THE Right to Information camp organised by The Indian Express and Parivartan in Vasant Kunj on Sunday morning saw a huge turnout. Over a hundred applications were registered in four hours but the number of residents who turned up to be informed about RTI was much more.
Helped by volunteers, they filled RTI applications about problems ranging from water scarcity to illegal constructions and encroachments. An audio-visual show introduced them to RTI and how it empowers citizens. Booklets and CDs on RTI were also available.
Pradeep Chaudhary, an engineer, who stays in Sector A, Pocket B, said: ‘‘It’s a praiseworthy move by The Indian Express. Parivartan has offered valuable suggestions on how things can be made to work and the government held accountable. I plan to file an RTI application asking the Delhi Jal Board how they have upgraded the water supply system in the past five years.’’
‘‘It’s a sign of awakening in society,’’ said Chetan Pasra, a retired headmistress. ‘‘The government agencies have been taking us for granted and believe they can get away with anything — RTI will prove them wrong.’’
Interestingly, people from other parts of the city who had heard or read about the camp turned up to join it. People from areas like Green Park, Rajinder Nagar and even places like Mayapuri and Pitampura came in.
Housewife Rakshita Verma came from Malviya Nagar. ‘‘It’s the erratic water supply in my area. While other blocks get regular water supply, my block gets water for barely 10 minutes and that too late in the night. I want some answers,’’ she said.
Dr.K.S.Negi, who stays near JNU, said: ‘‘The Indian Express campaign is very interesting and I came to find out how it can solve problems of sanitation and encroachment in our area,’’ he said. ‘‘I hope more such camps will be held to involve the masses in the campaign.’’
archana singh
Teacher
Sector D, Pocket 2
Vasant Kunj
Our pocket faces major sanitation problems. I want to ask MCD how many sweepers are there for our area and whether there is any attendance system to check their presence. I also want the staff details of the parks and why they are not maintained.
Nasra Imam
Joint Secretary, RWA
Sector A, Pocket B&C
Vasant Kunj
I am so glad I came for the camp. They gave us houses minus the facilities. I have a number of RTI applications to file. Firstly, I want to know how DDA planned our locality? Secondly, why don’t we have footpaths, roads and streetlights even after nine years of completion of the project. Also, what is the drainage system in our area like — I want the engineering plans? Lastly, I want to know how much money was allocated for development of our area in the past nine years and where and how it was spent.
dr shyam anand jha
Resident
Sector A, Pocket B&C
Vasant Kunj
My focus is on the water problem. My RTI application asks DJB how can private tankers have water if DJB doesn’t? Also, I want to know about the quality of this water and whether it is checked for impurities by anyone.
pc bhardwaj
Retired Govt servant
Sector A, Pocket C
Vasant Kunj
I want to know why 115 flats in Pocket C of Sector A are given a stepmotherly treatment. Our roads are not carpeted and we have no proper parking area and no footpaths. I want to know why we are being denied these basic amenities. Also why the underground water reservoir in our area is not filled to capacity by DJB? That alone could take care of the demand.
Ranjani Chandran
MA student
Sector A, Pocket B&CI
I am filing an RTI about a shopping complex on Nelson Mandela Road. The owners have installed two mobile phone towers. Two stretches on Nelson Mandela Road are in a bad shape and I am seeking answers.
I am filing an RTI on drainage in my area with the MCD. The next one will be with the DJB on water shortage. The government can’t take us for granted. Over the past one year, the drains have been encroached upon by residents themselves. It affects the entire colony. The drains are choked.
Rahul Dewan
Owns a software firm
Sector A, Pocket B&C
I plan to send an RTI application to MCD on why they have taken no cognisance of encroachments in this area. It’s quite annoying how irresponsibly and thoughtlessly people encroach on bylanes and block passages. It’s a struggle trying to steer one’s vehicle out of many lanes in this pocket. How is it that MCD doesn’t check this? I want a written reply with all supporting documents.
Deepa Yadav
BA 1st yr
Sector A, Pocket B&C
I came with other children from Kishangarh village. We are filing an application against the food and civil supplies department because the ration shop in our area opens only once a month and not daily. Also, we are mostly denied the full share of ration sanctioned for us because of shortage of stock. Also, the DJB never sends water tankers to us.
Jyoti Sharma
RWA secy
C-8 Vasant Kunj
The biggest problem in my area is the absence of a drainage system and bad roads and I am filing an RTI application on these issues. Water is another problem and I am planning to rope in even others to find out why we don’t get a regular supply when we pay for it.
Sanjeev sharma
Interior Designer, Gulmohar Enc
I want to file RTI applications with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Development Authority, but the first one is one for the MCD on drainage. A huge drain was built at Gulmohar Enclave for over three years at a cost of Rs 6 lakh. Later, residents realised the incline was in the wrong direction. I also want to take up unauthorised buildings in the area.