After debating for over one-and-a-half hour, 10-odd right to information (RTI) activists took up issues discussed with information commissioners. "I think we should keep non-compliance of the state information commission's (SIC) order at the top of the list. It is a crucial matter and needs to be taken up on a priority basis," said Shailesh Gandhi, former central information commissioner.
On August 16 and September 20, a group of RTI activists gathered at Shailesh Gandhi's home for what is called, the RTI Samvad. A recent phenomenon, this group meets to discuss everything and anything concerning the RTI Act.
"The idea was to start a dialogue and to understand various aspects of the law. We felt that instead of one RTI activist taking one position and another a different one, we should have a dialogue about it first. Many times there are debates but no dialogues. It does not mean that we agree with it. There can be differing views. The idea is to discuss and keep an open mind and learn to take things forward," said Gandhi.
The idea was nurtured with the desire to understand the RTI Act and those laws that aid it. "No one really knows the law (enough). We hear various views and have a dialogue on them. It is done with a hope that maybe we will come to a common understanding of the law. There are times when there is a difference between what law says and what people think it should be. But, what the law actually means and the reasons why it does so is hardly discussed. The idea is to understand this," added Gandhi.
During discussion of these laws, new impediments that are being created in the implementation of the law are also brought into focus. One of these, as pointed out by RTI activist Mahendra Dharod in the meeting, was public information officers asking the applicants to come and inspect documents.
"Even when inspection is not sought, recently this is one of the most common means through which information is been denied to an applicant. They do not even keep the index ready," said Dharod. On the above issue, the activists gathered agreed and decided to oppose it by taking it up with the commissioners.
While educating activists is one thing, thought is also given on how to work out a problem by addressing it in a different way. How to improve the quality of answers given by the public information officers is one such issue.
"We are thinking of awarding PIOs with best practices so that they stand out among the rest. Conducting seminars for them could also be helpful," said Narayan Varma, another activist who was present at the meet.
"It is a far-fetched thought, but may be one day we will invites officials to join us too. It will just help us see their point of view. It will also create more opinions and understanding of the law through proper discussion," said Gandhi.
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