In a telephonic interview with True Scoop, RTI activistSanjay Sehgal revealed how the government is trying to weaken the RTI insteadof strengthening it.
During our conversation with Mr. Sehgal, he told us how thestate government is trying to weaken the RTI system and suppress people who askfor information through it. He informed us that filing an RTI in the stategovernment is a very lengthy and tiring process as there is no option of filingit online. On one hand, the central government is promoting digital media andis trying to go digital in every aspect possible, and on the other hand, thestate government does not have any online portal to file an RTI except for onlya few departments while the central government has it for all the departments.
He further added that the government is not doing enoughcampaigns to spread awareness related to RTI among the people. Not only this,he also raised concerns over the funds given to the State government to makepeople aware of the RTI act being used elsewhere.
Also, while explaining the process of filing an RTI, he toldus that the department must provide people with the information within 30 daysof the period, but no information is received within this time frame. If aperson applies for the first appeal, then they just get the date for a hearingbut the day never comes. He also threw some light on another major issue thatrelatives and family members of politicians have been placed at differentpositions in the State Information Commission even though they are notqualified for the same.
Mr.Sanjay Sehgal is an RTI Activist who helps people whohave filed PILs related to the same; he also reports on the wrong happeningsgoing on in the state.
He filed an RTI application on the faulty design of the PAPflyover and after getting no reply, he appealed to the NHAI on the matter. Healso issued a complaint to the Minister of External Affairs urging him to lookinto the matter of passport pendency and also to hold an inquiry on the same.
Presently, he has filed an RTI to get information related toa big scam going on in Civil Hospital related to gynecologists. He also workstowards raising awareness among people about the RTI act and also telling themhow to file an RTI.