Hawker uses RTI to fight harassment by cops

[karira]

As reported by Aamir Abdullah on ndtv.com on 6 August 2008:
NDTV.com: Hawker uses RTI to fight harassment by cops

Hawker uses RTI to fight harassment by cops

The Right to Information Act has become one of Delhi's best answers to red-tape and to getting answers that government and other officials are usually reluctant to share.

Now a street hawker who was harassed by the police has used RTI to fight back.

Everyday for 15 years Ganga Sahai parked his cart at the Dhaula Kuan crossing in South Delhi. By selling cold drinks and biscuits he would earn four hundred rupees a month, barely enough to support his family of six which lives in this slum nearby.

In May last year the police suddenly grabbed his cart and told him he couldn't peddle his goods there anymore.

"The Police crossed all the limits ...did not listened to my problem even once. They said that this is a VIP road. If it was a VIP road it's for all the hawkers of that area," said Ganga Sahai.

Ganga decided to use the Right to Information Act to demand an explanation from the Delhi police.

"We got to know about RTI through a friend. He helped us to get the papers done with the help of a lawyer," said Ganga.

Twelve months later Ganga has his explanation. The police defends its action saying that Ganga did not have the required license that street vendors need. But Ganga was able to prove this was wrong and now the police has to find Ganga a new cart and allow him to return to his old corner.

"Why this case is notable is because this person concerned is a resident of a slum, he is illiterate, yet he had heard of the RTI and then sought to use it. Not only that as a result of the RTI he was able to get a hearing with a number of senior police officers," said Wajahat Habibullah, Chief Information Commissioner.

After winning his first battle, Ganga is now waiting for the day when he will again be able to earn a livelihood like before. This is a triumph for not only Ganga but thousands of like him whose voices remain unheard.