FGG Conference on RTI and Citizen’s Charter
The Foundation for Peace, Harmony and Good Governance (FGG) organised the third major National Conference in 2011, following up its earlier initiatives/conferences on how to build INTEGRITY and how to address BLACK MONEY.
Following the earlier initiatives, the FGG organised a full day conference on the RTI and Citizen’s charter, on 11 September.
Leading luminaries of India who addressed the day-long conference included Mrs. Shiela Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi who delivered the valedictory address and Mr Satyananda Misra, Chief Information Commissioner of India who delivered the presidential address.
Other speakers included Mr TSR Subramanian (Former Cabinet Secretary), Dr PP Sangal, Ms Madhu Kishwar, eminent Advocate KTS Tulsi, Dr Raj Kumar (Vice Chancellor, OP Jindal Global University) and Mr Arun Kumar Jagatramka, noted industrialist and Conference Co-Chairman, Global Steel
In his introductory remarks, Mr DR Kaarthikeyan, former Director of the CBI and the President of the FGG outlined the objectives of the one day conference. Mr Misra, in his presidential address remarked that the RTI act should be seen as a new dialogue between the citizens and the government. What needs to be done to maximum advantage of this dialogue is that neither the citizens should abuse it, nor the governments should consider this as a nuisance.
Ms Sheila Dikshit, the Chief Minister of Delhi, in her valedictory address mentioned that the Delhi government was one of the first in India to enact the RTI act way back in 2001 itself. But after realizing that the RTI act alone is not sufficient, the Delhi government also brought the Citizens charter. Ms Dikshit also mentioned that citizens need to be aware of their rights under the RTI Act and the Citizens’ Charter; all the officers should be aware of their responsibilities.
Major points of discussion during the conference include the following:
RTI and Corruption
RTI is an effective tool to get rid of corruption; but it is effective tool, only if the common man is prepared. It is important that the government officials realise that role is linked to delivery of services and it is their duty to deliver the same.
Unless and until we have an independent institution to fight corruption, India will not be able to fight corruption and seek transparency; corruption is one of the most important form of human rights violation.
RTI and Whistleblower Act
A strong Whistle Blower Act is important; the RTI can succeed only with a strong Whistle Blower Act
RTI and Transparency
Until India moves towards the rule of law and transparency, we will not be able celebrate democracy. Governments have continuously undermined, in the past, many of the civil society movements asking for transparency and rule of law. The struggle of RTI at the national level and state levels was not easy; the government authorities have always resisted such struggles.
RTI and Civil Society Movements
RTI act is like an Alaudin lamp, provides the citizens what they would like to have. Today, there is a new cadre of RTI activists; they are aware of what is needed and in fact they are also providing motivation. This cadre – of 5000 in numbers in various districts, have facilitated the Anna Hazare movement.
The RTI act itself has immense potential; the last twelve months could become a turning point in the RTI history; the above 5000 strong cadre is responsible for bringing out instances of injustice and corruptions cases.
Social movements strengthen democracy and democratic institutions and the process of governance. Social movements unfortunately are seen with great cynicism and scepticism by the government.
Democracy is the best form of government, however, India’s democracy stops with the ballot box. There is a need to reform and take democracy beyond being exercised in ballot box.
Anna Hazare has woken up India. But does the ruling class, reflect the will of the people? Anna Hazare movement underlines that the ruling class should wake up atleast now and perform.
RTI and Media
Media has a major role to play. The new media and social networking has helped in re-democratizing the social movements. But media should set the agenda; they should only help the movement in taking the right direction.
RTI and State Governments
· There will be numerous efforts to curtail the central and state information commissions; the only antidote is a strong and vibrant citizenry – to ensure transparency and provide corruption free government.
· Not much is being done in the states to protect the RTI activists. More than 20 RTI activists have died.
· Madhya Pradesh Government should be complemented for adopting the RTI act first. Besides Bihar, Delhi and Rajasthan have taken the lead in the RTI act.
· The Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries and the DGP’s should publicly declare and reiterate that they believe in and implement the provision of the RTI in letter and spirit; and then only it will reach down to the lower levels of administration starting from the Collector.
· In many states the hosts of information commission are vacant since long. They should be filled up.
· Computerization: lot of funds have been sanctioned, but very little work has been done on ground in terms of building effective network.
· Role of Academic Community: The universities should have been in the forefront, in terms of analysing annual reports of information commissions and initiate local awareness campaigns; unfortunately, they are not playing a proactive role.
· Lawyers have a major role to play.
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