Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial Using RTI in journalism: a lesson in tenacity In the last 10 years that I have been DEO, and many DEOs forwarded it Book Extract: Journalism through RTI—Information Investigation Impact using RTI for journalistic work, I to the officials in charge of the By Shyamlal Yadav, Senior Editor, The Indian Express, (Courtesy: The Hoot.org) have dealt extensively with the electoral rolls revision in every A virtual dream whole gamut of government Act says: lessons for those who always criticize assembly constituency. I was The government of India has come up with National machinery¯from the president’s Where an application is made to a transparency law for so-called unperturbed by the influx of e-Governance Plan (NeGP) taking a holistic view of secretariat, PMO, Cabsec, chief public authority requesting for an ‘misuse’ by users and claim that envelopes on my table as I realized e-Governance initiative across the country integrating ministers’ offices of states, central information—which is held by valuable time of public authorities is that every letter for- warded by one and state ministries, public sector another public authority; or the being wasted. There are examples officer to another was being marked them into a collective vision and shared goal with the undertakings, investigation subject matter of which is more that several of their colleagues are to me. At the end, there were ultimate objective of bringing public services closer and agencies, and police organiza- tions, closely connected with the functions themselves misusing the law and thousands of envelopes but there in a more convenient manner to the public. down to the district collectors and of another public authority—the wasting the time, energy, and was almost no information. E-Governance in India has evolved over a period of district superintendents of police of public authority, to which such resources by unmindful use of States and districts, supposedly the remotest districts of each application is made, shall transfer the section 6(3), forwarding the harboring large numbers of suspected time and various state governments and ministries of state¯trying to garner information application or such part of it as may application to hundreds of officers Bangladeshis, either did not respond central government are at different stages of from them on a wide range of issues be appropriate to that other public without making an effort to know who or they for- warded the application to implementation. What began as computerization of of national importance. But despite authority and inform the applicant is the custodian of the requisite the sub-division level so the response government department subsequently led to streamlining the RTI Act, getting crucial immediately about such transfer: information. was not consolidated. One day I visited information from the government is Provided that the transfer of an ECI’s 2000 Envelopes the ECI office and met Deputy Election of processes through computer networking. Of late the a tough, tedious, and often application pursuant to this sub- The first such big shock I Commissioner R. Balakrishnan and told Government Process Re-engineering and Change frustrating engagement where, it section shall be made as soon as experienced, and definitely the most him about the bundles of worthless Management have acquired Citizen Centricity and Service would appear; anti-transparency is practicable but in no case later than baffling, was while dealing with the envelopes received. According to him, orientation. The previous e-Governance initiatives played a statement of belief and hiding the five days from the date of receipt of ECI. On an application filed with the the problem of Bangladeshi migrants a very important role in shaping the e-Governance information and passing the buck the application. ECI, I must have received in total an was mainly in Assam; to which I the favorite diversionary activity. Further, section 7(9) says:3 “An overwhelming 2000 envelopes but countered that I had not got strategy of India. Having overcome their initial fear, information shall ordinarily be hardly any information—all they said responses from many districts and E-Governance helps in enhancing governmental several government departments try provided in the form in which it is was either, “The requisite information subdivisions of Assam. He was relationships and facilitates fair and efficient delivery of to make every effort to undermine sought unless it would dis- may be treated as NIL!” or “Your asked what he thought I should do. service but it has to be based on open and democratizing the RTI Act, since the very proportionately divert the resources application is being forwarded to” He immediately called up the CEO of beginning. of the public authority or would be other CPIO. My applications were Assam who informed him that in principles. In the Indian context e-governance is being The fact is that whether the seeker detrimental to the safety or first forwarded by the ECI to CEOs of Assam there were around 150,000 introduced to improve delivery systems and reduce of the information will get it or not preservation of the record in all states and then onwards to district names of “D Category” voters bureaucratization. It has been effectively employed in and what will happen to the RTI question.” There are many rulings of election officers (DEOs), that is, identified during the revision of service delivery apparatus in certain domains yet its application, it all depends on the information commis- sions and one district magistrates by CEOs. In most electoral rolls. So, obviously the CEO contribution in many areas of public systems management mindset of the person sitting on the from Madras High Court that section cases, even the DEOs managed to of Assam had the information but his other side of the table, that is, the 7(9) cannot be used for denial of any adroitly pass the buck by forwarding PIO had unnecessarily, or with the is not significant and calls for a more interventionist PIO. An application with queries can information. my queries to returning officers of intention of stalling, forwarded the approach. People are still not accepting it. Apart from return with complete information But, both these sections have been every assembly constituency to application to the ground level. the technical difficulties and the intricacies involved in from one office, and from another variously misinterpreted and respond directly. Much the same happened when implementing such mammoth venture, it needs to be office a similar application with exploited by several public In fact, during the ongoing another RTI application was filed to similar queries may come back with authorities. Section 6(3) has been controversy related to Bangladeshi ECI on January 12, 2010 to get details mentioned that a more intensive and holistic effort needs claims of exemptions for denial of most commonly misused for denying migrants, requests were filed to the of cash seized during General to be made. The present situation in the state regarding information. It can be forwarded to information and indulg- ing in their CEO of Delhi, MHA, the Delhi- based Elections 2009, and action taken in the implementation of the novel initiative is far from hundreds of offices just to confuse favorite diversion tactics of passing Foreigner Regional Registration the matter. But the application was satisfactory, and the public is still in the dark about the the seeker and defeat the purpose the buck. On many applications, I Office (FRRO), and the ECI for forwarded8 to CEOs of all states and of information. There are many such have got disconcerting, and often information about Bangladeshi they in turn forwarded it to the district utilities and services it aims to provide them. experiences while dealing with alarm- ing, responses from ministries migrants. Applications were filed on level interpreting section 6(3) of the Dissemination of information on the workings and government offices and officials on and departments such as the CPWD, May 21, 2008 to all these authorities RTI Act. But later, the ECI improved functions of such initiatives to the general public is of RTI which are necessary to share in Department of Revenue, CBDT, with changed words. the system as when similar query paramount importance. order to understand this MHA, Department of Posts, Ministry Interestingly, the application was also was asked for General Elections A lackadaisical and non-committal attitude adopted observation. of Water Resources, ECI, and state put to CEOs of some states, and they 2014, the ECI provided countrywide For instance, section 6(3) of the RTI DGPs, among others. These are had forwarded the application to data9 from Delhi itself. by those responsible for the implementation and maintenance that has crept in almost every public initiative is arguably the most prominent roadblock in National News Sports Corner - NE India ensuring the success of such ventures. Initiatives and policies can deliver results only when backed by sincere BJP Leader Venkaiah Naidu files New Head Coach João Deus brings efforts and proper involvement of implementing agencies. Further, creating a conducive culture through attitudinal his nomination for Vice President youthful infusion to NEUFC reorientation is also required or else the initiatives are not properly accepted as is the case in many states in New Delhi, July 18: Senior BJP Broadcasting and Housing and India. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that Leader, M Venkaiah Naidu today Urban Affairs. Naidu had started his filed his nomination for the post of political career as a worker of the comparatively backward states like Jharkhand are also Vice President of India. Talking to ABVP, the students’ wing of the effectively using e-governance initiatives to improve media after filing his nomination, RSS, and held positions in student delivery systems in certain domains. It is keeping in view Mr Naidu expressed confidence unions. He was also the president these aspects of e-governance that the Government of that he will be able to do justice to of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva the august post. He thanked all Morcha, the BJP’s youth wing. India has taken up the challenge of implementing e- parties who supported his The four-time Rajya Sabha member governance in the most backward of the states. candidature and said India’s was also a member of the Andhra Yet the success or otherwise of such efforts will largely strength lies in Parliamentary assembly. He was the rural depend on the human factor. Technology, in whatever system. development minister in the first form or manner, needs human intervention and He assured that he will uphold NDA government. dignity and tradition of the office. Mr Naidu, who is 68, served two- monitoring. The Government should make earnest efforts Mr Naidu said he comes from a time as the party president is pitted By: Vikash Singh Owner, John Abraham said, “The to ensure that the people assigned to such vitally humble background and rose to against Gopalkrishna Gandhi. Mr Guwahati, July 18: NorthEast DNA of NEUFC has always been important public initiatives be made responsible for the this position because of the Gandhi was chosen by an alliance United FC (NEUFC) has reached an riddled with youth. I am delighted outcome, along with the authority to implement them. support of the people. He said he of 18 opposition parties, including agreement with João Carlos Pires de to welcome João does not belong to BJP anymore the Congress. Today is the last day on board who is a tactically astute Till then, such efforts to virtualise governance will remain Deus who will take over as the Head as the post of Vice President is for filing the nominations. The Coach of the Highlanders. young Coach with the track record a virtual dream. above the party. Mr Naidu also scrutiny will be held on tomorrow The young 40 year old Portuguese of honing young talent and playing said that is is painful for him to and the last date for withdrawal of started his career as an Assistant exciting football. We hope that he leave the party. nomination is 21st of this month. Coach in Portugal, winning the will be able to channelize the WHENEVER YOU SEE CONSTRUCTION Yesterday, BJP President Amit The Vice-President is elected by an Portuguese Cup and reaching the strengths of this Club and help us Shah in New Delhi announced electoral college comprising Super Cup final. He also won the achieve our objectives this season. AND MINING EQUIPMENTS, JUST THINK OF US Venkaiah Naidu’s name for the members of both the Houses of Angola League and the Angola I wish him the very best and would NDA vice president candidate Parliament including nominated National Cup during his phase as an like to assure the fans that we will after the Party Parliamentary Board members. The electoral college for Assistant Coach. In 2009, he became work hard in every department to meeting. Mr Shah called him one the August 5 election consists of the Head Coach of the Cape Verde fulfill our collective expectations.” of most recognisable faces in the 790 MPs of the two chambers of National team and implemented his João expressed his thoughts on party. Parliament. NDA’s has numerical philosophy on the senior team and taking up the mantle of Head Coach After the announcement of the superiority in the electoral college the country’s grassroots structure, at NorthEast United FC. “I am a very candidature of Mr Naidu, Prime over the opposition. the benefits of which the country positive man and I am very positive Minister Narendra Modi in a series Opposition Vice Presidential reaps even today. Cape Verde broke about the challenge that I have with of tweet said that he is a fit candidate Gopal Krishna Gandhi into FIFA’s Top 50 by the end of his NorthEast United FC. The Club is candidate for the office. Mr Modi has filed his nomination papers term and recently ranked number one new with a vibrant fan base and said, the years of Parliamentary today. Talking to media after filing in Africa in 2016. owners who have the right vision experience Mr Naidu has, will help nomination, Mr Gandhi said he is After stints in Spain and Portugal to develop football in the region.I him discharge the important role representing the aspirations of where he took up various challenges can assure the fans that we will play of Rajya Sabha Chairperson. common people of the country. which enhanced his reputation, he positive football and that all the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N He said unemployment is a huge was appointed as the Head Coach players and the staff will work hard. Chandrababu Naidu also hailed the issue which people face and of Sporting Clube de Portugal ‘B’ We will leave no stone unturned so choice while The ruling TRS in country is being divided by few. He where he developed and honed that we can achieve our objectives. Telangana and in Tamil Nadu, the said he wants to unite people of the several Portuguese stars like Gelson I believe that young players are rebel AIADMK faction led by country. Martins (who now plays for the important in any campaign and former chief Minister O On Shiv Sena’s comments that he National Team) for three years. In his will ensure that they fit Panneerselvam has extended their had been opposed to the death first year at Sporting CP ‘B’ he seamlessly into our setup. This support to Mr Naidu’s candidature. sentence of 1993 Mumbai bomb achieved a best ever standing in the year, we will be focused on Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ After his selection as NDA blasts convict Yakub Memon, Mr League and also claimed the ‘Best playing good football and can be sent to our e-mail : [email protected]. candidate, Mr Naidu resigned as Gandhi said he has always been Coach of the Year’ award. winning as many games as we For advertisement kindy contact: - Minister of Information and against death penalty. Speaking on the appointment, Club can...taking it one game at a time.” 0385-2452159 (O)

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