RTI Activist Ramesh Agarwal Shot at in Chhattisgarh

A Right To Information(RTI) activist was fired at by unidentified men at his office in Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh today. Ramesh Agarwal, who is also an environmentalist, suffered two bullet injuries - one on his thigh and another on his hips. He was rushed to the district hospital where the bullets were removed from his body. The police have launched an investigation into the incident. Speaking about the incident, City Superintendent of Police Neha Pandey said, "The police team rushed to the spot as soon as they were informed. We will take all the details as soon as we talk to Ramesh."

Agrawal, who works for environmental rights organisation Jan Chetna Manch, is out of danger, doctors said. The RTI activist shot to limelight last year when the Amnesty International demanded his unconditional release after he was arrested for staging a protest against public hearing conducted for an industrial project. Agarwal has been campaigning against pollution caused by industrial projects and the potential negative environmental impact of proposed projects in central Chhattisgarh.

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Delhi High court order Audit Report for Rajiv Gandhi Foundation trust

Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) was on Wednesday ordered to submit its annual audited accounts while the Delhi High Court considers whether the organisation comes under the RTI Act. "File the annual audited accounts right from its inception till the year 2010-2011 along with a tabular statement indicating year-wise income," Justice Shakdher, said in the order. The direction came after Delhi-based lawyer Shanmuga Patro challenged the Chief Information Commissioner's (CIC) order saying RGF is not a public authority and doesn't come under the RTI. In 2009, the RGF had denied information to him, claiming that the foundation was not a public authority - a decision that was confirmed by the CIC.

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Information commissions should be like EC: Aruna Roy

Amid doomsday predictions about India’s transparency movement, social activist Aruna Roy, an instrumental force behind the Right To Information Act, is fiercely optimistic about its future. Excerpts from a joint interview with Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey and Inayat Sabhikhi, activists working with the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and National Campaign for People’s Right to Information.

Checkout Full Interview of Aruna Roy on FIRSTPOST.COM

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Jail Prisoners eligible for Information under RTI Act

Jailed Prisoners, being the citizen of India can always seek information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The order passed by UP state Information Commission says that it is well within the right of the convicts and undertrials to use RTI and seek information. The aim of the RTI Act is to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of public authority. "The RTI Act is a guaranteed right under section 19 of the Indian Constitution. And, a prisoner can seek information using the guaranteed right about the facilities being made available to him in the jail," observed information commissioner Brijesh Kumar Mishra.

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