Usages of RTI in Rural Rajasthan, India - Consumer Unity & Trust ...

• The mindset of officials is in favour of hidingthe information rather then opening updoors for providing informationadequately. In some cases it is because therequested information is not readilyavailable with PIOs and they have to collectit from various sources internally therebydelaying into furnishing the desiredinformation.• There are no disciplinary powers withappellate authorities for enforcing theirorders upon PIOs under the Act.• Physical harassment, abuse, mental torture, intimidation and victimisation by theofficials are very much in vogue at grassroots and PIOs are either denying ordeferring the acceptance of RTI applications.Demand Side• During the project implementation it was evident that there was lack of publicawareness about RTI Act and its filing process, various authorities, provision offee and timeline for obtaining information and going for first and second appeal.There is also lack of handholding of RTI applicants to fight corrupt officials indifferent departments.• In the process of filing the RTI application, certain grievances got redressed. Thisis a positive aspect of RTI though RTI is not a grievance redressal mechanism.Most of the common citizens do not want to go often into first and second appealdue to the long process involved.Problems EncounteredIn some cases it isbecause the requestedinformation is not readilyavailable with PIOs andthey have to collect itfrom various sourcesinternally therebydelaying into furnishingthe desired information.• Most of the service providers either stay away from the discussions on publicplatforms or cooperate partially.• The problem of frequent transfer of bureaucrats and other service providers breaksthe rhythm of project progress, but provides an opportunity to replicate the modelat the new place where the official has been transferred.• Advocacy with government regarding reforming the corrupt process was verydifficult, but the top-down approach of advocacy and involvement of state RuralDevelopment Minister also motivated down the line officials to take some actionsand behave responsibly.• Most of the NGOs are having small budget turnover and heavily depend ongovernment small grants. Therefore, it is difficult to talk against corrupt officialswhom they are dealing with and, as a result, such initiatives are affected.• Completing all the project activities within the given timeline was a bit difficultand such interventions really need three to four years.• Tracking the success of all the RTI applicants was a challenge.48Model Framework for Replication: Usages of RTI in Rural Rajasthan, India