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International NGO prepares ‘how-to' guide to RTI Act

JAIPUR: Global coalition Transparency International's newly established anti-corruption cell here has decided to use the Right to Information Act, 2005, in a big way as an instrument for fighting corruption, nepotism, misconduct and dishonesty in public life and bring about institutional reforms in government departments and agencies.

Question authority

Named ‘Legal and Advisory Cell', it has published leaflets, brochures and booklets explaining the RTI Act's salient features and the methods to use the law for eliciting information in instances of suspected wrongdoings. The cell, initiated with civil society support last month, advises citizens on methods to act against corrupt practices.

Transparency International's Rajasthan chapter president, former civil servant I. C. Srivastava, and former Rajasthan High Court Judge S. N. Bhargava released the printed material on the RTI Act at a symposium here over the weekend. The Act was hailed as a “historic piece of legislation” empowering common people to question those in authority.

Mr. Srivastava said the cell had also decided to cooperate with the State Government's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the use of the RTI Act. The latter would refer complaints that can be resolved by putting in formal queries to the cell, which would guide the complainants in drafting their applications.

Generate awareness

ACB Additional Director-General Ajit Singh addressing the gathering said organisations like Transparency International could play a significant role in generating awareness among the masses about corruption and help bring the issue to the mainstream of public discourse. He said the Bureau would cooperate with the cell

Justice Bhargava said the latest initiative would teach people how to effectively draw up their petitions and follow up cases with the appellate authorities. Those approaching the cell would get copies of the Act and rules as well as the application formats free of cost.

Mr. Srivastava said the cell would shortly organise a wide-ranging consultation on the proposed Lokpal Bill.

The participants in the symposium praised a proposal submitted by the State Government to the Centre for monitoring of vehicles carrying the public distribution system commodities through global positioning system (GPS) on the lines of a similar initiative taken in Jharkhand. Mr. Srivastava said the project should be approved as early as possible.

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International NGO prepares ‘how-to' guide to RTI Act

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