The Hindu carries story on UFRTI Campaign-AP's letter to the Hon'ble Governor, Andhra Pradesh

Today's The Hindu

 

Copy of letter writtent by UFRTI Campaign Andhra Pradesh to Hon'Ble Governor, Andhra Pradesh

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hfflHwcyaDXx-8YR4H8ar8tJs2J3ONJf/view?usp=drive_link

Report on the Functioning of the AP Information Commission Submitted to the Governor

Report on the Functioning of the AP Information Commission Submitted to the Governor

The State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) has submitted a detailed report to the Governor on the functioning of the Andhra Pradesh Information Commission (APIC). You can access the full report through the link below.

It is important to note that APIC commissioners are currently refusing to sign the attendance register. This refusal stems from an order passed by the SCIC, which requires commissioners to comply with attendance rules. The SCIC has also halted the salaries of commissioners who have failed to comply, resulting in an impasse.

In light of this situation, the SCIC has submitted the report to the Governor, outlining the ongoing issues and the steps being taken to ensure accountability and efficiency within the commission.

[Access the Report Here]


 

Urgent Call for Accountability: United Forum for RTI Appeals to APIC for Improved Functioning

 Dear Chief Commissioner and Commissioners,

We hope this email finds you well. Please find attached a formal letter from the United Forum for RTI Campaign-AP, raising critical concerns about the current functioning of the Andhra Pradesh Information Commission (APIC).

The letter highlights urgent issues, including non-compliance with attendance protocols, the growing backlog of RTI cases. We are also requesting a public meeting with RTI activists on the occasion of RTI Day (12th October 2024), either in person or online, to foster dialogue and explore potential improvements.

We kindly request your immediate attention to these matters to ensure the Commission’s efficient functioning and public trust.

Looking forward to your response.

Sincerely,  
Chakradhar Budda & Emmanuel Dasari  
State Co-Conveners, United Forum for RTI Campaign - AP 

http://ufrti.blogspot.com/

NCPRI writes to PM and Leader of opposition on issues of Transperency

NCPRI Letter 

T-220, K-1, Savitri Nagar, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi- 110017

ncpri.india@gmail.com, 9810273984

 

July 11, 2024

To,

Mr. Narendra Modi

Prime Minister &

Chairperson of the Selection Committee set up under Section 12(3) of the RTI Act, 2005

 

Mr. Rahul Gandhi,

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha &

Member of the Selection Committee set up under Section 12(3) of the RTI Act, 2005

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Modi and Mr. Gandhi,

 

Subject: Regarding appointment of information commissioners in the Central Information Commission

 

The National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information (NCPRI) is extremely concerned to note that the Central Information Commission (CIC) is functioning with only the Chief Information Commissioner and two information commissioners. Eight posts of information commissioners are lying vacant, even as the backlog of appeals/complaints currently stands at nearly 23,000 and is steadily increasing.

 

The RTI law is one of the most empowering legislations for the citizens of the country. It is used extensively by people, especially the poor and marginalized, to access information about their rights. Under the RTI Act, information commissions are the final appellate authority and are mandated to safeguard and ensure the practical realisation of people’s fundamental right to information. In its February 2019 judgment[1], the Supreme Court observed that to ensure effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, it is imperative to have properly functioning information commissions with adequate number of commissioners in accordance with the workload. The Court had directed the Central and State Governments to ensure timely and transparent appointment of information commissioners.

 

It is extremely worrying that for several months the Central Information Commission has been functioning at a reduced capacity. The concomitant increase in backlog of cases has led to people having to wait for a long time for disposal of their appeals/complaints. This negates the very purpose of the RTI Act, which is to ensure time-bound access to information.

 

Recently, in October 2023, while hearing an application regarding vacancies in information commissions, the Supreme Court noted[2] that “the State governments by failing to fill up the vacancies are ensuring that the right to information which is recognized under an Act of Parliament becomes a dead letter.” The Court directed “all States and the Union government to immediately take steps for filling up the vacancies in the posts of Information Commissioners in the SICs and CIC respectively”.

 

We urge you to ensure that the vacancies in the Central Information Commission are filled immediately by appointing information commissioners. Further, it must be ensured that the appointments are made in a transparent manner as per the directions given by the Supreme Court in its February 2019 judgment.

 

Thank you,

List of signatories on behalf of NCPRI:

 

 

 

---

[1] Judgment dated February 15, 2019 in WP(C) 436 of 2018 (Anjali Bhardwaj and Ors. Vs. Union of India and Ors.) - https://www.snsindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Judgment.pdf

[2] Order dated October 30, 2023 in MA No.1979/2019 in W.P.(C) No.436/2018 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQ0pzLsWYTAQUNpgD17AuBfOT3wSuU-w/view?usp=sharing

Letter to Hon'Ble Governor

 

To:

Sri S. Abdul Nazeer

Hon’Ble Governor of Andhra Pradesh

Raj Bhavan

Vijayawada

Dear Sir,

Sub: Request for Action on Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in the State Information Commission

Ref-Compliance Report on CCTVs installation in AP Information commission (Annexure 1) and Compliance Report on attendance system (Annexure 2)..

We, the representatives of the United Forum for RTI Campaign-AP (UFRTI-AP), extend our greetings and introduce our organization. Dedicated to promoting the Right to Information Act and advocating for transparency in Andhra Pradesh, we appreciate the recent efforts made by the Chief Information Commissioner(CIC) of the State Information Commission to enhance transparency and accountability.

We commend the installation of CCTV cameras in the Commissioners' chambers and the surrounding premises, as well as the streamlining of hearing timings. These measures significantly contribute to transparency and efficiency, allowing citizens better access to justice through the commission. They represent crucial milestones in building trust and confidence in the commission's operations.

However, we express our concern over certain commissioners denying the installation of CCTVs in their chambers, thereby obstructing the recording of proceedings, and opposing the implementation of the new attendance system. Additionally, few commissioners are not delivering orders in Telugu as mandated by the CIC. Such non-compliance undermines the principles of transparency and accountability that the commission is entrusted to uphold. We firmly protest against such opposition, as these measures are essential for promoting transparency and accountability within the commission.

In this context, we respectfully request your guidance on the following recommendations:

1. Direct all commissioners to install CCTVs in their chambers to record all appeals and complaints, ensuring transparency and providing citizens with access to a comprehensive record of proceedings.(Office Order Rc. No: 19180/APIC/Esstt./2022, dated: 15.12.2022)

2. Direct all commissioners to comply with the orders of the CIC in recording attendance of staff members, thereby streamlining the timings of hearings to reduce inconvenience for citizens, enabling them to participate more conveniently(Office Order Rc. No: 19180/APIC/Esstt./2022, dated: 27.12.2022).

3. Direct commissioners not to undertake district tours, as these tours burden the commission financially without yielding significant benefits for RTI complainants. Instead, encourage the commission to prioritize online hearings, allowing participants to attend from anywhere in the state, reducing costs, and improving accessibility and efficiency.

4. Direct the commissioners to comply with the CIC's directive requiring the delivery of proceedings in Telugu, as mandated.(Office Order Rc. No: 19180/APIC/Esstt./2022, dated: 22.11.2022)

We earnestly request your attention to our concerns and urge you to take necessary measures to enhance transparency and accountability in governance. By doing so, Andhra Pradesh can serve as a beacon for other states in the country, setting a positive example for them to emulate.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Regards,

Emmanuel Dasari Chakradhar Buddha

Co-Convener Co-Convener

Ph-90599 90345 Ph-92465 22344

Copy to:

-Sri RM Basha, Chief Information commissioner, APIC

-Sri K.Praveen Kumar IAS, Special C.S(GPM&AR), General Administration Department

Annexure 1:

Compliance report on CCTVs Installation

Annexure 2:

Compliance report on attendance system

Universalise PDS in Tribal areas

 Universalise PDS in Tribal areas

To 13 May, 2021

Mr. Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy

Hon’ble Chief Minister

Andhra Pradesh

Dear Sir,

Sub-Exclusions in PDS in tribal areas, recommendations.. Regd..

We introduce ourselves as representatives of “United Forum for RTI Campaign- AP (UFRTI-AP)”. We

are a confederation of civil society organizations and individuals working on matters relating to the

Right to Information Act and transparency in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The clampdown of economic activities in 2020 during the pandemic lead to the loss of livelihood of

thousands across the country. Vulnerable communities were particularly affected, with many facing

loss of income, and food insecurity. In this context, relief measures announced by the central and state

governments proved to be life-saving for many. In 2021, with the second wave of COVID-19 hitting

even harder, once again thousands face insecurity and precarity for a prolonged period of time. The

state has announced some welcome measures, including enhancement of entitlements along with

door-to-door delivery of rations, but a few crucial shortcomings must be pointed 0ut.

Andhra Pradesh has a considerable tribal population (5 million, 2011 census), and they are primarily

located in the 35 Scheduled mandals spread across different districts of the state. These areas are also

home to the PVTGs, some of the most vulnerable groups in the country. The pandemic exacerbated

their vulnerability, leaving many dependent entirely on the state for providing essentials like rations.

In this context, the importance of the PDS cannot be overstated, and it is crucial to ensure that no

tribal family is excluded.

While the AP government has certainly taken welcome steps in increasing coverage of PDS, we would

like to draw attention to certain crucial exclusions in PDS coverage in the tribal areas. Information

acquired using RTI, field observations, and secondary data revealed the following

- Number of tribal families are without ration cards

- Reduction in the number of ration cards in agency areas in the last one year. (About 8,500)

- Number of tribal families losing out their ration cards due to a faulty 6 step verification

process, which offers a complicated system for redressal.

Rectifying wrongful exclusion is a difficult, technical, and expensive process. Resolution often

requires the rightsholder to travel to the block/district headquarters and engage with the technical

and confusing bureaucracy. The vulnerable and marginalised tribes may need to cross rivers and

forests, travel many kilometres, and spend their own money to correct the errors for which they are

not responsible. The burden of proving ineligibility must lie on the state, and not the other way round.

In this light, we make the following recommendations.

1. PDS must be made universal. Targeted PDS will always lead to exclusion errors, and often

disproportionately high exclusions for those who might need it the most. Universalising PDS

for the duration of the pandemic, and especially in Scheduled mandals, is most important.

2. Aadhaar must be removed as a compulsory identification document for all ration processes,

including applying, verifying, and biometric authentication while distributing rations. Not

only is the Aadhaar centre often very far, fixing mistakes in Aadhaar cards is a long and

complicated process. For instance, the Jharkhand government suspended mandatory

Biometric authentication, for ration withdrawal till 31st May in the wake of Covid spread.

3. Grievance Redressal/correction process for mistaken exclusions is difficult and not

tribal-friendly. It must be redesigned, and located entirely at ITDA level.

4. The subsidised/free ration should be diversified. Adding pulses will be a very important step

towards ensuring better nutrition of vulnerable families, who often engage in physically

strenuous labour.

5. There is much strain on distribution and collecting of rations, especially for remote areas that

have low and negligible connectivity. Distributors and ration beneficiaries both have to travel

long and difficult routes to collect ration every month. Releasing rations for multiple months

at once would help in decreasing the burden on the state and the beneficiaries both.

Vaccination:

Many tribals are running the risk of missing Covid vaccine as Aadhar is made mandatory for

vaccination. We recommend the state government to follow the Odisha example and accept any ID

issued by the governments and incase of people without any other ID, arrangements should be made

for issuing IDs.

Regards,

Chakradhar Buddha Emmanuel Dasari

(Co-Convenor, UFRTI-AP) (Co-Convenor, UFRTI-AP)