· A trade union activist should know
how to use the RTI (Right to Information Act) and this is the best tool in the
hands of the unionists. Whatever information sought by the Members of parliament
in the Parliament can be sought under this Act and this will certainly prevent
corruption and delay in decision making at all levels.
·
We can use the provisions of RTI even for
calling the file noting on any recruitment files, purchases, promotions etc.
How many of us are using the RTI properly? We should exhaust this way also to
mitigate the issues.
·
As per the DOPT orders and Department orders,
any representation should be replied and decided within 30 & 45 days. The
gist of rulings will be supplied in due course. But nowhere it is observed.
The representations are delayed even for years together and the affected
officials are not representing further seeking to dispose of the representations.
This is the real state of affairs as per my knowledge.
·
The RTI can be used to ascertain the position
of any pending representations; appeals and petitions. The information can be
sought like the following;
·
Please supply the information about the daily
progress made on my representation/ appeal/petitions.
·
The names of the officials who were supposed
to act on my representation.
·
Pl furnish the time limit prescribed in the
rules for disposal of representations/ appeals/petitions. Please supply the
copy of the orders.
·
Please intimate the periods when my
representation was kept unattended during this period. Please intimate the
officials/officers who are responsible for the delay. Please intimate the
action taken or to be taken against the officer/official for such inordinate
delay during this period.
·
If the officers/officials have not observed
and adhered the time limit mentioned in the rules, please intimate whether they
will be brought under guilty of violating the rules and proceeded under the CCS
rules. Pl supply a copy of the rules under which they have violated the rules
and what action is proposed to be taken in this regard.
·
The above is not exhaustive. If your
representations are against violation of any rules, you can use the above
mentioned phrases and sure you will get positive results.
·
Suppose, if the divisional or sub divisional
head is indulging in corrupt practices and minting money on all the dealings,
you can seek the entire file noting on appointment files, tender processes,
purchases, the expenditure under the OE head etc.
·
After collecting the information you can take
up such cases through the higher ups of the unions. You can definitely put a
check to the corruption menace even in divisional levels. The Central Vigilance
Commission has prescribed norms to check the corruption activities and the
Directorate communicated the same to all field levels vide its letter no. 4-26/98
Vig dated 29.1.1999.
·
It is mandatory on the part of
divisional/circle level administrations to publish the entire tender decisions,
all selections including the GDS appointment, all transfers and postings, all
purchases at different levels, all welfare sanctions, advances, all LTC,
Medical bill sanctions, allotment of staff quarters, all claims sanctioned to
public customer, all cases of hiring private buildings enhancement of rent etc
in the notice board every day.
·
Can anyone identify the place where it is
being adhered? Is it not be a violation of rules and orders? Will it not be a
subject for unbecoming of a Govt servant? Because of ignorance or not to want to have any confrontation with the divisional heads, in many places we are
remaining silent. When we are unnecessarily being beleaguered by the
administration and innocents are being proceeded on flimsy and fabricated
reasons, why should not we seek the proper adherence of this order through RTI?
·
The usage of RTI will bring accountability in
service and also minimize the corruptions at all levels. We can check the
corrupt officers; we can trigger the functioning of the administration from
deep slumber.
·
Before that, it is mandatory on our part that
we should be perfect by all means as well as secured a thorough knowledge on
all staff rulings and procedures.
·
We must create a team in each division/ circle
to guide the aggrieved members and evolve strategies to defend and mitigate
their issues.
·
Unless we are advancing in this direction, the
desired aim of the trade union in particular to us becomes futile and
impossible. Why can’t we create such creamy comrades in all divisions to
dedicate for their fellow comrades?
· We have started this Forum exclusively for this purpose and we will enrich our knowledge. Let the first start shall be the usage of RTI?
If you are having any doubt, you are free to mention in the comments and the knowledgeable members will also contribute at field levels.
A MODEL RTI
APPLICATION
APPLICATION FOR SEEKING INFORMATION UNDER RTI ACT – 2005
To,
Public Information officer
O/o SSPOs
……………..Division
…………………………………..
1.
Name of the Applicant :
2.
Address :
3.
The details of information sought for: -
(i)
Please intimate the items purchased in the last fortnight
of March 2018, 2019 & 2020 in your divisions and the cost of each items may
please be furnished. Full list may be furnished.
(ii)
Please intimate that whether all the items were
brought in to stock register. If so, please intimate whether it will be the
part of divisional office stock or part of Post office stock under your
division during 2018, 2019 & 2020.
(iii)
Please intimate whether the process of ‘Tender’
as required by CVC guidelines is observed in all purchases made during these
periods. If not, please intimate the number of items were purchased floating
the tender norms?
(iv)
Please intimate the number of local purchases
made without observing the required tender formalities during 2018, 2019 &
2020. In case of local purchase, please intimate the items and intimate whether
those come within the financial power of the divisional head. Please intimate
the number of cases of splitting of bills in case of one work to bring the
amount within the financial powers.
(v)
Please intimate whether the Circle I.F.A approves
all such local purchases. Please intimate the purchases are made through Gem
portal or directly from the open market.
In case of any objection raised by Circle IFA, the copy of the
objection/note may be supplied.
(vi)
Please intimate whether the inspecting officers
like DPS, PMG, Chief PMG etc have verified such purchases during their
inspection and if so, what was the result? The number of times, they verified
the local purchase made by the divisional head may please be intimated.
(vii)
Please intimate the total number of post offices
in your division brought under project Arrow and full modernisation and the
purchases made for the purpose which are noted in the stock register of the
divisional office. The copy of the extract of the stock register may please be
intimated.
(viii)
Whether any amount was spent to beautify the
post offices so far. Please furnish each item wise expenditure on all the post
offices.
(ix) Please intimate whether any amount was spent for inauguration/opening ceremony of any official functions during those years. Please send details office wise.
4.
I state that the information sought does not
fall within the restriction contained in section of act and to the best of my
knowledge it pertains your office.
5. A fee of Rs. 10/- (Ten only) has been credited at ………….. P.O vide receipt No. ………. dt. ……………...
Place : Signature
of the Applicant
Dated :
An ordinary Postal worker, born in a village Krishnarayapuram in the erstwhile Trichy District and now under Karur district. Elevated to the highest echelon of the Union as the General Secretary of the All India Postal Employees Union, Group C Central Headquarters at New Delhi and the Leader Staff Side of the Departmental Council JCM. 
This article useful for all including layman sir
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your comments
DeleteVery useful information
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