Mumbai: A group of Right To Information (RTI) activists, including former public employees, have written a complaint letter to the director general of Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), Pune. They pointed out that the government institute, which was once known for spreading awareness about the RTI Act, has not been actively conducting training workshops for the past 5-6 years.
Appealing to “restore its lost glory”, the letter further asks the institute for implementing the Department of Personnel (DoPT) scheme which extends an aid of Rs18 lakh for holding several RTI awareness programmes. The events like celebration of the RTI week, publication of guidebooks, training RTI nodal officers are crucial for “improving transparency and accountability in governance”, the letter read.
Reminiscing the “very proud” past of the institute, it further said, “YASHADA is looking ineffective and no effort has been visible for capacity building of government staff.” It complained that no training has been imparted in the recent times on the Maharashtra Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duty Act, 2005, Maharashtra Public Records Act, 2005, and Maharashtra Right to Public Service Act, 2015.
The letter was sent by RTI Katta, an informal Sunday meeting group which came together in 2010. Some of the prominent members are group founder Vijay Kumbhar, veteran RTI activist and Aam Aadmi Party member Shailesh Gandhi, former Central Information Commissioner Mahesh Zagade, former State Principal Secretary, among others.
Commenting on the institute's inactivity, Mr Kumbhar said, “We have not heard anything from the institute even if it conducted anything. If there was a celebration for the RTI Act's anniversary, we were not informed about that as well.”
Similarly, Mr Gandhi said, “There is a growing perception among RTI users that it didn't seem to be doing much lately. YASHADA did a good job on spreading awareness about RTI and training officers to implement the law. The basic idea of writing the letter is that the institute again takes an active role. As of now they seem to be regressing.”
S Chockalingam, director general of Yashada said, "There seems to be clear communication gap with them. It is time for us to sit across the table. We have been doing a lot of activities and do not even wait for the funds to come and use our own in case of shortfall. Most RTI activists are esteemed lecturers in Yashada. If there are changes needed, we will do them. There is nothing perfect. We are about working together (in orientation) and not on the other side. We will make changes wherever needed."
