A year after the Right to Information (RTI) Act came into effect, RTI activists in the city feel the Act has only been a partial success, it would not bring transparency in governance unless it is implemented in letter and spirit. The centre has promulgated the RTI act on the lines of the Maharashtra Right to Information Act and its implementation began from October 12, 2005. RTI activists in Pune have reacted to the strong points and weaknesses of the Act.
``There are problems with the implementation of the RTI Act. Public Information Officers (PIOs) failing to provide information are not being penalised and there is no fear of the law in their minds. Moreover, the number of appeals pending is staggering. This defeats the purpose of the Act,'' said Shahid Burney. He recalls how the PIO of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) failed to provide him information on the costs of electric meters and the charges taken by MSEDCL for installing the meters. ``I appealed to the Chief Engineer of MSEDCL who is the appellate authority. However, the PIO flatly told the appellate authority that he would not give the information and no action was taken against him,'' he said. He felt MRTI was more successful.
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Vijay Kumbhar feels public awareness about RTI has increased but the PIOs and appelate authorities are not willing to part with information. ``People filing requisitions under the RTI are treated like enemies of the system by the babus. Appellate authorities do not penalise such PIOs. Moreover, the pendency of appeals is also affecting implementation of the RTI,'' he said. Kumbhar feels use of RTI for individual problems gains better results than for social cause. ``A distributor was not supplying LPG refills to consumers. I submitted a requisition to the company seeking information on the supply made to the distributor and his demand. I was given the information and action was taken against the distributor,'' he said.
Vivek Velankar observed the same treatment.``PIOs are hesitant to reveal information but are not penalised. Information Commissioner Suresh Joshi has disposed off 375 appeals but fines were imposed in only seven to eight cases. Moreover, a large number of second appeals are pending with the information commissioner. If these problems are not addressed, the Act would remain a paper tiger,'' he said.
He recalled how he had been successful in using the RTI. Velankar said,
‘‘People investing money in saving schemes with post offices were facing problems in getting the interest. After the requisition was submitted under the RTI, a decision was taken that the money would be deposited with the savings accounts directly,'' he said.
But there were pitfalls. He had got sensational information on road repairs from the PMC under RTI. ``Publishing the information in newspaper reports resulted in an outcry but no action was taken,'' he added.
Maj Gen SCN Jatar (Retd) feels RTI has delivered some results although the appelate authority has to take stringent action against PIOs violating the norms.
‘‘I got information from the PMC on TDR, misuse of official vehicles by PMC office-bearers and nowaction is being taken against them. However, there was little action on a campaign against encroachments on footpaths,’’ he said.