Right To Information and Panchayat Elections

Seram Neken *

Fourth General Panchayat election in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur on 13 September 2012 :: Pix - Jimmy Leivon

RTI (Right to Information) is a very effective and helpful mechanism for bringing about a healthy representative democracy in India. Citizens need to judiciously employ this weapon to redress their grievances due to the government. If the general public is not fully conversant with this people's right, then some vested interests may use the RTI for individual earnings. As corruption and favouritism have already crept into the system, it is feared that errant authorities may resort to criminality against RTI activists. So, the RTI activists need to be protected from any likely untoward activity by the corrupt.

After the present Panchayat polls, innumerable RTI cases will surely fill the desk of the Information Commission. A number of RTI activists and groups will emerge in the nook and corner of the state, as people have begun to feel the power of the Act. Meanwhile, many individuals with vested interests may resort to earning bribes from errant authority by threatening to lodge RTI complaints. It may well be presumed that a number of anonymous crimes may also crop up against these whistleblowers.

Many a revelation of fund misappropriations by previous local body leaderships in connivance with officials have been published widely on the eve of elections. But there is no let up in releasing cash for buying votes. Since the money spent requires to be back at all cost, the elected members will explore any means to overpower the RTI act, may be by way of shutting the mouth of whistleblowers. Hence, the government and the public should be ready to protect the RTI activists from impending criminalities.

We may recall the murder of Mr. Satyendra Dubey who worked in National Highway Authority of India in 2003 for complaining against corruption in implementation of prime minister's Golden Quadrilateral road project in Bihar. The young engineer's life ended mysteriously when he tried to expose grave malpractice. In Manipur also, such crimes can not be unexpected in the midst of high level of corruption at all levels of governance.

Since inception, the Right to Information Act. has proved fruitful in Manipur as numerous citizen have got relief from injustice of the authority. At present, many Panchayat members, Pradhans and Zilla Parishad members will face the music for misappropriation of public funds in connivance with concerned officials and banks machineries. So far, a number of RTI applicants were compensated for delaying information disclosure by government departments.

To mention a few, in July 2009 the then Director of Education (School) was made to compensate Rs 11,000/- to Thounaojam Raseshwar of Top Khongnangkhong, Imphal East for failure to provide information sought by the later. The matter was related to the pay revision of applicant's deceased wife who was a regular head mistress of Top Khongnangkhong Primary School. The Information Commission also made to compensate Pangabam Jiteshwari of Khongman Zone V with an amount of Rs 4000/- for failure to provide the list of beneficiaries, basis of their selection and receipts of the amount sanctioned under the Indira Awaj Yojna in the Khongman Gram Panchayat.

Last year, allegations for misuse of OBC certificates cropped up in the recruitment of 72 women Sub-inspectors. OBC certificates were allegedly issued to sons and daughters of some high-ranking Government officials to sneak into the Home Department as Sub Inspectors.

One Laishram Sanatombi of Yairipok Bishnunaha Mayai Leikai sought certain information through RTI from the Home Department and the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner about the DPC held for recruitment. In a number of other cases related to recruitment of teachers by education department, supervisors by social welfare department, and those of Manipur Assembly Secretariat, applications successfully sought justice through RTI.

In February 2011, a complaint has been lodged against denial of fund meant for material components amounting to Rs 22 lakhs under MGNREGS in connection with construction of about 4 km long road in Longpi Kachui village of Ukhrul district. According to the complaint, the fund had been allegedly withdrawn by the Deputy Commissioner and the Sub-Divisional Officer without any payment to the concerned villagers.

In Manipur, centrally sponsored schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation scheme meant to benefit the rural jobless citizens have been the fertile meadow for reaping wealth by local leaderships. In the meantime, the principle of 'No duty, no right' should be applied to all citizens not seek money without labour. The job card holders under MGNREGS have the right to get paid for the labour they provided.

Under the scheme, one is entitled for a hundred days job in a year. However, claims of money without work will amount to looting public money and jeopardizing the spirit of the scheme. This flagship programme is meant for the jobless rural people and government employees should not be included in the list. The objective is not only to provide employment, but also to inculcate work culture among the citizens. If payment is claimed without work, the aim of MGNREGS will be lost.

The boosting of funds for rural development also increases dirtiness in local politics. Hence, Panchayat elections have become bigger and bigger with huge expenses. Number of candidates at different levels has increased abruptly as compared to last elections. This rural local body election remains the most expensive one ever experienced.

RTI has become a very effective and helpful mechanism for bringing about a healthy representative democracy in India. It is the weapon empowering the neglected and forbidden citizens in a democracy. Citizens need to judiciously employ this weapon to redress their grievances due to the government. If the general public is not fully conversant with this people's right, then some vested interests may use the RTI for individual earnings.

As corruption and favouritism have already crept into the system, it is feared that errant authorities may resort to criminality against RTI activists. So, the RTI activists need to be protected from any likely untoward activity by the corrupt.