HumJanenge News Network
HumJanenge RTI MAILING LIST

RTI Activist late Kewal Semlani started the RTI e-group Mahadhikar in 2003.
RTI Activist late Prakash Kardaley started the RTI e-group HumJanenge in 2004.
RTI Activist Er. Sarbajit Roy started the RTI e-group RTI India in 2005 with the backing of HumJanenge members.

On expiry of Prakash Kardaley, Hum Janenge group moderators elect Rahul Mangaonkar to be lead moderator.
After expiry of Rahul Mangaonkar in May 2009, Hum Janenge is plagued by technical difficulties. Many members find themselves unable to post to the group and posts get delayed for weeks due to Yahoo's server problems. It is widely speculated that Yahoogroups may be cutting back on services.
In 2010 many HumJanenge members opt for the alternative Googlegroups mailinglist platform.

--- In HumJanenge@yahoogroups.co.in, "Rahul Mangaonkar" wrote:

Delhi has double standards on Narmada

- By Rahul Mangaonkar, Times of India, Ahmedabad, 15.05.2006

Information sought on the Sardar Sarovar dam, albeit from different quarters, has elicited starkly varying responses from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The haste with which questions raised by National Campaign for Peoples' Right to Information (NCPRI), in support of Narmada Bachao Andolan, were answered, in contrast to the apparent disinterest in replying to questions raised by me, is a pointer to the Centre's biased approach.

NCPRI had sought information from the PMO on April 12 and a reply was demanded within 48 hours as they feared for the lives of those on hunger strike over the Narmada dam height. On April 13, the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) forwarded the request to the ministry of water resources. After 48 hours, NCPRI lodged a complaint with Central Information Commission (CIC), which held a hearing on April 19. With the ministry of water resources having sent information prior to that, the CIC, on the day of the hearing, had only to complete the formalities.

So effectively, in seven days flat, the ministry concerned and the CIC, moved with alacrity over an issue which would have normally taken approximately 105 days. That the co-signatory to the NCPRI request to the PMO was Aruna Roy, member of National Advisory Council, is another point to note.

I had sent the questions to the PMO on April 14, asking the Central government about action taken by it on the same issue. Information was sought within 48 hours as people in four states stand to benefit from the construction of the dam.

CPIO of the PMO forwarded my request to the Cabinet secretariat, ministry of water resources and ministry of home affairs on April 19. A rather late reaction compared to what happened in the case of NCPRI. With no reply in 48 hours (as required under section 7.1 of RTI Act), on April 18, I complained to the CIC and prayed for a hearing along with NCPRI on April 19. Still no reply. I again complained on April 20 following which the Central Chief Information Commissioner (CCIC) replied on April 22 stating, "This e-mail has been seen today and will be examined by the registrar of the CIC forthwith".

From that day till date, no further communication has been received from the person who is supposed to be the custodian of the RTI Act.

He is the same person who chose to become a flag bearer for those on hunger strike against the dam's height and the question of rehabilitation. Of course, the ministry of water resources chose to forward my request to Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Gujarat and its chairman P K Laheri replied.So while in Delhi, it is possible to get information within seven days, a common citizen of Gujarat has to toil away on an issue that actually concerns his life.

Delhi's double standards on Narmada once again stand out because while refusing to answer difficult or embarrassing questions, the ministry of home affairs takes pains to clarify that NBA has not applied for permission and is also not getting foreign funds.