Fighting for other people’s causes

Mumbai: Former customs clearing agent and Mumbai resident 70-year-old Kalyanji Shah, spent nearly two decades trying to retrieve his deposit of Rs1 lakh, which was lying with the custom authorities at Kandla port in Gujarat. Back 1990, he had cancelled his clearing agent licence and returned to Mumbai from where he attempted to get back his money.
His many visits to the port were an exercise in futility, and the septuagenarian had lost all hope of getting his money, that is, until he met Rajesh Dharod. “Together, we filed a Right to Information (RTI) query asking the authorities at Kandla port to give us a valid reason for why they had withheld Shah’s money all these years,’’ said Dharod, an electronic engineer. “In less than a month, he got the refund from the port.’’
Rajen Dharod is part of a group of 80 young professionals that include doctors, engineers, lawyers and chartered accountants, who have started a unique RTI movement — under the aegis of the NGO, Tarun Mitra Mandal — to assist people in their immediate neighbourhood with problems such as getting refunds, information on development plans, etc.
Over the last two years, the volunteers have been conducting several RTI awareness camps across the city, and with over 50 success stories, they have made a difference in the lives of the average Mumbaikar. The TMM has now opened 10 RTI centres across Mumbai, and their volunteers have been assisting citizens in filing RTI queries on various issues pertaining to local governance, individual problems, and so on.
“So far, our volunteers have so far filed 500 RTI queries on problems like IT refunds, procuring documents on redevelopment plans of old buildings, refund of stamp duty deposits, inadequate water supply and delay in insurance claims,’’ said Rajesh Gada, convenor of the TMM. The volunteers admit that it was initially difficult for them to commit almost half a day every week to RTI activism.
“Sunday is the only day we get to be with our families. And in a city like Mumbai where commuting takes up most of your time, it is difficult to set time aside for social work. Initially, our wives could not understand what we were up to, but when success stories began to trickle in, they began to support our cause,’’ said Rasik Poladia, a chartered accountant from Andheri, who is a volunteer with the organisation.
The TMM can be contacted on their website thetmm.org. “Anyone who wishes to file an RTI query or wants to know about the RTI Act and how it can help him is welcome to approach us,’’ said TMM member, Suresh Gala, a lawyer from Mulund.
The cases the NGO handles varies from personal ones like Shah’s to an issue that may affect an entire neighbourhood.
For instance, from 2004 onwards, residents of Charkop were being adversely affected by the waste of a nearby cement mixing plant in Kandivli. Many complained of breathing problems and asthma attacks.
Despite lodging several complaints with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, no action was taken by either of the authorities for five years. About a year-anda-half ago, residents approached the Borivli TMM centre. Volunteers filed an RTI query, and the plant was shut down in two months.
TMM began this initiative with the help of another NGO, Mahadikar, that is considered to be a pioneer of the RTI movement in the city.
Making a Difference 1
Three years ago, vehicle owners
in the city were forced to pay higher than normal rates at the Thane railway station’s parking lot, which was overcharging them. The contractor took a whole day’s fee even when motorists parked their cars for only two hours. Three months ago, citizens approached the TMM for help. The volunteers used the RTI Act to get the actual parking rates, and then approached the station master to put the new (and correct) rates on display at the station 2
Residents of Charkop were being adversely affected by the waste of a nearby cement mixing plant in Kandivli. Many complained of breathing problems and asthma attacks. Despite lodging several complaints with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, no action was taken by either of the authorities for five years. About a year-and-a-half ago, residents approached the Borivli TMM centre. Volunteers filed an RTI query, and the plant was shut down in two months 3
Jayantibhai Gogri, a Currey Road resident had spent
45 years trying to get her property tax assessed. Even
the tenancy rights of the property were not established. Five months ago, the NGO filed an RTI query, and were able to help Gogri — the tax was assessed, and tenancy rights were established within a span of two months 4
Jyothi V Ranbhia, a Goregoan resident was unable to get the money due to her from her private insurance company. For
five months, despite repeatedly reminding the agents of the money that was owed to her, there was no response. The TMM called up the insurance company to inform them that they were filing an RTI query, the insurance company released the cheque in five days 5
For years, Talakashi Chedda, a Thane resident, was unsuccessfully
attempting to get a copy of his late father’s original will, which was
registered with the registrar office in Pune in 1987. He was at wits end, as the registrar did not respond to his many reminders. Eight months ago, with the help of a volunteer, he finally filed an RTI query, and 18 days later, he was able to read his father’s original will

The NGO has RTI centres in Chinchpokli, Dadar, Matunga (Central), Matunga (W), Ghatkopar, Mulund, Thane, Andheri and Borivli