The Brave Pedestrian

Right to Information Bare Act. Essential reading for beginners and experts, information-seekers and activists. Easy-to-read for applicants & appellants.  Download here:  http://tinyurl.com/RTI-Act-2005-Abridged   This simplified version gives guidance for filing fresh RTI application, first appeal and second appeal. It helps first-time applicants and appellants understand their rights under the RTI Act. It also helps Public Information Officers (PIO), First Appellate Authorities (FAA) and Second Appellate Authority (Central & State Information Commissioners) understand their powers and duties under RTI Act 2005. It enables appellants to understand which information is exempted from disclosure, present their grounds of appeal clearly, and argue their cases at appeal & complaint hearings.

Maharashtra's Chief SIC Dr Suresh Joshi issued a stern ultimatum to officials playing the roles of Public Information Officers (PIOs) and First Appellate Authorities (FAAs).    The warning extends to all public officials who play a role in providing information in response to an RTI application. This is in response to information-seekers and RTI activists who have been crying themselves hoarse for stringent implementation of RTI Act 2005. After six rounds of discussions spread over 10 days with all the State's Secretaries, Dr Joshi wrote a letter to Chief Secretary Johny Joseph clearly stating that all the PIOs and FAAs must act strictly in accordance with the RTI Act, or else! This letter,  which has been widely circulated by General Administration Department (GAD) among all state government departments,  may be roughly divided into three components: a)      Lucidly explaining the main points and the intention of the RTI Act b) ...

July 25, 2009 Dear People of Maharashtra, Here is a list of your Rights in the words of Maharashtra Chief Information Commissioner Dr Suresh Joshi. Print it out, circulate it and boldly ask for these rights until they become widely accepted by SICs, as well as PIOs and FAAs in all public authorities in our proud State: 1)        IF PIO FLOUTS SIC'S ORDER TO PROVIDE INFO, HE WILL BE SERVED SHOW-CAUSE NOTICE. SO RETURN TO SIC AND INSIST ON PENALTY & DISCIPLINARY ACTION, EVEN IN OLD CASES. THERE IS NO TIME-BAR. Read 21st March '09  DNA News item  , where Dr Joshi elaborately stated this before a press reporter. He first said this at a meeting with activists on 19th March. (Till now, SICs have not taken further responsibility after passing such fruitless orders. "Go to High Court," they say when frustrated appellants complain that PIOs are still not giving them info.) 2)        INSIST ON NEGATIVE REMARKS I...