MUMBAI, January 30, 2015
In view of a recent Central Government
circular seeking people's views on inclusion of postal stamps for paying RTI
fees, activists have demanded that such stamps should bear the face of
legendary cartoonist R K Laxman who passed away this week.
"There should be separate RTI stamps
issued by the postal department, to facilitate payment of RTI fees,"
Subhash Chandra Agarwal, noted RTI activist who first proposed the idea before
the Chief Information Commission, told The Hindu.
"It is a lovely idea to have R K Laxman's
face on those stamps. It will be a nation's homage to somebody who took the
common man's issues to a new height. Mr. Laxman turned the common man into a
hero," former Chief Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said.
Mr. Subhash Chandra said there were many
parallels between the common man and the RTI Act. "The RTI Act is meant
for the common man and R K Laxman's cartoons raised the voice of the common
man," he said.
Separate RTI stamps
A few activists from western Maharashtra led
by Vihar Durve recently wrote to the Department of Personnel and Training and
the Prime Minister seeking issuance of separate RTI stamps in the name of Mr.
Laxman who passed away this week.
At present, people filing RTI queries can make
payment by four modes -- IPO, Demand Draft, Bankers Cheque and Cash against
receipt. But the Central Information Commission, in its recent order passed
last month, again recommended the use of ordinary postal stamps for paying RTI
fees.
But the government apprehends that use of
ordinary postal stamps may lead to many problems including accounting error for
the postal department, misuse of ordinary stamps.
According to a circular issued by the
Department of Personnel and Training on January 14, the government has formed a
committee to look into these issues and to decide if postal stamps should be
introduced as RTI fees. The circular seeks suggestions from the citizens.
The RTI activists have suggested that the
government (postal department) issue separate RTI stamps for the purpose.
"Firstly, it will be very easy for the citizens as these stamps will be
freely available at all post offices," Mr Gandhi said.
"Also, these will be the most economical
modes of paying RTI fees. If beautiful RTI stamps are issued, they will
propagate the use of RTI. The people will be convenienced as many RTI
petitioners face quite a few hurdles in paying fees," Mr Subhash Chandra
said.
Difficulty
But Mr Gandhi pointed out a practical
difficulty in implementing the measure. "At present, the revenue from the
RTI fees goes to the States. But if postal stamps are introduced, the revenue
will go to the Central government. Though Rs 10 crore annual revenue isn't
much, the Centre will still have to convince all the States and get them on-board
to implement this step," he said.
