Monday, April 25, 2011

Lokpal Bill-Suggestion

Suggestion for Jan Lokpal Bill Date: 25-04-2011

Existing rule that anonymous complaints should not be entertained by CVC/SVC/Lokayukta/other govt. offices is one of the biggest facilitator of corruption and misdeeds in govt. offices. This clause guarantees safety to wrong doers, at the cost of life of whistle blowers who state their true name and address in complaints. It would be interesting to find out how name and address of complainant will make any difference to gravity and veracity of contents of complaint. There is no justification on the part of govt. to risk life of whistle blowers by knowing their names and addresses. Govt. should be more concerned about contents of complaint.

If anonymous complaints are also being looked into by Govt., it will act as a deterrent to corrupt officers/politicians and other wrong doers, to some extent. Public has wealth of information which can be developed to contain corruption. Common man has first hand experience of corruption in govt. offices. However they do not want to share at the cost of harassment or life from politicians and high ranking officers of govt.

If there is some substance indicative of corruption or wrong doings, a full fledged investigation may be ordered. Normally citizens will try to anonymously supply more proofs to substantiate complaint. He would be tracking progress of investigation through his channels in office. Resources which will be used for ensuring safety of whistle blowers, can be better utilized for preliminary enquiries of anonymous complaints. This system will encourage more whistle blowers to ‘shout’ silently, for containing corruption and wrongs in governance. He will himself guarantee his safety through anonymity of his identity, while helping the country in exposing misdeeds of govt. offices.

I therefore suggest that proposed bill should provide for inquiry of anonymous complaints by Lokpal, provided reasonable information is available in the complaint pointing towards corruption.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Details of Recruitment through RTI Act 2005

Of late, large number of youths are facing problem of accessing marks, answer sheets and details of recruitment etc from Govt. Depts/organizations/undertakings. I append below RTI application and guidelines for accessing all relevant information of recruitment through RTI Act 2005.

These guidelines and format are for recruitments by all departments, undertakings and organizations of Central Govt. [including Delhi Govt. and Union Territories]


In case of recruitment by State Govt. departments, state undertakings or organizations, you will have to follow RTI Rules of concerned State for format and fee payment. These details are available at www.rti.gov.in or http://www.rtiindia.org/guide/centrestate-rti-rules-and-fees-3/. You may retain “Particulars of information required” as stated in this RTI application format as stated at column No. 3, in application for State Govt. recruitment. In case of State Govt. please address application to “State Public Information Officer” instead of “Central Public Information Officer”[CPIO].

In case if any State Govt. has not prescribed format for RTI application, you may use annexed format meant for Central Govt. with changes as above. In this case also follow fee payment rules as stated in RTI rules of that State and accordingly amend column No. 4. If stamps are affixed as prescribed in State rules, amend column as “ I have affixed on top of this application relevant stamp for Rs. ___”

You may also visit: http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/blogs/jps50/331-how-apply-if-format-not-prescribed-state-rti-rules.html

Details of payment of RTI application filing fee of few states are as under:

Gujarat: Rs.20 by affixing court fee stamps or non-judicial stamp paper [including franking at selected banks].

Maharashtra, West Bengal : Rs. 10 by affixing court fee stamp.

Karnataka, Kerala : Rs.10/- by postal order in favour of “State Public Information Officer” payable at the place where application is being sent.

Tamil Nadu: Rs.10/- by non-judicial court fee stamp.

Rajasthan & U. P.: Rs.10/- by postal order [refer-point no. 3 of short guidelines.


Short guidelines:

1. Locate exact CPIO and his address of concerned Govt. office by visiting website of relevant ministry/dept/undertaking etc [called Public Authority i.e. PA] or by visiting/contacting on phone local office of PA.

2. If you cannot get it as above, address application to CPIO of Head Office/ministry to whom the information may pertain. He will mail to correct CPIO within five days of receipt of your application.

3. Attach crossed postal order of Rs.10/-. It is available in post offices. Mention your name and address in it and leave other items blank

4. Attach self-attested photocopies of hall ticket for written test and call letter for interview [if you attended interview].

5. Retain photocopy of entire set including postal order etc.

6. Mail by speed/regd. AD post. Avoid courier/hand delivery.

7. Carefully retain postal proof of mailing, AD and official acknowledgement if any received.

8. If you do not receive reply within 40 days of mailing by you, file first appeal. You have 30 days time from the date when information should have reached you, for first appeal. For first appeal please refer RTI link of
http://www.rtiindia.org/guide/how-to-use-your-right-to-information-4/how-to-write-first-appeal-under-rti-2/

9. If you receive reply and are not satisfied with it, then within 30 days of receipt of reply by you, you should file first appeal as above.

10. It is advisable to consult local RTI NGO/activists for first and second appeals for better results. Consultation is normally free as a social service.


All the best.





Format for RTI Application for Central Govt Recruitment:

THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT 2005

APPLICATION FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION __________________________________________________________

Date: _______ By Regd Ad post

To,
Central Public Information Officer
Name of recruiting dept/organization________________
Address: _____________
_______________________


1. Name of the Applicant: ____________

2. Full Address: _____________

Mobile No: ___________________

3. Particulars of information required:

I had appeared in written test for recruitment for the post of ______ conducted in the month of _______, as per enclosed photocopy of hall ticket dated __________ . My roll No. was ________.

And/Or

I appeared for interview at ________ place on _______ as per enclosed copy of call letter dated _________@

In this connection please provide me following papers and information:

3.1 Paper-wise marks obtained by me in written test.

3.2 Certified copies of evaluated answer sheets.

3.3 Cut of marks in written test up to which candidates were called for interview.

3.4 Details of marks obtained in interview by me.@

3.5 Cut off total marks [written test + interview] obtained by the last candidate who is declared successful.@

3.6 Certified copy of merit list prepared for appointment.

3.7 Serial number in merit list up to which candidates have been actually appointed.

3.8 Number of candidates who have joined as on date of this application.

3.9 Certified extract from service rules which provide for action and punishment to your employees for defying rules and laws enacted by Parliament/State assembly.

[@delete if not called for interview ]

4. Payment of filing fee:

Postal Order No. _____________for Rs.10/- is enclosed. Since I could not locate exact name of payee etc I am enclosing blank postal order with a request to fill in the details u/s 5.3 of RTI Act 2005.

5. Please rush the information to me by speed/registered post. I am an Indian citizen. Please reply in English.

6. Please refer relevant decisions No. CIC/SM/A/2009/001877AT dated 18-11-2010 [against SBI], No. CIC/SM/A/2009/001342 dated 30-06-2010, CIC/SM/A/2010/000903 dated 08-04-2011 and No. CIC/AD/C/2010/001216 dated 27-01-2011 of Central Information Commission New Delhi. Please also refer judgement dated 30-08-2010 of Hon’ble HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM in WP(C).No. 6532 of 2006(C).


Signature of Applicant: _____________

Encl: a/a