Bihar shows the way in RTI
Helpline Will Empower People, Bring Accountability
Arun Kumar Das | TNN

New Delhi: Bihar's black marks can take a back seat for now. It is now a
shining example to other states as it becomes the first state to introduce a
helpline service for RTI applicants.

    Now, instead of writing an application for seeking information under the
RTI Act and submitting it to concerned departments, all one has to do is
dial a number where an attendant processes the request and sends an
application to the concerned official. A duplicate copy is forwarded to the
district magistrate through email followed by a fax message. A copy of the
application will be delivered at the caller's address within three days.
Plus, the caller will be given a special number for follow-up action, says A
Subhani, secretary, personnel, Bihar. A Rs 10 RTI application fee will be
added to the telephone call charge. This helpline will be launched in
coordination with an NGO, Parivartan.

    Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says, ''The RTI helpline will be launched to
empower people and bring transparency as well as accountability in the
administration. It will be operational from Monday and all necessary
arrangements are being completed.'' The CM adds, ''It was found that though
many people wanted to file RTI applications, they weren't able to do so due
to the technicalities involved. While in some cases, officials were found
unavailable, some offices were located in far away places. But the new call
centre service will save the common man from the nitty-gritty problems of
RTI application. It's the responsibility of the call centre to redress the
grievance.''

    Asked if launching this helpline would open a Pandora's Box in a
problematic state like Bihar, the CM says, ''People have a right to know
about the fate of ongoing projects, reasons for delay, amount spent, status
of loan applications, etc. Besides, empowering the people, I hope the
helpline acts as a deterrent against corruption.'' The job has been
outsourced to a call centre called Jankari which is provided with 12
parallel lines. ''The decision to outsource the job was a conscious one.
This way, there'll be no interference while receiving applications,'' says
Chanchal Kumar, special secretary to the CM. He is monitoring the helpline
service.


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