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Citizen uses RTI to get elusive pension |
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Source: Times of India, 14 Jauary, 2007
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Citizen_uses_RTI_to_get_elusive_pension_/articleshow/1173663.cms The beaming face of Laxmi Devi says it all. The 80-year-old has finally got her pension after she'd almost given up hope, thanks to the Right To Information Act. Laxmi Devi lives with her daughter, who works as a domestic help, in Khirki village. In May 2005, she applied for an old-age pension to MCD. But despite numerous visits to the office, there was no sign of a pension.
Finally, she approached an RTI camp organised by Satark Nagarik Sanghathan, an NGO. She was told her application was missing and she would have to apply again. She did. And promptly got approval for a monthly pension of Rs 350 in December. She will receive a cheque of Rs 1,750 (for five months) this month. Laxmi Devi is not alone. Ordinary people are now using RTI to get basic amenities, install road signage, repair roads and even get admission in schools. Sangeeta and Sultana of Begumpur didn't get their ration entitlements for over two years as their ration cards weren't being renewed by the Food and Civil Supplies Department. Though touts offered to help them for a ‘fee', they decided to take the RTI route. By November 2006, both had got their ration cards |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 June 2007 )
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