BMC staff not replying to RTI queries.

DNA ; Ashutosh Shukla; Friday, March 18, 2011,

It’s not just common Mumbaikars who are fed up with the spate of illegal constructions in the city; even the state chief information commissioner (SCIC) seems to have had enough.

SCIC Vilas Patil has written a letter to the municipal commissioner, Subodh Kumar asking him to ensure the RTI Act 2005 is implemented by providing proper answers to applicants.

The letter written mid-February states, “It is seen that out of ten appeals that my office receives, six are related to construction, illegal construction, occupation certificate (OC) and non-availability of OC. There is a perception among the masses that many constructions happening after obtaining OC are illegal. People file complaints and ask for details under RTI on the action taken against them.”

The letter goes on to state, “This information is mostly not given, either because the records are not kept properly, applications are tossed from one desk to another, officers tell the applicant that the application is not filed properly and that they come and inspect the file, and during inspection, wrong files are given. If applications are not filed properly it is understood, but that should not be the answer for almost all applications.”

The letter also states that even after five years since the Act was put in place, public information officers (PIO) and first appellate authorities (FAA) do not seem to be following it correctly.

“They are supposed to give proper information and explanation. Cost of the information and its details should be given,” the letter goes on to state.

This is the second letter Patil has written to the authorities, since he took over as chief six months ago. Earlier letter directed authorities to implement section 4 of the Act so that the load of appeals reduces.

When contacted, municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar said, “We will take action on this accordingly.”