January 20, 2010: Chandigarh:  RTI Users Association (RTIUA) which was founded in June 2009 under the aegis of “Citizens’ Voice” today expanded its base to provide support to people using “Right to Information” in six states of North India (Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi). In a formal meeting of the RTIUA, new office bearers to coordinate with RTI users of these six states were selected. This according to RTIUA would further strengthen the application of RTI Act so as to make RTI a legal tool of choice for the people to ensure accountability in governance.

Kamal Anand, who also heads the NGO People for Transparency was unanimously selected to lead the association as the new Secretary-General of the RTI Users Association. Advocate Surinder Pal took over the responsibility to be a State-coordinator for Punjab. Dr. Gaurav Chhabbra would be the State-coordinator for Chandigarh. Col. D.P. Gupta would be State Coordinator for Himachal Pradesh. Professor Sandeep Gupta would be the State-Coordinator for Haryana and Sh. R. D. Sharma was given the responsibility to be the State-Coordinator for Jammu and Kashmir.

RTIUA opened its membership for all people who have been using the RTI Act or are desirous to use RTI Act for obtaining information. The spokesperson of the association informed that there was no membership fee for becoming a member of the RTIUA and one can visit the website www.rightto.info and register there to become a member of the association. After registration as a member, one can download sample RTI applications, sample appeals, Act, Rules and even post questions or post blogs relating to RTI.

Kamal Anand informed that RTIUA would be consolidating its base at the District and village level too and in due course would be selecting people who are willing to volunteer at District level to guide RTI Users. “We are looking for volunteers who have been using RTI in public interest and have reasonable understanding of the RTI Act and the legal system. Proven track record of work in the interest of public is an essential requirement; however RTIUA has decided not to select any political workers as office bearers for obvious reasons.” Kamal added.

The association currently has over 500 RTI users as its members not only from these six states but also from across the country.