I was recently asked by someone for help in filing an RTI application regarding the state of roads in his area.
After writing a lengthy reply I realized that it may be of help to others as well, This blog post is a generalized derivation from that letter.
RTI is a means of asking for existing information, to get the desired results(Road repairs in this case) RTI needs to be used as a part of multistep process.
The process in brief is
Initiating step 3 sends a signal to the authorities that you are in this for the long haul and are preparing for Step 4. So it is a sufficiently motivating factor for them to get the work done.
Only in the case of firmly entrenched bureaucracy or the existence of a Mafia(e.g. BWSSB-Water tanker Mafia, Builder/Land Mafia, Mining Barons etc.) with a lot to loose do we need to move to step 4.
Step 1 Complaint
The first step would be to file a written complaint. This can be done by sending an email to the concerned authority with
The commissioners office is responsive and you will get a reply within a day or two. In case you do not see any action taken within a week or two you can follow up the complaint by getting the neighborhood involved.with a signature campaign or a postcard campaign.
Step 2 Public pressure
Neighborhood involvement can be through signature campaign,postcard campaign, taking the issue up during area sabha meetings, talking to the ward committee member etc.
In a postcard campaign we distribute around 50 to 100 postcards among the residents and ask them to write to the administration about the local issues including the road in question. The postcards can be distributed in the morning and collected from the residents the next day and posted on their behalf to the BBMP commissioner.
If after these two steps you still do not see any action.
Step 3 RTI Application
The above 2 steps would have generated sufficient data at the commissioners office regarding the road, its condition, plans for repairs, funding etc. In this step our goal is to get this information from the BBMP office. So file an RTL Application to the PIO commissioner's office asking for signed and stamped copy of
If you do not receive a response within 1 month or the response is not satisfactory file a first appeal.
If you again do not receive a response within a month file a second appeal.
For the second appeal you are required to provide the following data, so keep track of all documentation and the dates associated with each event during the RTI Process.
See: http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/5042-ensure-good-roads-in-your-neighbourhood-bbmp-needs-proper-maps for an example of RTI used for road works
Step 4 Take action
At the end of step 3 you would have all the data required to understand BBMP's position on the road work. After analyzing this data you can decide on the next steps that can be taken (Press release, Complaint to lokayukta, Filing a PIL, Complaint to higher authorities, Agitation etc.).
Note: If you are taking on entrenched Mafia you may find the authorities reluctant to provide the required information to your RTI, also there may be some danger to your life and limb. In such case breakup the information sought into multiple benign chunks and route each chunk through a different unrelated activist in the same or a different locality.
e.g. the water tanker mafia earns lakhs per month from each midsized apartment complex So a single operator with a few dozens of water tankers is earning in 10's of Lakhs if not Crores per month. Erractic water supply is beneficial for the water tanker operator so there is a change of a nexus forming between him and the vaulveman or other engineers in the water supply department.
After writing a lengthy reply I realized that it may be of help to others as well, This blog post is a generalized derivation from that letter.
RTI is a means of asking for existing information, to get the desired results(Road repairs in this case) RTI needs to be used as a part of multistep process.
The process in brief is
- Inform the Relevant authorities about the need for repairs
- Create public pressure by involving the neighborhood.
- File an RTI to understand what action was taken by the authorities
- Take action against the authorities for non completion of the work as per the standard norms set by their department.
Initiating step 3 sends a signal to the authorities that you are in this for the long haul and are preparing for Step 4. So it is a sufficiently motivating factor for them to get the work done.
Only in the case of firmly entrenched bureaucracy or the existence of a Mafia(e.g. BWSSB-Water tanker Mafia, Builder/Land Mafia, Mining Barons etc.) with a lot to loose do we need to move to step 4.
Step 1 Complaint
The first step would be to file a written complaint. This can be done by sending an email to the concerned authority with
- Photographs of the road informing them about the state of the road and asking them to fix it.
- Location of the road.
- Name, Address and Mobile number of the person raising the complaint (This is used in case the engineer is not able to locate the area and needs directions.
- https://www.facebook.com/
MahadevapuraAC/posts/ 446292148791698 - https://www.facebook.com/manikgoel.s/posts/144528059040390
The commissioners office is responsive and you will get a reply within a day or two. In case you do not see any action taken within a week or two you can follow up the complaint by getting the neighborhood involved.with a signature campaign or a postcard campaign.
Step 2 Public pressure
Neighborhood involvement can be through signature campaign,postcard campaign, taking the issue up during area sabha meetings, talking to the ward committee member etc.
In a postcard campaign we distribute around 50 to 100 postcards among the residents and ask them to write to the administration about the local issues including the road in question. The postcards can be distributed in the morning and collected from the residents the next day and posted on their behalf to the BBMP commissioner.
If after these two steps you still do not see any action.
Step 3 RTI Application
The above 2 steps would have generated sufficient data at the commissioners office regarding the road, its condition, plans for repairs, funding etc. In this step our goal is to get this information from the BBMP office. So file an RTL Application to the PIO commissioner's office asking for signed and stamped copy of
- All correspondence till date in the matter of your complaint, including memos, emails, covering letters for forwarding your complaint etc.
- Logbook or any other book where details of your complaint are entered, marked to specific officers for their investigation and action.
- All their remarks, feedback, reports etc. If the case on your complaint is closed, ask for the closing remarks of the officer concerned.If the case is not closed ask for monthly updates on the above documents until the case is closed.
If you do not receive a response within 1 month or the response is not satisfactory file a first appeal.
If you again do not receive a response within a month file a second appeal.
For the second appeal you are required to provide the following data, so keep track of all documentation and the dates associated with each event during the RTI Process.
| Stage | Document | Proof of dispatch | Proof of receipt by PIO | Response by PIO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTI Application | Copy of RTI and Postal Order | Copy of Postal Tracking number | Acknowledgement slip | Letter received from PIO |
| First Appeal | Copy of Appeal letter | Copy of Postal Tracking number | Acknowledgement slip | Letter received from First Appellate authority |
Step 4 Take action
At the end of step 3 you would have all the data required to understand BBMP's position on the road work. After analyzing this data you can decide on the next steps that can be taken (Press release, Complaint to lokayukta, Filing a PIL, Complaint to higher authorities, Agitation etc.).
Note: If you are taking on entrenched Mafia you may find the authorities reluctant to provide the required information to your RTI, also there may be some danger to your life and limb. In such case breakup the information sought into multiple benign chunks and route each chunk through a different unrelated activist in the same or a different locality.
e.g. the water tanker mafia earns lakhs per month from each midsized apartment complex So a single operator with a few dozens of water tankers is earning in 10's of Lakhs if not Crores per month. Erractic water supply is beneficial for the water tanker operator so there is a change of a nexus forming between him and the vaulveman or other engineers in the water supply department.
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