Introduction to Right To Information Act, 2005

Every citizen has a right to know how the Government is functioning. Right to Information empowers every citizen to seek any information from the Government, inspect any Government documents and seek certified photocopies thereof. Some laws on Right to Information also empower citizens to official inspect any Government work or to take sample of material used in any work.

Right to Information includes the right to:

1. Inspect works, documents, records.

2. Take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records.

3. Take certified samples of material.

4. Obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video , cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts.

"information" means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

"record" includes:

a) Any document, manuscript and file

b) Any microfilm, microfiche, and facsimile copy of a document

c) Any reproduction of image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or not); and

d) Any other material produced by a computer or any other device;

An applicant cannot ask for opinions/advice/views under the RTI Act, unless the opinion/advice/view is already on "record".

However, under Section 4(1)(d), an applicant can ask for "reasons" behind a administrative or quasi judicial decision of a public authority, especially if he is a "affected person".

Information Source: RTI India

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To view the entire content of Right To Information ACT 2005 online, visit this link: http://righttoinformation.gov.in/webactrti.htm

To download the Right To Information ACT 2005 in PDF format, visit this link: http://rti.gov.in/rtiact.htm

To download the circulars issued by GoI related with RTI Act 2005, visit this link: http://rti.gov.in/circulars/CircularReportForRTI.asp

More related links:

1. http://www.vakilno1.com/bareacts/rti-act/Right-to-Information-Act-2005.htm

2. http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/content/

3. http://www.righttoinformation.org/

4. http://rti.gov.in/

5. http://www.rti-act.com/

6. http://www.rti-ngo.org/

7. http://www.rti.net.in/index.htm

8. http://www.rtigateway.org.in/index.jsp

9. http://www.adhikaar.co.in/

ROLE FUNCTIONS AND SKILLS OF SOCIAL WORKER IN POLICY PROCESS

SAY NO TO FIRE CRACKERS

COME DIWALI and one can hear the sounds of firecrackers exploding from all directions. People of all age groups are fascinated with firecrackers, which form a prominent part of the Diwali celebrations. Firecrackers are known to cause air pollution as well as noise pollution and are extremely harmful for senior citizens and small children.

Pets such as dogs and cats also suffer on account of firecrackers as animals have a more sensitive sense of hearing than humans. It is important for each one of us to act as responsible citizens and discourage the use of firecrackers.

Firecrackers can cause hearing loss, high blood pressure, sleeping disturbances and sudden exposure to loud noise can cause temporary or permanent deafness or even result in heart attack. Nausea and mental impairment are also some of the side effects of firecrackers.

Karuna Mehta an environmental activist says, “Firecrackers should be banned as they cause a number of health hazards. People come down with all sorts of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Air and noise pollution are also the side effects of firecrackers that are responsible for various injuries. The smog that is created on Diwali is responsible for a number of accidents due to reduced visibility.”

According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit organization, awareness should be created for the masses. People need to understand that bursting firecrackers is not trendy anymore. It is important for the government to organize anti-firecracker campaigns and discourage people from bursting firecrackers. Parents as well as children should be educated on the harmful effects of firecrackers and environmental laws should be implemented strictly.

Observing that the ‘Right to Sleep’ is a fundamental right, the government of India has banned firecrackers between 10 pm and 6 am, on Diwali. The effect of this ban has been very positive and the sale of firecrackers has considerably gone down.

Anita Pal, a schoolteacher says, “It is important for children to understand that bursting crackers is harmful. We educate children before Diwali and discourage them from bursting firecrackers. We also ask them to educate their parents and relatives on the harmful effects of firecrackers as well as the dangers accompanying them.”

Diwali is the biggest festival of India and its sanctity should not be blown away in smoke. This festival of goodwill can be celebrated in a number of ways other than bursting firecrackers.

Let each one of us take a pledge this Diwali to say NO to firecrackers and invest in a safer and greener future. Diwali is the festival of lights and we must enlighten our lives with the sparkle of joy and goodwill, forget past grievances and look ahead towards a brighter and happier future.

Source: http://www.merinews.com/article/harmful-effects-of-firecrackers/127558.shtml