- The document is a letter sent to the Governor of Kerala by Maj (Retd) P M Ravindran regarding a petition submitted two months prior about removing State Information Commissioners in Kerala.
- It details failures of the Commission to comply with the Right to Information Act, including not appointing Assistant Public Information Officers at sub-district levels as mandated by law.
- It alleges the Commissioners are spreading misinformation, intimidating the public, and arbitrarily disposing cases in violation of the Act's provisions to accept bribes from defaulting authorities.
- 13 human rights activists were arrested for staging a protest against the Chief Information Commissioner, highlighting the bureaucracy's attempts to subvert the Right
The RTI Act has been murdered by the bureaucrats appointed as CIC and ICs. This is an application of 21 Apr 2007 whihc i had filed with the President of India to remove the first CIC, Wajahat Habibullah
Mr Oommen Chandy, the Chief Minister of Kerala, India had gone around the districts in what was touted to be the CM's Public Contact Program. In each district 10s of thousands of complaints were filed in the offices of the District Collectors. The DCs distributed these complaints to the various authorities concerned, got their responses and these responses were given to the complainants. Needless to say these responses were typical bureaucratic responses offering no solutions whatsoever to the aggrieved citizens. In quite a few cases not even such a response was received. Here is one filed at Palakkad and for which no response has been received. This is about how the Kerala State Information Commission has been subverting the Right to Information Act.
This is a complaint I had filed for the Public Contact Program of the Chief Minister of Kerala, India to be held in Palakkad on 13 Jun 2015 as per the current schedule.
This is a complaint I had filed for the Public Contact Program of the Chief minister of Kerala scheduled to held at Palakkad on 13 Jun 2015. It is against the office of the Chief Minister of Kerala himself.
It is 15 years since the Right to Information Act was introduced as another piece of legislation, only to cheat the masses once again. Touted as a sunshine act, as a panacea for corruption and introduce accountability of the public servants to the public, it has grown into one of the biggest, yet unrecognized, scams over the last 15 years.
The RTI Act has been murdered by the bureaucrats appointed as CIC and ICs. This is an application of 21 Apr 2007 whihc i had filed with the President of India to remove the first CIC, Wajahat Habibullah
Mr Oommen Chandy, the Chief Minister of Kerala, India had gone around the districts in what was touted to be the CM's Public Contact Program. In each district 10s of thousands of complaints were filed in the offices of the District Collectors. The DCs distributed these complaints to the various authorities concerned, got their responses and these responses were given to the complainants. Needless to say these responses were typical bureaucratic responses offering no solutions whatsoever to the aggrieved citizens. In quite a few cases not even such a response was received. Here is one filed at Palakkad and for which no response has been received. This is about how the Kerala State Information Commission has been subverting the Right to Information Act.
This is a complaint I had filed for the Public Contact Program of the Chief Minister of Kerala, India to be held in Palakkad on 13 Jun 2015 as per the current schedule.
This is a complaint I had filed for the Public Contact Program of the Chief minister of Kerala scheduled to held at Palakkad on 13 Jun 2015. It is against the office of the Chief Minister of Kerala himself.
It is 15 years since the Right to Information Act was introduced as another piece of legislation, only to cheat the masses once again. Touted as a sunshine act, as a panacea for corruption and introduce accountability of the public servants to the public, it has grown into one of the biggest, yet unrecognized, scams over the last 15 years.
The legislator has filed the petition asking the JSC to instigate disciplinary measures against Chief Justice David Maraga following the Supreme Court's decision to nullify President Uhuru Kenyatta's election on August 8. The petition was filed by NASA leader Raila Odinga
CBI ,a professional Investigating Agency has done commendable job but still has always been under controversy of being aligned to the ruling party which must be corrected.
Final status of RTI dated 26.03.2017 against SC for forcible listing before Hon'ble Justice Navin Sinha with false & Wrong Office Report dated 25.03.2017
Copying from the Central Information Commission, the Kerala State Information Commission conducted a two day seminar on RTI at Thiruvananthapuram on 11th and 12th October 2013. The Governor was supposed to inaugurate the function. Well aware of how these 'fraud' shows are organised and how the unsuspecting chief guest is made to express inanities fed by the organisers I sent a mail to the Governor on 9 Oct 2013 highlighting some important issues in the matter of implementation of the law in the State. These were the same ones I had handed over to the CIC, KSIC in Jan 2007! But as expected this was not brought to the notice of the Governor and he ended up making a fool of himself by talking only on the misuse of the Act as fed to him by the information commissioners though the fact is that it is only the information commissioners who can misuse the Act. This was also communicated to him through another mail which also was not brought to his notice. So this feedback was sent on 16 Oct 2013 along with an application under the RTI Act! The replies received both from the Public Information Officer and the First Appellate Authority at the Rajbhavan indicates that even in this office of the 1st public servant in the State the work ethics and quality are a far cry from what is expected of such an office!
Short of a decade after Anna Hazare led Anti Corruption Movement took the nation by storm from Jantar Mantar, the Lokpal is a reality in the country. As soon as the agitation had begun gathering momentum, the then UPA government led by Man Mohan Singh brought in a Bill in 2011 that was derided by the activists as Jokepal. They came up with a draft bill touted as Jan Lokpal. After some stalemate the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 became a reality in 2014. To be precise it became effective from 16 Jan 2014. But the appointment of the first Chairman and members of the Lokpal took another five years.
RTI India -Development factors and the loopholes in itSrikanth Kuthuru
This presentation includes the details about the development in india using RTI , the drawbacks of it and some suggestions for the improvement of the act.
This is the 3rd part of a 5 part series wherein an effort has been made to expose how the public servants in India has subverted the only pro democracy, citizen friendly law in the country- the Right to Information Act. Here are some more examples of how the acts are perpetrated.
The legislator has filed the petition asking the JSC to instigate disciplinary measures against Chief Justice David Maraga following the Supreme Court's decision to nullify President Uhuru Kenyatta's election on August 8. The petition was filed by NASA leader Raila Odinga
CBI ,a professional Investigating Agency has done commendable job but still has always been under controversy of being aligned to the ruling party which must be corrected.
Final status of RTI dated 26.03.2017 against SC for forcible listing before Hon'ble Justice Navin Sinha with false & Wrong Office Report dated 25.03.2017
Copying from the Central Information Commission, the Kerala State Information Commission conducted a two day seminar on RTI at Thiruvananthapuram on 11th and 12th October 2013. The Governor was supposed to inaugurate the function. Well aware of how these 'fraud' shows are organised and how the unsuspecting chief guest is made to express inanities fed by the organisers I sent a mail to the Governor on 9 Oct 2013 highlighting some important issues in the matter of implementation of the law in the State. These were the same ones I had handed over to the CIC, KSIC in Jan 2007! But as expected this was not brought to the notice of the Governor and he ended up making a fool of himself by talking only on the misuse of the Act as fed to him by the information commissioners though the fact is that it is only the information commissioners who can misuse the Act. This was also communicated to him through another mail which also was not brought to his notice. So this feedback was sent on 16 Oct 2013 along with an application under the RTI Act! The replies received both from the Public Information Officer and the First Appellate Authority at the Rajbhavan indicates that even in this office of the 1st public servant in the State the work ethics and quality are a far cry from what is expected of such an office!
Short of a decade after Anna Hazare led Anti Corruption Movement took the nation by storm from Jantar Mantar, the Lokpal is a reality in the country. As soon as the agitation had begun gathering momentum, the then UPA government led by Man Mohan Singh brought in a Bill in 2011 that was derided by the activists as Jokepal. They came up with a draft bill touted as Jan Lokpal. After some stalemate the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 became a reality in 2014. To be precise it became effective from 16 Jan 2014. But the appointment of the first Chairman and members of the Lokpal took another five years.
RTI India -Development factors and the loopholes in itSrikanth Kuthuru
This presentation includes the details about the development in india using RTI , the drawbacks of it and some suggestions for the improvement of the act.
This is the 3rd part of a 5 part series wherein an effort has been made to expose how the public servants in India has subverted the only pro democracy, citizen friendly law in the country- the Right to Information Act. Here are some more examples of how the acts are perpetrated.
The RTI Act is one of the rarest, rather the only, citizen friendly and pro-democracy law in India as on date. It is simple, unambiguous and can be understood clearly by even a student who has passed 5th standard in school. But even this law has been subverted by the nexus of the public servants in all the three organs of our Constitution. Here is a short and crisp analysis of the ways in which it has been literally murdered!
With the apex court illegally abrogating the NJAC Act and no hope for the even more important NJ Accountability Commission, a fervent request is made to the PM for constituting a National Quasi Judicial Appointments and Accountability Commission
Explore the Power of Transparency: Right to Information (RTI)
Delve into the fundamental right that empowers citizens to access information held by public authorities. This presentation sheds light on the essence of the Right to Information Act, its significance in fostering transparency, and its role in shaping accountable governance.
Discover the ins and outs of RTI, from its historical context to its modern-day implications. Uncover how this pivotal legislation acts as a catalyst for accountability, encouraging citizen engagement and ensuring responsive governance.
Join us on a journey through the nuances of RTI, understanding its applications, impact, and the power it bestows upon citizens to question, seek, and receive information from public bodies.
Empower yourself with knowledge and learn how the Right to Information fosters a more informed and participative society, transforming the landscape of governance for the better."
To provide brief introduction of the Right to Information Act 2005 Act and main provisions relating to Public Authority, Information Commission, State & Central Information Commission & so on
This ppt includes the basic information related to RTI like its mode of filing by both online and offline and also includes some information related to RTI Amendment Bill 2019.
Prudence dictates it is better to let sleeping dogs lie. But wisdom demands that the unpalatable and unpleasant, at least those in public domain, be discussed publicly and thrashed out in public interest.
The title is a quip from Malayalam, the regional language of Kerala, India. It means for the king who kills, the minister who eats. It is used to describe an unholy nexus where no evidence of any crime is left. This was written in the context of a scam where the Government of Kerala shared private information of Covid patients to a software firm in the US of A, flouting all laws on such transactions. A bureaucrat, the Principle Private Secretary of the Chief Minister claimed that he had done it on his own, absolving his boss, secure in the feeling that his boss would not give permission to prosecute him, a ridiculous requirement of our laws.
This is the copy of a leaflet prepared for distribution during a protest against Palat Mohandas, the then Chief Information Commissioner, Kerala State Information Commission, when he had come to Palakkad on 08 Dec 2007 to address a seminar on Right to Information. The original is in Malayalam and this post includes the original and its translated version in English.
On 19 feb 2009 there was open war in the Madras High Court premises when the police tried to control an unruly mob of advocates. Sree Krishna, former judge of the apex court, who inquired into the above incidence submitted an interim report on 4 Mar 2009. This report is documentary proof of how biased and unreliable our (former) judges are.
The only citizen friendly law in India- the Right to Information Act- has been totally subverted by the very commissioners appointed to enforce it. One of them, the Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission has been recently designated as the 1st Lt Governor of the newly created union territory of Ladhak. Shouldn't it be considered as a reward for treason?
The judiciary in India is a law unto itself. Recently, an apex court bench dusted an appeal of 2015 vintage and ordered 5 apartment complexes in Kochi to be demolished within one month- without having ensured that even one of the 350 odd owners of the flats had been heard.
For all the failures of the authorities to implement the laws the blame is invariably palmed off to the masses and their ignorance of the laws. This is a fraud. The performance of the authorities can be easily seen to be indifferent, incompetent and wayward by just studying their functions objectively. Whether it is the judiciary or the quasi judicial organisations they can all be seen most brazenly violating the laws which they are tasked, empowered, equipped and paid to enforce. The experience of those who know these laws is sufficient to indict these authorities.
Indian democracy is a unique system where unelected babus (bureaucrats) and judges dictate the terms. The civil military relationship should be the worst in India given the self serving nature of both the babus and judges and the helpless politicians acting as the sikhandi in the Mahabaratha though the former two can never be compared with Arjun.
The only thing that marks India as a democracy is the periodical visits to the polling booths. Government administration, led by the bureaucrats of the Indian Administrative Service, is a synonym for corruption and treason. The politically elected government is just a puppet in the hands of these bureaucrats. And the judiciary is a law unto itself.
The Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states have been established to deal with corruption and impropriety at the higher levels of government. But sad to say, these have been turned into another rehabilitation home for retired judges.
The Constitution of India, touted as the most voluminous and most detailed, has the dubious reputation of its own architect, DR Ambedkar stating that "I was a hack. What I was asked to, I did much against my will. I am quite prepared to say that I shall be the first person to burn it. It does not suit anybody.” It has also been criticised as a revised version of the Government of India Act 1935 which had been legislated by the colonial rulers to grant limited self government to the locals. Suffice to say that on completion of almost 7 decades, it retrospect it can definitely be said that it needs to be rewritten keeping the aspiration of the new generation in mind.
I cannot say if the apex court judgment in the hands of Pinarayi led Government can be compared to a bouquet of flowers in the hands of a monkey or a murderous weapon in the hands of a serial murderer. The fact remains that the fear of their rights related to their faith being violated was writ large and there were reports of protests from devotees even in far away Australia, Canada and the US of A. This is a complaint to the CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, himself
Kerala, a small state in southern India has faced one of its worst natural disasters in recent times- a flood since the last one 1924! How the indifference of the government of the day made it worse and almost man made is the topic of this article.
The only pro-democracy, citizen friendly law, the Right to Information Act, has been subverted blatantly by the very information commissioners who have been appointed at exorbitant cost to the exchequer to enforce it. Here is another example of such subversion by none other than the Chief Information Commissioner of Kerala, Vinson M Paul, former DGP and Direcor Vigilance of the State.
This is the last part of a 5 part series wherein an effort has been made to expose how the public servants in India has subverted the only pro democracy, citizen friendly law in the country- the Right to Information Act. Here is a wake up call to alert citizens who are the mainstay of any democracy!
There was a report in media a few days back about a list of 5 persons having been prepared for recommending them to be appointed as ICs to the KSIC. However, the procedure followed for the selection of these candidates is not known. Hence this application under the RTI Act to bring clarity on the issue.
Many ways to support street children.pptxSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
Russian anarchist and anti-war movement in the third year of full-scale warAntti Rautiainen
Anarchist group ANA Regensburg hosted my online-presentation on 16th of May 2024, in which I discussed tactics of anti-war activism in Russia, and reasons why the anti-war movement has not been able to make an impact to change the course of events yet. Cases of anarchists repressed for anti-war activities are presented, as well as strategies of support for political prisoners, and modest successes in supporting their struggles.
Thumbnail picture is by MediaZona, you may read their report on anti-war arson attacks in Russia here: https://en.zona.media/article/2022/10/13/burn-map
Links:
Autonomous Action
http://Avtonom.org
Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
http://Avtonom.org/abc
Solidarity Zone
https://t.me/solidarity_zone
Memorial
https://memopzk.org/, https://t.me/pzk_memorial
OVD-Info
https://en.ovdinfo.org/antiwar-ovd-info-guide
RosUznik
https://rosuznik.org/
Uznik Online
http://uznikonline.tilda.ws/
Russian Reader
https://therussianreader.com/
ABC Irkutsk
https://abc38.noblogs.org/
Send mail to prisoners from abroad:
http://Prisonmail.online
YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5nSOdU48O8
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libertarianlifecoach/episodes/Russian-anarchist-and-anti-war-movement-in-the-third-year-of-full-scale-war-e2k8ai4
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Up the Ratios Bylaws - a Comprehensive Process of Our Organizationuptheratios
Up the Ratios is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM education for underprivileged students by providing free, high-quality learning opportunities in robotics and other STEM fields. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers by offering a range of educational programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Up the Ratios, we believe that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, should have access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. To achieve this, we host a variety of free classes, workshops, summer camps, and live lectures tailored to students from underserved communities. Our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on, allowing students to explore the exciting world of robotics and STEM through practical, real-world applications.
Our free classes cover fundamental concepts in robotics, coding, and engineering, providing students with a strong foundation in these critical areas. Through our interactive workshops, students can dive deeper into specific topics, working on projects that challenge them to apply what they've learned and think creatively. Our summer camps offer an immersive experience where students can collaborate on larger projects, develop their teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
In addition to our local programs, Up the Ratios is committed to making a global impact. We take donations of new and gently used robotics parts, which we then distribute to students and educational institutions in other countries. These donations help ensure that young learners worldwide have the resources they need to explore and excel in STEM fields. By supporting education in this way, we aim to nurture a global community of future leaders and innovators.
Our live lectures feature guest speakers from various STEM disciplines, including engineers, scientists, and industry professionals who share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These lectures provide valuable insights into potential career paths and inspire students to pursue their passions in STEM.
Up the Ratios relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our work. Contributions of time, expertise, and financial support are crucial to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Whether you're an individual passionate about education, a professional in the STEM field, or a company looking to give back to the community, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
We are proud of the positive impact we've had on the lives of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue higher education and careers in STEM. By providing these young minds with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we are not only changing their futures but also contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation on a broader scale.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Presentation by Jared Jageler, David Adler, Noelia Duchovny, and Evan Herrnstadt, analysts in CBO’s Microeconomic Studies and Health Analysis Divisions, at the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Summer Conference.
ZGB - The Role of Generative AI in Government transformation.pdfSaeed Al Dhaheri
This keynote was presented during the the 7th edition of the UAE Hackathon 2024. It highlights the role of AI and Generative AI in addressing government transformation to achieve zero government bureaucracy
MHM Roundtable Slide Deck WHA Side-event May 28 2024.pptx
Rti comp-ker gov-ksic-040108
1. Maj (Retd) P M Ravindran
2/18, 'Aathira', Kalpathy-678003
Tele: 0491-2576042; E-mail: pmravindran@gmail.com
RTI/comp-ker gov-ksic-040108 04 Jan 2008
Mr R L Bhatia
Governor of Kerala
Raj Bhavan
Thiruvananthapuram
STATUS OF PETITION TO REMOVE THE STATE INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS
1. Further to my petition, reference RTI/comp-ker gov-ksic-071107 dated 07 Nov 2007.
2. It is with utmost concern that I am placing on record the fact that I have not even
received an acknowledgement to my petition sent almost two months back. Of the two
complaints to the CM, I had quoted in the above petition, the first one, of 07 May 2007,
has been routed to the Secretary, Kerala State Information Commission through the
General Administration Dept. For all practical purposes it can be considered to have been
dumped into the black hole from which nothing has ever been reported to have returned.
If this is the state of affairs with lawful complaints made to the highest authorities of the
land then one can only look at naxalites and maoists as the new generation freedom
fighters and pray that they choose their targets right and succeed in their missions. With
the bureaucratic strangle hold even in your office, I cannot even believe if you have even
seen the petition I had submitted earlier. Hence this effort to write to you in person.
3. While reiterating all the charges contained in my petition of 07 Nov 2007, the
following needs to be added:
3.1. Failure to appoint Assistant Public Information Officers at sub-division/sub-
district level as mandated by Sec 5(2) of the RTI Act. The Commission which
should have entertained complaints about such lapses of other public authorities
in the state, itself failing to comply with the law speaks volumes about the
ulterior motives of the Commission. And the audacity of directing APIOs at RDO
offices not to accept applications/appeals not only to the Commission but also to
the public authorities whose APIOs have been designated at such offices should
be considered a willful crime that merits the most serious punishment. And now
in their orders in AP 452/2007/SIC dated 21 Dec 2007 (photostat copy attached
herewith, for ready reference), they have gone further and claimed that
submission of applications/appeals through such APIOs is not in accordance with
the law (please see para 4(i) of the order). It needs to be highlighted here that the
Commission has failed to take cognizance of two facts:
3.1.1. That the KSPCB has not published any information about its APIOs at
the sub-district or sub-divisional level and
3.1.2. The commission has no jurisdiction to decide how it has received
documents submitted to it so long as they have been submitted and have
been received by them.
continued overleaf…
2. 3.2. Further, the Commission has also made malicious deductions in para 4(ii) of the
above orders. This is regarding the mode of payment of cost. While the public
authorities may find it convenient to accept payment by certain modes, the citizen
has all the options available to him as provided by the rules and payment into the
treasury is one of them and cannot be considered unacceptable. Also, payment
through the treasury saves considerable cost to the citizen since the cost of
getting a DD is exorbitant, considering that even for making a DD of Rs 2.00 the
cost of DD could be as high as Rs 25.00!
3.3. The information commissioners, especially the Chief Information Commissioner,
is spreading false information through the media and indirectly intimidating the
public. A report titled ‘Officials being threatened in the name of RTI’ that appeared
in the Madhyamam daily of 12/11/2007 stated that while inaugurating the state
convention of Human Rights Forum of India at Kochi, the CIC said that the public
should not try to ride rough shod over officials. It is a fact that for all the pro-
citizen nature of the Act, it still caters for him/her only to seek information and on
failing to get such information, seek redressal through appeals. The only entity
capable of exploiting the Act is the Commissioner wherein he/she can literally
bribe his/her way to unaccounted wealth by refusing to penalise the defaulting
PIOs/authorities as mandated by the Act and accepting a share of the penalty
amount as bribe. In this context it may even be necessary right now to get an
investigation done in the cases where the present commissioners have disposed of
cases in violation of the provisions of the Act.
4. On 18 Dec 2007, fed up with the arbitrary decisions and wayward conduct of the
Commission, human rights and other activists in Palakkad staged a dharna outside the
venue when the CIC visited here to participate in a function at the Town Hall annex.
Within 15 minutes of the arrival of the CIC at the venue a team of police under a Dy SP
swooped down and arrested 13 activists, removed them to the police station, detained
them there for more than 2 hours and released them on bail! This in a state where hartals
disrupt public life, violating fundamental rights, every other day in spite of even repeated
court orders on the subject! I have cited this instance just to highlight the fact that the
bureaucracy is bent on subverting the first legislation of free India that practically
recognizes this as a democratic state.
5. I am also enclosing herewith a copy of a note written by Col (Retd) N R Kurup on
the atrocities of the Kerala State Information Commission.
Hoping that necessary action will be taken to punish the information commissioners for
their abject failure to fulfill their duties and blatant abuse of authority,
Yours truly,
(P M Ravindran)
2