TNN 17 November 2009, 10:03pm IST
VADODARA: The Gujarat state information commission, Panchmahal district administration along with NGOs launched a unique initiative Panchmahal
Mahiti Adhikar Abhiyan on Tuesday, which will spread awareness about Right To Information (RTI) Act in Panchmahal district. To continue till November 30, it will cover 22 villages of 11 talukas, where public information officers (PIOs) will be given guidance on proactive disclosures that they are supposed to make. Information will also be painted on walls at village level. An RTI van RTI on wheelswill screen a film on the act in these villages. PIOs of six government sectors will put up stalls at a RTI fair in every taluka. A special gram sabha' for RTI will also be held. "We held eight meetings with the state information commission and six workshops before launching this campaign, for which Panchmahal was selected," secretary of Janpath, a network of voluntary action groups in Gujarat Harinesh Pandya said. Apart from Janpath, NGOs including Anandi, Aman Samuday, Chaitanya Trust, Panam Mahila Sangathan, Sarthi, Lok Adhikar Kendra among others are also coordinating for the project. "We hope that Panchmahal will emerge as a model district of Gujarat on RTI, whose example can be replicated," said activist Pankti Jog. The campaign will end in Godhra where state information commissioner RN Das will discuss achievements and problems faced in the campaign. Interestingly, a survey conducted by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), also part of the campaign, has revealed that police department is one of the most ignorant departments when it comes to implementation of RTI Act 2005 in the district. CHRI's survey conducted by Aslam Diwan, along with Nagarik Adhikar Kendra in Kalol on Compliance with Right to Information Act' in the district has revealed that police department has not even prepared proactive disclosures, which have been made mandatory by the Act. "Most police officials are not even aware if there is a PIO in the department, and if any, who they are," said Diwan, adding that the police department will now reach out to citizens through this campaign.
Mahiti Adhikar Abhiyan on Tuesday, which will spread awareness about Right To Information (RTI) Act in Panchmahal district. To continue till November 30, it will cover 22 villages of 11 talukas, where public information officers (PIOs) will be given guidance on proactive disclosures that they are supposed to make. Information will also be painted on walls at village level. An RTI van RTI on wheelswill screen a film on the act in these villages. PIOs of six government sectors will put up stalls at a RTI fair in every taluka. A special gram sabha' for RTI will also be held. "We held eight meetings with the state information commission and six workshops before launching this campaign, for which Panchmahal was selected," secretary of Janpath, a network of voluntary action groups in Gujarat Harinesh Pandya said. Apart from Janpath, NGOs including Anandi, Aman Samuday, Chaitanya Trust, Panam Mahila Sangathan, Sarthi, Lok Adhikar Kendra among others are also coordinating for the project. "We hope that Panchmahal will emerge as a model district of Gujarat on RTI, whose example can be replicated," said activist Pankti Jog. The campaign will end in Godhra where state information commissioner RN Das will discuss achievements and problems faced in the campaign. Interestingly, a survey conducted by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), also part of the campaign, has revealed that police department is one of the most ignorant departments when it comes to implementation of RTI Act 2005 in the district. CHRI's survey conducted by Aslam Diwan, along with Nagarik Adhikar Kendra in Kalol on Compliance with Right to Information Act' in the district has revealed that police department has not even prepared proactive disclosures, which have been made mandatory by the Act. "Most police officials are not even aware if there is a PIO in the department, and if any, who they are," said Diwan, adding that the police department will now reach out to citizens through this campaign.
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