Date—30th Nov To 1st Dec 2006
Place—Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow.

Introduction:
Recently concluded UPVAN AGBM decided that the issue of NREGA and RTI should be taken up on the priority basis by all the member organization. UPVAN and VANI should play a key role of facilitator in imparting training on different aspects of RTI, which can be than taken up at the grass root level. In continuation to the same a staff meeting was convened to decided the strategy for RTI campaign in U.P. Secretary UPVAN was of the opinion that it would be better to hold different regional RTI training for the partners which could also help in identifying the regional level problems.
Subsequently it was decided that four different regional level trainings will be organized on different dates in the month of Dec and the respective regional level partners will be invited in the same.
A tentative schedule for different trainings was drafted out and participation of network partners was ensured. The details of the training programme conducted so far is provided herewith---
 

All such workshops were designed for one and half day duration (A programme schedule is attached herewith) so as to provide an in-depth knowledge on RTI and its practical usage. The overall assignment of training was actively supported by Sahbhagi sikshan Kendra and PRIA New Delhi.
(A summary report of the Lucknow workshop is attached herewith for your reference and the same procedure has been adopted elsewhere also. The given report will provide the detail and process initiated during the workshop)

• Right To Information
  • Regional training workshop on RTI
  • Launched a 4 episode radio program
  • Sensatization Workshops on RTI
  • Report on state and regional workshops
• Millennium development Goals
• NREGA
• BPL Study
• Mid Day Meal

Day –I
First such workshop was organized at Lucknow under the Central region at S.S.K campus on 30th and 1st of Dec. The training was designed for one and half days with several sessions giving in-depth knowledge of RTI act and provisions as well as group exercise on drafting the letter in context to RTI.
The workshop was initiated with a welcome address, broadly focused upon the need of the training and future strategies in context to CSOs. The expectations of the participants was also taken into consideration and some of the key problems as well as expectations are provided herewith---

• How to draft a good application.
• What is mode of depositing the fees as prescribed under the act?
• What to do in case a PIO refuse to accept the application as well as fees.
• How to assess that the given information is correct.
• What to do in case the provided information is misleading, fake?
• How to go in for appeal and when?

Their after a short film on RTI was shown to all the participants which has been developed by a Delhi based NGO “Parivartan” showing the social audit through the use of RTI. The 14 mins film was very much encouraging and highlighted the extent of corruption in govt scheme due to lack of information.

A detailed presentation on brief history and present status of RTI was presented by Mr. Anurag Mishra, which highlighted the different civil society movements in past and how the same has been helpful in making the act much more meaningful. The presentation also highlighted the need for RTI in the present context.

Mr. Yogesh Kumar from S.S.K presented the legal aspects underneath RTI and different provisions as well as sections, which can be useful for the common masses.

Later the participants were divided into small groups to discuss on various development issues in context to RTI. Small groups of three members each were provided with different topics which include NREGA, NRHM, MDM, SSA, MDG and each group was asked to identify the specific problems and how to address the same through the use of RTI. All the group members short listed some of the key problems and were of the opinion that it would be much better to address these issues through RTI which will surely help in sorting out the problems much more effectively. Later each group presented their views on the development issues and also sorted out some of the problems through RTI.

Day –II 
Second day started with a short recap of the first day activity and a general Q&A session. Mr. Diwakar Bhatt (Coordinator UPVAN) made a detailed presentation on the Role of CSOs in context to RTI and that how our developmental programme as well as interventions can be much more fruitful after the use of RTI. He also narrated the initiation of official Secrecy Act and provisions underneath and that how the Britishers as well as Govt of India after Independence exploited the common public by making the entire documents secret. It was only after the ongoing protest by the CSOs that the Act was promulgated in the country. However govt is hell bent to make changes in the act specially that of File and noting which is planned to be included under the Section 8 of exemption list. By doing so the govt. officials will not be answerable to any of the queries under the RTI act. It is thus important to built up pressure on the government so that the proposed amendments does not take place.

Later the participants were provided with some cases, which were related to Mid-day meal, and agricultural subsidy scheme and the participants were asked to draft out a letter in context to give situation. The exercise was so planned that the participants could understand the way of writing application and that how the information could be helpful in making the system much more transparent.

Mr. Anurag while briefing on different aspects of RTI took up different letter drafted by the participants and closely examined the cases one by one. He then provided a deep insight into the art of writing the letter and that how RTI could be useful in not only getting the information but also in sorting out the problems of themselves. Several other cases pertaining to NREGA was also taken up and specific problems related to Job-Card, Wage payment was also addressed.

The workshop ended with a vote of thank by Mr. Diwakar Bhatt to all the participants with a hope that the workshop will initiate a series of other such information at the district as well as block level. The participants were also keen to have a daylong workshop in their respective district and develop a cadre of RTI professionals.