A ten rupee RTI is playing a huge role in curbing corruption. When Tumkur University charged Rs 82,000 for a photo session at a convocation ceremony, a simple RTI application from a student revealed that not even a single picture was clicked, he said and informed that the 4 crore scam in BCMP work, a hostel warden submitting a bill of a cook but in actuality making students work was all found with the help of RTI.
Regretting that even though it’s been more than five years since the implementation of RTI, the mentality of officials in giving information has not changed. The public servants don’t own the records and are only its care takers. If they deny the information, then they can be charged with a penalty of Rs 250 to Rs 25,000 which they have to pay from their pockets, he warned.
Highlighting the important aspects of RTI Act, he said that details such as name, address, signature and Rs 10 postal order is missing, then the application can be considered void. Nothing contained in RTI Act shall apply to the intelligence and security organisations specified by the second schedule of the Act, BPL card holders can get free information if they attach an income certificate attested by the Thashildhar, Information should reach the public within 30 days of receiving the RTI application, informed Krishna.
In case if voluminous information is asked, the person can be asked to visit the office and choose the information needed, he informed. Whenever there are bulky cases, the information commissioner visits the place for the hearing, said Krishna as it would be too costly for the public to visit the Information Commissioner’s office in Bangalore. There are facilities of video conferencing from the DC’s and ZP CEO’s office every Saturday. However, the information commissioner cannot go through the records in such kind of hearings.
Earlier, the State Commissioner held hearing of grievances from people who have been denied information under RTI, or have been provided with false information.
A total of 59 cases have been solved and 24 cases have been adjourned in the past two days.
Check RTI file status online
Speaking to the media persons on the sidelines of the programme, Dr H N Krishna informed that when an applicant files a complaint with the Information Commissioner, he shall be given a complaint number and the status of his case will be informed at every stage. One can also seek the status of the case online or SMS their complaint number to 9212357123.
