MAGP: Saturday, May 12, 2018.
It was around 12 noon on 12th May 2006, when the then Information Commission had inaugrated RTI helpline, by actually dialing 9924085000 for the first time. He then announced that RTI helpline is now been set open for every one to dial.
Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel, an organization shortly named as MAGP widely now in Gujarat, focused on only one GOAL, i.e to take RTI to the last person in villages, towns, cities.
RTI helpline was started as first step towards this ambitious GOAL, after its volunteer realized that people want to contact them to know more regarding RTI.
" We never kept it 24 hours, as we had apprehension that we will get exhausted soon. Also it was not toll free. We were sure that people will spend a rupee if they want to know about RTI, as relief to the issued faced by them.since then it has been lakhs of phone calls and even today, helpline starts at 11:00 am and keep on ringing till 6:00 pm. Hairinesh Pandya, founder of MAGP narrates.
Phone calls received by RTI helpline are mainly from rural areas and small towns. People talk about basic issues of Water supply, electricity, education, ration, pension, housing scheme, land issues, police stations cases, road, toilet etc. RTI expert on helpline, has to understand her/his issue and then guide person how RTI can help her/him to get evidence, or documents related to issue, also how accountability can be sought for the misappropriations.
Person said he has paid bribe in block office, we asked him to ask fro receipt under RTI, even before he filing RTI application, his bribe money was returned. RTI has power that is not explored; it an be creatively used to mobilize people, get awareness, empower citizens, get govt attentions, to seek information and to seek accountability.
Creativity in seeking information leads to impact of resolution of the problem itself.
RTI helpline volunteer experts however has to be ready to updates on many many issues. From pension to insurance, one should know, at least some basics so that applicability of RTI can be visualized.
Though helpline was started for Gujarat, we keep getting calls from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP, HP, UP, Bihar and many other states. Sometimes, if issue is too complicated, we connect them to local RTI activists. RTI helpline is also dialed by Government officers to seek guidance on provisions of RTI Act and its applicability.
The best part is that, RTI helpline never take sides. It only explains what RTI act says in the best interest of transparency and Accountability. Thus has maintained its authenticity since 12 years....!!