Filing RTIs and deciphering info,corporator exposes civic wrongdoings

“The book contains details about 25 major RTI applications filed,the information received,analysis made thereafter and the follow-up letters sent,” said Kamtekar.

The 300-page book was released last week by Shiv Sena leader Subash Desai. Other top Sena leaders like Gajanan Kirtikar,Gajanan Babar and Neelam Gorhe were also present at the Chinchwad auditorium,which was packed to capacity. While Desai applauded the tenacity shown by Savale in consistently filing RTIs on different issues and exposing civic corruption,which helped in saving crores of public money,other Sena leaders said the book would help the common man use the RTI Act to a telling effect.

Savale had filed the applications with PCMC,PCNTDA,PMC,MPCB and SRA.

But,is the book an exercise in self-praise?

“No,” says Savale,emphatically. The book,she says,details how officials try to cover up loopholes and hide facts. “And that exactly is the reason why after filing RTI applications and receiving replies,we had to write letters seeking further details,” she adds.

Savale says she had to write as many as 1,500 follow-up letters. “It took us days to analyse each and every document received under the RTI. After receiving information,we were forced to follow up with authorities by writing at least 1,500 letters. This is because the authorities used to provide us with either wrong or incomplete information. They make all effort to confuse the applicants in a bid to ensure that corruption and other illegalities don’t get exposed,” she claims.

“Filing an RTI application is not enough. You have to wrack your brains and get expert help to understand the information provided… Our painstaking effort ultimately led to exposing the wrongdoings in the civic corridors,” says Savale,adding that every RTI applicant must go through the book as “it is a guide to lay official bungling bare”.

In several cases,Savale,a two-time corporator,had to approach the Bombay High Court to make civic authorities fall in line. “When the authorities refused to take corrective steps,I was forced to approach the court,which struck down illegal actions and resolutions of civic officials,” she says.