Panchmahal to become model tribal district of Gujarat on RTI'
TNN 17 November 2009, 10:03pm IST
VADODARA: The Gujarat state information commission, Panchmahal
district administration along with NGOs launched a unique initiative
Panchmahal
Mahiti Adhikar Abhiyan on Tuesday, which will spread awareness about
Right To Information (RTI) Act in Panchmahal district.
To continue till November 30, it will cover 22 villages of 11 talukas,
where public information officers (PIOs) will be given guidance on
proactive disclosures that they are supposed to make. Information will
also be painted on walls at village level.
An RTI van RTI on wheelswill screen a film on the act in these
villages. PIOs of six government sectors will put up stalls at a RTI
fair in every taluka. A special gram sabha' for RTI will also be held.
"We held eight meetings with the state information commission and six
workshops before launching this campaign, for which Panchmahal was
selected," secretary of Janpath, a network of voluntary action groups
in Gujarat Harinesh Pandya said. Apart from Janpath, NGOs including
Anandi, Aman Samuday, Chaitanya Trust, Panam Mahila Sangathan, Sarthi,
Lok Adhikar Kendra among others are also coordinating for the project.
"We hope that Panchmahal will emerge as a model district of Gujarat on
RTI, whose example can be replicated," said activist Pankti Jog. The
campaign will end in Godhra where state information commissioner RN
Das will discuss achievements and problems faced in the campaign.
Interestingly, a survey conducted by Commonwealth Human Rights
Initiative (CHRI), also part of the campaign, has revealed that police
department is one of the most ignorant departments when it comes to
implementation of RTI Act 2005 in the district.
CHRI's survey conducted by Aslam Diwan, along with Nagarik Adhikar
Kendra in Kalol on Compliance with Right to Information Act' in the
district has revealed that police department has not even prepared
proactive disclosures, which have been made mandatory by the Act.
"Most police officials are not even aware if there is a PIO in the
department, and if any, who they are," said Diwan, adding that the
police department will now reach out to citizens through this
campaign.
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