Key Takeaways
- DDO Shravan K Rai has failed to provide requested information under the RTI Act 2005, leading to a pending case in the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission.
- Citizen Yogi M. P. Singh filed a Second Appeal due to local officials stonewalling his RTI request about corruption in village projects.
- Mr. Singh’s appeal includes demands for transparency and accountability concerning specific information and roles of officials involved in uploading project details.
- He calls for disciplinary action against DDO Shravan K Rai and a financial penalty for failing to comply with the RTI Act.
- The outcome of this appeal will influence public trust in governance and the fight against corruption in Uttar Pradesh.
DDO Shravan K Rai did not provide the necessary information requested under the RTI Act 2005. This has led to a situation where the matter is currently pending in the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission (UPIC). This delay is not an isolated incident; it reflects a concerning trend within the department. Accountability is severely lacking due to systemic corruption. The absence of transparency not only undermines the purpose of the RTI Act. It also erodes public trust in governmental institutions. As citizens increasingly seek information to hold their officials accountable, the reluctance to disclose information raises serious questions. It affects the integrity and functioning of the department. This leaves many to wonder what further issues lie concealed beneath the surface.
Mirzapur Citizen Escalates Fight for Transparency, Alleges Corruption in Village Development and role of DDO Shravan K Rai.
A resident of Mirzapur, Yogi M. P. Singh, has filed a Second Appeal with the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission. He alleges a complete stonewalling by local officials in response to his Right to Information (RTI) request concerning potential corruption in a local village project. This case highlights the challenges citizens face in using the RTI Act, 2005 to ensure accountability in governance. In this scenario, involvement from the side led by Shravan K Rai, the Development Officer, has become a focal point.
The appeal (Registration Number: A-20241202504), filed on December 28, 2024, is the final step in a process that began over two months prior. Mr. Singh was seeking information about developmental activities in Gram Panchayat Lohandi Kala.
The Information Sought and negative role DDO Shravan K Rai📝
On October 21, 2024, Mr. Singh filed an RTI application seeking specific details related to the public display of information about government projects. He believes there are irregularities concerning “corrupt pictures” uploaded to the official Gram Panchayat Development Plan website. His request included six key points:
- A legible copy of the information board images for the village projects.
- The defined role of the Block Development Officer (BDO) in uploading these images.
- The name, designation, and joining date of the staff responsible for monitoring these uploads.
- The current status of wall paintings, detailing developmental work in Lohandi Kala.
- Details of the official body that monitors these uploads and the punishment mechanism for irregularities.
- The name of the specific staff member who uploaded the images for Lohandi Kala and their date of joining.
A Wall of Silence from DDO Shravan K Rai and concerned 🏛️
The appeal states that officials met the request for transparency with inaction at every level. The official record shows the following timeline involving DDO Shravan K Rai:
- RTI Application (October 21, 2024): The Public Information Officer (PIO), DDO Shravan K Rai (Mobile: 9454465108, Email: ddomirzapur123@gmail.com), received the initial request (Application No: COMRD/R/2024/60283) for information. However, he did not provide any information within the stipulated time. The status of the request remained “RTI REQUEST RECEIVED.” This reflects a lack of response from DDO Shravan K Rai’s side.
- First Appeal (November 26, 2024): The appellant filed an appeal (Registration No: COMRD/A/2024/60347) with the First Appellate Authority (FAA), CDO Vishal Kumar (Mobile: 9454465106, Email: drda-mir@nic.in). The status shows “RTI APPEAL RECEIVED,” but the authority allegedly did not respond to the appeal.
Frustrated by the lack of response, Mr. Singh exercised his right to file a Second Appeal with the State Information Commission.
The Plea for Accountability ⚖️
In his appeal, Mr. Singh argues that the inaction of the officials undermines the very purpose of the RTI Act. He explicitly requests that the Information Commission take punitive action against the responsible parties. Specifically, he targets the actions of Shravan K Rai, the Development Officer.
His prayer to the commission is to:
- Impose a financial penalty on the PIO, Shravan K Rai, as prescribed under Section 20 of the RTI Act for failing to provide information.
- Initiate disciplinary proceedings against the FAA, Vishal Kumar, for not addressing the first appeal.
Conclusion
Mr. Singh forcefully states in his submission, “The government introduced the Right to Information Act 2005 to control the growing corruption in public authorities, which is like a jungle fire, spreading rapidly and consuming the trust of the public and the integrity of our institutions.” This critical legislation aimed to empower citizens by granting them the right to access information held by these public bodies. It helps illuminate the dark corners where corrupt practices thrive.
As the task of uncovering the truth now involves scrutinising DDO, Shravan K Rai, it falls to the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission to decide the outcome of this appeal. This decision will significantly impact how transparency and accountability are upheld within the state’s governance framework.
Its decision will not only shape the future of the case at hand. Additionally, it will influence the broader fight against corruption in public service. It encourages civic engagement and reinforces the principles of democracy.
Information sought concerning corrupt information board images of G.P. Lohandi Kala
85 gram Panchayats did not upload public information board images on gpdp portal
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