RTI Act perfect tool for justice to needy

[karira]

As reported in deccan.com on 04 June 2008:
Deccan Chronicle on the web

RTI Act perfect tool for justice to needy

Hyderabad, June 3: The Right to Information Act has helped common petitioners nail several erring officials and government departments in courts in recent months. Earlier, it was difficult for petitioners to get relevant data to prove their case, but the RTI Act has put a perfect weapon in their hands. The High Court has pulled up several officials after the documents submitted by complainants proved their wrongdoing beyond doubt.

In a recent case, a petitioner successfully proved before the court that officials of the panchayat raj department failed to conduct a joint inspection to assess groundwater levels in his village in Krishna district. Though the officials claimed that the joint inspection was already over, the petitioner submitted a letter issued by the groundwater department saying no inspection had been carried out.

Similarly, in another case, records obtained through RTI Act were used to prove that revenue officials provided false information to the court. The judge warned that contempt proceedings would be initiated against the officials if they dared to do so again. Incidentally, the errant behaviour of officials has prompted judges themselves to ask petitioners to obtain the information through the RTI Act. In some cases the court even directed departments concerned to provide information to the petitioner.