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8000 people exercise right to information

Special Correspondent

Fortnight-long "Drive against Bribe'' campaign in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: Over 800 people exercised their newly acquired statutory right to get information from the Government authorities during the fortnight-long "Drive against Bribe'' campaign in Rajasthan, which ended on Saturday with a resolve to stop corruption and challenge the wrongdoings wherever needed.

Nearly 7,000 people thronged the kiosks in 12 towns across the State put up by the Suchana Evum Rozgar Ka Adhikar Abhiyan to acquaint themselves with the Right to Information Act and got assistance in moving applications in Government offices under the law. Among those who applied for getting information, 18 obtained it on the spot.

Social activist and Magsaysay Award winner Aruna Roy, addressing a public meeting here marking the conclusion of the fortnight, said the right to information was a major ''democratic privilege'' that had empowered ordinary citizens to pose questions to public authorities.

Ms. Roy said the right should be exercised to bring corruption in Government offices to an end and encourage probity in public life. The campaign will be carried forward to the block level in Rajasthan with the help of support groups of citizens to be established shortly.

Sowmya Sivakumar of the Abhiyan said the maximum number of applications under the RTI Act were filed in Udaipur -- where 157 people sought information.

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