------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the FRIDAY BALCAO ------------------------------------------------------
Dear Cybergaonkars on Saligaonet, Friday Balcao the fortnightly discussion event to be held on 9th June will focus on the use of the Right to Information Act to fight corruption. In the last few years, Right to Information (RTI) has emerged as very powerful tool in the hands of a common citizen to hold governments accountable. People have used it in various ways ranging from addressing issues related to their daily interface with government authorities to influencing major government policies. One area where RTI has been most successful is if a person has a legitimate work pending in any Government Department and if they are not doing it for either expectation of bribes or due to simple bureaucratic delay, then RTI can be used and the work gets done very fast. Though RTI has such a huge potential, it hasn't been able to make a big difference so far because not many people are using it. Either they are not aware of it or of its potential. Earlier RTI was available only in a few states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, but with the passage of the Right to Information Act 2005 by the Parliament of India, now it is available to all citizens against all public authorities in India. Then how can citizens in Goa use RTI to fight corruption ? Can a drive be started against bribes by using RTI in Goa ? Is enough information available about the RTI Act 2005 ? Who forms the Goa State Information Commission and where is its office located ? Have all Goa Govt. Departments, Municipal Councils and Village Panchayats appointed their Public Information Officers (PIO's) ? What kind of an awareness drive can be undertaken to promote the use of RTI in Goa ? What role can educational institutions, service clubs, NGO's, SHG's, trade unions and the media play in promoting the use of RTI ? The Balcao discussion will cover these questions and also evolve an agenda for action by citizens on the issue. Friday Balcao will be from 4pm to 6pm at the Goa Desc Resource Centre No.11 Liberty Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa and is open to members of the public. We invite you to attend the Friday Balcao event but if you cannot attend, then please send your views by post to FRIDAY BALCAO Post Box 78, Mapusa 403 507 or by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] best wishes, Roland Martins ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ======================================= -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.3/358 - Release Date: 6/7/2006 _______________________________________________ Saligao 403511 website http://saligao.goa-india.org Saligaonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goacom.org/mailman/listinfo/saligaonet
