Tuesday, July 15, 2008

RTI FOR PERMANENCY OF FOREST WORKER

Ashokbhai worked in a nursery run by the forest department for years. When he was denied permanency from the department he filed a case in the court. Department argued in the court that, Ashokbhai has not completed 240 days of continuous work thus cannot be given permanency. As per the government there was shortage of “HALF DAY” to complete 240 days of work for last year.
Ashokbhai lost his job and his family of disrupted. His wife decided not to stay anymore wit him. Once RTI was in place Ashokbhai asked for all the muster rolls of last 25 years from the forest department. It was not easy to get it. Ashokbhai has to file first appeal and then finally second appeal in the commission. In the hearing of second appeal Chief Information commissioner Mr. R. N. Das, ordered the PIO of the department to furnish complete information to Ashokbai. This was interim order.
Meanwhile District Forest Officer invited Ashokbai to his office to request to withdraw the application from the commission. Ashokbhai firmly denied and said that if DFO pressurizes him, he will again complaint to the commissioner. Lastly DFO had to give the muster rolls of last 25 years. Ashokbhai calculated his days of work he got his “HALF DAY” from the muster rolls.
Ashokbhai is again moving to court with all the information for his permanency case and is confident to fight till he gets he get his JOB
Ashokbhai now spreads RTI wherever he goes. He gives lectures on RTI in workers meetings. He volunteers his time for teaching about RTI to workers in trade unions.