Response to  queries on  Right To Information Act and SPS Activities.      

(1)  How well  does SPS know the RTI Act and  the recent   amendment  proposed  by the  Government ? 

            SPS volunteers and  staff know  the  RTI and  familiar in filling the  Application form and  the Line  Officer to whom to submit; fees   to be  payable:  and time sought  to  get  the  information.

            Regarding the recent Amendment proposed by the government, we along with SR have been involved to  oppose the same.  Shri  Keshava of AID,Houston  had called SR and had a detailed discussion on the same.

(2)      Has SPS  used  RTI ? 

Yes, SPS has used  RTI

 2.1  How many instances have you used  RTI ? 

            SPS one time  and  LPOs  1  time used  RTI  Act.   SPS  usually prefer information in the normal  course; i.e to write/ ask the  concerned  Government  Officers/ authorized  persons.  Since,  SPS has  maintained  good rapport with  Government Officials/Departments in most of  the cases    (more than  80%)  SPS  got the required information.  Some good officers were also  provided informations / documents  for the  noble cause.

            Similarly the local  peoples organization approached  the line   departments/  Gram  Panchayats  for  the required information,  when  the normal course  does not works, though  systematic follow up and reminders, SPS and  LPOs used  RTI.

             First  and second   instance tells about how  SPS  and LPOs used RTI.

 First instance 

             A copy of  Enquiry report   conducted by  Department of  Watershed,  Government of Karanataka  on irregularities  and corruption  issue  in  Watershed Development Activities including World Bank aided Sujala Watershed  Project.   The said report  was collected through RTI   from Commissioner, Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka, Banagalore.

  Second instance 

 To  participate actively  in the  Jamabndi ( Social Audit of Gram Panchayat Activities- both physical and  financial ; local  peoples organisation especially landless labourers, groups,  Women Self  Help  Groups (SHGs), Village Forest Committees (VFC),were needed the activity report-  progress and  Financial  report every year  from  Gram  Panchayat (GP).  The  Secretary, GP, who supposed to provide/ display information, he never does it , when the   community approaches  the local  elected member of GP/ Vice President/President; the response  is  very  poor.  It  is  a  general tendency at  Panchayat level; In some of  the Panchayat; Nichhavvanahalli (Tq:  Harapanahalli Dist: Davanagere); Somasagar; Kusnur  (Tq:  Hanagal Dist: Haveri) community used  to  get the information.

            Krishi Coliekarara Sanga, Harriyammanahalli got the report of the  Jamabandi of Nichhavanahalli Grama Panchayat  for the year 2005-06 through RTI.

 Third instance  

  Three year  (2003-04,2004-05-06)  Action Plan  and  Progress Report 2002-2003, 2003-04 & 2004-05 of   District Watershed Development Department (DWDD), Dist: Haveri, Karnataka by  Gram Ganarajya Vedike, (GGV): Haveri.

Fourth instance 

  To  know disbursement of  daily   wage by Social  Forestry, Range  Forest Officer, (RFO), to daily wage  labourers at  Dyapanayakanahalli   Nursery (Tq; Harapanahalli Dist; Davanagere, Karnataka) and  also number of  daily wage workers  employed in the season (April to July)  and  regular  course during  the  year  2005-06. 

 2.2  What was the information asked for ? 

The information  asked for were as  under;

(a)  Enquiry report  from Department of Watershed, Government of  Karnataka on irregularities and corruption issues in  Watershed Development   Activities.

(b) The Jamabandi  report of Nichhavvanahalli Panchayat for the year  2005-06 to verify   the action taken  report  on   non-utilization of Grant  Rs. 20,000 meant for   plantation at school compound  and  desiltation   of tank at Nichhavvanahalli.

            (c) Wage disbursement  register and  muster role  of the  daily wage workers employed at  the Nursery at Dyapanayakanahalli  for the year 2005-06.  The  information was needed to verify daily wage actually  paid and  claimed;  and also name of  the labourers employed.  It was  observed by the  SHG members (who are also  worked / working in the  nursery)  that  though the daily wage  workers are  eligible  for  minimum  wage   under the Minimum Wage Act;  dummy names were included and  claimed more wage.  The purpose  to  get  the  information under RTI Act  was  (i.  to  claim minimum wage,  (ii)  to unearth who are the culprits and (iii)  effective utilization of  public resources.

2.3    Did it help ? If  so, how. 

RTI  helped in getting the information from  the  Commissioner WDD, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore.  The facts  and  figures in the said  report  was  shared  and  cross  checked  with  the   benificieries;  ( under Sujala Watershed Development Project ) SPS  Study Team found that   the    poor labourers were paid less(  through deducting  the  farmers/landlords contribution from  the wages;  The farmers/ land owners  supposed  to pay  12%  (50% cash 50% in kind/ through   shramadan ) contribution of  the   Watershed  Development work.

            Second thing  SPS Study Team found that some ineligible  field Non- Government  Organizations (NGOs) were selected  as  Consultants under the project.  SPS Study Team closely verified  the  selection criteria  for  the  field  NGOs  and   marks allocated  by the Screening  Committee headed by  District Watershed Development Officer (DWDO),  Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and  District Collector (DC), and  noticed violation of  selection  criteria  and  allocation of   more marks to ineligible NGOs.

  2.4    How was the information used  ? 

SPS  Study  Team,  based on the information got  through  RI Act prepared Preliminary Report in response to  the Enquiry Report done  by Government of Karnataka dated  July 15, 2004 and  submited to Chief  Secretary Government of Karnataka, and urged for an enquiry in to the  irregularities in Watershed  Development Project  in Karnataka.  SPS  study team also submitted  its report to  Team Leader, Mid Term  Review  Mission  for  the  Sujala  Watershed  Development  Project.  Karnataka WB, Washigton DC, USA.  SPS also informed Bank Information Center,  WB for the  corrective  measures.

            In the second instance,  the villagers  after verifying the Jamabandi report noticed false claim of plantation at school compound and  desiltation work  at Nichhavvanahalli village . The SHG federation at Nichhavanahalli Panchayat wrote  letter to  the Executive Officer, Harapanahalli   about  false  claim and he assured for taking up activities  during the year  2005-06.

 2.5    If RTI  applied  multiple times, what would  you  estimate  as  the  success rate ? 

100%  success rate, SPS used one  time and got  the required information   (In the   first instance).  In the second instance  also the villagers at Harriyammanahalli  got the information , but   the local peoples organizations   and the network  is not used  the information   in  a effective manner. 

            In the  third instance  to  avoid providing  information,  DWDO  District, Haveri,  rejected the information   and  intimated  that   “ the  purpose of  information required  is  not clearly mentioned”.   Again  GGV applied and  paid  preliminary  fee.   GGV,  Haveri has to follow up on  the  matter.

            In the  fourth  instance,  the  labourers who wrote letter to RFO, Harapanahalli were not  taken for  work and  new  labourers  are employed  and  a  threatening autmosphere is  created by the  Watcher  and  Guard.  The  SHG, network  at  Dyapanayakanahalli  “Vandevata” is in the process of  going for information under  RT Act.

 2.6    Did you face any issues / problems. 

(a)    Need  more interaction in filling  the application  form correctly

(b)    We  found no systematic follow up by  the  applicants to  pay  requisite fee.

(c)    We  also  realized   lack of clarity on  how to   use the information  and   far what

(d)    No consensus among  the  group and  a sense of  fear to  question the  Government Machinaries.

(e)    Lack of  intimation from the  concerned department in case of  rejection , payment of  requisite fees etc.

 (3)  Is there general  awareness about RTI  among the   communities 

            Yes, there is  general awareness among the  communities  and  local peoples organizations.  Communities  are happy  that  they could get  needed  information under  the act.

 (4)  Would it be possible for  SPS to conduct  a Workshop   in  the  major  areas of  work. 

            Definitely possible,  in fact it  is   a good idea  also because   as we mentioned    under the    head  item No. 2.6  the  issues  could  be  worked  out with the  communities,  clear out   doubts, misunderstanding  through  workshop/ interaction           

SPS, last year (November 25-26, 2005)  organized  a workshop  in Bangalore in which  Consumer  Rights  Education  and Awareness Trust (CREAT)  Bangalore  provided  input  to the representatives of  local  peoples  organizations; Gram  Ganarajya  Vedike (GGV) and,  peoples representatives (GP members)  on  RTI  Act;  especially on  Accountability and transparency through RI Act.

  (5)     If possible an RTI India volunteer  could be available on site.   

It is also one of  the  opportunity to consult, or to check  the proper measure as  per the Act and  its  recent  amendments, incase  information is  denied/ delayed.