All info could be posted to RTI website

DNA: Mumbai: Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Everything, from the name of the RTI activists to the query, and response of the public information officer, will be put online. If this proposal by former deputy mayor and BJP Corporator Alka Kerkar sails through where she has moved a notice of motion seeking this very demand. RTI activist Shailesh Gandhi says this will help genuine RTI activists get rid of the tag of blackmailers and extortionists as everything will be on the website. However, some activists say it will put further pressure on activist.

The proposal will be discussed in the BMC house on May 4, where Kerkar will be proposing it and will seek the support of all the members. If passed then it will go to the commissioner and from there to the government for final approval. When asked Kerkar said, "This will make the process further transparent.

Also will keep the anti-social elements away from filing the RTI. The process will involve putting out all the details of the RTI applicant, and also the final response of the Public Information officer online."

On the other hand, Gandhi claims that all the response and even the appeals be put online. Gandhi says that there has been an increasing denial of information under the RTI Act to citizens. This illegal denial is justified by creating a falsehood that RTI users are disrupters and anarchists, and most of them are blackmailers and extortionists. Consequent to this, illegal actions arbitrarily denying information are increasing. The arrogant and corrupt fear the empowered citizen. Citizens have now decided to take actions to defend their fundamental right and self-respect in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

According to Gandhi, they had even met Kerkar asking her to move this proposal in the BMC. "The Corporation must display all RTI requests and responses on its website. This is a requirement of Section 4 which has been reiterated by Maharashtra Government GR. This will lead to better compliance and reduced corruption. In case there is some collusive corruption, putting the information on the website will stop it," said Gandhi. He also claims this will expose much information to which silly replies are given out and also duplicacy will stop.

Meanwhile, Anil Galgali, another RTI activist said, "though the move is good and many will surely support it, this might put further pressure on the activists. However, in any way the moment we file RTI, the officials to come to know about it."