Common Man's agenda

It happened in 1993, 2006 and now also in 2008...Mumbai was targeted by terrorists .The entire nation is angry and fuming. There are candle light vigils and the rallies everywhere. The country needs answers from the politicians.

There are talks in media and intellectual circles across the country about how as common man we can bring some change in the Indian administration and the government (popularly referred as “the system”).But no one is suggesting what we can do from the comforts of our homes and offices..we need some active agenda for each one of us as all of us may not have time and resources to devote to full time politics or social work.

While lot has been talked about the “anger of the citizens” and “enough is enough”, generally “aam aadmi” (the common man) is confused on what he can do to start this change. He does not have weapons, does not have access to intelligence reports and also he is a peace loving civilian who neither has the ability nor has the willingness to fight active war.

Then what can he do? We will find the answer of this precise question shortly!
I feel that rather than blaming the politicians and making the “shows” of “how we feel”, citizens should create the pressure groups on the systems like administration and politicians. We should create the sense of accountability within the system and show them that we are the bosses and not they. Right to Information (RTI) is such a weapon in hands of common man, which if used effectively, can do wonders. The simple way to ensure the accountability is the extensive use of Right to Information (RTI) Act.

While many people will ask the question as how RTI will help to fight the terrorism, I must request them to go to the root cause of the apathy of the system to fight the terrorism .The root cause is “kya farak padta hai “ and “chalta hai “ attitude of the system .

There are reports that the police reforms were never carried out hence police did not have enough weapons and resources to fight the terror. Have we ever asked government why the budget was not spent on these resources when it was sanctioned long ago? The budget comes from the tax we pay as citizens and I have a right to ask how you are spending “my money”.
Another example of how your simple use of RTI can stop terrorists is to ensure that the terrorists should not get the valid Indian ID cards and government papers. There are reports in media that all terrorists were carrying multiple valid identity cards which they used to procure local sim cards and credit cards.Have we ever asked government how these documents were granted to them? Every small kid in India knows that if he wants a PAN card/Ration Card or driving license, all he needs to do is to grease some palms in government offices. Can we use RTI to find such frauds in these citizen facing departments at least? Can we ask for a copy of register which maintains the records of driving licenses given to persons in your area?Can we demand a list of illegal immigrants living in India and ask what actions were taken on them?..the answer is “YES”..but we have to do it…

Secondly, the local citizens should form a council within themselves at every village/panchayat/colony level and every member should have a focus area of study on which he/she will follow every government activity and keep a check. This will ensure the greater participation from “educated class” who can never win elections as they are not able to spend that kind of money on elections. This local group should act like “Shadow cabinet” and question the administration again by using RTI act for welfare of the people.

Thirdly there should be a “secret security cover” across India .The greater sense of security does not necessarily come from “visible security majors” like metal detectors at every nook and corner.Taj Hotel had metal detectors and baggage checking but they could not stop the suicide attacks made by mad gunmen showering bullets everywhere. So no use of just making all the entrances to railway stations armed with commandos and metal detectors. Instead be sure that no RDX or weapons can ever be smuggled in our country. Make our borders safe than trying to spot and find people carrying weapons and bombs in the heart of the city. In other nations like US/UK or even Singapore, there is no “visible” security everywhere. One can enter any shopping mall or any subway station without even someone stopping him, but no attacks have been reported in US after 9/11.

I firmly believe that we should start small and even if every citizen files one RTI application (which costs just Rs 10 + postage) on the issues concerning the citizens,we can see a lot more accountability in government and which will also ensure that our security and intelligence agencies will be properly modernized and empowered with all the help from our politicians and beaurocrats.

I have been effectively using RTI personally since last two years for various citizen centric initiatives related to various government departments like Income Tax,Roads,legal metrology and railways. Our friends from Vasai have also formed a youth group named “Jagruk Nagrik Sangh “ (Alert Citizen Initiative) (http://www.jnsvasai.ning.com) through which we meet every alternate Sunday and discuss on the matters which affect citizens. We are also actively using RTI for our efforts of making this country as a better place to live.

This path is long and results will show up a little later, but from my personal experience I must say, it definitely works!!! So let’s stop just talking about how we are angry on “System”, let’s submit our first RTI application today to government asking for answers for the questions we have never asked before...