The Constitution of India, through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, entitles the public to seek information regarding anything that is of public interest or any issues that will affect the public one way or another. However owing to a lack of awareness, only three per cent of the population is actually using this right to their benefit. A group of NGOs and civil society organisations in the city have therefore come together to help people gain knowledge regarding this act. Apart from de-bunking people's misconception that RTI is largely a tool for the media, RTI activists will assist the general public and tell them how to file their own RTIs. "We will assemble in Cubbon Park, right opposite Press Club on Saturday," said Vikram Simha, an RTI activist. The 'clinic' as it is referred to, will be held every last Saturday of the month in Cubbon Park. Emphasising the need for such a 'clinic', Vikram said, "This is a very powerful tool given to the people. But, if it isn't used properly, then chances are that the right will be withdrawn or forgotten." He pointed that while some may apply for information using this act, their lack of knowledge of the workings of the government departments may cause unnecessary hindrance. At the clinic, activists plan to guide citizens on filing RTIs for individual use. Another problem area that will be addressed here is regarding the issue of asking the right questions. As Vikram said, "This basically means that we help citizens understand how a question needs to be asked to get the desired results." [email protected]
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/dnabangalore/newsview.aspx?eddate=7/25/2009&pageno=2&edition=9&prntid=7061&bxid=27955796&pgno=2 ----------------------------- Men can acquire knowledge, but not wisdom. Some of the greatest fools ever known were learned men. http://followmeonnet.blogspot.com/ If "con" is the opposite of "pro", then what is the opposite of progress? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rti_india/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rti_india/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
