New Delhi:
If a fresh slice of bread is part of your daily breakfast, then you probably have Tek Chand Hingorani - a retired government official to thank.
Hingorani, a retired government officer was concerned when his local grocery shop was selling stale bread. But the problem was that there was no clear labeling indicating the manufacturing or expiry dates on the packaging. Hingorani filed several RTIs with Delhi's Weights and Measurements Department and asked what measures were being taken to check the freshness of bread and labeling.
At first Tek Chand was told the department was handling the case. But not satisfied, he filed another application asking why the department had not prescribed a particular place on the bread packaging for printing dates. The department conceded that it was now going to take action.
"Thanks to RTI, you get answers. Otherwise you keep writing to them nothing happens. Under RTI there is a time bound action," says Tek Chand Hingorani.
And although not every manufacturer is printing dates yet, RTI has helped Hingorani ensure the freshness in his bread and he hopes that others will be inspired to fight for change.