Podcast #2: RTI

[vishalk]

There were certain comments regarding the RTI that were misleading. Patrick mentioned that there will be tons of delay due to the red tape. Joy did counter it with saying that there are rules for time limit. What you missed out was
that there are penal provisions against officials who do not furnish correct information in time.  The erring official must pay penalty of two hundred and fifty rupees each day till application is received or information is furnished, so however, the total amount of such penalty shall not exceed twenty-five thousand rupees. This is for not providing information or providing incomplete or false information.

Having said this, it hasn't been smooth sailing for RTI activists and users. Citizen-unfriendly rules of Orissa and Haryana in which the application and information fees are much higher than that specified in the National rules or other states. Particularly in Orissa, the rules against the spirit of the RTI Act and in some cases simply illegal. For more details you can visit http://www.orissarti.com/articles/WhyORulesunjust/indexwhy.htm

I was a little upset by Patrix and Joy's cyncicism of the act without quoting examples or specifying why it is so. Hence I thought I would bring it up.

-Vishal

[VOA Admin]

We want the RTI act to succeed and if it is bearing fruit and making a difference in the lives of the people then it is really a giant step in the direction of transparency. But we all know that many good laws were made ineffective by rowdy politicians, corrupt officials and willingness of large number of people to accept status quo and suffer silently. Few people who dare and fight against the system pay the price and so our cynicism rises from personal experiences with the red tape and the nature of melting down of laws at the hands of politicians and government officials.

I have shown cynicism because I feel that there are impending problems that stop us from extracting maximum from RTI.  I will be glad to be proven wrong. And Vishalji we thank you for sending the video links. Also thank you for confronting our cynicism and reminding us that RTI is a good law and it will make a sure difference.