The BMC has once again courted controversy over a board outside the K West Ward office declaring RTI activist as professional complainants, denying them entry in the office. Though the civic body removed it after in the face of strong objections, activist want to take legal action against it.
On Saturday, a big board outside the office of K West Ward office became the talk of citizens as well as activists. The board declaring four activists — Hemant Dalal, Ashwin Hirani, Sunil Tiwari, and Mukesh Thakur — as professional complainants and denied them entry to in the ward office.
"We are fighting against the construction of a building on a public road. Instead of paying heed to us, the concerned builder along with a BMC officer and police threatened us," alleged Ashwin Hirani, one of the four people who was denied entry in K West Ward office. "Firstly, there is no such term as 'professional complainant'. Secondly, how can a public authority deny permission to common citizen to avail service," fumes Hirani.
"No authority can deny us information. The efficiency of public servants and corruption in the system is the reason why we lodge complaints," said Kamlakar Shenoy, an RTI user. "Can BMC explain how can citizen extort money if they discharge their duty in accordance with law? Extorsion can be carried out only by active participation of public servants," he added.
A few months ago, the civic body courted controversy after Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta called RTI users as 'blackmailers' and blacklisted Praja. After this statement, the RTI activists sent a notice to Mehta seeking an apology. Kamlakar Shenoy even moved to court with the issue. Now, he plans to file a complaint about K West Ward incident with police, and add it in PIL as well.
Ward officer Prashant Gaikwad remained unavailable despite several attempts to reach him. Deputy municipal commissioner Kiran Achrekar said he is unaware of such thing and will inquire about it.
