RTI -- Right to Information Act

RTI or Right to Informatiom Act is a revolutionary act which became operational on 12th October 2005 in India. Revolutionary for Indian citizens, but Sweden notified it as early as 1766. Around 70-75 countries have RTI act, good to know that still India leads in the sub-continent even though the act became operational here in 2005!! Note that 9 states -- J & K, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam & Goa, already had there own state acts before 2005. The Central RTI Act extends to the whole of India except J&K which has its own state act.

Whats great about RTI -- RTI empowers every citizen to ask any questions from the Government or seek any information, take copies of any government documents, inspect any government documents, inspect any government works and take samples of materials of any government work. Could you imagine this happening in India!! Its a powerful tool in the hands of common man which can help bring in era of performance and efficieny, help weed out corruption. Earlier if you would have asked any information from any government officer, he would have simply thrown you out. But now he has to mandatorily provide the information, otherwise he can be fined for not providing the information.

Two examples here:
1. Imagine your file is stuck in some government department and you dont have any clue why is it so. Just file an RTI. The officer has to compulsarily answer why/where it is stuck
2. Imagine some sub-standard work being done by some contractor in your locality. File an RTI, inspect the work and even take the sample!!

RTI covers practically every government department. However, security agencies are out of it, but there also if there is some corruption charge or human rights violation, you can get information under RTI.

All private bodies, which are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government are directly covered. Others are indirectly covered. That is, if a government department can access information from any private body under any other Act, the same can be accessed by the citizen under the RTI Act through that government department.

More FAQs about RTI

Will expand this post soon about Obligations of government departments under RTI and  How to File RTI

BBMP Elections: Why your vote could have made a difference

I was going through the election results in ToI and it was clear why my vote would have mattered in the elections. Though it is an another issue that I didn't vote because despite of applying twice for my name inclusion in voter list, it didn't happen. Anyway, scanning through the list shows that in one area one candidate has won by just 9 votes (Karisandra seat). Had 10 more people voted in favor of the candidate who lost, it would have changed the result. There is one more who won by 49 votes and there are few others who also won by narrow margin. So if few hundred had voted more, it could have altered the results in a big way. All I want to say that "My Vote Matters, Your Vote Matters and It surely can make a difference". So please go out and vote in the next elections -- be it state, centre or city.

About the recent BBMP Elections 2010:

Results decoded on Janaagraha Blog

Candidate Affidavits
Results
Winner's (BJP) Election Manifesto

Quick glance at results from ToI, Bangalore and you will immediately know why your vote matters!!

BMTC Bus Day tomorrow!!

Its BMTC Bus Day tomorrow. So leave your car at home and ride the comfortable AC Volvo.

All information about bus routes and timings is available at http://www.bmtctravelinfo.in/april-bus-day