A Citizen’s Quest for Accountability: Tracking an RTI on NHM Recruitment in UP
This post documents a citizen’s attempt to seek information and accountability from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office regarding the recruitment process of the National Health Mission (NHM). Specifically, the case, filed by Mr. Yogi M P Singh, highlights the bureaucratic hurdles faced when, in fact, using public grievance and Right to Information (RTI) portals.
Despite multiple applications filed under the RTI Act seeking clarity on the recruitment criteria, procedural fairness, and overall transparency of the process, Mr. Singh encountered significant delays and evasive responses from various government offices.
This experience not only sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals attempting to engage with governmental institutions but also raises broader questions about the efficacy of systems designed to uphold the public’s right to information.
Additionally, it underscores the importance of civic engagement in holding public officials accountable, and the ongoing struggle many citizens encounter in navigating the complexities of bureaucratic systems.
The Initial Grievance and RTI Filing
The journey began when I filed a grievance on the Jansunwai (public hearing) portal, seeking justice and clarity regarding a pressing issue that had long been troubling me. After submitting my initial complaint, I eagerly awaited a response, hoping the authorities would address my concerns in a timely manner.
Unfortunately, when they did not provide satisfactory answers and seemed to sidestep the key points I had raised, I felt compelled to take further action to ensure my voice was heard. This led me to pursue the matter through an RTI application, determined to uncover the information and transparency that I believed were rightfully mine.
By this means, I aimed not only to seek answers for myself but also to empower others who might be facing similar challenges, reinforcing the importance of accountability in the system.
Grievance Reference Number: 60000240224917 Applicant: Yogi M. P. Singh Subject: Consequently, an inquiry regarding the waiting list for 17,000+ contractual vacancies under NHM UP (Ref. No: 642/SPMU/NHM/2022-23/6200, Date: 26.11.2022) is being made.
The core issue raised was that the NHM’s General Manager (HR) stated communications about releasing a waiting list for a massive recruitment drive were pending approval from a “competent level,” despite many selected candidates potentially occupying multiple positions and leaving other posts vacant in NHM Recruitment in UP.
Original RTI Application Details:
- Registration Number:
DOCMO/R/2024/61566 - Date of Filing: 30/11/2024
- Public Authority: Chief Minister Office
- PIO Approached: Vinod Sharma (Section Officer)
- Email: vsls32165@gmail.com
- Phone No: 9454412736
The Official Response: A Cryptic Dismissal
The authorities met the grievance and, consequently, the subsequent RTI queries with a simple, yet frustrating, response that lacked any substantive detail or clarity.
Instead of addressing the issues raised comprehensively, their reply merely summarized the situation without engaging with the specific concerns presented.
This approach not only left the stakeholders feeling unheard but also raised questions about the commitment of the authorities to transparency and accountability in dealing with public inquiries.
As a result, many began to lose faith in the efficacy of the RTI process, feeling that their voices were echoing into a void rather than being met with the attentive consideration they deserved.
- Status as of 13/11/2024: Disposed (निस्तारित)
- Official Remark: प्रकरण का सम्बन्ध पोर्टल से नहीं है। (The matter is not related to the portal.)
This dismissal, without further explanation, prompted Mr. Singh to file a First Appeal under the RTI Act.
The First Appeal: Demanding Reasons and Details
Mr. Singh filed a First Appeal; consequently, he argued that the information provided was incomplete, misleading, and, moreover, lacked any reasoned justification. Public authority ran away from providing information about NHM Recruitment in UP.
First Appeal Details:
- Registration Number:
DOCMO/A/2024/60176 - Date of Filing: 19/12/2024
- Ground for Appeal: Provided Incomplete, Misleading or False Information.
Key Information Sought and Grounds for Appeal:
- Reason for Dismissal: The appellant, therefore, demanded a reason for deeming the matter “not related to the portal.” Moreover, he asserted that a “right to reason is, indeed, an indispensable part of a sound administrative system.
- Identity of the Official: Furthermore, a request for the name and designation of the staff member in the Chief Minister’s Office who made the dismissal remark.
- Role of Joint Secretary: In addition, clarification on the role of Shri Arvind Mohan (Joint Secretary) in redressing grievances from the public grievance portal is essential. Consequently, his involvement ensures that public concerns are addressed effectively and promptly.
- Supervising Authority in UP overlooked NHM Recruitment complaint: Initially, the supervising officer who closed the grievance, along with their name and designation, plays a crucial role in the process. Moreover, their insights can provide clarity and closure to the matter at hand. NHM Recruitment in UP overlooked by CMO itself.
- Justification for Inaction: A reason why the Chief Minister’s Office is avoiding a matter of wide public interest, especially concerning the NHM’s failure to issue a waiting list despite directions from the Central Government and the Allahabad High Court.
The Appellate Authority’s Decision
The First Appellate Authority (FAA) disposed of the appeal swiftly; consequently, it provided a formal justification for the initial cryptic response.
Appeal Status: APPEAL DISPOSED OF as on 20/12/2024
FAA Reply (Original Hindi):
अवगत कराना है कि जनसुनवाई पोर्टल पर प्राप्त सन्दर्भों को निस्तारित किये जाने हेतु जनसुनवाई पोर्टल पर उपलब्ध लोक शिकायत अनुभाग-5 के आदेश संख्या 1/2020/129/चौंतीस-लो0शि0-05/2020-05 लो0शि0/2019, दिनांक : 17 फरवरी, 2020 के बिन्दु संख्या 6(क) में निर्धारित व्यवस्था/नियम के आलोक में, सन्दर्भ संख्या GOVUP/E/2024/0081837 की विषयवस्तु सूचना का अधिकार से सम्बन्धित प्रतीत होने के कारण सन्दर्भ को ‘प्रकरण का सम्बन्ध पोर्टल से नहीं है’ टिप्पणी लगाकर निस्तारित किया गया। लोक शिकायत अनुभाग-5 का आदेश संख्या 1/2020/129/चौंतीस-लो0शि0-05/2020-05 लो0शि0/2019, दिनांक : 17 फरवरी, 2020 जनसुनवाई पोर्टल तथा https : //shasanadesh.up.gov.in/ पर उपलब्ध है, जहां उसे देखा व प्राप्त किया जा सकता है।
Translation and Meaning of the Reply: The FAA stated that, according to Government Order No. 1/2020/129/… dated February 17, 2020, from the Public Grievance Section-5, they should dispose of any reference received on the Jansunwai portal that seems related to the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the remark, “The matter is not related to the portal.” Since the reference number GOVUP/E/2024/0081837 seemed to be an RTI matter, they closed it accordingly. The FAA further guided the appellant to the Government Order available on the Jansunwai portal and the official government website. The focus was round about reply justification in matter of NHM Recruitment in UP and they succeeded.
Contact Details of Concerned Officials
First Appellate Authority (FAA) Details:
- Name: Anjna Tripathi (LS-3)
- Designation: Under Secretary
- Phone No: 9454411282
- Email Id: anjna.11282@gov.in
Nodal Officer Details:
- Name: Sanjay Chaturvedi
- Email-ID: sanjay.10972@gov.in
Applicant Details
- Name: Yogi M P Singh
- Address: Mohalla Surekapuram, Jabalpur Road, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231001
- Mobile: +91-7379105911
- Email: yogimpsingh[at]gmail[dot]com
Public Grievance on NHM UP Vacancies: Seek Answers
Lack of transparency and accountability in selection process of recruitment
Director National Health Mission overlooked representation of contractual staff concerning anomalies in process of appointment
No transparency in recruitment of contractual vacancies of ANM, Staff Nurse, Lab Technician etc.
National health mission made conspired criteria deliberately to deprive covid warriors
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