from Sanjay Borkar
for Daijiworld Media Network - Margao (GA)

Margao, Oct 17: On the occasion of the second anniversary of the enactment of the Right to Information Act 2005, “Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network” (GOACAN) seeks to address the need for awareness on RTI as well as to ask the Goa to fulfil its duties with respect to the Act.

GOACAN will highlight the demand that the state government print and sell copies of the Act in English and in vernacular languages for an affordable price, Roland Martins, co-coordinator, said in a press note.

Following are the demands by GOACAN:

The government should increase training sessions for its officials in the administration of the RTI Act especially to the village panchayat secretaries and dead clerks of various departments.

The government should publicize the salient features of the Act through advertisements on Hoardings & Cable TV and wall painting at bus stands, primary health centres, police stations, offices of Mamlatdars and district collectors and all village panchayats and municipal councils.

The government must ensure compulsory display of boards stating the PIO's of all the departments.,corporations and agencies and institutions receiving substantial funds from the government.

During the fortnight GOACAN will network with the village-based Consumer Forums to promote awareness on the Right To Information Act in the local area.

Consumer Forum activists will organize "Phone-ins" with the various heads of departments and central government offices operating in Goa to verify whether the RTI procedures are being followed. The volunteers of the Forum will also publicize the user friendly method of affixing a Rs 10 Court Fee stamp on the RTI application at the time of submission.

In order to draw public and media attention regarding the use of RTI Act during the fortnight, surprise visits and check-ups, submitting of RTI applications and inspection of files will be undertaken.

During the fortnight consumer activists will also publicize the address, telephone and fax numbers and email ids of the Goa State Information Commission, the list of the PIO's, APIO's and the Appellate Authorities.

Consumers are requested to send copies of their RTI applications/suggestions by post to GOACAN, Post Box 187, Margao Goa 403 601 or by email to <<mailto:goacan@bsnl.in>goacan@bsnl.in> during this fortnight.