Merinews:
New Delhi: Wednesday, 05 August 2015.
It refers to
a colourful pictorial CIC-verdict dated July 24, 2015 in appeal-number
CIC/SA/A/2015/000743 wherein strongly reasoned recommendations citing RTI
responses and earlier CIC-verdicts are given for introducing RTI stamps in
denominations of rupees 2, 10, 50 and 100 as most convenient and enormous
revenue-saving (of crores of rupees) mode for payment of RTI fees and other
charges under RTI Act.
CIC-verdict
comes as a ready reckoner for concerned departments namely Department of Posts
and Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) when it incorporates colorful
photos of Radio & TV License fees stamps on lines of which RTI stamps can
be issued.
With
postal-orders below rupees ten discontinued, there is no practical mode for
making payments in fractions like rupees 2, 4, 6 and 8. High handling cost of
rupees 37.45 to get RTI fees of rupees ten is other reason for suggesting RTI
stamps.
Red-tapism and 'jaisa he chalne do'
bureaucratic-theory has obstructed issuing of RTI stamps earlier also suggested
in a full-bench CIC-verdict dated August 27, 2013 in appeal-number
CIC/BS/C/2013/000149/LS when Department of Posts informed that Security Printing
Presses at Nasik and Hyderabad expressed inability to print RTI stamps because
of shortage of paper!
At least now
sincere and serious steps should be made for immediate introduction of RTI
stamps.
(Subhash
Chandra Agrawal is a noted RTI activist)
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