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RTI Act has got capacity to
reduce corruption
On 28th Dec., 2007, Chief
Information Commissioner of Maharashtra Hon. Suresh Joshi released a short
publication published by STPAM and Akil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat. This book is
compiled by consumer activist and our managing committee member, Adv. Kishor
Lulla, of Sangli. Hon.Commissioner of Sales Tax, Shri Sanjay Bhatia, graced the
function. President of STPAM, Shri Deepak Bapat, Hon. Secretary Pankaj Parekh
and State Co-ordinator of Grahak Panchayat, Mrs.Veenatai Pandit were present on
this occasion. Vice President Shri Kiran Garkar delivered welcome speech. Mr.
Lulla introduced the chief guests. The Study Circle was attended by more than
100 members.
In the inaugural speech, Shri
Suresh Joshi said that every tax consultant should use this Act to strengthen
the hands of taxpayers. This right is already in existence as per Article 14 of
the Constitution. The first case for establishing right of consumers was against
Rajasthan Municipal Corporation. That matter went up to the Supreme Court. But
every consumer cannot fight legal battle. Hence many social workers like Anna
Hajare, Aroon Kejriwal, Shailesh Gandhi and consumer organizations are working
actively to canvass the provisions of the Act. The response is tremendous. In
the first year of introduction of R.T.I. Act, 2005, about 1,24,000 applications
were received in various departments. Fortunately, the people of Maharashtra
have habit to know their rights. But it is found that due to lack of knowledge,
people send copy of complaints to Prime Minister or President. This is a culture
developed in our state. But one must hit the nail on the head. This short
publication will give perfect guidance in simple language.
He further explained that a
large number of grievances are still unsolved. The purpose of R.T.I. is to bring
transparency and put accountability on bureaocrats. If all the information is
published suo motu, the number of applications will automatically be reduced.
Today a farmer is facing grave problems of ration, kerosene, agricultural tax
etc. As per the provisions of this Act, the Public Information Officer of any
Government or semi Government department has to provide the information within
30 days of the application. Otherwise he has to pay penalty of Rs. 250/- per day
of delay. Due to habit developed in the last 50 years, still officers are giving
replies like application is under consideration, it is forwarded to other
department or reply will be given in due course etc. This attitude of Government
officers should be changed.
Shri. Joshi further informed
that out of total applications received, about 25% applications are of
Government officers themselves as they are also facing problems of salary,
pension, and gratuity transfers. If this, most popular Act, is used in true
spirit, it has capacity to reduce corruption. In the year 2005, we were 83rd in
the list of corrupt countries. Now in 2006, we are no longer in the list of most
corrupt countries. Shri Joshi quoted examples of corruption in Employment
Guarantee Scheme, recruitment in Public Service Commission, M.S.E.B, MMC, second
hand vehicles racket etc.
At the end, he appealed to the
members to concentrate on slum or below poverty line people’s problem. Anil
Ambani and Jasvant Singh have also used this Act. If we all work together, then
transparency will definitely be achieved.
At this occasion Hon.
Commissioner of Sales Tax has assured to look into the pending applications
under R.T.I. in his department. He admitted that we do not keep transferency,
some day or the other Hon. C.I.C. will levy penalty on us. He congratulated
STPAM and Grahak Panchyat for publishing this book, which will be helpful to
all.
President of STPAM, Shri Deepak Bapat presented memento to the chief guests and
invitees. Hon. Secretary
Shri Pankaj Parekh proposed vote of thanks.
Here are the comments by our
Convener of Tax Payers Protection Council, Adv. Shri Kishor Lulla.
Till today, in the last 2 years
we have applied in 12 matters to the Sales Tax Department. Four of them went up
to second Appeal in Maharashtra. One appeal about non-receipt of TIN
Certificates is pending with Central Chief Information Commissioner at Delhi. By
persistant follow-up a request is made to Hon. CST to look into the matter of
non receipt of TIN Certificates by the large amount of people throughout the
State. But unfortunately, no response till today. Similarly, the C.I.C. of
Maharashtra has delivered a judgment in Dec., 2007 for conducting service cell
meetings in every district but the Sales Tax Dept. is not implementing the
decision. But we won’t get tired.
“BHAGWAN KE GHAR DER HAI,
ANDHER NAHIN” |
