DNA: Mumbai: Monday, July 02, 2018.
In a reply
that has raised eyebrows, the Bhiwandi Krishi Utpanna Bazaar Samiti (BKUBS) has
declared an RTI applicant as "ineligible" and has further blacklisted
him. It has also threatened him with a criminal case if he files an RTI
application with it again. It cites five RTI applications the applicant had
filed three last year and two this year on the similar subject as a reason for
the action they have taken.
The letter
dated June 4, 2018, which came to light recently informs Irfan Janwekar, the
RTI applicant, that he has been declared apatra (ineligible). Two central
information commission's order were referred to in the declaration. In the two
RTI applications that were filed in May 2018, Irfan Janwekar, a mutton shop
owner from Thane had sought details of the committee that was appointed for
running Bhiwandi Krishi Utpanna Bazaar Samiti, people who voted for the Samiti
elections and details of a shopkeeper in the market.
In his
earlier RTI applications, Janwekar said, "I had sought details of the
goats that are bought every week and every month to the market, the money
collected from their sale, the mode of payment. I had also sought details of
the middlemen and whether they are licensed. They said they are not. I
complained to the Konkan Commissioner but ultimately nothing happened."
On being
declared ineligible, Janwekar said, "How can they snatch such a right to
seek information. Is there a rule that I cannot file over five applications? I
do not know about this."
Bhaskar
Prabhu, an RTI activist, said, "They do not have any right to make an RTI
applicant ineligible or to threaten them with a criminal action for asking for
information under RTI. There is no restriction on any number of RTI
applications a person can file. Whatever he has asked comes under suo motu
disclosure.
It is against
the democratic principles to blacklist someone. With respect to information, a
citizen has has been brought to the level of MP and MLA when it comes to his
right to information. In this case, since they threatened, there should be a
counter inquiry against officials for scaring an applicant. If it is not
exempted, then authorities cannot be deny any information. Even the information
commission should take cognizance of these matters."
"This is
absolutely illegal. Public authority is acting like a ruffian. We also have
something like being reasonable. Some commissions and commissioners have passed
such orders. Had he filed some 100 or 200 applications which some people do, I
can understand. This is unwarranted and abuse of power by public authority,"
said Shailesh Gandhi, former central information commissioner. DNA could not
get in touch with BKUBS.
FIGHT FOR
RIGHT
- The letter dated June 4, 2018, which came to light recently informs Irfan Janwekar, the RTI applicant, that he has been declared apatra (ineligible)
- Two central information commission’s order were referred to in the declaration