#RTIBachao

Resolutions passed on 7 February by group of citizens to safeguard their fundamental right

There has been an increasing denial of information under the RTI Act to citizens. This illegal denial is
justified by creating a falsehood that RTI users are disrupters and anarchists, and most of them are
blackmailers and extortionists. Consequent to this, illegal actions arbitrarily denying information are
increasing. The arrogant and corrupt fear the empowered citizen. Citizens have now decided to take
actions to defend their fundamental right and self respect in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation,
specifically in the following matters:

1. We will not tolerate RTI users being labeled as blackmailers and extortionists. The
Corporation must issue a circular to all its officers to treat RTI requesters with respect.
2. The Corporation must display all RTI requests and responses on its website. This is a
requirement of Section 4 which has been reiterated by a DOPT OM and a Maharashtra
Government GR. This will lead to better compliance and reduced corruption. In case there is
some collusive corruption, putting the information on the website will stop it.
3. In an unprecedented move the corporation has decided not to give information to the
employees of Praja Foundation using RTI. This is an illegal action. The corporation must
rescind this order and apologise for issuing it.
4. We also resolve that whenever a RTI user gives prima facie evidence of threats or assault
a FIR must be registered by the police. Investigations must be undertaken promptly and
action taken as per law.

We the People shall monitor the government and public servants shall treat us with respect.

Action: Spread this note to all your contacts and persuade them to contact elected representatives
and record the interaction in the format give below. If possible conduct meetings to discuss these
issues.
 Note for Interactions with elected representatives

It was decided that citizens would undertake to sensitise, inform and persuade our elected
representatives to take up our cause. Suggest that all citizens interact with atleast ten elected
representatives (corporators, MLAs, MPs) with the following points:

1. We will not tolerate RTI users being labeled as blackmailers and extortionists. The
Corporation must issue a circular to all its officers to treat RTI requesters with respect.
2. The Corporation must display all RTI requests and responses on its website. This is a
requirement of Section 4 which has been reiterated by a DOPT OM and a Maharashtra
Government GR. This will lead to better compliance and reduced corruption. In case there is
some collusive corruption, putting the information on the website will stop it.
3. In an unprecedented move the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has decided not to give
information to the employees of Praja Foundation in RTI. This is an illegal action. The
corporation must rescind this order and apologise for issuing it.
4. We also resolve that whenever a RTI user gives prima facie evidence of threats or assault
a FIR must be registered by the police. Investigations must be undertaken promptly and
action taken as per law.
Discuss these and record the main points in this format:

Name of citizen with telephone number and email id. Subject #RTIBachao
No. Name of Corporator/ Party Date Description of the
representative MLA/MP And time interaction on the four
Interaction: Of points
Telephone/ interaction
Personal
meet
1
2
3
4
5

Please record this in this format and send an update each week on Monday to me
with #RTI Bachao as Subject. Also upload it at Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/RTIBachao/
 Some Practical Tips for Citizens to participate

Tips: Many elected representatives will be willing to meet or even discuss on telephone. A
telephone interaction will not take more than 5 minutes. Whenever you have some spare
time, call up a few numbers. Some may not be available or may not be free to speak.
But a previous experiment of this nature indicated that for an hour of working one could
actually speak to about two to three representatives and get their reactions. About three to
four hours should get you more than ten representatives. Do not go into other issues but
politely request that the representative speak with you.
If you can arrange to meet the representative personally that would be fantastic, but would
require a greater time commitment. Send this to all your contacts and push this through
social media as well.
It may be a good idea to make your personal list of about 30 to 40 people with their phone
numbers and persist with trying to talk with them. Even if multiple citizens call up an elected
representative it is alright. They will begin to appreciate that many citizens are concerned.
We must make our democracy work through our elected representatives.
I have already spoken with seven representatives and am giving below, an account:
Name of volunteer: Shailesh Gandhi
No. Name of Corporator Party Date Description of the interaction
representative / And time on the four points
MLA/MP Of
Interaction interaction
:
Telephone/
Personal
meet
1 Mohsin Haider Corporator INC 17 Feb 2018 Agrees with all four points
10.55 am
2 Prithviraj MLA INC 17 Feb 2018 Agrees with all four points
Chavan 11.12 am
3 Alka Kerkar Corporator BJP 17 Feb 2018 Agrees with first two points.
11.30 Does not wish to comment on
point 3. Says she will consider
moving a Notice of motion for
point 2.
4 Asif Zakaria Corporator INC 17 Feb 2018 Agrees with all three points
12.10pm
5 Harsh Patel Corporator BJP 17 Feb 2018 Will not comment but agrees
12.30am that our solution of putting
RTI applications and
responses on phone is right
and he will pursue it.
6 Sanjay Agaldare Corporator SS 17 Feb 2018 Agrees with all the points
12.40pm
7 Sanjay Dutt MLC INC 17 Feb 2018 Agrees with all our points and
6.35pm says he will raise them in the
assembly.