A phone helpline has been launched by an NGO, 'Hai Umeed' to provide handholding support to citizens who wish to use the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The telephone number of the helpline is 9873344993. You can also email vineetchaudhary_rtiforum@rediffmail.com. The purpose of the help line is to help citizens on various aspects of the Act. The help line was launched on the occasion of 64th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The helpline is handled by staff that is trained on the different aspects of RTI Act, the kind of problems that people have faced and the possible solutions. The basic aim of the forum is to create awareness amongst common people about their rights and at the same time help will be sought from all the public authorities in order to implement the RTI Act effectively. Workshops of RTI Act will be organized in colleges, institutions, public offices and other such bodies so that more and more people learn about the Act and use it judiciously.
The RTI Act can be used for getting information on issues ranging from the procedure of applying for information, the fees structure, the time period for getting information, the procedure for appealing against the PIO, how to file complaints with the State Information Commission, etc. The increasing number of calls being received on the number since its launch is an indication that the helpline is proving useful to citizens who are looking for such support.
Source:Noida Plus August29th,2008.
