For Your Information , Shailesh ji Keeps us informed
N vikramsimha , KRIA Katte & Trustee MHAK, #12 Sumeru Sir M N Krishna Rao Road
, Basvangudi < Bangalore 560004.
--- On Thu, 2/10/08, shailesh gandhi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From: shailesh gandhi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [HumJanenge] Michchami Dukdam
To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thursday, 2 October, 2008, 4:19 PM
2nd October, 2008.
Dear Friends,
I am happy to inform all of you that i have started working as a
Central Information Commissioner from 18th September. I was sworn in at
4.00pm on that day and started work in my office at 5.00pm. In the Central
Commission certain departments are allocated to each Commissioner and
presently the departments allocated to me are all relating to Delhi:
Secretariat, Directorate of Education GNCT, Directorate of Health and Family
Welfare-GNCTD, District Sessions Judge, DSSSB, Land and Building
Department-GNCTD, MCD-GNCTD, and Secretariat of Legislative Assembly. The
appeals and complaints pending disposal in these are about 1250 and I have
started listing hearings of cases.
I have a staff of two people provided to me and am depending more on the
help of volunteers;- which is not really sustainable. Cases have been listed
for hearing from 6th October, and i am reiterating my commitment to ensure
that there will be no pendency of cases with me of over 3 months by end of
March 2009.
There is an admission of a mistake i wish to make. When the names
were being proposed from Civil society for the position of Central
Information Commissioner, it was suggested that we should offer to do this
job without a salary, house, car etc. I had raised the issue about how i
could survive, and it was suggested that some individuals or organisations
would take care of these. Without much thought i agreed to this. When i was
actually selected, i began to think a little carefully about how i would
stay in Delhi. I felt that taking help from individuals, organisations or
Corporates would not be right. I then started thinking, i would try and stay
frugally like Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey, Jean Dreze, Medha Patkar and other
activists whose spartan lifestyle i admire.
I went to Delhi and am presently staying in a Hostel. The actual
reality of trying to practise my romanticised frugal living is now staring
at me. I went out for dinner with a friend and when i saw the bill of about
700 rupees, i cringed internally. Living alone in a hostel, without my wife
Bharti is becoming difficult emotionally. I had planned to give up the car
and start using rickshaws and Public transport. However, i am not able to
bring myself to do this. I realised i could do my work much better if i paid
the volunteers who are working with me in the office;- and i cannot do it. I
am beginning to worry that trying to continue to live without salary, house
etc. will affect my performance, and could result in failing for all the
wrong reasons. Various friends have also advised me to accept the salary,
house etc..
I realised that it is my ego which is preventing me from admitting
my mistake. I am therefore apologising for the mistake i had made in stating
that i would work without salary, house etc., and now plan to take these. I
have discussed the matter with Bharti and decided that the salary would be
used entirely to facilitate my work and for other RTI related work. I am
aware that there will be criticism of my step, but feel it is more honest to
admit a mistake.
Some friends will be disappointed by this turnaround. But i need to
admit this mistake, and correct it. I shall fulfill the role of Information
Commissioner diligently. I once again apologise to friends who might feel a
betrayal.
--
Love
shailesh
All my emails are in Public domain.
Mera Bharat Mahaan..
Nahi Hai,
Per Yeh Dosh Mera Hai.
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