May 27, 2007

Indian Political and Social activist, former IAS officer and the founder member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangatan, Ramon Magsaysay Award winner for Community Leadership in the year 2000 and one of the key person who fought for bringing out the Right to Information Act in India, Ms. Aruna Roy was in Visakhapatnam as a part of her tour supporting the United Forum for RTI Campaign in Andhra Pradesh. As a part of the tour, she interacted with the press community at Vizag Journalists Forum on May 27, 2007.

Aruna Roy is a strong supporter of the movement for Right to Information, which succeeded in first getting the Rajasthan Right to Information Bill passed in the year 2000. Later, she served as a member of the National Advisory Council of India for two years, where she helped advocate passage of the National Right to Information Act (2005) and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (2005). Her contributions to the cause have been widely appreciated.

Aruna felt that the act is one of the most powerful act brought since India became independent. The act came into existence out of the needs of the peasants. Peasants in India were denied the minimum wages as set by the Government, sometimes having losing up to 50% of their normal wages sometimes, with the owners claiming non-performance cuts as the reason why the peasants are denied their minimum wages. Recalling her visit to Andhra Pradesh in 1996, she recalled about a peasant asking her as to how illiterate people can ask for the basic right to information.

Aruna felt that the act is one of the most powerful act brought since India became independent. The act came into existence out of the needs of the peasants. Peasants in India were denied the minimum wages as set by the Government, sometimes having losing up to 50% of their normal wages sometimes, with the owners claiming non-performance cuts as the reason why the peasants are denied their minimum wages. Recalling her visit to Andhra Pradesh in 1996, she recalled about a peasant asking her as to how illiterate people can ask for the basic right to information.

Aruna said that the act is available and is equal for everyone and it is up to the people to use it in an effective manner. She said that the act has many dimensions though many see only a limited angle – say for example as a tool to fight corruption. She said that NGOs today are as corrupt as the Government and hence they have to come up with information transparency. The Meet the Press program with Ms. Aruna was attended by the public and social workers too. Few members suggested that there should be transparency in the appointment of Commissioners at State and National level. Another member suggested that since most private companies channelize funds from public sources, it is time that the act be applicable on private companies too. Another member felt extending the act on companies that run in the public-private partnership model as well.

About the Event

Event Duration

May 27, 2007

Event Location

VJF Press Club, Daba Gardens, Visakhapatnam

Organized by

Press Club

Key Speakers / Guest / Invitees at the Event

Ms. Aruna Roy, Social Activist