22 Oct : To share the experience with RTI Act 2005, Anti Corruption Society (Regd.) President Sh. Jaspal Singh, told that this Act is revolutionary Act to eradicate the corruption. Though this act is enough to reform the India and to solve the general problem of the Indians but still it needs more amendments.
Jaspal Singh who is also nominated for National RTI Award 2009 told that most of the CPIO, SPIO, PIO as well as 1st appellant authority are honest towards this act. He regretted that most of the 2nd appellant authorities such as Information Commissioners neglect this act. They still behave like bureaucrat. While deciding the second appeals they often avoid imposing penalty @250 per day & disciplinary action U/s 20 of RTI Act 2005 upon the guilty CPIO, SPIO, PIO as well as 1st appellant authority. In so many cases they even not direct the concerned CPIO, SPIO, PIO as well as 1st appellant authority to provide even the information.
President of Anti Corruption Society, Jaspal Singh told that applicants seeking information under RTI Act 2005 spends money and their valuable time. In case of harassment there are no mandatory provisions under this act to compensate them for their harassment etc. Jaspal Singh suggested to amend RTI Act 2005 and to make this mandatory provision in the act to compensate the applicants for their value able time as well as loss of money.
In addition to above said suggestions it is also specifically highlighted that 1st appellant authority avoid to penalize the guilty CPIO, SPIO, PIO on the pretext that they have no power, when the guilty officer failed to provide the information within 30 days. Jaspal Singh told that 1st appellant authority is more responsible for implementation of RTI Act 2005. When the 1st appeal under RTI Act is not properly adjudicated and appellants are forced to go for 2nd appeal before the information commissioners. Then there is no provision in this act to penalize the 1st appellant authority for not proper adjudication of 1st appeal. Nominee for the National RTI Award 2009 in the category of best RTI Citizen suggested to amend the RTI Act and to equip the 1st appellant authority with necessary powers to penalize the guilty CPIO, SPIO, PIO. It is also suggested to ensure that the 1st appellant authority also be penalized @ Rs. 500 per day if they had not properly adjudicated the 1st appeal within the time limit. There must be mandatory provision in RTI Act 2005 to penalize guilty CPIO, SPIO, PIO & 1st appellant authority as well as to compensate the harassed applicants and to provide justice to every one. Jaspal Singh also requested to supply the information/ comments under RTI Act 2005 from the office of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India as well as leader of opposition in Parliament of India
In India Kashmir to Kanyakumari mentality of all citizens is the same and people are not aware of their rights and duties towards others. Nobody think about his nation, patriotism has been abolished in the minds of Indians. To keep in mind welfare of all – Ludhiana Welfare Organization launched a website http://www.rtiludhiana.com with a view to promote RTI and make the people aware of the provisions and potential of the RTI Act so that the people could use it and contribute to making the system transparent and accountable.
good suggestions.