How RTE or RTI can be delivered where government not functioning
This interview is like putting question to Muhammed bin Tughlaq.
S D Sharma
.
On Oct 7, 2:28 pm, Raminder Singh <ramisingh....@gmail.com> wrote:
> *In a recent interview to the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies,
> India's former Chief Information Ombudsman opines that Freedom of
> Information prevents Maoism from erupting.
> *http://www.eurasiareview.com/201010058746/right-information-by-right-...
>
> "As India grapples with the Naxal menace in Left Wing Extremism affected
> states with no concrete long-term solution in sight for now, the CIC
> suggests simple measures using the RTI which may prevent further outbreak of
> the problem.
>
> *Medha Chaturvedi: What is the genesis of RTI in terms of being utilized in
> Naxal affected areas in the Eastern Tribal Corridor?*
> Wajahat Habibullah: At the time when the Naxal uprising first appeared in
> India in Naxalbari, another revolution was taking shape in Rajasthan, that
> of demand for Right to Information. In both places, the dispossessed
> excluded population was demanding the right to ask questions from the
> authority and equality and parity. However, one group took to arms, while
> the other pursued the RTI for the same demands.
>
> *MC: Can effective implementation of RTI reverse the trend of violence in
> the tribal hinterlands which are the worst affected by Left Wing Extremism?
> *WH: RTI can be an effective tool only as long as it is utilized before the
> violence starts. Once a trend of violence is set, it cannot be used to
> reverse the cycle. It is only a preventive and not a corrective measure. If
> used properly, it can be effective in the tribal heartlands of India, which
> are taken over by the Naxals at present.
>
> *MC: Has the failure of proper implementation of Panchayat Extension to
> Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 proved to be an element in increasing
> tribal anger towards the government?
> *WH: The tribals have been displaced, marginalized and victimized. It is
> critical to put PESA to proper use now. It has not been effectively utilized
> so far as it has not been able to bring much voice to the tribals. It must
> be given an opportunity and means to empower the tribals.
>
> *MC: Has the government been able to reach out to the vulnerable tribal
> population through the RTI?*
> WH: Government and administration have been oppressive since the British
> expropriated tribal and government areas. Now, with RTI, they have an
> opportunity to be heard. The tribals of India have suffered exploitation for
> far too long. Now, growth of education has allowed them to project what they
> have been denied. The redressal mechanism could include RTI as the
> initiating point. Unfortunately, so far the RTI has not been able to be
> properly implemented in the affected states.
>
> *MC: Which state has benefited the maximum from proper implementation of
> RTI? Which states show the worst implementation of the RTI?
> *WH: Except Andhra Pradesh, all Naxal affected states have the worst
> implementation record of RTI. This is the reason why Andhra Pradesh is now
> the state which is least affected by violence despite being the state where
> the genesis of the problem emerged with the Telangana uprising.
> Andhra Pradesh has had very effective implementation of both Panchayati Raj
> and RTI. YS Rajasekhara Reddy was himself a big propagator of the RTI. He
> had said that the RTI Act was a big part of his success as it allowed him to
> reach out to the rural areas of the state and Telangana.
>
> *MC: RTI pendency has been steadily going up over the years. How far will it
> prove to be effective, even if implemented properly, in tribal areas when
> the pendency in areas with educated and aware problems is so high?
> *WH: RTI implementation position is much better. Statistically speaking,
> the pendency numbers have gone up - about three years ago, pending
> applications stood at 10,000. Now, they are 14,000. However, three years
> ago, total applications settled were 22,000; the number now stands at
> 65,000. So, in that context, while pendency has gone up, so has the number
> of people using the RTI.
>
> *MC: How can RTI result in a decline in violence?*
> WH: The expectation of people to get a reply for their grievances and making
> the system accountable has risen. This tendency will give way to a decline
> in overall violence. People may get agitated, frustrated or more demanding,
> but will not take to violence. It gives some sense of responsibility and
> accountability.
>
> *MC: How can the awareness about RTI spread in the interiors of Naxal
> affected areas where accessibility is still a huge problem for authorities?
> *WH: Spreading of awareness about RTI in tribal areas can be done through
> various NGOs working with the Naxals in the areas as they have better
> accessibility among the population rather than the authorities. Allow the
> civil society to function properly in these areas. Tribals are not even
> aware of the RTI as of now, let the NGOs and other agents of civil society
> spread the awareness about what can be done with the help of RTI as an
> alternate to taking up arms.
>
> *MC: Can RTI prove to be a tool for reforming the existing Naxal cadres?*
> WH: I don't know if the RTI can prove to be an effective tool in reforming
> existing Naxal cadres. It can definitely be used to wean away their support
> base in the tribal belts. Right to Education, Whistleblowers' Act etc, all
> go hand in hand.
>
> *MC: Has the media been playing a responsible role in the spreading of
> awareness about the RTI in Naxal areas? What else can they do?
> *WH: Visual media is playing a role in the spread of awareness about RTI.
> Doordarshan has given coverage in collaboration with the respective state
> governments to promote community television or education through community
> televisions and computerization through NREGA (already in place) by putting
> up computer systems in rural areas. Furthermore, the PDS system needs to be
> strengthened and visual media's support can be sought for that.
>
> *MC: Can the corrupt practices in Indian politics and bureaucracy be
> reformed towards changing the pattern of uneducated vulnerable tribal
> population being targeted by the Naxals for support?
> *WH: Taken with RTE, if the RTI is promoted successfully in rural and tribal
> areas, it will help engender a demand for awareness. Political demand for
> the same will automatically follow if the masses demand for it. Effective
> utilization of RTI will also have a remedial effect on corruption in the
> Indian political and bureaucratic system; it will not eliminate it, but can
> be used for imposing restraint "
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