SMC issues 5.59 lakh bill to RTI applicant.

The Times of India: Surat: Sunday, March 18, 2012.

SURAT: How do information officers of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) avoid giving information on controversial issues under the Right to Information (RTI) Act ? They issue a hefty bill running into lakhs of rupees to the RTI applicant.

RTI activist Sarvar Hussain Nagad, a Khatkiwad resident of Chowk Bazaar, had sought information on building plans approved in the central zone. The department concerned asked him to deposit Rs.5.59 lakh.

Nagad uses RTI to expose illegal constructions in the city. He had sought detailed information on February 18, 2012, under the RTI Act about the building plans approved in different municipal wards of central zone under the supervision of junior engineer Tushar Patel of the town development department between June 6, 2008, and September 19, 2010.

Nagad also sought detailed information on illegal construction by occupiers and tenants on government-owned lands in central zone, Begampura and Zampa Bazaar areas.

Nagad received a reply from the information officer-cum-executive engineer of central zone, D M Patel on March 13, 2012.

It was stated in the reply that during the tenure of junior engineer Tushar Patel of the town development department about 236 buildings were given permission in four different wards of central zone.

There is no mention of the total number of documents related to the approval given to 236 constructions in the four different wards by Tushar Patel but the RTI applicant has been asked to deposit Rs.5.59 lakh.

"It is a huge amount for me and the authorities are well aware of the fact that I am not going to deposit it. This is the only way through which they can save their skin while under attack from an RTI applicant," said Nagad.

"I have taken up a campaign to expose illegal construction in the city. Therefore, a few days ago central zone officers demolished my 50-year-old house in Chowk Bazaar without issuing me any notice," the RTI activist said.

When contacted, D M Patel, information officer-cum-executive engineer, refused to comment.