Times
of India: Hubballi: Thursday, 30 April 2015.
Most
government officers see the RTI Act, 2005, as an additional burden. They
discourage applicants by concealing information or providing wrong data. But a
block health education officer (BHEO) belongs to a different species. J M
Rajashekhar, posted in Haveri, supports the RTI Act and believes it's a weapon
to minimize corruption. He recently brought out 'Mahiti Hakku Balasuvudu
Heege', his 13th book on the law.
Rajashekhar,
who was suspended in 2010 for campaigning for the RTI Act, told TOI: "My
earlier books were on sections of the act, judgments of state panels and the
Central Information Commissions, and the need for the act. This time I have
compiled some case studies." The 224-page book, with 28 chapters, is
dedicated to YG Muralidharan, founder trustee of Consumer Rights Education and
Awareness Trust, Bengaluru.
Rajashekhar,
who had called upon the public to utilize the RTI Act to prevent corruption,
was suspended from service in 2010 without notice. During his five-month
suspension, he unearthed scams in a few government departments by getting
information under the act. He argued in the high court that there was nothing
wrong in a government employee spending from his pocket to publicize the RTI
Act.
Agreeing with
his contention, the court directed the department to release his salary for the
suspension period.
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