RTI, a fundamental right of every citizen of India, was not widely used by Citizens in the past, due to lack of awareness. However, now awareness is being created all over the country by activists/NGOs. Use of RTI is rapidly increasing in all parts of India.

Some of us, involved in RTI, felt the need for a citizen-oriented platform that will interact with the government in getting hurdles and problems removed, propagate RTI amongst citizens desirous of its responsible use and take at least some of the matters, dug-up thru use of RTI, to their logical conclusion by holding ‘Jansunwai’ (Peoples’ Court), filing Public Interest Litigations(PIL), etc.

Hence, 'MAHADHIKAR' was established in 2003 as an informal group, without any rigid structure. It is a movement - independent of any existing group and in fact, inviting in its fold, activists from all groups.

'MAHADHIKAR' is active on RTI & Consumer Protection (Consumer Protection Act-1986). 'MAHADHIKAR' is envisaged to be a group of responsible citizens, firmly believing in the rule of law and matured interaction with the administration; yet it would like to be generally a friend of the administration and not an adjunct.

Our website www.mahadhikar.org is dedicated to RTI & Consumer Protection. Future additions include:
i) Chat-board
ii) Information in Marathi, Hindi & Gujarati
iii) Case studies.

Thru this website, 'MAHADHIKAR' proposes to provide on-line help/guidance.

'MAHADHIKAR' has conducted several Workshops on RTI for urban & rural citizens/adivasis & Trainers’ Training Workshops for Activists/Government Staff, in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati & English. ‘List of Workshops’ conducted by 'MAHADHIKAR' is attached. 'MAHADHIKAR' is also providing one-to-one guidance thru individual Clinics for interested groups/NGOs.

'MAHADHIKAR' has organized First State Level Moot Court Competition on Right to Information Act - 2005 (Central), in association with Jitendra Chauhan College of Law, JVPD, Mumbai 400056, on 10 & 11 September 2005, for students of all the law colleges in Maharashtra (65).

For benefit of interested citizens, NGOs, social organizations, educational institutions, government & public sector staff, 'MAHADHIKAR' will be happy to conduct many more Workshops. Those interested are welcome to contact 'MAHADHIKAR'. The services provided by MAHADHIKAR are totally free.

Latest: MAHADHIKAR is soon launching 'Road Cell' where citizens can send their complaints for bad Roads/Footpaths, which will be forwarded to the concerned authorities & followed-up for action. Please await announcement in the press & also thru our website.

Kewal Semlani
Chief Coordinator