RTI Filed!

I filed my first ever Right To Information application yesterday.

It's really quite simple and kudos to the Government for literally paving a way through all the bureaucracy to make this process as painless as possible.

My RTI Application was filed to find out why a blanket block has taken place for Blogspot.com, Typepad.com and Geocities.com.

You can find a step by step guide to filing an RTI application (specifically for this ban) here:
http://censorship.wikia.com/wiki/Blogs_and_RTI_Act

I filed my application at the Azad Nagar Post Office in Andheri (W). The only difficulty I had was explaining to the people behind the counter what RTI was. You see, certain Post Offices are designated as APIO (Assistant Public Information Officers), and the Superintendent in each of these offices is well aware of this. However, the common staff may not be.

So if you're going to one of these designated post offices, and the staff is more puzzled than a Polar Bear during Holi, ask to speak to someone in the Superintendent's office.

Once I went to that office, it was a breeze. They're super helpful the moment you mention RTI.

I had to run up and down a bit to locate the postmaster (who was supposed to accept my payment and give me my receipt), but once I had the receipt, I just had to make a copy, and give them the letter.

I had an argument with a friend last night. He felt that although an RTI application should be filed, it's not enough in this case. We need to file some sort of a writ petition or maybe even a PIL. Make it a legal case.

I disagreed. From my *limited* RTI experience so far, I think the fact that this is a highway straight through babudom, it'll work more effectively than our judiciary (which, apart from the Supreme Court and a few High Courts doesn't exactly have the best reputation). Because now the babus can't really hide behind a stack of papers or an ignorant secretary. I ask, and they must answer. And if their answer isn't satisfactory, I can ask again. And again. I can keep creating RTI applications until my printer runs out of ink, and they will have to answer all of them.

My RTI application was to Shri B.B.Bahl. He's in the Dept. of Information Technology. If it hadn't been for RTI, I don't think I would ever have gotten a chance to ask him questions (unless of course I had a resourceful uncle in Dilli- which unfortunately I don't).

I think the ban will cease to exist within the week, it's a mistake in all probability and will be corrected. But the fact is, once my RTI application reaches Shri B.B.Bahl, he'll know that the next time he issues such a directive, he'll ensure nobody, nowhere messes up. Because if they do, he's the one who's going to have to answer those hundreds of RTI applications.

I just hope I get my response soon (within 35 days for sure though). Because then I'd know who to hold accountable and how they messed up.

File an RTI Application today. It's good Karma! :P

Update: People with Good Karma!

• Dina Mehta
• Abhishek Baxi

If you've filed an RTI Application and blogged about it, leave me a comment, will include you in the list.