Chandigarh:
The landmark Right to Information act was passed by parliament almost 4 years ago. Since then this powerful law has brought about accountability from governments. Well there are just a few days left for all those who feel they have either used or facilitated the use of this powerful law to submit nominations to the first ever RTI awards.
This is the story of Jaspal Singh, a Right to Information crusader because of whom one lakh citizens of Chandigarh could vote again.
Forty-five-year-old Jaspal Singh was a relatively unknown journalist in Chandigarh. An RTI crusader in his free time, he helped friends and neighbours solve problems they faced in government offices.
Then in October 2008, he discovered his name was not on the electoral rolls.
He filed an RTI application demanding an explanation.
The reply was startling. Names of one lakh voters including his has been mistakenly deleted by the agency to which electoral roll processing had been outsourced.
"Those who deleted my name, my wife's name, and names of other voters in Chandigarh without any reason were penalised Rs 1 lakh. We very got our names back on the voter list," recalls Jaspal Singh.
Because of Jaspal Singh, one lakh citizens of Chandigarh could vote and he became a mini celebrity.
Now, he has been nominated for an RTI Award that goes to citizen crusaders who have used the Right to information Act to make a difference all along encouraging others to do the same.
"Every every citizen of the country should become aware and they should know and exercise their rights. They should fight for their rights," says this RTI activist.