Saturday, August 20, 2011

BANK BOWS TO RTI PUNCHES

One of my friend’s friend was having problem with a bank for finance for his small scale industry. He was trying to get finance for last 10-12 months and bank officers were just harassing him in one or the other way and by misinterpretation of circulars and RBI guidelines etc. He had approached all offices from branch to regional office to zonal office and Chairman’s office and RBI, but did not get positive results.

He contacted me through my friend. I studied his file and concluded that bank officers are unnecessarily harassing him, may be for bribe or just to enjoy predicament of common man. In a period of 15 days we filed 5 RTI applications seeking detailed information on processing of his application and copies of circulars. One RTI was filed with RBI also. In next 15 days bank officers who used to insult him, avoid him and harass him in all possible ways invited him for a meeting at regional office which lasted for nearly 3 hours. They became positive and humble with RTI punches and in next 10 days bank completed all formalities with promptness and cooperation and put the finance at his disposal.

RTI works.

Friday, August 12, 2011

ANSWER SHEETS UNDER RTI- SUPREME COURT.

Answer sheets of board/university/public service commissions/professional exams
can be obtained/inspected by students

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELALTE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.6454 OF 2011
[Arising out of SLP [C] No.7526/2009]
Central Board of Secondary Education & Anr. … Appellants
Vs.
Aditya Bandopadhyay & Ors. … Respondents

Date of judgement 09-08-2011


Full judgement at:
http://www.judis.nic.in/supremecourt/helddis3.aspx


CA No. 6456 of 2011 [@ SLP (C) No.9755 of 2009 - WEST BENGAL BOARD OF SEC.EDUN.& ORS Vs. CHIEF INFOR.COMMR.W.B.INFORMN.COMMN.&ORS ]


CA Nos.6457-6458 of 2011 (@ SLP (C) Nos.11162-11163 of 2009: W.BENGAL BOARD OF SEC.EDUCATION & ORS. XVI Vs. STATE CHIEF INF.COMMR. WEST BENGAL&ORS. )

CA No.6461 of 2011 (@ SLP (C) No.11670 of 2009- UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA & ORS. Vs. PRITAM ROOJ & ANR.

CA Nos.6462 of 2011 (@ SLP (C) No.13673 of 2009: WEST BENGAL COUNL.OF HIG.SEC.EDU.& ANR. Vs. PRITAM ROOJ & ORS)

CA Nos.6464 of 2011 (@ SLP (C) No.17409 of 2009: CHAIRMAN,W.B. CENT.SCHOOL SERV.COMMN Vs. PRITAM ROOJ & ORS.


CA Nos. 6459 of 2011 (@ SLP (C) No.9776 of 2010 : INST.OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA )

CA Nos.6465-6468 of 2011 (@ SLP (C) Nos.30858-30861 of 2009: ASSAM PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION & ORS. Vs. HAMEN BHARALI & ORS)


Source:
http://causelists.nic.in/scnew/otues/sl.html

Thus it covers exams conducted by CBSE, STATE BOARDS, UNIVERSITIES, PROFESSIONAL BODIES, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONS. It is doubtful if it can be applied to departmental promotion exams, though ratio can be reasonably extended to such exams/tests.

Thursday, August 04, 2011

NO REPLY TO YOUR RTI APPLICATION ?

NO REPLY TO YOUR RTI APPLICATION?

You have following options:

1. File first appeal for no reply by referring:

First Appeal for no reply to RTI application:
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/blogs/jps50/1877-first-appeal-non-reply-rti-application.html

2. Resort to Consumer Protection Act 1986 by referring:


Additional Remedy
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/blogs/jps50/719-additional-remedy-information-seekers.html


Consumer Notice
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/blogs/jps50/1217-notice-under-consumer-protection-act-right-information-act.html

3. File another RTI application by referring:

Pending? :
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/blogs/jps50/69-any-thing-pending-govt.html

File this RTI application with CPIO of highest office of public authority i.e. Head Office, Ministry or Concerned Dept at State Capital.

4. File complaint with State or National Human Rights Commission:

As per news reports, few years back, Bihar Human Rights Commission had admitted complaint against breach of right to information. Fate is not known but it can also be tried out. Dr. Rao of Mysore opened up RTI to Consumer Protection Mechnism. Similarly new avenue can be opened up under Human Rights for RTI. I quote:

Access to government information is a human right, according to a commentary issued in July, 2011 by the United Nations' Human Rights Committee. The comment is the most comprehensive statement to date embracing freedom of information as integral to human rights under international law.

Above steps can be initiated at any stage of RTI process.