Report on UFRTI Conference

United forum for RTI campaign-AP has organised a conference on issues faced by RTI Applicants in Sarada Library hall, Anakapalle.

Speaking on the occasion Chief guest Sandeep Pandey(Social activist and Ramon Megasasy Awardee)-I express my concern over the state of affairs in the RTI Act implementation in the state of AP. I wish to remind all, that combined AP used to be a pioneering state in RTI Act implementation in the country. AP has leaded the RTI movement on several fronts including investing a lot on building the awareness among people and involving civil society groups in the implementation. But the current scenario looks disheartening and the RTI implementation is limping in the state with AP information commission not being constituted for long time. I question the wisdom of non appointment of chief information commissioner even after a year of setting up information commission and that constitutes to non appointment of information commission at all. In this meeting several applicants and activists complained about attacks and threats and that is very disturbing. The state government should take cognisance of them and take immediate action against officials and others involved. It is very clear that both the state and central governments are hell bent to destroy the act and the only way it can be saved is by collectively building a RTI movement.

EAS Sarma (Retd IAS)-

 Greater participation of women in the RTI movement in the state is necessary and I appeal to civil society groups to make conscious efforts to bring in more women activists in to the RTI fold. RTI is fundamental to democracy and dilution of the act would lead to dictatorship. RTI Applications should be filed to fix systemic issues and help the poor and underprivileged, rather than using them for personal gains.

Chakradhar Buddha(State Co-Convenor, United forum for RTI Campaign)

The appeals and complaints filed with the joint information commission post state bifurcation are still pending and whereabouts of them are unknown. It is also a shame that the appointment of information commissioners is happening in a non transparent way. The activists should take up the mantle of regular monitoring of RTI implementation by utilising provisions of the RTI act. The RTI Activists should learn from the people’s movements on how to use RTI Act provisions for securing the rights of people. The implementation of section 4 of voluntary act which stipultes voluntary disclosure of information is in peril.

I appeal to all the RTI activists and applicants to join national movement to save RTI act called “Use RTI-Demand accountability” initiated by National campaign for people’s right to information.”

PS Ajaykumar(AIRLA), Ganapati Raju, Rajana Bujjibabu and others spoke.

UFRTI Campaign announced the Visakhapatnam district committee which will be in office for the coming 2 years. Rajana Bujjibabu (Munagapaka) took charge as District convenor where as BVV Styanarayna and S.Ramu took oath as Co convenors.

The 10 mandals in the district found place in the district committee.