📝 RTI Application Analysis: Development Works in Bhujwa Ki Chowki, Mirzapur

This blog post examines the details of an RTI (Right to Information) application. A concerned citizen filed it to inquire about developmental schemes in the village panchayat Lohandi Kalan. The application includes key information about the schemes in Bhujwan ki Chowki, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.

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🔍 RTI Request Summary

The application, filed by Yogi M P Singh, seeks detailed information about developmental works carried out in the Gram Panchayat (Village Council) of Bhujwa Ki Chowki over the last four years.

• Registration Number: COMRD/R/2024/60230
• Date of Filing: 19/09/2024
• Status: REQUEST DISPOSED OF as on 20/12/2024
• Public Authority: Commissioner Rural Development
• Applicant: Yogi M P Singh, Mirzapur.
• Concerned PIO: Shrawan Kumar Rai (DDO Mirzapur)

📌 Background of the Application

The application stems from a prior complaint (Reference Number-60000240166277) filed by the applicant regarding a waterlogging issue and the demand for a sewer/drainage construction near a plotted area where the applicant has built a house.

• Investigating Officer: Vijay Pratap, Gram Panchayat Secretary.
• Investigation Report Summary: The Gram Panchayat Secretary conducted a field investigation and reported that constructing a sewer and drainage on the path of the said plotting is not possible. The applicant was informed of this on the spot.

❓ Information Sought (5 Key Points)

The RTI application, addressed to the Gram Panchayat Secretary (Mr. Vijay Pratap, who is also the Public Information Officer in that capacity), requests the following information point-wise for the developmental schemes executed in Village Panchayat- Bhujwa Ki Chowki, Development Block- City, District-Mirzapur in the last 4 years:

1. Estimates of the executed developmental schemes.
2. Distribution of government funds in the executed developmental schemes.
3. Work booklet of the executed developmental schemes.
4. Description of the release of the government fund for the executed developmental schemes.
5. Wall painting details and the government fund spent on them.

The applicant further asserts that development works may be carried out only on paper and calls for an end to such practices.

📞 PIO and Nodal Officer Details

Role	Name	Designation/Email	Phone Number
PIO Details	Shrawan Kumar Rai	ddomirzapur123@gmail.com (DDO)	9454465108
Nodal Officer	MAHENDRA KUMAR	crd-up@nic.in	–

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💡 Significance of the RTI Request

This RTI application highlights the use of the Right to Information Act, 2005, by citizens to ensure transparency and accountability in local governance, especially concerning the utilization of public funds for rural development.

• Transparency: Seeking estimates and fund distribution details helps citizens verify the official spending against the actual work done on the ground.
• Accountability: Requesting the ‘work booklet’ and fund release descriptions makes the execution process traceable.
• Specific Allegation: The specific request for ‘Wall painting details’ is intended to verify a low-cost, visible development activity, challenging the applicant’s stated belief that “not a single wall painting has been done.

The Uttar Pradesh Information Commission (UPIC), like other State Information Commissions, is primarily an appellate and complaint-receiving body under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.¹

While the UPIC is headed by the State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC), the search results do not indicate the existence of a separate, formal “Vigilance Committee” within the UPIC structure that is directly headed by the SCIC.

However, the UPIC itself performs functions that have a vigilance-like nature in relation to Public Authorities, and the Chief Information Commissioner plays a key role in ensuring accountability.

Here is a breakdown of the UPIC’s Vigilance-like Functions and the role of the Chief Information Commissioner:

1. Statutory Role as an Oversight Body (RTI Act, 2005)

The UPIC’s core responsibilities are inherently supervisory and involve checking potential malpractices by Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Public Authorities.²

• Receiving and Inquiring into Complaints (Section 18): The Commission must actively receive and inquire into complaints from any person who:
  • Was refused access to information.
  • Did not receive a response within the stipulated time limit (30 days).
  • Considers the fee charged unreasonable.
  • Considers the information provided incomplete, misleading, or false.
• Adjudicating Second Appeals (Section 19): The Commission is the final appellate authority for citizens who are aggrieved by the decision of the First Appellate Authority.
• Imposing Penalties (Section 20): This is the strongest vigilance-related power. The Commission can impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to a maximum of ₹25,000) on a PIO for:
  • Maliciously denying an application.
  • Knowingly giving incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information.
  • Failing to provide information without reasonable cause.
• Disciplinary Action (Section 20(2)): The Commission can recommend disciplinary action against the PIO to the competent authority for persistent failure to comply with the provisions of the RTI Act.

2. Role of the Chief Information Commissioner

The State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) is the head of the UPIC and is responsible for its general superintendence, direction, and management.³

• The SCIC ensures that the UPIC discharges its functions effectively, which includes:
  • Monitoring the timely disposal of appeals and complaints.
  • Exercising the power of a Civil Court to summon documents and witnesses during inquiries.⁴
  • Ensuring compliance with the Commission’s orders by the Public Authorities.

3. Comparison with UP Vigilance Establishment

It is important to distinguish the UPIC’s function from the dedicated state-level anti-corruption body, the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment (headed by a Director General of Police).

Feature	UP Information Commission	UP Vigilance Establishment
Focus	Transparency and Accountability under the RTI Act, 2005.	Investigating cases of corruption, bribery, misconduct, and malpractices involving public servants (under various Acts like the PC Act, 1988).
Primary Tool	Directing Public Authorities to provide information and imposing fines.	Conducting investigations (secret or open) and lodging criminal cases.
Head	State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC).	Director General (DG) Vigilance.

In summary, the term “Vigilance Committee” may not formally exist within the UPIC. However, the Commission itself, led by the SCIC, acts as an independent vigilance and oversight mechanism. It ensures government transparency and punishes violations of the Right to Information Act.

The previous document confirmed that Shri Bhavesh Kumar Singh served as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) as of July 2021. We need to search for the current appointments due to a change in the SCIC.

🏛️ Current Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC)

The current State Chief Information Commissioner of the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission (UPIC) is Shri Raj Kumar Vishwakarma. He took charge on March 13, 2024.

🚨 Current Vigilance Officer Details

The search results for the specific designations of Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) are not explicitly available. The designations of Vigilance Officer (VO) are also not present in the snippets. This is within the UPIC following the 2024 change.

However, based on the statutory and staff structure of the Commission:

• Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO): The State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) traditionally holds this post. It is highly likely that Shri Raj Kumar Vishwakarma serves as the Chief Vigilance Officer within the UPIC. This follows the precedent set by his predecessor.
• Vigilance Officer (VO) / Nodal Officer: The previous Vigilance Officer was the Secretary. The current contact for the UPIC’s web administration and general contact is Shri Tejascar Pandey. He was also the Deputy Secretary who issued the 2021 order.

To confirm the current Vigilance Officer, check the official website’s “Important Office Orders” section. Alternatively, review the latest official circulars to find the Chief Vigilance Officer.