A differently abled corruption fighter wins the 3 year long fight for his rights

An RTI Appeal by a Disabled for Accessing Entitlements under Public Distribution System results in dual Rs. 25 K Fines in Jhanjharpur, Madhubani:

Ignoring a single RTI application filed by the differently abled Pahal volunteer, Mr. Manoj Kumar Jha resulted in the slapping of maximum fines of Rs. 25,000 on two senior most officials, the SDO and the BDO in Jhanjharpur sub-division.

The volunteer had asked for the information from the SDO Jhanjharpur about the three Fair price shop ownersin Jhanjharpur urban Panchayat to provide the list of PDS beneficiaries under their area, month-wise details of stock of essential commodities and its distribution from 1999-2009. After getting no response for more than a month, Manoj filed the first appeal with the Bihar Information Commission, resulting in an order to the SDO to give relevant information. Following the SIC order, the details of three PDS shops were given from 2010-11, still blocking the information sought for years 1999-2009.

After filing of the second appeal, the order was again passed with a warning to provide information and again not followed. For the third time, SIC was approached with the repeated second appeal. As it was quite clear that the information was being blocked, on March 1, 2011 dual fines were slapped by SIC on the SDO and the BDO, Jhanjharpur. Still, after imposition of the maximum fines, the officials are making excuses that the mice have eaten the documents and the information cannot be provided. The District Magistrate, Madhubani was instructed by the SIC to look into this complaint. According to the latest information from the ground, Manoj’s PDS entitlements have been started, as well as, the disabled pension paperwork is almost complete that will entitle him to Rs.200/month as pension.

Manoj thanks TII for the advice and support provided to successfully fight for his entitlements.