A True RTI Activist

[ganpat1956]

Posted by JEEVA in the Chennai Edition of The New Indian Express(Feb.28,2008)

R L Saravanan (37), a resident of Pattabiram, is an RTI activist in the real sense of the word.

An advocate at the Madras High Court, he has filed around 250 applications under the Right To Information (RTI) Act in various departments over the last nine months to spur officials into action. On an average, Saravanan filed at least one RTI application a day for both professional and social causes.

His first RTI application was made for a ‘process report’ to the office of the tahsildar at Poonamallee to get a patta for his client since some of the employees had demanded a bribe to do so. The application made the officials panic and they issued the patta the same day.

“I realised the power of the law only then. Now, submitting applications under the RTI Act has become a part of my routine. I used the law for several purposes like getting ration cards, passports, FIR copies and field maps,” Saravanan said.

In fact, the lawyer discovered the illegal sale of land belonging to a client carried out 13 years ago. His RTI application for a copy of the sale document with the Revenue Department helped deliver justice for his client. Another case involved officials of the Revenue Department who demanded a bribe of Rs 3,000 to provide a copy of the field map of a plot of land. However, his RTI application set things right when officials personally handed over the map the next day.

As a member of Thandurai-Pattabiram Consumer Council, Saravanan also filed many applications under the RTI Act with the municipalities of Ambattur and Avadi, inspected road works and examined official documents.

“It takes me only half an hour every day and a court fee of Rs 10 for every application. We need not even do it in person since we can send the applications by post,” the lawyer pointed out. Though the RTI Act is primarily meant to obtain information from the government, the applications can help get some work done, in most cases. Since officials usually give vague replies, one must take utmost care while forming the questionnaire, he noted.

“Almost 80 per cent of my RTI applications have been successful without filing an appeal,” Saravanan said. In fact, his familiarity with the RTI Act has turned this activist into a consultant since several people approach him for guidance on how to file such applications.

However, his RTI activism has also made Saravanan vulnerable to threats from a range of officials, starting from councillors to MLAS and MPs to withdraw his applications.
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( Incidentally, Shri Saravanan, is also an active member of our portal)

[The Great]

Dear Sir, may I hereby request Mr.Saravanan to find some time & write some of his success stories.In deed he is doing a great job. If we hear from him it will be highly benefical for us. Personally, I have filed some one dozen only but it is all successful.

[rlsaravanan]

Thank you folks for replicating an article on me in Indian Express of Chennai edition on 28-02-2008.

I have receiving dozens of calls from general public (after getting my No. from Indian express office) and the reporter Mr.Jeeva has told me that they have recieved a large number of mails enquiring my tel and address.

we are planning for a RTI column in IE.

ya friends being an advocate I find little time to get in to portal and seeing your enthu and response I would re-dedicate to come in more times and to have wonderful sharing with you. I have planned to give my series of success stories at least one in a week. expect them soon.

with warm regards

R.L.SARAVANAN
ADVOCATE

[kushal]

Thank You R.L. Sarvanan,
We would be delighted to read your work. Kindly post your work at the Blogs, so that we all may view them.
Regards,

[sngupta]

Any one working for RTI is working for act of GOD. Mr. R.L. Sarvanan I want to congratulate for your success in getting the country transparent and accountable.

[aarganesh]

WOW this is a real great encouragement for me. I like in T.M.Voyal which is around 7 Kms from Pattabiram, I'll get in touch with him for any RTI activities. As the roads are shattered to pieces NH205 in T.M.Voyal creating hell a lot of traffic jams almost 5 days a week, I want to file an RTI for this. Being my first RTI application, I'll contact Mr.Saravanan to obtain some help. Thanks again.

[karira]

aarganesh,

For condition of roads , you might be interested in having a look at the draft RTI application in this thread:

Roads in Malkapur Town (Buldhana District)

[wagh7]

rlsaravanan sir,

Conratulations.

rakatkam.

[jps50]

Mr. Saravanan,
Congrats for your activities and we shall be glad to read details of your efforts. This will be of help to us and we can use such details. Pl put the success stories on your blogs.

[Bipin]

Originally Posted by ganpat1956

Posted by JEEVA in the Chennai Edition of The New Indian Express(Feb.28,2008)

R L Saravanan (37), a resident of Pattabiram, is an RTI activist in the real sense of the word.

An advocate at the Madras High Court, he has filed around 250 applications under the Right To Information (RTI) Act in various departments over the last nine months to spur officials into action. On an average, Saravanan filed at least one RTI application a day for both professional and social causes.

His first RTI application was made for a ‘process report’ to the office of the tahsildar at Poonamallee to get a patta for his client since some of the employees had demanded a bribe to do so. The application made the officials panic and they issued the patta the same day.

“I realised the power of the law only then. Now, submitting applications under the RTI Act has become a part of my routine. I used the law for several purposes like getting ration cards, passports, FIR copies and field maps,” Saravanan said.

In fact, the lawyer discovered the illegal sale of land belonging to a client carried out 13 years ago. His RTI application for a copy of the sale document with the Revenue Department helped deliver justice for his client. Another case involved officials of the Revenue Department who demanded a bribe of Rs 3,000 to provide a copy of the field map of a plot of land. However, his RTI application set things right when officials personally handed over the map the next day.

As a member of Thandurai-Pattabiram Consumer Council, Saravanan also filed many applications under the RTI Act with the municipalities of Ambattur and Avadi, inspected road works and examined official documents.

“It takes me only half an hour every day and a court fee of Rs 10 for every application. We need not even do it in person since we can send the applications by post,” the lawyer pointed out. Though the RTI Act is primarily meant to obtain information from the government, the applications can help get some work done, in most cases. Since officials usually give vague replies, one must take utmost care while forming the questionnaire, he noted.

“Almost 80 per cent of my RTI applications have been successful without filing an appeal,” Saravanan said. In fact, his familiarity with the RTI Act has turned this activist into a consultant since several people approach him for guidance on how to file such applications.

However, his RTI activism has also made Saravanan vulnerable to threats from a range of officials, starting from councillors to MLAS and MPs to withdraw his applications.
======
( Incidentally, Shri Saravanan, is also an active member of our portal)

Respected Saravananji.

It is a yr great job to doing the best to assisting/helping/suggesting to those people who need support to get their rights.
Sir, Keep it up all the best wishes fm our side

bipin soni

[H C Gupta]

It will be a good encouraging example . it willl be helpfull that all members and users get thie mail ID or contact no to know how to prepare a RTI request and plead .
it will also if he advise in matters .

Good one news .

[shan]

Kudos Sir ,

Goes on to prove the zeal & passion of a TRUE ACTIVIST. No amount of threats & vulnerability can exist if the nation ( aam admi ) , reliase & uses the Act with a difference & not with a casual attitude..