RTI is a big tool to avoid corruption

Hi All,

This message is to let you all know that,as citizens of India,we can get
our work done through the government with simple tools like Right to
Information Act (RTI).

Here is a personal example:

I was inspired by the Right to Information campaign from Mr.Shailesh Gandhi
and decided to use the act for getting the status of my Income Tax Return.

My case was pretty simple:I received my refund order cheque for assessment
year 2003-04 very late in Jan 2005 (The cheque was dated Oct 2004 and it
was valid only for 3 months).So by the time actually I received the
cheque,it was the last date of the validity.

Still I deposited the same in my bank account and somehow it went for
clearing on the last minute.The problem occurred when the bank returned the
cheque to me next week saying that they did not receive the "payment
advice" from the Income Tax department.

Frustrated by the same I went to my CA who in turn told me to pay 10 % of
the refund amount as bribe to the income tax officer through him as "it was
usual practice by IT officers "..he claimed!

I did not pursue it that time as in principle I am against paying any
bribes.

However after studying the RTI Act 2005,I decided to use the RTI Act
myself for this case after 3 years !

I drafted an application on simple paper with all my details and the
information wanted.(Format is attached here),and submitted in the GPO's
(Post office ) RTI Desk after attaching a Rs 10 Indian Postal Order.(It is
Post's responsibility to accept such applications pertaining to central
govt departments and forward the same to concerned department at their own
expense and give you acknowledgement.)

I was not expecting a prompt response anyway knowing how government reacts
! (as I anyway handle Govt accounts for TCS).

But to my surprise,within 5 days I received a call from Income Tax officer
concerned and he apologized for the delay in processing my refund.He also
assured me that he will process my refund cheque within 1-2 days .

And I really received my cheque at home by registered post.!!!!!

My expenses for the same was just Rs 10 for fee as per RTI act.I did not
have to grease any palms in Income Tax office.Also I never had to go
personally to anyone and request.


Please be a responsible citizen and do not give bribes to Govt officers.Use
RTI as a tool in your hand.

You may call/write to me in case you need any help in using the act.