Plot for Alagiris son under scanner
Mahalingam Ponnusamy TNN
Chennai: Durai Dayanidhi,son of Union minister M K Alagiri,is under the state government scanner for getting a plot from the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) under the governments discretionary quota (GDQ) during the DMK regime claiming that he was a social worker.
Documents with TOI show that the ministers son had declared in his TNHB application in 2007 that neither he nor his family owned a residence or plot anywhere.But an affidavit that Alagiri filed while contesting the 2009 Lok Sabha elections lists two plots in the name of Dayanidhi in Chennai one worth Rs 36.38 lakh on Tiger Varadachariyar Road in Tiruvanmiyur and another worth Rs 1.96 crore on Beemanna Mudali Street in Mylapore,besides a farmhouse at Etchambakkam in Tambaram taluk and a house in Kodaikanal.
The encumbrance certificate for the Tiruvanmiyur property obtained by TOI shows that it was bought by Alagiri on March 24,2004,in Dayanidhis name.The certificate shows the value of the property as Rs 97.65 lakh.The first purchaser,A Ramachandran,bought the unoccupied plot from the Tamil Nadu Housing Board on February 5,2004,and a month later transferred it to Dayanidhi.Alagiri signed the sale agreement as Dayanidhi was a minor then.
ATNHB reply to an RTI application shows that Dayanidhi concealed this information to buy a 4,114-sqft plot from the TNHB at Sholinganallur in Kancheepuram district under the GDQ in 2007.Such allotment is done only for people who dont own a residence or land in corporation limits or first and special grade municipalities.To buy the land,Dayanidhi apparently gave a false affidavit,saying he or his family members didnt own a house or plot.Alagiris affidavit says he owns four plots and three houses,while his wife has five plots,two commercial buildings and a flat at Madhavaram.
The allotment was made through a government order (No.36) of the housing and urban development department on February 2,2007.As per TNHB rules,the allotment would stand cancelled if it is proved that the applicant gave wrong information to obtain it.
V Gopalakrishnan,an RTI activist who collected the documents,said Dayanidhi got the allotment under the social worker category though he is a businessman,with a partnership in film production house Cloud Nine Movies.
Landing in trouble
Durai Dayanidhi bought 4,114sqft plot from TNHB in Sholinganallur
In 2007,he gave an affidavit saying he or his family members did not own a house/plot
But MK Alagiris election affidavit in 2009 listed four properties in Dayanidhis name
These include two plots in Chennai,a farmhouse in Tambaram & a house in Kodaikanal
Alagiri son paid.24L for land
Dayanidhi paid Rs 24,13,800 as initial deposit for the allotment and continued paying Rs 68,600 a month to clear the balance dues.He mentioned his annualincome asonly Rs 9 lakh in the application form.The government never bothered to check if the applicant owned a residence.Most of the allotments were made without assessing the repaying capacity of the applicant, said Gopalakrishnan.
The TNHB,which has a large land bank,had the GDQ system,under which 15% of allotments could be done by the government.Single /deserted women,widows,social workers,physically handicapped persons,defence personnel,ex-servicemen,eminent persons in the field of science,arts,literature,economics,public administration and sports,freedom fighters;government servants with unblemished service records,employees of PSUs,central government undertakings and nationalized banks,PF institutions,journalists,university staff,and employees of local bodies and municipalities were eligible for getting allocations under the GDQ.The quota was scrapped by the erstwhile DMK government earlier this year after the housing board land allocation scam broke out.
Showing posts with label timesof india. Show all posts
Showing posts with label timesof india. Show all posts
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
TN governor barnala
Raj Bhavan’s refusal to share information irks RTI activists
Mahalingam PonnusamyMahalingam Ponnusamy, TNN | Aug 16, 2011, 07.19AM IST
CHENNAI: Three separate Right to Information petitions filed with the Raj Bhavan here have received responses stating that "the requested information is not available in this office," irking the activists concerned.
While one wanted to know if the governor had a special quota in state-owned universities and in job placements in government offices, another sought information pertaining to any business transactions between universities and companies owned by the son of Tamil Nadu governor Surjit Singh Barnala and the third demanded information about visitors to Raj Bhavan.
C Arul Ramalingam, who sought information on any special quota for the governor in universities and in placements at government offices, said, "The reply from Raj Bhavan simply said that information requested was not available." He had also asked, in the same petition, for copies of the oaths taken by the governor and chief minister but didn't get them, he said. "According to the State Records Act, copies of the oath must be sent to libraries and museums," Ramalingam added.
V Gopalakrishnan, another RTI activist who wanted to know the business transactions between universities and companies owned by the Governor's son, said: "As per Section 6 (3) of the RTI Act, if the recipient of an RTI query does not have the necessary information, he has to direct it to the department concerned. But if officials in Raj Bhavan don't forward such queries to those concerned than how can those in smaller offices follow ?" "We have strong evidence about the transactions, but we want to know whether the governor is aware since he is the chancellor of universities in the state," Gopalakrishnan added.
Mahalingam PonnusamyMahalingam Ponnusamy, TNN | Aug 16, 2011, 07.19AM IST
CHENNAI: Three separate Right to Information petitions filed with the Raj Bhavan here have received responses stating that "the requested information is not available in this office," irking the activists concerned.
While one wanted to know if the governor had a special quota in state-owned universities and in job placements in government offices, another sought information pertaining to any business transactions between universities and companies owned by the son of Tamil Nadu governor Surjit Singh Barnala and the third demanded information about visitors to Raj Bhavan.
C Arul Ramalingam, who sought information on any special quota for the governor in universities and in placements at government offices, said, "The reply from Raj Bhavan simply said that information requested was not available." He had also asked, in the same petition, for copies of the oaths taken by the governor and chief minister but didn't get them, he said. "According to the State Records Act, copies of the oath must be sent to libraries and museums," Ramalingam added.
V Gopalakrishnan, another RTI activist who wanted to know the business transactions between universities and companies owned by the Governor's son, said: "As per Section 6 (3) of the RTI Act, if the recipient of an RTI query does not have the necessary information, he has to direct it to the department concerned. But if officials in Raj Bhavan don't forward such queries to those concerned than how can those in smaller offices follow ?" "We have strong evidence about the transactions, but we want to know whether the governor is aware since he is the chancellor of universities in the state," Gopalakrishnan added.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Post unfilled, file your appeal later, RTI activist told
Post unfilled, file your appeal later, RTI activist told
Jeeva | TNN 23 april 2011
Chennai: V Gopalakrishnan, a right to information (RTI) activist from MGR Nagar, got a strange reply from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) last year to his appeal under the RTI Act.
“The official in the post of first appellate authority retired from service a month ago. The post will be filled up soon. Hence you can file your appeal once the post is filled up,” the TNERC’s public information officer replied to Gopalakrishnan.
Gopalakrishnan had sought information on a number of aspects about the functioning of the TNERC.
Gopalakrishnan then moved the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. “TNERC cannot give such a reply to an RTI appeal. It should have designated an existing official to function as an appellate authority till the post was filled,” Gopalakrishnan said.
Admitting his plea, the commission in January 2011 directed TNERC to provide the information to him within 15 days. It also observed, “TNERC should have someone holding charge of the post of appellate authority. It should avoid giving such replies in future.”
The TNERC, on its part, didn’t want to bow down to the information commission’s order.
It moved the Madras high court contending that the information commission had no jurisdiction to any order on the first appeal pass such an order.
“The Tamil Nadu Information Commission can pass orders only on second and final appeals under the RTI Act and it cannot decide on the first appeal filed by an applicant. The information commission’s order is liable to be quashed as it had encroached the TNERC’s jurisdiction,” TNERC said.
It has also included the Tamil Nadu Information Commission as a respondent.
The TNERC said it had filled up the post of first appellate authority when the applicant took up the issue before the information commission.
The Madras high court recently granted a stay to the information commission’s order and the matter is scheduled to come up for hearing in the first week of June.
Jeeva | TNN 23 april 2011
Chennai: V Gopalakrishnan, a right to information (RTI) activist from MGR Nagar, got a strange reply from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) last year to his appeal under the RTI Act.
“The official in the post of first appellate authority retired from service a month ago. The post will be filled up soon. Hence you can file your appeal once the post is filled up,” the TNERC’s public information officer replied to Gopalakrishnan.
Gopalakrishnan had sought information on a number of aspects about the functioning of the TNERC.
Gopalakrishnan then moved the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. “TNERC cannot give such a reply to an RTI appeal. It should have designated an existing official to function as an appellate authority till the post was filled,” Gopalakrishnan said.
Admitting his plea, the commission in January 2011 directed TNERC to provide the information to him within 15 days. It also observed, “TNERC should have someone holding charge of the post of appellate authority. It should avoid giving such replies in future.”
The TNERC, on its part, didn’t want to bow down to the information commission’s order.
It moved the Madras high court contending that the information commission had no jurisdiction to any order on the first appeal pass such an order.
“The Tamil Nadu Information Commission can pass orders only on second and final appeals under the RTI Act and it cannot decide on the first appeal filed by an applicant. The information commission’s order is liable to be quashed as it had encroached the TNERC’s jurisdiction,” TNERC said.
It has also included the Tamil Nadu Information Commission as a respondent.
The TNERC said it had filled up the post of first appellate authority when the applicant took up the issue before the information commission.
The Madras high court recently granted a stay to the information commission’s order and the matter is scheduled to come up for hearing in the first week of June.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Anna in Thambi land
Anna in Thambi land
TNN, Apr 7, 2011, 12.05am IST
CHENNAI: V Gopalakrishnan, an anti-corruption crusader in Chennai, recently wanted to know how to get police permission for a hunger strike during the time of elections. Electrified by Anna Hazare, Gopalakrishnan felt that something dramatic needs to happen to focus people's attention on corruption and create a mass effect. Peering from behind a mass of paperwork relating to his right to information (RTI) applications, Gopalakrishnan asked: "I am ready to start my fast even if nobody joins me."
Social activist Anna Hazare's continued fast in New Delhi has come as a morale-booster for campaigners such as Gopalakrishnan. While these activists have been succcessful in their local villages and towns, their individual efforts have remained isolated, receiving little publicity in the media. The activists are hoping for an Anna Hazare moment in Tamil Nadu.
"Hazare's fast has inspired me and we are also eager to do something to attract the attention of the rulers to root out corruption," said N Baskaran, a senior citizen in Pollachi. Baskaran chose to voluntarily resign his village administrative officer job unable to bear with the corruption in governance to become a right to information (RTI) campaigner.
For R Balakrishnan, a resident of Mambedu village in Tiruvannamalai, who has been fighting against irregularities in stone quarries and revenue offices in his district, RTI has come as a weapon to fight against stone quarry irregularities and corruption at revenue offices in his district. "As corruption has taken new forms now, Hazare's agitation shows that we need to intensify our movement," he said.
With Assembly polls nearing, many activists are turning their attention to politics and the conduct of elections. The Anti-Corruption Movement (ACM) in Chennai, which has been working on electoral reforms, is now demanding that the election commission should display asset affidavits filed by candidates in every polling booth. "`In a country where a huge population does not have internet access, it is not enough to upload the affidavits on the EC website. People should know the antecedents and details of assets of the candidates before they vote,'' said S M Arasu, state general secretay of ACM.
Taking the movement forward, Makkal Sakthi Katchi, the state unit of Lok Satta Party founded by Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, has fielded candidates in 36 constituencies in Tamil Nadu in the coming assembly polls. "When promises of freebies and cash have become the centre of election campaign, our aim is to create a new political culture in Tamil Nadu, for which wehave invited educated people to enter politics and not be mute spectators,'' said Senthil Kumar Arumugam, Makkal Sakthi Katchi candidate for Velachery constituency.
TNN, Apr 7, 2011, 12.05am IST
CHENNAI: V Gopalakrishnan, an anti-corruption crusader in Chennai, recently wanted to know how to get police permission for a hunger strike during the time of elections. Electrified by Anna Hazare, Gopalakrishnan felt that something dramatic needs to happen to focus people's attention on corruption and create a mass effect. Peering from behind a mass of paperwork relating to his right to information (RTI) applications, Gopalakrishnan asked: "I am ready to start my fast even if nobody joins me."
Social activist Anna Hazare's continued fast in New Delhi has come as a morale-booster for campaigners such as Gopalakrishnan. While these activists have been succcessful in their local villages and towns, their individual efforts have remained isolated, receiving little publicity in the media. The activists are hoping for an Anna Hazare moment in Tamil Nadu.
"Hazare's fast has inspired me and we are also eager to do something to attract the attention of the rulers to root out corruption," said N Baskaran, a senior citizen in Pollachi. Baskaran chose to voluntarily resign his village administrative officer job unable to bear with the corruption in governance to become a right to information (RTI) campaigner.
For R Balakrishnan, a resident of Mambedu village in Tiruvannamalai, who has been fighting against irregularities in stone quarries and revenue offices in his district, RTI has come as a weapon to fight against stone quarry irregularities and corruption at revenue offices in his district. "As corruption has taken new forms now, Hazare's agitation shows that we need to intensify our movement," he said.
With Assembly polls nearing, many activists are turning their attention to politics and the conduct of elections. The Anti-Corruption Movement (ACM) in Chennai, which has been working on electoral reforms, is now demanding that the election commission should display asset affidavits filed by candidates in every polling booth. "`In a country where a huge population does not have internet access, it is not enough to upload the affidavits on the EC website. People should know the antecedents and details of assets of the candidates before they vote,'' said S M Arasu, state general secretay of ACM.
Taking the movement forward, Makkal Sakthi Katchi, the state unit of Lok Satta Party founded by Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, has fielded candidates in 36 constituencies in Tamil Nadu in the coming assembly polls. "When promises of freebies and cash have become the centre of election campaign, our aim is to create a new political culture in Tamil Nadu, for which wehave invited educated people to enter politics and not be mute spectators,'' said Senthil Kumar Arumugam, Makkal Sakthi Katchi candidate for Velachery constituency.
10k protest' voters catch officials unawares by opting for 49(o)
10k protest' voters catch officials unawares by opting for 49(o)
TNN, May 14, 2009, 06.04am IST
CHENNAI: Election officers were caught unawares on Wednesday as more than 10,000 people in the city opted for Rule 49 (0), which allows the voter to mark his presence at the polling booth, but not cast his vote for any candidate.
Despite the election department's claims of having conducted training for polling officers, many of them had no clue about the option. A few officials who knew that it existed, however, were not familiar with the right procedure to be followed. Corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni admitted that the turnout of such voters was unexpectedly big.
V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist, was the first at the MGR Corporation School in Chennai South constituency to ask for the Rule 49 (0) option. "The polling officer at booth 136 was totally blank. Then he asked me to vote for some candidate and leave'. When I insisted on entering my refusal to vote in the 17A register, he called the zonal officer, who was equally ignorant. Finally, I called the district electoral officer and, after 90 minutes of struggle, got it done," said Gopalakrishnan.
Dr S Murugasundaram, a dermatologist and a voter of ward 70 of Kilpauk in Chennai Central, had a similar experience when he went to vote at 8am. "The officer was rude when I told him about 49 (O). He asked me not to create a ruckus and leave the place. However, I stood my ground and registered my refusal to vote," he said. Several people complained of policemen threatening them when they refused to leave the polling booths without registering their names under Rule 49 (O) to prevent bogus voting in their names.
V Anandarajan of Nanganallur, which falls under the Sriperumbudur constituency, found the exercise smoother, but the officer there refused to apply indelible ink on his finger though the rule specifies that ink should be marked on the voter's finger. All this, despite posters in front of polling booths mentioning the rule and the procedure being explained in the polling officer's handbook (page 39).
According to Gopalakrishnan, what compounded the confusion was the use of the Tamil word padivam' (form) to describe 17A instead of padivedu' (register) under rule 49 (0). Voters insisted on a form, while all they had to do was to sign in the register which others did, too, and mention in the remarks column refuse to vote'.
Admitting there was widespread confusion, corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni said that an unexpectedly large number of people opted for rule 49 (O). "Some officials may not have taken the training seriously and nobody anticipated such a large number of people choosing the option," he said.
TNN, May 14, 2009, 06.04am IST
CHENNAI: Election officers were caught unawares on Wednesday as more than 10,000 people in the city opted for Rule 49 (0), which allows the voter to mark his presence at the polling booth, but not cast his vote for any candidate.
Despite the election department's claims of having conducted training for polling officers, many of them had no clue about the option. A few officials who knew that it existed, however, were not familiar with the right procedure to be followed. Corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni admitted that the turnout of such voters was unexpectedly big.
V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist, was the first at the MGR Corporation School in Chennai South constituency to ask for the Rule 49 (0) option. "The polling officer at booth 136 was totally blank. Then he asked me to vote for some candidate and leave'. When I insisted on entering my refusal to vote in the 17A register, he called the zonal officer, who was equally ignorant. Finally, I called the district electoral officer and, after 90 minutes of struggle, got it done," said Gopalakrishnan.
Dr S Murugasundaram, a dermatologist and a voter of ward 70 of Kilpauk in Chennai Central, had a similar experience when he went to vote at 8am. "The officer was rude when I told him about 49 (O). He asked me not to create a ruckus and leave the place. However, I stood my ground and registered my refusal to vote," he said. Several people complained of policemen threatening them when they refused to leave the polling booths without registering their names under Rule 49 (O) to prevent bogus voting in their names.
V Anandarajan of Nanganallur, which falls under the Sriperumbudur constituency, found the exercise smoother, but the officer there refused to apply indelible ink on his finger though the rule specifies that ink should be marked on the voter's finger. All this, despite posters in front of polling booths mentioning the rule and the procedure being explained in the polling officer's handbook (page 39).
According to Gopalakrishnan, what compounded the confusion was the use of the Tamil word padivam' (form) to describe 17A instead of padivedu' (register) under rule 49 (0). Voters insisted on a form, while all they had to do was to sign in the register which others did, too, and mention in the remarks column refuse to vote'.
Admitting there was widespread confusion, corporation commissioner and district electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni said that an unexpectedly large number of people opted for rule 49 (O). "Some officials may not have taken the training seriously and nobody anticipated such a large number of people choosing the option," he said.
49-O voters face confused officials at booths
49-O voters face confused officials at booths
TNN | Apr 14, 2011, 02.37am IST
CHENNAI: Many voters who wanted to exercise the 49-O option faced hurdles on Wednesday as officials on polling duty were not aware of the procedure involved.
As per the rules, if you do not want to vote for any of the candidates but want to ensure that your voting right is not misused, then you can opt for 49-O. However, when Karthikeyan Hemalatha of Thousand Lights constituency went to his polling booth, he was in for a surprise. "I had decided to section 49-O as a mark of political dissent," he says. Since the option was not available on the EVM, he asked the nearest official about the procedure.
"All the officials stared at me, perplexed," says Karthikeyan. One official also repeatedly asked him if he wanted to vote. "Luckily, another official understood what I was talking about and explained the procedure to me," says Karthikeyan.
At Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Virugamballam, when a voter asked for the forms for 49-O, party agents asked him to cast his vote, while the polling officer was not aware of the option. When the voter insisted, he was made to wait for 15 minutes, after which the presiding officer allowed him to sign on the register saying he had not voted for anyone and had opted for section 49-O.
For V Gopalakrishnan, this was the second time he and his wife Leelavathi were exercising the 49-O option. "The last election, I had to argue for an hour with polling officers to let me exercise the 49-O option. This time, the officials at lest knew what I was talking about," says Gopalakrishnan. "But my wife had a problem in her booth in Velachery, when the poll officials shouted at her about why she wanted the ink on her finger when she was using the 49-O option. Looks like no one briefed them that 49-O is a vote too," he adds.
Chief electoral officer Praveen Kumar said they had received widespread complaints from all over the state regarding 49-O. Despite their best efforts, some polling officers were not aware about the procedure involved.
TNN | Apr 14, 2011, 02.37am IST
CHENNAI: Many voters who wanted to exercise the 49-O option faced hurdles on Wednesday as officials on polling duty were not aware of the procedure involved.
As per the rules, if you do not want to vote for any of the candidates but want to ensure that your voting right is not misused, then you can opt for 49-O. However, when Karthikeyan Hemalatha of Thousand Lights constituency went to his polling booth, he was in for a surprise. "I had decided to section 49-O as a mark of political dissent," he says. Since the option was not available on the EVM, he asked the nearest official about the procedure.
"All the officials stared at me, perplexed," says Karthikeyan. One official also repeatedly asked him if he wanted to vote. "Luckily, another official understood what I was talking about and explained the procedure to me," says Karthikeyan.
At Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Virugamballam, when a voter asked for the forms for 49-O, party agents asked him to cast his vote, while the polling officer was not aware of the option. When the voter insisted, he was made to wait for 15 minutes, after which the presiding officer allowed him to sign on the register saying he had not voted for anyone and had opted for section 49-O.
For V Gopalakrishnan, this was the second time he and his wife Leelavathi were exercising the 49-O option. "The last election, I had to argue for an hour with polling officers to let me exercise the 49-O option. This time, the officials at lest knew what I was talking about," says Gopalakrishnan. "But my wife had a problem in her booth in Velachery, when the poll officials shouted at her about why she wanted the ink on her finger when she was using the 49-O option. Looks like no one briefed them that 49-O is a vote too," he adds.
Chief electoral officer Praveen Kumar said they had received widespread complaints from all over the state regarding 49-O. Despite their best efforts, some polling officers were not aware about the procedure involved.
Government refuses access to files on the appointment of information commissioners
Government refuses access to files on the appointment of information commissioners
Apr 11, 2011, 03.04am IST TNN[ Jeeva ]
CHENNAI: The state government has refused permission for Right to Information (RTI) applicants to inspect files relating to the recent appointment of three commissioners to Tamil Nadu Information Commission. The government's refusal of RTI requests gains significance as the appointments were criticised by RTI activists alleging that there was no transparency in the selection process.
Personnel and administrative reforms department rejected the RTI requests made by at least three applicants including this reporter. The other two applicants are V Gopalakrishnan of MGR Nagar and R Anbazhagan of Poonamallee.
The department cited a pending case in the Madras high court challenging the appointment, as a reason for the rejection of the RTI applications, even though the court hasn't restricted the disclosure of the information under the RTI Act.
Stating that the court, following an undertaking given by the Advocate Genernal, had restrained the newly appointed commissioners -- Dr P A Ramiah, C Manoharan and Arumuga Nainar -- to assume office till the disposal of the case, the government in its reply, dated April 5, said: "As the appointment of the three commissioners has not yet been conclusively decided by the high court, it would not be appropriate to allow inspection of files relating to their appointment."
The appointments were announced on the morning of March 1, while the model code of conduct came into effect on the evening. Replying to a query, the government had admitted that no advertisements were given calling for applications for the appointment of the commissioners.
Agitated over the government's denial of permission to inspect the records, RTI activists said it was illegal, as section 8(1)(b) of the RTI Act stipulated that the government could deny the information only if it had been expressly forbidden to be disclosed by the court or the disclosure of which might constitute contempt of court.
"Besides, Tamil Nadu Information Commission in its ruling on September 7, 2009 made it clear that mere pending of a case before a court was not a bar to disclose information under the RTI Act,'' Gopalakrishnan said.
Already, the chief information commissioner KS Sripathi's appointment has been challenged before the Madras high court by an RTI activist V Madhav alleging that there was no transparency in his appointment process.
Apr 11, 2011, 03.04am IST TNN[ Jeeva ]
CHENNAI: The state government has refused permission for Right to Information (RTI) applicants to inspect files relating to the recent appointment of three commissioners to Tamil Nadu Information Commission. The government's refusal of RTI requests gains significance as the appointments were criticised by RTI activists alleging that there was no transparency in the selection process.
Personnel and administrative reforms department rejected the RTI requests made by at least three applicants including this reporter. The other two applicants are V Gopalakrishnan of MGR Nagar and R Anbazhagan of Poonamallee.
The department cited a pending case in the Madras high court challenging the appointment, as a reason for the rejection of the RTI applications, even though the court hasn't restricted the disclosure of the information under the RTI Act.
Stating that the court, following an undertaking given by the Advocate Genernal, had restrained the newly appointed commissioners -- Dr P A Ramiah, C Manoharan and Arumuga Nainar -- to assume office till the disposal of the case, the government in its reply, dated April 5, said: "As the appointment of the three commissioners has not yet been conclusively decided by the high court, it would not be appropriate to allow inspection of files relating to their appointment."
The appointments were announced on the morning of March 1, while the model code of conduct came into effect on the evening. Replying to a query, the government had admitted that no advertisements were given calling for applications for the appointment of the commissioners.
Agitated over the government's denial of permission to inspect the records, RTI activists said it was illegal, as section 8(1)(b) of the RTI Act stipulated that the government could deny the information only if it had been expressly forbidden to be disclosed by the court or the disclosure of which might constitute contempt of court.
"Besides, Tamil Nadu Information Commission in its ruling on September 7, 2009 made it clear that mere pending of a case before a court was not a bar to disclose information under the RTI Act,'' Gopalakrishnan said.
Already, the chief information commissioner KS Sripathi's appointment has been challenged before the Madras high court by an RTI activist V Madhav alleging that there was no transparency in his appointment process.
RTI activists see red in info commissioners' appointment
RTI activists see red in info commissioners' appointment
Jeeva, TNN, Mar 3, 2011, 12.31am IST
CHENNAI: RTI activists are angry with the state government for having appointed three commissioners to the Tamil Nadu Information Commission just before the model code of conduct came into force, with zero transparency.
The government announced the appointments on Tuesday, hours before the election commission announced the poll date. Already, the appointment of former chief secretary KS Sripathi as the chief information commissioner is in a legal tangle after RTI activists alleging that there was no transperancy in the appointment process.
The appointment of Dr PA Ramiah, C Manoharan and Arumuga Nainar as the new information commissioners in the existing vacancy on Monday came as a surprise to many RTI groups and activists who have been urging the government to maintain transparency.
"Section 15 of RTI Act says any person of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance is eligible to apply for the post. We have been asking the government to issue newspaper advertisements calling for applications, shortlist the names and then go for selection. We want the government to clarify how the three commissioners came to know of filling up of the vacancies and applied for it,'' said V Gopalakrishnan, an RTI activist who was arrested for staging a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan demanding transperancy in the appointment of chief information commissioner KS Sripathi in September last.
"Information commission is the place from where transparency should begin, but it is unfortunate that the appointments to such a commission is being made in a secret manner. This reduces the appointments to political in the eyes of the public. We, along with several other RTI groups, will convene a meeting this week to oppose this,'' said G Balaji of Public Awareness Campaign Energy Trust, Thirumangalam.
While the selection committee includes the chief minister, Opposition leader and a minister deputed by the chief minister, the decision of appointing the three commissioners was taken by chief minister M Karunanidhi and finance minister K Anbazhagan, in the absence of Opposition leader J Jayalalithaa.
"We don't question the government prerogative in selecting the commissioners, but want to point out that a proper interpretation of Section 15 of RTI Act can only be taken as there must be unanimity in the selection committee in the appointments and there is no question of majority opinion in it. When there are only three persons in a committee and two of them belong to the ruling party, it can only be the decision of the ruling party,'' said Anti-Corruption Movement state general secretary SM Arasu.
Jeeva, TNN, Mar 3, 2011, 12.31am IST
CHENNAI: RTI activists are angry with the state government for having appointed three commissioners to the Tamil Nadu Information Commission just before the model code of conduct came into force, with zero transparency.
The government announced the appointments on Tuesday, hours before the election commission announced the poll date. Already, the appointment of former chief secretary KS Sripathi as the chief information commissioner is in a legal tangle after RTI activists alleging that there was no transperancy in the appointment process.
The appointment of Dr PA Ramiah, C Manoharan and Arumuga Nainar as the new information commissioners in the existing vacancy on Monday came as a surprise to many RTI groups and activists who have been urging the government to maintain transparency.
"Section 15 of RTI Act says any person of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance is eligible to apply for the post. We have been asking the government to issue newspaper advertisements calling for applications, shortlist the names and then go for selection. We want the government to clarify how the three commissioners came to know of filling up of the vacancies and applied for it,'' said V Gopalakrishnan, an RTI activist who was arrested for staging a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan demanding transperancy in the appointment of chief information commissioner KS Sripathi in September last.
"Information commission is the place from where transparency should begin, but it is unfortunate that the appointments to such a commission is being made in a secret manner. This reduces the appointments to political in the eyes of the public. We, along with several other RTI groups, will convene a meeting this week to oppose this,'' said G Balaji of Public Awareness Campaign Energy Trust, Thirumangalam.
While the selection committee includes the chief minister, Opposition leader and a minister deputed by the chief minister, the decision of appointing the three commissioners was taken by chief minister M Karunanidhi and finance minister K Anbazhagan, in the absence of Opposition leader J Jayalalithaa.
"We don't question the government prerogative in selecting the commissioners, but want to point out that a proper interpretation of Section 15 of RTI Act can only be taken as there must be unanimity in the selection committee in the appointments and there is no question of majority opinion in it. When there are only three persons in a committee and two of them belong to the ruling party, it can only be the decision of the ruling party,'' said Anti-Corruption Movement state general secretary SM Arasu.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Is disclosure of I-T returns under RTI Act an invasion of privacy?
Is disclosure of I-T returns under RTI Act an invasion of privacy?
Jeeva | TNN 14 march 2011 chennai edition pageno.2
Chennai: Are the income tax returns of a person liable to be disclosed to applicants under the Right To Information (RTI) Act?
While the income tax department says there is no need for such disclosure, the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) has actually furnished to an RTI applicant the copies of I-T returns filed by some of the allottees of its plots and flats. In January, V Gopalakrishnan, an activist, filed an RTI application with the I-T department seeking copies of I-T returns, from 2006 to 2010, of 19 allottees of TNHB plots and flats, including a former Madras high court judge, under the “quota for eminent persons and social workers” category. In 12 cases, the I-T department refused to furnish the copies of the returns citing objections by the allottees as a reason.
It also said, “There is no public interest involved in the RTI query, I-T returns were personal in nature and that it held them under a fiduciary relationship.” Also, disclosure of I-T returns were exempted under the RTI Act and also as per a ruling of the central information commission in June 2009, the department replied.
Gopalakrishnan now plans to challenge the rejection of his RTI request saying the TNHB had furnished I-T returns, as part of other documents, of two of the allottees for 2009-10 and 2006-07 respectively in response to his RTI applications filed last year.
“When one public authority can furnish a statement as sought under the RTI Act, how can an another authority deny it?’’ he said. According to him, the CIC’s December 2009 ruling clearly answered all the three claims of the I-T department.
“The department cannot claim to have a fiduciary relationship with the assesses since they don’t file the returns for personal interest or benefit but as a statutory obligation. Also, the RTI query cannot be rejected merely on assumptions as in many cases the department got information about tax evasion from the public,’’ Gopalakrishnan said.
“When the assessees cannot argue that the requirement to file returns is an invasion of their privacy, disclosing this to an applicant under the RTI Act cannot be treated otherwise,’’ Gopalakrishnan added.
Jeeva | TNN 14 march 2011 chennai edition pageno.2
Chennai: Are the income tax returns of a person liable to be disclosed to applicants under the Right To Information (RTI) Act?
While the income tax department says there is no need for such disclosure, the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) has actually furnished to an RTI applicant the copies of I-T returns filed by some of the allottees of its plots and flats. In January, V Gopalakrishnan, an activist, filed an RTI application with the I-T department seeking copies of I-T returns, from 2006 to 2010, of 19 allottees of TNHB plots and flats, including a former Madras high court judge, under the “quota for eminent persons and social workers” category. In 12 cases, the I-T department refused to furnish the copies of the returns citing objections by the allottees as a reason.
It also said, “There is no public interest involved in the RTI query, I-T returns were personal in nature and that it held them under a fiduciary relationship.” Also, disclosure of I-T returns were exempted under the RTI Act and also as per a ruling of the central information commission in June 2009, the department replied.
Gopalakrishnan now plans to challenge the rejection of his RTI request saying the TNHB had furnished I-T returns, as part of other documents, of two of the allottees for 2009-10 and 2006-07 respectively in response to his RTI applications filed last year.
“When one public authority can furnish a statement as sought under the RTI Act, how can an another authority deny it?’’ he said. According to him, the CIC’s December 2009 ruling clearly answered all the three claims of the I-T department.
“The department cannot claim to have a fiduciary relationship with the assesses since they don’t file the returns for personal interest or benefit but as a statutory obligation. Also, the RTI query cannot be rejected merely on assumptions as in many cases the department got information about tax evasion from the public,’’ Gopalakrishnan said.
“When the assessees cannot argue that the requirement to file returns is an invasion of their privacy, disclosing this to an applicant under the RTI Act cannot be treated otherwise,’’ Gopalakrishnan added.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
More transparency and safeguards necessary for GDQs in govt land allocation,
More transparency and safeguards necessary for GDQs in govt land allocation, says activists
M T Saju, TNN, Dec 21, 2010, 02.02am IST
CHENNAI: AICC president Sonia Gandhi's exhortation to chief ministers at the Congress plenary session to abolish the government discretionary power to allocate land has triggered a debate and brought back under spotlight the recent allegations that the DMK government had misused the Government Discretionary Quota (GDQ) to favour politicians, bureaucrats and those close to chief minister M Karunanidhi while allocating housing plots. Although the order of allotment under the GDQ clearly mentions the eligibility of the person, the discretionary power of the chief minister prevails.
Says M G Devasahayam, retired IAS officer: "Discretion can't be arbitrary. The dates for application for the GDQ will always be a tricky affair. In many cases, people who are eligible for GDQ are not aware of the dates, which as per the rule should be published in a local newspaper. So there is strict violation of the rules and regulations. Since the discretionary power vests with the chief minister, the power of the officer appointed to monitor the functioning of the selection process will be overlooked."
Whether it is the DMK or the AIADMK, successive regimes have exercised their discretionary powers to favour those close to them. Activists point out that the GDQ could be misused using government orders, like the one passed in 2001, which lifted the restrictions on unsold plots in that period. "After the draw, if any plot or flat remained unsold, it can be allotted on a first-come first-served basis. With the misuse of 2001 order and the subsequent relaxation, the number of applications naturally increased. Citing increase in applications as a reason, the government increased GDQ from 10% to 15%. In most cases, the relevant documents are not submitted. There are cases in which even four people in a family got plots under the GDQ," points V Gopalakrishnan, of Fact, an NGO based in Chennai, whose RTI applications helped bring to light recently the alleged misuse of the discretionary quota.
Some of the eligible categories under the GDQ are single women, social workers, physically handicapped persons, defense personnel, senior citizens, state government servants and journalists. However, terms like social worker' are not defined properly, "A social worker must get a certificate from the NGO he/she is working with. But in many cases, plots have been issued to people close to politicians under this tag," says Gopalakrishnan.
Once the GDQ is issued, the divisional officer will send a provisional order to the person concerned, asking him to pay the initial amount within 21 days. Income and eligibility certificates should also be produced. "But unfortunately, this is not followed strictly in 90% of the cases," says Gopalakrishnan, adding that "Of late, the order prohibiting the beneficiary not to sell the property within three years of purchasing the land allotted to him or her, has also been removed from the sale deeds."
"If the discretion does not fit into the larger interest of the public then what is the use of the very concept?" asks retired DGP S P Mathur. "Land scams are the biggest in India. So it is high time we made all transactions transparent and online. If it is available online, then public can see this and will get a clear idea what's happening," he says.
Although people like Gopalakrishan demand abolition of GDQ', there are some who don't favour this. "The GDQ will be useful for many people provided it is used in the right way. There must be a screening committee to monitor the selection process," suggests Devasahayam.
Read more: More transparency and safeguards necessary for GDQs in govt land allocation, says activists - The Times of India
M T Saju, TNN, Dec 21, 2010, 02.02am IST
CHENNAI: AICC president Sonia Gandhi's exhortation to chief ministers at the Congress plenary session to abolish the government discretionary power to allocate land has triggered a debate and brought back under spotlight the recent allegations that the DMK government had misused the Government Discretionary Quota (GDQ) to favour politicians, bureaucrats and those close to chief minister M Karunanidhi while allocating housing plots. Although the order of allotment under the GDQ clearly mentions the eligibility of the person, the discretionary power of the chief minister prevails.
Says M G Devasahayam, retired IAS officer: "Discretion can't be arbitrary. The dates for application for the GDQ will always be a tricky affair. In many cases, people who are eligible for GDQ are not aware of the dates, which as per the rule should be published in a local newspaper. So there is strict violation of the rules and regulations. Since the discretionary power vests with the chief minister, the power of the officer appointed to monitor the functioning of the selection process will be overlooked."
Whether it is the DMK or the AIADMK, successive regimes have exercised their discretionary powers to favour those close to them. Activists point out that the GDQ could be misused using government orders, like the one passed in 2001, which lifted the restrictions on unsold plots in that period. "After the draw, if any plot or flat remained unsold, it can be allotted on a first-come first-served basis. With the misuse of 2001 order and the subsequent relaxation, the number of applications naturally increased. Citing increase in applications as a reason, the government increased GDQ from 10% to 15%. In most cases, the relevant documents are not submitted. There are cases in which even four people in a family got plots under the GDQ," points V Gopalakrishnan, of Fact, an NGO based in Chennai, whose RTI applications helped bring to light recently the alleged misuse of the discretionary quota.
Some of the eligible categories under the GDQ are single women, social workers, physically handicapped persons, defense personnel, senior citizens, state government servants and journalists. However, terms like social worker' are not defined properly, "A social worker must get a certificate from the NGO he/she is working with. But in many cases, plots have been issued to people close to politicians under this tag," says Gopalakrishnan.
Once the GDQ is issued, the divisional officer will send a provisional order to the person concerned, asking him to pay the initial amount within 21 days. Income and eligibility certificates should also be produced. "But unfortunately, this is not followed strictly in 90% of the cases," says Gopalakrishnan, adding that "Of late, the order prohibiting the beneficiary not to sell the property within three years of purchasing the land allotted to him or her, has also been removed from the sale deeds."
"If the discretion does not fit into the larger interest of the public then what is the use of the very concept?" asks retired DGP S P Mathur. "Land scams are the biggest in India. So it is high time we made all transactions transparent and online. If it is available online, then public can see this and will get a clear idea what's happening," he says.
Although people like Gopalakrishan demand abolition of GDQ', there are some who don't favour this. "The GDQ will be useful for many people provided it is used in the right way. There must be a screening committee to monitor the selection process," suggests Devasahayam.
Read more: More transparency and safeguards necessary for GDQs in govt land allocation, says activists - The Times of India
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
TN hsg quota abused to benefit judges,MLAs
TN hsg quota abused to benefit judges,MLAs
Jayaraj Sivan | TNN
Chennai: Close on the heels of the controversy surrounding land allotments to prominent politicians in Karnataka,a RTI activist in Chennai has blown the lid off similar largesse showered on judges,legislators and bureaucrats by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board.According to housing board records acquired under RTI,many allotments have been made over the past decade through the state governments discretionary quota (GDQ),nearly 40% of them in 2008 alone.
The primary objective of the state-run TNHB,which manages a large land bank,is to create housing stock by granting plots or constructing flats at an affordable price for those who do not own one.The broad guidelines are intended to favour applicants who do not own a flat/house/plot within urban limits in any part of the state or in schemes promoted by TNHB anywhere in Tamil Nadu in ones name or in the name of spouses or minor children.The same conditions apply for the discretionary quota although the government is free to fast-track the application.According to RTI data,scores of allotments have been made in the last five years,in Mogappair and Thiruvanmiyur,violating norms.
The information was procured by V Gopalakrishnan,a RTI activist who filed applications seeking information from TNHB.According to the data provided to him,beneficiaries allotted land or flats at rates 40-60 % less than market value,include a sitting judge of the Madras HC,Congress and DMK legislators,senior police officials and bureaucrats such as a former regional passport officer.
Jayaraj Sivan | TNN
Chennai: Close on the heels of the controversy surrounding land allotments to prominent politicians in Karnataka,a RTI activist in Chennai has blown the lid off similar largesse showered on judges,legislators and bureaucrats by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board.According to housing board records acquired under RTI,many allotments have been made over the past decade through the state governments discretionary quota (GDQ),nearly 40% of them in 2008 alone.
The primary objective of the state-run TNHB,which manages a large land bank,is to create housing stock by granting plots or constructing flats at an affordable price for those who do not own one.The broad guidelines are intended to favour applicants who do not own a flat/house/plot within urban limits in any part of the state or in schemes promoted by TNHB anywhere in Tamil Nadu in ones name or in the name of spouses or minor children.The same conditions apply for the discretionary quota although the government is free to fast-track the application.According to RTI data,scores of allotments have been made in the last five years,in Mogappair and Thiruvanmiyur,violating norms.
The information was procured by V Gopalakrishnan,a RTI activist who filed applications seeking information from TNHB.According to the data provided to him,beneficiaries allotted land or flats at rates 40-60 % less than market value,include a sitting judge of the Madras HC,Congress and DMK legislators,senior police officials and bureaucrats such as a former regional passport officer.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Applicant wins battle over fee
Times of india, chennai edition, Reporter:Jeeva TNN, 20/7/09, page no.2
Chennai: V Gopalakrishnan, a resident of K K Nagar who filed an RTI application with the Chennai Corporation a year ago, got a reply from the civic body only a couple of weeks ago, and that too after the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission threatened to penalise its information officer. The civic body has replied to the queries of the applicant regarding government land in his area that was allegedly allotted to an individual in an unauthorised manner, but it has also asked him to pay Rs 600 to provide him the copies of documents he sought, even though the RTI Act stipulates that information should be provided free of cost if a department fails to provide it within 30 days of the receipt of application. In fact, the Act also says that the information officer, in case of failure to reply to the application within the time frame, is liable to a fine of Rs 250 for every day of delay, subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000. However, Gopalakrishnan had the last laugh on Saturday when he got a copy of the 300-page document free of cost, after the state information commission directed the Chennai Corporation to do so. Though the Central information commission and the state information commission have passed numerous orders making it clear that information officers were not entitled to ask for the cost of information if they fail to reply within 30 days, most of the departments fail to comply while many are not even aware of it. Only when they give information sought by applicants within the time frame can they can ask for extra costs such as photocopying (Rs 2 per page), Rs 50 for CD or floppy, and the actual cost of a sample or model if it is being provided to the applicant.
Chennai: V Gopalakrishnan, a resident of K K Nagar who filed an RTI application with the Chennai Corporation a year ago, got a reply from the civic body only a couple of weeks ago, and that too after the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission threatened to penalise its information officer. The civic body has replied to the queries of the applicant regarding government land in his area that was allegedly allotted to an individual in an unauthorised manner, but it has also asked him to pay Rs 600 to provide him the copies of documents he sought, even though the RTI Act stipulates that information should be provided free of cost if a department fails to provide it within 30 days of the receipt of application. In fact, the Act also says that the information officer, in case of failure to reply to the application within the time frame, is liable to a fine of Rs 250 for every day of delay, subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000. However, Gopalakrishnan had the last laugh on Saturday when he got a copy of the 300-page document free of cost, after the state information commission directed the Chennai Corporation to do so. Though the Central information commission and the state information commission have passed numerous orders making it clear that information officers were not entitled to ask for the cost of information if they fail to reply within 30 days, most of the departments fail to comply while many are not even aware of it. Only when they give information sought by applicants within the time frame can they can ask for extra costs such as photocopying (Rs 2 per page), Rs 50 for CD or floppy, and the actual cost of a sample or model if it is being provided to the applicant.
Complaints galore about corrupt burial ground
Complaints galore about corrupt burial ground
Julie Mariappan, TNN , Times of india,25 January 2009, 12:49am IST
CHENNAI: Ten months after the Chennai corporation announced free burial and cremation facilities in the city complaints are piling up about burial
ground caretakers demanding bribe to carry out the final rituals in several parts of the city. N Nishore, a businessman, who had give Rs 1,500 as cremation "charges" demanded by the caretaker at Kodambakkam burial ground on Wednesday said that neither he nor his relatives knew that cremation charges had been waived by the corporation. "We were asked to pay Rs 1,000 immediately after the cremation and we had no time to argue. They charged an an additional Rs 500 the next day, when we went to collect the ashes," Nishore told TOI. Later, when he came to know about the corporation's announcement through his friends, he lodged a complaint with the corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, demanding action against the caretaker. Meanwhile, in Annai Sathya Nagar near MGR Nagar, M Leeladevi, a resident, was asked to pay Rs 500 for the cremation of his day-old baby. It was only after complaints were made to the higher-ups that the local officials turned up and sorted out the issue. "It is highly unpardonable. All caretakers have a monthly salary, and have no right to demand money from the public. No concrete action is taken against these people even when complaints are preferred to the officials concerned," says V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist. Angry residents of Pammal Nallathambi Street in MGR Nagar forced a caretaker to repay Rs 700 he had collected from a family to carry out a cremation. " There are also many caretakers wandering in the grounds and it is difficult to identify the genuine staff, as noone wears the uniform supplied by the local body. T Arumugam, a CPI activist said. In july 2008, the local body regularised the services of 183 burial grounds caretakers in the city at a monthly salary of Rs 5,445. In November 2008, Mayor M Subramanian and his vigilance team had nabbed two burial ground caretakers in Moolakothalam, while demanding bribe from a family to carry out a cremation. Both of them were later suspended. When contacted, corporatiaon Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said that caretakers in Mylapore and Otteri were suspended following complaints recently. "We will take necessary action to ensure that such irregularities do not happen again. Our vigilance officials are taking necessary action in the field," Lakhoni added.
Julie Mariappan, TNN , Times of india,25 January 2009, 12:49am IST
CHENNAI: Ten months after the Chennai corporation announced free burial and cremation facilities in the city complaints are piling up about burial
ground caretakers demanding bribe to carry out the final rituals in several parts of the city. N Nishore, a businessman, who had give Rs 1,500 as cremation "charges" demanded by the caretaker at Kodambakkam burial ground on Wednesday said that neither he nor his relatives knew that cremation charges had been waived by the corporation. "We were asked to pay Rs 1,000 immediately after the cremation and we had no time to argue. They charged an an additional Rs 500 the next day, when we went to collect the ashes," Nishore told TOI. Later, when he came to know about the corporation's announcement through his friends, he lodged a complaint with the corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, demanding action against the caretaker. Meanwhile, in Annai Sathya Nagar near MGR Nagar, M Leeladevi, a resident, was asked to pay Rs 500 for the cremation of his day-old baby. It was only after complaints were made to the higher-ups that the local officials turned up and sorted out the issue. "It is highly unpardonable. All caretakers have a monthly salary, and have no right to demand money from the public. No concrete action is taken against these people even when complaints are preferred to the officials concerned," says V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist. Angry residents of Pammal Nallathambi Street in MGR Nagar forced a caretaker to repay Rs 700 he had collected from a family to carry out a cremation. " There are also many caretakers wandering in the grounds and it is difficult to identify the genuine staff, as noone wears the uniform supplied by the local body. T Arumugam, a CPI activist said. In july 2008, the local body regularised the services of 183 burial grounds caretakers in the city at a monthly salary of Rs 5,445. In November 2008, Mayor M Subramanian and his vigilance team had nabbed two burial ground caretakers in Moolakothalam, while demanding bribe from a family to carry out a cremation. Both of them were later suspended. When contacted, corporatiaon Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said that caretakers in Mylapore and Otteri were suspended following complaints recently. "We will take necessary action to ensure that such irregularities do not happen again. Our vigilance officials are taking necessary action in the field," Lakhoni added.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Probe against postmen for demanding ‘commission’
TIMES OF INDIA, CHENNAI EDITION, 18/07/09, PAGE NO.2.Julie Mariappan | TNN
Chennai: The postal department, following a surprise check on Wednesday, has initiated disciplinary action against two postmen for ‘demanding commission’ from pensioners near K K Nagar. The postmen were disbursing Rs 400 to the beneficiaries.
Acting on a tip-off, the postal deparment deputed two assistant superintendents to conduct the check at Pulithevan Street in MGR Nagar. The postmen, delivering pension to at least 15 persons, had demanded Rs 20 from each.
Under the Indira Gandhi National old-age pension scheme, people above 65 years of age and those below the poverty line are eligible for a pension of Rs 200 from the Centre. The state government gives another Rs 200 to the eligible beneficiaries. This amount is delivered by postmen.
“We will take action against the offenders.The sum involved is low but the staff will face punishment as per conduct rules,” said a postal officer.
Postmen demanding and taking ‘commission’ from pensioners is common these days, said social activists. “They collect it openly. At times, near post offices,” said V Gopalakrishnan of FACT-India, a nongovernment organisation.
Pension to at least 18 lakh senior citizens, physically handicapped, widows, agricultural labourers, destitute/deserted wives, and unmarried, incapacitated poor women of 50 years and above is disbursed through special tahsildars in each district. “We have been receiving complaints about postmen. The department is considering electronic clearance system for pension disbursal,” social welfare minister P Geetha Jeevan told TOI.
Probe against postmen for demanding ‘commission’
Julie Mariappan | TNN
Chennai: The postal department, following a surprise check on Wednesday, has initiated disciplinary action against two postmen for ‘demanding commission’ from pensioners near K K Nagar. The postmen were disbursing Rs 400 to the beneficiaries.Acting on a tip-off, the postal deparment deputed two assistant superintendents to conduct the check at Pulithevan Street in MGR Nagar. The postmen, delivering pension to at least 15 persons, had demanded Rs 20 from each.
Under the Indira Gandhi National old-age pension scheme, people above 65 years of age and those below the poverty line are eligible for a pension of Rs 200 from the Centre. The state government gives another Rs 200 to the eligible beneficiaries. This amount is delivered by postmen.
“We will take action against the offenders.The sum involved is low but the staff will face punishment as per conduct rules,” said a postal officer.
Postmen demanding and taking ‘commission’ from pensioners is common these days, said social activists. “They collect it openly. At times, near post offices,” said V Gopalakrishnan of FACT-India, a nongovernment organisation.
Pension to at least 18 lakh senior citizens, physically handicapped, widows, agricultural labourers, destitute/deserted wives, and unmarried, incapacitated poor women of 50 years and above is disbursed through special tahsildars in each district. “We have been receiving complaints about postmen. The department is considering electronic clearance system for pension disbursal,” social welfare minister P Geetha Jeevan told TOI.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Authorities can't ask for money to give info, says CIC
Authorities can't ask for money to give info, says CIC
CHENNAI: In a significant order, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has ruled that public authorities cannot demand cost of manpower andMadhav had filed an RTI application at the Southern Railway headquarters here on February 25, 2008, seeking details about different quotas available on train tickets, including information on quotas for agents, tatkal and emergency, and the number of tickets booked under each quota on the Pandian Express from January 10 to 20, 2008.
In its reply, Southern Railway said the applicant would have to pay Rs 750 to obtain the information since
the details sought were four months old. The railways further said that the existing reservation system was dynamic and that reservation records were available only for the last 5 days, which could be generated instantly. Hence, details pertaining to the earlier period had to be accessed from the main hard disc of the computer. Thus, the applicant needed to pay the amount, considering the use of different infrastructural devices such as hard disc, MIS application, CPU power, besides maintenance of equipment and eight man hours taken to compile the details, the railways told the applicant.
In his appeal before CIC, the applicant argued that the public authority was not entitled to ask the amount as it was beyond the purview of the Act.
After hearing the case, CIC in its order said: "The Commission agrees with the contention of the applicant that the RTI Act has no provision for charging any fees towards manpower and maintenance and accordingly directs the Southern Railway to provide the information, which has already been compiled by the respondents, free of cost.''
The Commission also "advised'' the applicant not to seek voluminous information that causes disproportionate diversion of the resources of the public authority.
CIC's order has evoked a welcome response among RTI activists. "It is a very good order as this sort of demand by public authorities will ultimately dilute the RTI Act. The Central government should communicate this order to all its departments forthwith,'' said V Gopalakrishnan, a resident of K K Nagar who has filed several applications under the RTI Act.
Corpn turns blind eye to shops, hotels eating into public space
Corpn turns blind eye to shops, hotels eating
| | |
CHENNAI: As law enforcement agencies fail to keep a constant watch on public spaces meant for pedestrians and vehicle users, encroachers thrive
along arterial roads. And as corporation officials and the police force display little enthusiasm to restore public space to the city's citizens, anti-socials, backed by political clout, often take over. Regaining encroached land is not easy, as social activists will tell you.
Take the example of the three permanent sheds that suddenly cropped up last week on more than half a ground of land, off the Mambalam canal near Saravana Bhavan in KK Nagar. Until then, there was at the site a notice board put up by corporation authorities that suggested the land was owned by them. Today, the boards have been uprooted and can be seen near the canal, even as government officials move about in the area, ostensibly to provide various welfare measures'. "It is shocking," says K Pugazhenthi, an advocate who has complained to the local body about the encroachments.
On the road adjoining the canal there are more than 140 traders selling timber. The traders had earlier encroached on pavements near the ESI Hospital on Anna Main Road. It was only at the behest of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board that they were relocated to the present site. Instead of confining themselves to the earmarked space, they extended their outlets on to the road, shrinking further the narrow road space available.
"Traders have beeen pleading for a permanent site to be allocated by government. We have to wait and see whether the state regularises such encroachments," says V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist. Currently, the market rate for a small shop here is a whopping Rs 10 lakh.
On Anna Main Road, eateries have sprung along the roadside. Some have even built concrete structures near Metrowater's sewage treatment plant in Nesapakkam. Not a single corporation vehicle has come to demolish the structures, residents say. Hundreds of vehicles use the road to reach Virugambakkam and Porur, but that has not goaded authorities into initiating action against the offenders. Helping the eatery business thrive is a TASMAC outlet nearby.
The local body has also hardly shown interest in clearing encroachments on government-owned land in Soolaipallam, near the Adyar river. An Anganwadi (No. 784) has been running here for years, but now a portion of it has been encroached on by a neighbour. The remaining open space has been taken up by parked vehicles, huge garbage bins and construction material.
When contacted, concerned authorities said that they would soon initiate action and get rid of encroachments. "We have intimated the local police also," a senior official said.
Take the example of the three permanent sheds that suddenly cropped up last week on more than half a ground of land, off the Mambalam canal near Saravana Bhavan in KK Nagar. Until then, there was at the site a notice board put up by corporation authorities that suggested the land was owned by them. Today, the boards have been uprooted and can be seen near the canal, even as government officials move about in the area, ostensibly to provide various welfare measures'. "It is shocking," says K Pugazhenthi, an advocate who has complained to the local body about the encroachments.
On the road adjoining the canal there are more than 140 traders selling timber. The traders had earlier encroached on pavements near the ESI Hospital on Anna Main Road. It was only at the behest of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board that they were relocated to the present site. Instead of confining themselves to the earmarked space, they extended their outlets on to the road, shrinking further the narrow road space available.
"Traders have beeen pleading for a permanent site to be allocated by government. We have to wait and see whether the state regularises such encroachments," says V Gopalakrishnan, a social activist. Currently, the market rate for a small shop here is a whopping Rs 10 lakh.
On Anna Main Road, eateries have sprung along the roadside. Some have even built concrete structures near Metrowater's sewage treatment plant in Nesapakkam. Not a single corporation vehicle has come to demolish the structures, residents say. Hundreds of vehicles use the road to reach Virugambakkam and Porur, but that has not goaded authorities into initiating action against the offenders. Helping the eatery business thrive is a TASMAC outlet nearby.
The local body has also hardly shown interest in clearing encroachments on government-owned land in Soolaipallam, near the Adyar river. An Anganwadi (No. 784) has been running here for years, but now a portion of it has been encroached on by a neighbour. The remaining open space has been taken up by parked vehicles, huge garbage bins and construction material.
When contacted, concerned authorities said that they would soon initiate action and get rid of encroachments. "We have intimated the local police also," a senior official said.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
School in a soup for taking fee sans receipt
times of india. chennai edition, 27/05/9 page no.6
Chennai: A government-aided school in K K Nagar came under the scanner of the education department on Tuesday after some of its officials demanded money for providing transfer certificates (TCs). After the intervention of the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DV&AC), the district education officer conducted an inquiry.
The Kalaignar Karunanidhi Nirmala Girls Higher Secondary School on Kamarajar Salai is a government-aided institution till Class 10. Classes 11 and 12 are self-financed. On Tuesday morning, several parents and children who came to collect TCs were shocked when some teachers asked them to shell out Rs 200 as maintenance fee.
“They had collected Rs 5,800 as fees, including maintenance charges, at the beginning of the year. But they are again demanding money and that too without giving any receipt,” said Subramanian, a parent who refused to pay.
He said one of the teachers even claimed that the school’s clout extended to the chief minister’s office. “The school has been taking Rs 100 and Rs 200 during the year for various reasons. But the transfer certificate is necessary for the future of children and hence the parents give the money without questioning,” he said.
Another parent who gave the money said, “We did not want to have any problems and so we gave Rs 200.” Subramanian then informed his friend Gopalakrishnan, a member of Federation of Anti-Corruption Teams (FACT) India. The latter informed inspector Jeevanandham of the DVAC who alerted the district education officer.
Around 11.15am, the district education officer reached the school, conducted an inquiry and ordered the school to stop collecting money and also took an audit of the total money taken from parents.
“As Classes 11 and 12 are run by the management, they could have collected money to run the institution. Had a receipt been given there would not have been any problem. I have asked the school administration to return the money taken from parents and not to collect the amount from others,” the officer said.
V Panchamoorthy, another parent, said the authorities refused to return the money when his daughter went to collect it. “They said it was donation money and refused to refund it,” he said.
The school authorities told the Times of India that they were collecting maintenance fees as was usually done at the end of the academic year.
Chennai: A government-aided school in K K Nagar came under the scanner of the education department on Tuesday after some of its officials demanded money for providing transfer certificates (TCs). After the intervention of the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DV&AC), the district education officer conducted an inquiry.
The Kalaignar Karunanidhi Nirmala Girls Higher Secondary School on Kamarajar Salai is a government-aided institution till Class 10. Classes 11 and 12 are self-financed. On Tuesday morning, several parents and children who came to collect TCs were shocked when some teachers asked them to shell out Rs 200 as maintenance fee.
“They had collected Rs 5,800 as fees, including maintenance charges, at the beginning of the year. But they are again demanding money and that too without giving any receipt,” said Subramanian, a parent who refused to pay.
He said one of the teachers even claimed that the school’s clout extended to the chief minister’s office. “The school has been taking Rs 100 and Rs 200 during the year for various reasons. But the transfer certificate is necessary for the future of children and hence the parents give the money without questioning,” he said.
Another parent who gave the money said, “We did not want to have any problems and so we gave Rs 200.” Subramanian then informed his friend Gopalakrishnan, a member of Federation of Anti-Corruption Teams (FACT) India. The latter informed inspector Jeevanandham of the DVAC who alerted the district education officer.
Around 11.15am, the district education officer reached the school, conducted an inquiry and ordered the school to stop collecting money and also took an audit of the total money taken from parents.
“As Classes 11 and 12 are run by the management, they could have collected money to run the institution. Had a receipt been given there would not have been any problem. I have asked the school administration to return the money taken from parents and not to collect the amount from others,” the officer said.
V Panchamoorthy, another parent, said the authorities refused to return the money when his daughter went to collect it. “They said it was donation money and refused to refund it,” he said.
The school authorities told the Times of India that they were collecting maintenance fees as was usually done at the end of the academic year.
Come and see the theft of water on the streets of a thirsty city
times of india, chennai edition, 28/05/09, page no.3
Come and see the theft of water on the streets of a thirsty city
Vivek Narayanan | TNN
Chennai: Around noon, as the summer sun beats down mercilessly, a regular trade is on at Kamarajar Salai in K K Nagar. A woman sits on a stone near a sintex tank, waiting. Soon, a bullock cart carrying a tank halts near her. The cart driver fills his tank with water from the sintex tank, gives the woman Rs 30 and drives off.
The ‘trade,’ which has been going on in K K Nagar for the past several months has now spread to areas like Tondiarpet and Mylapore and even to commercial localities, including T Nagar.
The water in the sintex tank is supplied by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) or Metrowater to places where there is no proper piped water supply. There are 2,200 such tanks in the city; most of them located near slums.
“The water filled in tanks on bullock carts is supplied to hotels in various parts of the city,” said Gopalakrishnan of the Federation of Anti-Corruption Teams (FACT) India.
A bullock cartdrawn tank can carry 18 buckets of water and for each tank, the driver pays Rs 30 to the person who steals water from the sintex tank. The driver then sells the water to hotels and other commercial establishments for Rs 75 per tank.
“The water is filled in the tanks in accordance with the demand for the particular area. When the water is pilfered thus from tanks and sold outside, the residents are left with no water. As such, one family gets only two or three buckets a day,” said Mugilan of K K Nagar.
A senior Metrowater official, pointing out that such “sale” was illegal, said: “We have two teams to keep track of the supply and distribution of water. They have been issuing spot fines too. We will look into the issue and stop the supply of water till this pilferage is curtailed.”
BLATANT THEFT: 1) A man comes on a bullock-cart with a barrel to a Metrowater public water tank on Kamarajar Salai in K K Nagar, where a woman is waiting. 2) She fills cans of water for the man. 3) He fills the barrel and leaves within a few minutes after paying the woman Rs 30
Come and see the theft of water on the streets of a thirsty city
Vivek Narayanan | TNN
Chennai: Around noon, as the summer sun beats down mercilessly, a regular trade is on at Kamarajar Salai in K K Nagar. A woman sits on a stone near a sintex tank, waiting. Soon, a bullock cart carrying a tank halts near her. The cart driver fills his tank with water from the sintex tank, gives the woman Rs 30 and drives off.
The ‘trade,’ which has been going on in K K Nagar for the past several months has now spread to areas like Tondiarpet and Mylapore and even to commercial localities, including T Nagar.
The water in the sintex tank is supplied by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) or Metrowater to places where there is no proper piped water supply. There are 2,200 such tanks in the city; most of them located near slums.
“The water filled in tanks on bullock carts is supplied to hotels in various parts of the city,” said Gopalakrishnan of the Federation of Anti-Corruption Teams (FACT) India.
A bullock cartdrawn tank can carry 18 buckets of water and for each tank, the driver pays Rs 30 to the person who steals water from the sintex tank. The driver then sells the water to hotels and other commercial establishments for Rs 75 per tank.
“The water is filled in the tanks in accordance with the demand for the particular area. When the water is pilfered thus from tanks and sold outside, the residents are left with no water. As such, one family gets only two or three buckets a day,” said Mugilan of K K Nagar.
A senior Metrowater official, pointing out that such “sale” was illegal, said: “We have two teams to keep track of the supply and distribution of water. They have been issuing spot fines too. We will look into the issue and stop the supply of water till this pilferage is curtailed.”
BLATANT THEFT: 1) A man comes on a bullock-cart with a barrel to a Metrowater public water tank on Kamarajar Salai in K K Nagar, where a woman is waiting. 2) She fills cans of water for the man. 3) He fills the barrel and leaves within a few minutes after paying the woman Rs 30
Thursday, March 12, 2009
IT dept refuses to disclose info on IAS officials
Publication:Times Of India Chennai; Date:Mar 9, 2009; Section:Times City; Page Number:3
LEGALLY BOUND
IT dept refuses to disclose info on IAS officials
Property Papers Not Revealed
Jeeva | TNN
Chennai: The Central Information Commission feels that details of property belonging to government servants and even judges of the high courts and the Supreme Court are subject to the purview of the Right To Information (RTI) Act but some government departments, including
the Income-Tax department, seem to think otherwise.
The Income-Tax department, the Regional Passport Office, Chennai and also the State Secretariat are reportedly opposed to disclosing the names of officials who had bought immovable properties in the last two years.
V Gopalakrishnan, an RTI activist, sought this information quoting Section 16(3) of the All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which stipulate that the officials should not acquire any immovable property except with the previous knowledge of the government and should intimate the government about their transactions if the value of the said property exceeded Rs 15,000.
Gopalakrishnan, Chennai zone secretary of Fifth Pillar India, an NGO fighting against corruption, wanted the details for the period from January 2006 to December 2008. The authorities said they could not furnish the information as it included personal details of the officials and no public interest was involved in the queries. The department said 137 officials bought immovable properties in the two years but refused to reveal their names.
The secretariat said the chief secretary to the government was the competent authority to grant permission to IAS officers for purchasing immovable properties. It added: “Analogous to income-tax returns, the property returns filed by IAS officers are considered personal in nature and disclosure of this information will cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual. Hence these information is exempted as per section 8 (1)(j) of the RTI Act.’’
“I obtained details from the Tamil Nadu Housing Board about the purchase of flats by government officials under ‘government discretionary quota’. The information suggested that many officials could have misused the quota to buy properties. So, I filed RTI applications and they cannot say no public interest is involved in my queries,’’ Gopalakrishnan said.
jeeva.pugazvendan@timesgroup.com
LEGALLY BOUND
IT dept refuses to disclose info on IAS officials
Property Papers Not Revealed
Jeeva | TNN
Chennai: The Central Information Commission feels that details of property belonging to government servants and even judges of the high courts and the Supreme Court are subject to the purview of the Right To Information (RTI) Act but some government departments, including
the Income-Tax department, seem to think otherwise.
The Income-Tax department, the Regional Passport Office, Chennai and also the State Secretariat are reportedly opposed to disclosing the names of officials who had bought immovable properties in the last two years.
V Gopalakrishnan, an RTI activist, sought this information quoting Section 16(3) of the All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which stipulate that the officials should not acquire any immovable property except with the previous knowledge of the government and should intimate the government about their transactions if the value of the said property exceeded Rs 15,000.
Gopalakrishnan, Chennai zone secretary of Fifth Pillar India, an NGO fighting against corruption, wanted the details for the period from January 2006 to December 2008. The authorities said they could not furnish the information as it included personal details of the officials and no public interest was involved in the queries. The department said 137 officials bought immovable properties in the two years but refused to reveal their names.
The secretariat said the chief secretary to the government was the competent authority to grant permission to IAS officers for purchasing immovable properties. It added: “Analogous to income-tax returns, the property returns filed by IAS officers are considered personal in nature and disclosure of this information will cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual. Hence these information is exempted as per section 8 (1)(j) of the RTI Act.’’
“I obtained details from the Tamil Nadu Housing Board about the purchase of flats by government officials under ‘government discretionary quota’. The information suggested that many officials could have misused the quota to buy properties. So, I filed RTI applications and they cannot say no public interest is involved in my queries,’’ Gopalakrishnan said.
jeeva.pugazvendan@timesgroup.com
Parties steal electricity to light up public meetings
Parties steal electricity to light up public meetings
Vivek Narayanan | TNN
Chennai: Though Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi had indicated the necessity for political parties to desist from tapping Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) power at political meetings, there aren’t many who are listening.
According to a senior TNEB official, in December there was a proposal to ask political parties to make alternate arrangements for light and sound at meetings, rather than tap TNEB power. But with the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, political parties are not really concerned. “Parties have started conducting meetings. For providing light and sound facilities, they steal power from TNEB transformers, pillar boxes, overhead cables and even from street lights,” said V Gopalakrishnan, Fifth Pillar, a Chennai-based anti-corruption NGO.
Gopalakrishnan said that though TNEB officials were aware of the issues, they did not take action fearing repercussion from political parties. “At the junction of KK Salai in MGR Nagar and Pammal Nalla Street, pilferage happens regularly for public meetings. Illumination using an array of tubelights is done by stealing power from the corporation lamp post,” he said.
Pointing out that no action was taken when complaints were made to the TNEB vigilance department, Gopalakrishnan said: “I made a call to enquire where I could lodge a complaint, but they never gave me a number. Finally, I sent a letter to the chief election officer explaining the pilferage. I have not received any reply to that, too.”
According to TNEB sources, for any meeting organised by a major political party, about 100 kW is consumed; on a smaller scale, the consumption would be about 50 kW. “This is because halogen lamps of 1,000-volt capacity are used to illuminate banners and pictures,” an official said.
Most of the supply is usually sourced without making payments. According to norms specified for temporary electricity supply, the consumer has to approach the TNEB office and seek permission. “A form, which specifies the electricity load requirement and the duration of the meeting, has to be filled in. After calculating the units likely to be consumed, the fee payable is informed to the consumer,” said a TNEB source. Gopalakrishnan said that when he filed an RTI petition seeking information on the power consumed at political meetings, TNEB officials said such meetings were not held with their consent and hence had no details.
Vivek Narayanan | TNN
Chennai: Though Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi had indicated the necessity for political parties to desist from tapping Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) power at political meetings, there aren’t many who are listening.
According to a senior TNEB official, in December there was a proposal to ask political parties to make alternate arrangements for light and sound at meetings, rather than tap TNEB power. But with the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, political parties are not really concerned. “Parties have started conducting meetings. For providing light and sound facilities, they steal power from TNEB transformers, pillar boxes, overhead cables and even from street lights,” said V Gopalakrishnan, Fifth Pillar, a Chennai-based anti-corruption NGO.
Gopalakrishnan said that though TNEB officials were aware of the issues, they did not take action fearing repercussion from political parties. “At the junction of KK Salai in MGR Nagar and Pammal Nalla Street, pilferage happens regularly for public meetings. Illumination using an array of tubelights is done by stealing power from the corporation lamp post,” he said.
Pointing out that no action was taken when complaints were made to the TNEB vigilance department, Gopalakrishnan said: “I made a call to enquire where I could lodge a complaint, but they never gave me a number. Finally, I sent a letter to the chief election officer explaining the pilferage. I have not received any reply to that, too.”
According to TNEB sources, for any meeting organised by a major political party, about 100 kW is consumed; on a smaller scale, the consumption would be about 50 kW. “This is because halogen lamps of 1,000-volt capacity are used to illuminate banners and pictures,” an official said.
Most of the supply is usually sourced without making payments. According to norms specified for temporary electricity supply, the consumer has to approach the TNEB office and seek permission. “A form, which specifies the electricity load requirement and the duration of the meeting, has to be filled in. After calculating the units likely to be consumed, the fee payable is informed to the consumer,” said a TNEB source. Gopalakrishnan said that when he filed an RTI petition seeking information on the power consumed at political meetings, TNEB officials said such meetings were not held with their consent and hence had no details.
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