Call it as you like - the new freedom for citizens or the guardian of transparency. It is almost a year now since the Right to information Act came into force on Oct.12th 2005 last, Nagaland hopes to stand firm and pursue the course like ~ few other states that have had been massively creative and persistently exploiting with regard to the effectual implementation of the powerful RTI tool.
To know is not enough but to use what you know matters. We now have the power; we only need to use it .It is simple to use, and the benefits are immense. A simple yet powerful example of the use of RTI is a tribal villager applied for a new ration card. He was told he would have to give bribe of Rs.2000 to obtain it. A friend,- an RTI ¬empowered citizen smiled and just went ahead and applied for the ration card without meeting the demand. His neighbours warned him he would never get his ration card. They also told him how he would now have to keep visiting the rationing office. Some well-meaning friends praised him for being courage. They suggested he should approach some NGOs to take up the case. He had become an enforcer of good governance.
Some weeks later he applied, for information under the RTI. Using the simple format with an application fee of Rs.1 0, he delivered it to the public information officer of the food and supply office. He had asked up to which date applications for ration card has been cleared and the daily progress report of his application. This shook the officials, since they would have to acknowledge in writing that they had given ration cards to others who had applied after him, which would be conclusive evidence that they had no justification for delaying his card. Happy ending: ration card was given to him immediately. No bribes, no endless visit. Our citizen was able to use the might of the Right to information.
The Right to information Act was fuelled by the energy of -poor and vulnerable people who created a movement out of their desperation for good governance .It was intent of creating accountability and putting power where it belongs-in the hands of the people.
The Act is a landmark, a major step forward in the march, so far as the progress of democracy is concerned. Democracy revolves round the basic idea of citizens being at the centre of the governance: rule of the people. In a democracy, people, not governments are supreme. The general public will now have access to information on all government initiative and programmes. The Act ensures that any matter of public importance and welfare must be made public. There will be lesser room for manipulation and the govt departments will have no choice but to comply with the provisions of the Act or else they will be subject to action as per the law. The Govt is the agent of the public so they must be responsible for their conduct, there can be secrets but only few. The Right to information will go a long way in promoting transparency and accountability in government programmes.
Last very fortnight, a gentleman (civil service aspirant) at a bus stop asked me if I read the editorial column that appeared in one of our local esteemed dailies. Then he expressed undue pessimistic advances towards the prospect of RTI Act in Nagaland pointing out that Naga people are more unlikely to show inclination to such issues. Further incorporating said that- ‘’While NGOs are busy collaboratively working with Govt agencies in their respective sectors (HIV, Peace, unemployment, etc), never would they at any cost take the slightest of chance welcoming this vibes of hostility (?) to develop between the two (Govt & NGO), and moreover the former doesn’t appear too keen to boost up those but few who are tirelessly trying to work on it’. We reached the next stop over and the gentleman confidently smiled and moved out.
I regretted for not having to convince him telling that RTI Act is here and for good but its how you constructively take whatever the critic may well be experimenting you & all of us. God forbid I fear this -wanna-be bureaucrat tribal gentleman might be giving sermons “to dozen of-unfamiliar persons by now. Candidly speaking, such actions could imprint in the mindset of many simple ordinary folks and misleading. To sound a little madness winding up... Cola war-like situation is not a far cry -IF- the propagation prolongs.. .and interestingly our many unreasonable people certainly grab yet another free polling finding (NPF ‘or Congress, Broiler or local, BSNL or Aircel, and now Govt or NGO?) as to which party he/she stands and desert the other. God Save the Queen. Be yourself. All are born unique, so why go….. Wind blows!
Undeniably, the challenges lie aplenty. And especially the bigger task lingers a great deal in educating the masses. Imagine how challenging it is to compromise our society where people mostly go for the regular widespread common concept but not often in a lot find who rationally or sensibly analyze matters himself/herself, sad but true. Very honest telling, I always kept sheer optimism like any other RTI-mindful citizen that this Act will serve a meaningful purpose and still I am holding to that believe. And today, my sincere prayer whispers gently like this- Lord, let not this Act be recognized by our citizens as the killer terror thing we all were alarmed and panicked once (with the advent of my hype) but a potential societal transforming friendly instrument rather.
Apparently though, largely it hasn’t so far operational to optimal yet in stirriI1g to the supposedly calculated degree as everyone’s wisdom sense it initially. At this juncture, no matter what I must humbly say it is always wiser to generate a progressing pace to get the momentum going to help persons in dire circumstances enabling them to realize the power that carries within and see beyond the horizon...” where Justice triumph, Truth is mightier, and Freedom air is breathe and Corruption shy away.
Today, with so much instability and corruption rampant all over, the individual citizen is increasingly called upon to shoulder the responsibility of taking due action. “This is my right, right given by God to live a free life, to live in freedom... “ goes the song lyrics of Beatles fame Sir Paul Mc Cartney while singing in one fund raising gig for 9/11 victims..
W. Ren James Kikon
Social Activist, a Concerned Citizen Chumukedima.
Email: renjames2002@yahoo.co.in
