Mass RTI filings demand accountability in J&K village: Over 50 pleas filed on the spot

By A Representative

Magam, Jammu & Kashmir – In a significant demonstration of civic engagement, residents of Mallabuchan village, supported by the J&K RTI Foundation, collectively filed over 50 RTI applications to address long-standing issues of safe drinking water and administrative accountability. Due to the unexpectedly high turnout, additional applications are expected to be filed in the coming days.

“We were not anticipating such a large gathering,” said Ishfaq Majeed, Membership Secretary of the J&K RTI Foundation. “Fifty applications were filed today, and more will follow to ensure every household’s concerns are formally raised.”

Mallabuchan village, situated at the junction of Budgam and Baramulla districts, has faced challenges with access to safe drinking water for more than two decades. While some households have been connected to clean water sources, the majority remain without access, despite repeated appeals to authorities. Recently, tensions escalated after an official filed a police complaint against villagers, alleging unfounded accusations about the water crisis.

“Access to clean water is a basic necessity and a matter of justice,” stated Er. Irfan Ali Banka, Chairman of the J&K RTI Foundation. “The police complaint was an attempt to stifle legitimate concerns. Through RTI, we aim to uphold transparency and accountability.”

Prominent RTI activists, including Sajad (RTI Secretary), Syed Farhat (Senior RTI Activist), Ishfaq Majeed (Membership Secretary), and Momin Hussain Banka (Foundation Member), guided villagers through the application process during the event.

The RTI applications raised critical concerns, such as:

Lack of consultation with Gram Sabhas and Panchayat Samitis in planning water supply schemes.

Minimal involvement of women in decision-making processes, in contravention of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

Discrepancies between official records and the ground reality of water supply.

Lack of transparency in forming Pani Samitis and drafting the Village Action Plan.

Questions about the allocation and utilization of funds for water supply projects.

Women played a prominent role in the initiative, many filing RTI applications for the first time. “We were unaware of our right to participate in these decisions,” said one participant. “Today, we are asserting our right to clean water and equal representation.”

The J&K RTI Foundation has also established "Action 4 Mallabuchan," a local group dedicated to maintaining pressure on authorities and ensuring long-term accountability.

Activists compared the effort to a similar campaign in 2014 in Sonawari, Bandipora, where mass RTI filings after a flood crisis led to improved rehabilitation measures. That initiative became a model for leveraging RTI for accountability.

“The mass filing of RTI applications is a crucial step toward transparency and ensuring basic rights for the people,” said Syed Farhat, a Senior RTI Activist. “We are committed to supporting the villagers in their pursuit of justice and sustainable solutions.”

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

This book examines dialectics of complex caste and class relationship

By Harsh Thakor* In Caste and Revolution by N. Ravi, the author addresses questions raised by Dalit and Bahujan intellectuals inspired by revolutionary parties. These questions center on caste issues and seek to formulate a profound diagnosis to chart a path toward the annihilation of caste. The book explains how caste-based feudalism and comprador bureaucratic capitalism intertwine to perpetuate the caste system. It asserts that only the path of a New Democratic Revolution can eradicate caste. The book delves into the need for an equal position for oppressed castes in all layers of society to abolish caste discrimination and oppression. It offers an analytical diagnosis, a penetrating navigation, and a detailed account of the dialectics of caste and class across diverse spheres. Annihilation of Caste and the New Democratic Revolution A revolutionary party develops a perspective document on the caste question, integrating its understanding of caste and the program for caste annih...

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By A Representative A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.

Local businessman subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse: Demand for accountability, justice

By Kirity Roy* On October 9, 2024, a disturbing incident of harassment and abuse took place in the Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas district, involving a local businessman, Hasanur Gazi, who was subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, and religious discrimination by a Border Security Force (BSF) constable. The incident, which occurred at the Hakimpur Checkpost, has raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of citizens living in border areas, especially those belonging to religious minorities.

Sylvester Clarke: The forgotten force of West Indies fast bowling

By Harsh Thakor* December 4th marked the 25th anniversary of Sylvester Clarke's untimely death due to a heart attack at the age of 45, just weeks after the passing of Malcolm Marshall. This year also commemorated what would have been his 70th birthday on December 11.

Search This Blog