, Mungeli. It seems that as soon as the model code of conduct was imposed, the instructions given by district in-charge minister Lakhanlal Dewangan to the officers of the Women and Development Department in the review meeting before the model code of conduct was imposed had no effect. In the meeting, he had given instructions to the officers of the Women and Child Development Department to resolve the complaints related to irregularities in the recruitment of Anganwadi workers and assistants in the district.
Let us tell you that taking the instructions of Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan seriously, on the initiative of Collector Rahul Dev, a hearing is being held in the court to resolve the complaints related to irregularities in the recruitment of Anganwadi workers and assistants, which is under consideration.
This initiative of the Collector raised hopes of justice for the complainants, but it seems that the officers of the Women and Child Development Department do not want the matter to be milk of milk and water of water. Complainants are in need of documents related to irregularities in the recruitment of Anganwadi workers and assistants. But for this, when the complainants asked for information under the RTI Act in the offices of the Women and Child Development Department, the officers of the department were not giving the information by giving vague answers. Angered by this, a complainant Kunwar Singh has complained to the State Information Commissioner through Collector Rahul Dev, demanding action against the officers who treat the RTI Act as a joke and flout the rules.
What are you afraid of?
The complainant says that the officials of the Women and Child Development Department are probably afraid that what they have done might come out, perhaps that is why they are reluctant to give the information. The limit has reached when even after appealing, information is not being provided to the applicants.
Know the whole matter
The complete details of the case are as follows that the complainant Kunwar Singh, on March 11, 2024, submitted documents like marksheet, employment registration and caste attached with the application of the candidate selected in Anganwadi recruitment near the Public Information Officer, Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Project, Mungeli-2, District Mungeli. A certified copy of the recruitment priority list and appointment certificate along with residence was sought under the Right to Information Act. On which a letter was issued saying that it is not possible to provide information under Section 8 of the Act after the completion of the stipulated time period. On this, the applicant said that the information sought by him would expose the rigging done in Anganwadi recruitment, he has alleged that this is the reason why he is not being given the information. He has also mentioned in the complaint that the information sought by him also includes such documents which, even if made public, will not violate anyone’s personal privacy nor will there be any stain on the unity and integrity of the country. Even after this, not giving him information is raising questions on the functioning of the department?
Information has been given on similar cases in the past
Information is also coming to light that there is a long list of complaints regarding irregularities in the recruitment of Anganwadi workers and assistants by the Women and Child Development Department, due to which the private candidates related to the selected candidates are being attacked by the aggrieved candidates under the Right to Information Act. Information was sought. On which the information was handed over to them by the department without any opposition, but there are some cases in which the provisions of the Act are being misused by the department to not give the information citing personal information. Two identical applications and the processing of both the applications in different formats is raising questions on the functioning of the department.
Making fun of Right to Information Act
The complainants have alleged that the Women and Child Development Department in Mungeli is not only making fun of the Right to Information Act, it is also openly flouting it. The administration should be ready to get the copies of documents examined with full transparency to prove the allegations true or false if the government machinery is being accused of irregularities in any matter, that is why in the year 2005, The Rights Act has been implemented, but the government machinery is well aware of how it is misused for the purposes for which it was established.
Same is the situation with the appellate officer.
The complainants say that the project officers of the Women and Child Development Department, who can also be called Public Information Officers, are in the same condition in all the projects, whether it is related to Mungeli, Lormi or Patharia project. Just as the Public Information Officers are not responding under the Right to Information Act, the same actions are being taken by the Appellate Officers sitting in the District Office. Even after the stipulated period, action is not being taken to resolve the applications which are reaching them through appeal. In order to get information, the beneficiaries are making rounds of the department.
How the law is being misused…let’s understand
It is clearly mentioned in Section 8 of the Right to Information Act that there are some subjects on which the sought information cannot be given. Such subjects are in the interest of the country and in the interest of any individual, information related to which cannot be given. If information related to these subjects is given, then problems can arise and the unity, integrity of the country and the rights of any person can be harmed. Whereas the information being sought in this matter is neither harming the unity and integrity of the country nor the rights of any individual. Not providing information in this matter is bringing the department under suspicion. The complainant has taken refuge in the Information Commission to take strict action in this matter.
