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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | RTI applicants in Dang 'threatened'-Yagnesh Mehta

RTI applicants in Dang 'threatened'-Yagnesh Mehta

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published Published on Mar 19, 2012   modified Modified on Mar 19, 2012

They had waited for six years to know the status of their dues from forest department. Brothers Pandurang and Narayan Gaekwad, tribals from Dang district, had expected a favourable reply to their application filed under Right to Information (RTI) Act. However, what they received on Friday was a threat from an official for seeking to know by when will they receive their money for the 12 teak trees worth Rs 4 lakh auctioned by the forest department about 10 years ago.

Elder brother Pandurang's (58) eyes turned wet when Narayan informed him that there was no hope of getting information or their money. "The officer told me that he will make it difficult for us to get the money. He threatened me because I had refused to sign the settlement form filled up by him," claimed Narayan, (55).

On hearing this, Pandurang started to walk towards the bus depot to return home. The brothers had come to a specially organized event by Gujarat Information Commission to settle RTI appeals for the period between 2006 and 2010. The event was organized at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) here for the applicants from south Gujarat.

At the event, the applicants and officials of departments concerned were asked to discuss the issue in person. "We are forced to live on labour work since we have not received the money for our teak trees. They can at least give us the reply," said Pandurang, who heads a family of 35. The brothers had come to Surat in a bus and had no money even to buy lunch.

Assistant conservator of forest, Dang, S S Patel, who had allegedly threatened Narayan, said, "There is a criminal case against the Gaekwads. Hence, they have not been paid the money." Patel was unable to say why the forest department had not replied to the Gaekwads for the past six years.

The Gaekwad family possesses land at Isdar village of Ahwa taluka in Dang. They had applied to cut and sell 12 teak trees in 2001. Forest department on September 9, 2001, carried out the required examination and the trees were cut on March 17, 2003, and sent for auction. Forest officials permit cutting and selling of the trees on being requested by tribal owners.

"We are waiting for the payment of Rs 4 lakh for our trees and had even filed a RTI application in 2006," Narayan said.

"No official can threaten any applicant. The event had been organized to clear old cases by bringing both the parties on a table. We will look into Gaekwad brothers' issue," chief information commissioner, Gujarat, D Rajagopalan said.


The Times of India, 17 March, 2012, http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-17/surat/31204426_1_teak-trees-rti-applicants-dang


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