The magic word `RTI"

Message 17133

Magic word "RTI"

Like every body else, I come across errant Rikshaw or Taxi driver eitherrefusing to ply short distance or parking in front of BEST bus stop making itdifficult for BEST buses to stop properly in front of the stops & in turn makingit difficult for passengers to get in the buses. I make sure to complain about each & every such case with the traffic police either personally or thru email.

Last month I found a taxi driver parking his taxi in front of a bus stop at Wadala Mumbai.I requested him to move away from the bus stop. He did not even look at me. I told him I will have no choice but to complain about him, he told me to go ahead & complain to whomever I want. Although I had a very pressing matter ahead, I spent time to take down all his details including his photo on my mobile camera.

I lodged a complaint to Traffic police via email.(attached) All normal stuff till this point.I added a sentence at the end, stating I would follow up on the complaint later,with an RTI query.I was surprised to receive a letter by Registered AD last week from Bhoi Wada Police station telling me they have acted on my complaint & taken action against the errant taxi driver (although they missed mentioning what was the action)I would like to highlight here that without putting an RTI query Police aresending Reg AD to a common citizen, giving feedback on his complaint, thanks to RTI.

Isn't it great for RTI? Just mention in your complaint letter about yr intentionof following on the complaint using RTI & you get feedback on your complaint!

Thanks & Rgds

Ajay Marathe

Here is my e mail to traffic police

From: ajay marathe
Date: May 5, 2007 6:11 PM
Subject: Taxi Parked in front of the Bus Stop disrupting smooth flow of traffic
To: jcptraffic@trafficpolicemumbai.org

Respected Sir,I found taxi no MH- 03-F-5285 parked opposite Wadala station bus stop.on May 2,2007 at 1900 hrs. In spite of requesting him to move so that buses can stop atthe bus stop & passengers are not inconvenienced, he refused to move & told meto complain to whomsoever I want!Request you to take action on the taxi driver / owner. I would follow it up withan RTI ( Right To Information) query on the steps taken on this email.

Thanks & Rgds

Ajay Marathe
504, New Sarvodaya CHS.
Sector 4, Plot 29-B, vashi,
Navi Mumbai 400703


Message: 17135

Thats a brainwave Ajay, I seek your permission in forwarding your idea/mail tofolks I know. This is one way to keep these people on their toes.Keep it up and continue with such post in this list.

Manoj Pai
Ahmedabad