'MAHADHIKAR'
is a citizens' initiative dedicated to promotion and effective
but responsible use of the Right to Information Act (RTI) &
Consumer Protection.
RTI, a fundamental right of every citizen of India, has not
been widely used by citizens in the past due to lack of awareness.
More recently however, now awareness is being created all over
the country by activists/NGOs. As a result, the 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 would
interact with the government in getting hurdles and problems
removed, propagate RTI amongst citizens desirous of its responsible
use and pursue 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 mature and constructive 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. Through this website, 'MAHADHIKAR'
proposes to provide on-line help/guidance.
Kewal
Semlani
Chief Coordinator
'MAHADHIKAR' has conducted several
Workshops on RTI for urban & rural citizens/adivasis and
Trainers’ Training Workshops for Activists/Government
Staff, in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati & English. A ‘List
of Workshops’ conducted by 'MAHADHIKAR'
is attached.
In order to promote the use of the RTI Act amongst common
citizens, ‘MAHADHIKAR’,
in association with Tarun Mitra Mandal (TMM), launched ‘Jan
Adhikar Abhiyan’ and have extensively trained over 75
Activists (Engineers, Advocates, Solicitors, Architect, Doctors,
CAs, MBAs plus businessmen, self-employed & students),
so as to extend help to citizens in the effective and responsible
use of RTI. Already 12 RTI Clinics are functioning, one each
in Dombivali & Thane & 10 in Gr. Mumbai, who provide
one-to-one help to citizens, atleast once a week. (list enclosed
on RTI Clinic page)
'MAHADHIKAR' had 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 the benefit of interested citizens, NGOs, social organizations,
educational institutions, government & public sector staff,
'MAHADHIKAR' will be happy to facilitate
training programs and workshops.
Recent/Latest:
MAHADHIKAR has launched the 'Road Cell' in association
with Satark Nagarik Sanghatan (SNS). Citizens can send their
complaints on bad Roads/Footpaths and these will be forwarded
to the concerned authorities and then followed-up for action.
This entire process would be participatory and would involve
citizen action in ensuring better roads and pavements
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