्पाहार : 02 PM – 02:30 PM
 समापन सत्र – "आरटीआई एक्ट के संरक्षक के दायित्वों के निर्वहन में सूचना आयोगों की प्रभावकारिता" विचार-गोष्ठी एवं विष्णु दत्त मिश्रा स्मारक आरटीआई रत्न (2015) सम्मान समारोह 02:30 PM – 06:30 PM
 चोखा बाटी भोज : 06:30 PM

आयोजक : येश्वर्याज सेवा संस्थान,लखनऊ

अधिक जानकारी के लिए कार्यक्रम की संयोजिका उर्वशी शर्मा से मोबाइल नंबर 9369613513पर संपर्क किया जा सकता है l कार्यक्रम में आपकी उपस्थिति सादर प्रार्थनीय हैl

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Posted by: urvashi sharma <rtimahilamanchup@yahoo.co.in>
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[rti4empowerment] Invite : National Seminar on Right to Information & Vishnu Dutt Mishra Memorial RTI Ratna Award (2015) ceremony

 

In the tenth year after enactment of RTI act in India National Seminar on Right to Information

Topic : " Efficacy of Info- Commissions as custodian of RTI act."

Date, Day & Time : 18-04-2015 ( Saturday ) 10 AM – 7PM

Venue : Jaishankar Prasad Meeting-Hall, Quaiserbagh, Lucknow ,Uttar Pradesh, India.

Vishnu Dutt Mishra Memorial RTI Ratna Award (2015) ceremony at 4 PM.

Free nominations for Vishnu Dutt Mishra Memorial RTI Ratna Award (2015) can be mailed upto 05 PM of 14-04-2015 via e-mail at rtimahilamanchup@gmail.com or through post on address 101, ,Narayan Tower, F block, Rajajipuram,Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh,Pin code-226017.

Program Details :
 Free registration & free RTI guide distribution : 10AM-10:30 AM
 Opening Session - " Efficacy of Info- Commissions as custodian of RTI act." ( Special Focus on safety & Security of RTI applicants ) :10:30AM - 02PM
 Refreshment : 02 PM – 02:30 PM
 Final Session – Seminar on " Efficacy of Info- Commissions as custodian of RTI act." & Vishnu Dutt Mishra Memorial RTI Ratna Award (2015) ceremony - 02:30 PM – 06:30 PM
 Chokha-Baati dinner : 06:30 PM onwards.

Organizer : YAISHWARYAJ Seva Sansthan, Lucknow

For more information please contact Program coordinator Urvashi Sharma at her Mobile no. 9369613513.

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Sunday, March 29, 2015

[rti4empowerment] हौसले पंख हैं, उड़ना इनकी पहचान NBT Femina feature on RTI Girl Aishwarya Parashar [1 Attachment]

 
[Attachment(s) from urvashi sharma included below]

http://epaper.navbharattimes.com/details/42260-14697-1.html

हौसले पंख हैं, उड़ना इनकी पहचान

'गर्ल्स एजुकेशन को मिले बढ़ावा' - आरटीआई गर्ल ऐश्वर्या पाराशर

राजाजीपुरम में रहने वाली 13 साल की ऐश्वर्या पाराशर को लोग आरटीआई गर्ल
के नाम से जानते हैं। ऐश्वर्या ने साल 2012 में एक आरटीआई दाखिल की थी,
जिसमें उन्होंने महात्मा गांधी को पहली बार राष्ट्रपिता कब कहा गया, इसकी
जानकारी मांगी थी। आश्चर्य की बात यह रही कि खुद सरकार को भी यह नहीं पता
कि महात्मा गांधी को कब और क्यों राष्ट्रपिता की उपाधि दी गई। ऐश्वर्या
इस समय गोमती नदी की सफाई अभियान के लिए सिग्नेचर कैम्पेन चला रही हैं।
महिला दिवस के लिए ऐश्वर्या कहती हैं कि मैं चाहती हूं कि ग्रामीण इलाकों
में लड़कियों की शिक्षा पर जोर दिया जाए।

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Attachment(s) from urvashi sharma | View attachments on the web

1 of 1 Photo(s)


Posted by: urvashi sharma <rtimahilamanchup@yahoo.co.in>
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Check out the automatic photo album with 1 photo(s) from this topic.
14697a.jpg


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Friday, March 27, 2015

[rti4empowerment] Fwd: [RTI applications and replies] Now, PIOs may not be able to send flimsy replies under RTI...Vinita Deshmukh | 26/03/2015 06:20 PM

 



A circular of 17th March 2015 issued by the Department of Personnel & Training-DoPT aims to make Public Information Officers accountable for their replies under the RTI
 
Most users of the Right to Information (RTI) Act invariably face the problem of Public Information Officers (PIOs) sending inadequate and sloppy replies or a standard tersely formatted reply. Now, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)'s circular issued on 17 March 2015 aims to make PIOs accountable by asking them to provide adequate details in their replies.
 
A Committee comprising representatives of DoPT, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Central Information Commission (CIC), recommended elaborate reasoning for denying information by quoting specific sections from the RTI Act for such denial; asking them to providing specific information of their own contacts (PIO's); comprehensive details of the First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) and making it mandatory for PIOs to endorse every document that they provide to the applicant.
 
The DoPT has stated that different PIOs provide information to RTI applicants in different formats. Though there cannot be a standard format for providing information, the committee has recommended the reply should essentially contain the following information:
 
The name, designation, official telephone number and email ID of the PIO or Central PIO (CPIO).
In case the information requested for is denied, detailed reasons for denial quoting the relevant sections of the RTI Act should be clearly mentioned.
In case the information pertains to any other pubic authority and the application is transferred under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act, details of the public authority to whom the application is transferred should be given.
In the concluding para of the reply, it should be clearly mentioned that the first appeal if any, against the reply of the CPIO may made to the FAA within 30 days from receipt of reply of CPIO.
The name, designation, address, official telephone number and email ID of the FAA should also be clearly mentioned
In addition, wherever the applicant has requested for 'certified copies' of the documents on records, the CPIO should endorse on the document `True copy of the document/ record', sign the document with date above a seal containing name of the officer, CPIO (in place of designation) and name of public authority
 
The DoPT has sought suggestions from the public and the deadline is 16 April 2015. The circular states, "It has been decided to invite views and suggestions from the citizens on the draft guidelines. The views/ suggestions, preferably not exceeding more than one page, may be sent latest by16th April through email only to RK Girdhar, US (RTI), North Block at email id usrti-dopt@nic.in (Sandeep Jain, Director, (IR), 011 23092755."
 
RTI activist Commodore Lokesh K Batra (Retd) has welcomed the format and also submitted his suggestions. He said, in the recommendations over information of a different public authority (in case the applicant has sent it to the wrong public authority), it should be added that "as far as possible, CPIO transferring application to another CPIO under Section 6(3) should also include the Email ID and Phone number of the CPIO to whom the application is being transferred. This is in keeping with government vision of Digital India."
 
Citizens should take this opportunity to make suggestions within the 16th April deadline.


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Posted By Blogger to RTI applications and replies at 3/27/2015 05:24:00 AM

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Posted by: Alok Tholiya <atholiya@gmail.com>
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Monday, March 16, 2015

[rti4empowerment] OPEN LETTER TO ARVIND KEJRIWAL

 

OPEN LETTER TO ARVIND KEJRIWAL, FROM AN OLD FRIEND

 

My dear Arvind,

 

1.     I was very happy to learn from newspapers that naturopathy treatment at Bangalore has helped in overcoming your health problems. Please continue to ensure your good health by following the regimen prescribed by Doctors, without any compromise. You should also thank Narendra Modi for his advise and take this gesture as a foundation of  mutual goodwill.

2.     Your outstanding and overwhelming success in Delhi elections has evoked jealousy and bickering from your former colleagues, who are doing their best to denigrate you. They deserve public rebuke, in view of their anti-party activity. If they have any constructive agenda, they can remain in the party and use it as a platform for improving governance processes.  On the other hand, if they have only negative agenda, there is no place for them in the Aam Aadmi Party. You should deliver a loud and clear message to them: either join in the effort in nation building or get out.

3.     As far as spreading Aam Aadmi Party to other States is considered, it is better to demonstrate a successful model in Delhi.  After demonstrated success in Delhi, AAP in other States can quote your achievements to secure electoral mandate.  It is not necessary to make centralized concerted effort for spreading AAP in other States. AAP should emerge as spontaneous reaction of leaders in other States to follow the model of good governance set by you at Delhi. You have public obligation to follow the agenda given in the party manifesto in Delhi elections. If there is dissidence in AAP on the issue of whether party activities should spread to other States or not, dissenting leaders can concentrate on party work in other States. As long as your efforts in Delhi have visible results, AAP would automatically flourish in other States.

4.     You have already embarked on using technological advances in improving governance processes and grievance redressal mechanism. There is need for effective decentralization. We look forward to citizen's empowerment for holding grass root public authorities accountable. There should be implementation of Section 4 of RTI Act 2005 in letter and spirit, to enable audit by citizens: technological advances should be used for disclosure and dissemination of information. Information disseminated by grass-root local authorities should enable social audit and performance evaluation by citizens.

5.     In the past Governments have not given due attention to audit observations of Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Improvements in financial management and systemic reforms would emerge from action on observations of auditors. AAP should set an example for other States by interacting with auditors to find systemic defects and taking measures to remove the aberrations. You can set the ball rolling by forming department –wise committees to examine the audit observations and come up with proposal for systemic reforms for improving financial management.

6.    I look forward to reforms leading to greater decentralization and implementation of 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution of India in letter and spirit to usher in SWARAJ. These changes introduced in 1993 remain largely unimplemented, as State Government has preferred centralization instead of empowering Municipalities and Panchayats. Instead of institutions of self-government, development initiatives are with the Government of India, under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, which impinge on functions earmarked for Panchayats and Municipalities. According to election manifesto, AAP is committed to usher in effective decentralization and in practical terms this involves:

a.     Review of implementation of 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution, leading to practical and workable action plan for promoting Panchayats and Municipalities as institutions of self-governance.

b.    Centrally sponsored schemes are implemented through societies, that are (i) Outside audit purview of C&AG, (ii) Result in large amount of public funds parked in banks, instead of remaining in Government treasuries and (iii) Huge wasteful expenditure on overhead costs by having a parallel organization, instead of development activities being entrusted to Government Departments.

c.     There is need for administrative review that may lead to abolition of centrally sponsored schemes with untied funds at the disposal of States, Municipalities and Panchayats.

7.    It is essential to make visible impact in improving governance, reflected in "monthly progress report". AAP should also invite suggestions from public on practical and workable ideas to improve governance processes, financial management, grievance redressal system and public participation.

 

 

You have a difficult task before you, Arvind. I hope you would evolve modalities of constructive collaboration with centre, instead of confrontation. There is no problem or difference that cannot be resolved, if intentions are sincere.

 

Our best wishes for success.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Dhirendra Krishna IA&AS (Retired)


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Saturday, March 14, 2015

[rti4empowerment] ET : Delays Weakening RTI : None of the 7 Commissioners Met Average Disposal Target

 



How delays are weakening RTI
By NIDHI SHARMA, ET Bureau | 14 Mar, 2015, 06.46AM IST

A former commandant of the Central Industrial Security Force, who lost 11 men in a 2009 Maoist attack on a Nalco mine in Odisha, has been seeking information on errant officers responsible for faulty security infrastructure for more than a year. Yet, he is better off than scores of other applicants.

As cases pile up at CIC, the final appellate authority for Right to Information (RTI) Act, applicants are being forced to wait up to four years before their cases are taken up on issues ranging from unauthorised construction to action against fraudulent doctors to appointments and promotions in government departments.

Shakti Dhar Dobhal, an ex-commandant of CISF, had written several letters to National Aluminium Company and ministry of mines after the Maoist attack at Damanjodi in Odisha, pointing out faults in the firm's security infrastructure.
 

How delays are weakening RTI

 The ministry had asked Nalco to take action in 2009. However, Dobhal was unable to get any information on whether the company had actually taken action against the officers. He approached CIC in 2013 but had to wait for about 15 months before his complaint was heard last week. Dobhal's case was nonetheless disposed of much faster than that of Bengaluru-based BV Muralikrishnan, whose appeal was heard after four years last week.

Muralikrishnan had sought information from the National Research Development Corporation in July 2010. After going through the set procedure of applying to the first appellate authority, he approached CIC on February 2, 2011, little realising that his appeal would not be heard until February 2015.


Former chief information commissioner Wajahat Habibullah blamed the inordinate delays on the government's reluctance to adhere to Section 4 of RTI that encourages voluntary disclosure of routine governance matters.

"There are many cases that are pending since my time, 2010. The problem is compliance with disclosure of information which should be done on the websites of government departments. While most departments, ministries and state governments have websites, they are not regularly updated. This leaves only one resort for the people - apply for information under RTI. This increases the number of applications in ministries and appeals in CIC," said Habibullah.

That explains why a Guwahati resident has been seeking information for the past 18 months on something as mundane as the policy on reimbursement of Ayurveda medical bills that should be in the public domain as a matter of routine.

CIC is saddled with so many applications that it is facing a peculiar problem - how to punish errant public information officers or PIOs. In many cases, by the time the case is heard, the PIO gets changed, leaving CIC with little option but to ask the incumbent PIO to trace the officer responsible for the delay in supplying information.

For instance, a Delhi resident who had sought information on unauthorised construction on a property had to wait 20 months before he was heard at CIC last month. CIC found that the PIO had changed and served a show cause notice to the then PIO for wrongfully denying information.

How delays are weakening RTI

A doctor, who has been seeking information on fraud cases by a teacher in Medical Council of India, was heard after a year and faced a similar problem. CIC realised that the PIO had changed and asked the new PIO to serve a show cause notice for personal appearance to the previous officer. Venkatesh Nayak of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative linked the delays to the shortage of information commissioners at CIC. The government is yet to fill four vacancies, including that of the chief information commissioner, he said.

None of the 7 Commissioners Met Average Disposal Target

Even as the Central Information Commission stares at an unprecedented pendency of cases with applicants waiting in queue for up to four years to be heard, the report card of Information Commissioners has quite a few red marks. None of the seven information commissioners has met the average disposal target over the last one year.

Data compiled by ET reveals that in the current financial year, two of the seven information commissioners ­ MA Khan Yusufi and Basant Seth ­ did not meet the monthly average disposal target even once. In 2011, the Commission had set a target of disposing on an average 267 cases in a month.

Information Commissioners Vijai Sharma, Sharat Sabharwal and Manjula Prasher have met this target only once between April 2014 and March 2015.MS Acharyulu finishes at the top of the chart having met the target five times and Yashovardhan Azad finishes a close second with meeting the target four times.

RTI activists feel that the Commissioners would need to work harder. RTI activist Lokesh Batra, who has been studying CIC's workload and performance of commissioners, says, "Each one of ICs needs to feel responsible and accountable for hisher performance to the people and if required go beyond the laid down working routine of 9.30 am to 6 pm to complete targets."

The Commission has always worked five days in a week. However, Batra says just like in courts, at least the registry must function six days and the commissioners should use this sixth day to study cases and draft their decisions.

RTI activist Subhash Agrawal says, "Disposing of 267 cases in a month is their own target. It is absolutely wrong to not meet the target they had set for themselves. Another problem that an applicant is facing right now is the delay in giving decisions. Even after an applicant is heard, he is made to wait for months for a decision."

LINK :




  
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Posted by: Lokesh Batra <batra_lokesh@yahoo.com>
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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

[rti4empowerment] PIB : Government has not accepted Postal Stamps as RTI Fee.

 




Print Release
For info.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
11-March-2015 17:38 IST
Stamps as RTI Fee
The Government has constituted a committee consisting of representatives of Department of Personnel & Training, Central Information Commission, Department of Posts and Office of Controller of Accounts (Department of Personnel & Training) to examine whether postal stamps can be used for payment of RTI fees under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Committee has given its report on 24.02.2015. The Committee has observed that the use of postage stamps as mode of payment for RTI fee/costs is neither legally feasible nor feasible from the accounting point of view. Moreover, it would not be in line with the Government initiatives towards Digital India. Hence, the Committee has recommended that postage stamps may not be used as mode of payment for RTI fee/costs. The report of the Committee has been accepted by the competent authority.

The Central Government has already launched RTI Online portal for online filing of RTI applications, including online payment of RTI fee/costs. Moreover, the facility of eIPO (electronic India Postal Order) has been launched for purchase of IPOs electronically by online payment.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Dhananjay Mahadik, Shri Satav Rajeev, Dr. Heena Vijaykumar Gavit and Shri Mohite Patil Vijayasinh Shankarrao in the Lok Sabha today
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KSD/BK/PK/YS/sk

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Posted by: Lokesh Batra <batra_lokesh@yahoo.com>
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Monday, March 2, 2015

[rti4empowerment] UP Govt.'s releases draft 'Uttar Pradesh Right to Information Rules' : Send objections/suggestions at aftabalamrti@gmail.com upto 20 March 2015.

 

UP Govt.'s releases draft 'Uttar Pradesh Right to Information Rules' : Send objections/suggestions at aftabalamrti@gmail.com upto 20 March 2015.

जावेद उस्मानी को मुख्य सूचना आयुक्त बनाते ही अखिलेश की सपा सरकार ने दिखाई अपने पारदर्शिता विरोधी चेहरे की एक और डरावनी झलक : आरटीआई एक्ट को लाल-फीताशाही में फँसाकर समाप्त करने की साजिश हैं 'उत्तर प्रदेश सूचना का अधिकार नियम 2015' : आज की बैठक में बनाई जाएगी विरोध की रणनीति

'उत्तर प्रदेश सूचना का अधिकार नियम 2015' का ड्राफ्ट यहाँ पायें और राज्य सरकार को अपने-अपने विवेकानुसार विरोध अवश्य दर्ज करायें. अब आपका विरोध ही पारदर्शिता के इस औजार को बचा पाएगा.

Download rules from here http://upsic.up.nic.in/rule2015.pdf

However get a copy-pasted copy here also http://tahririndia.blogspot.in/2015/03/blog-post_33.html

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Posted by: urvashi sharma <rtimahilamanchup@yahoo.co.in>
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