Smart Rajya

Smart Rajya

Promises of leaders making the country ‘Ram Rajya’ in every election seems to be come true soon in the form of smart cities, in my words ‘Smart Rajya’. Ram Rajya – city of lord Rama, where everybody is happy, have ample employment opportunities, top class government and governance, effective administration, equipped with world best facilities, high literacy rate, full of prosperity & happiness with satisfied people. In the technological advancement era, foundation of Ram Rajya is laid down in the form of Smart Rajya i.e. Smart City.

Somewhat we read in books and dreaming of it will be turn into reality very soon. Yes ‘Mere Sapno ka Bharat’ will be the ‘Bharat of Smart Cities’. Imagine what can be the be the smart city, it is something beyond our imagination, Smart City is the city which not only caters almost all needs of common man but give them quality of life. To live a quality life along with adequate water supply, assured electricity supply, affordable housing, sanitation, efficient urban mobility & public transport, medical facilities & education to all today’s common man needs robust IT connectivity & digitalization, e-governance & citizen participation, sustainable environment, anti flood drains, organised parking spaces, safety & security of citizens etc. All these will be in the smart cities, government promises and show a clear vision to give the quality life to its citizens by improving urbanization infrastructure in the form of smart cities. In PM Modi words smart city is two steps far ahead of common man expectations.

Further for effective administration and governance, there will be the smart solutions as public information, grievance redressal, electronic service delivery, citizens’ engagement, waste to energy & fuel, waste to compost, 100% treatment of waste water, smart meters & management, monitoring water quality, renewable source of energy, efficient energy and green building, smart parking, intelligent traffic management system.

Today India is struggling from mammoth of problems; one of the problems is job creation. Job creation problem can be looked into two ways – first job creation is not at desired rate and secondly centralization of job creation only towards the metropolitan and big cities.

Immigration of people from whole India to Delhi / NCR is evident of the problem. Increasing burden on metros and other big cities is a big worry. Overpopulation affects infrastructure and mother of so many problems. In the era of technological advancement, smart cities are the solutions to bridge the gap between metro cities and small cities. PM Modi very well said in his radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ that earlier civilization develops near rivers, but in coming time civilization develops near place where optical fiber passes. Smart cities will be technological advanced cities with well equipped facilities and effective administration. Undoubtedly updating of existing structure of present city, maintenance of upgraded infrastructure, world-wide connectivity, sound Information and Communication Infrastructure, top class road infrastructure, sound public transport system will definitely creates jobs and stops immigration. 

We can expect a robust economic growth in smart cities because of digitalization all things will be on the click of mouse. Online approval of projects, effective public transport, well maintained road infrastructure will attracts the industries to be set up there.

Somehow we can say that smart cities provide ample employment opportunities to the citizens in their own city. Overall improvement will be there starting from public services to education and so on. People have not to go out of their home place for earning livelihood because of the superb connectivity. It will attract investment in IT sectors basically in Networking, Technology, IT consulting, telecom and managed services, systems integration, telecommunications, hardware infrastructure, middleware, sector-specific applications etc. Various IT Jobs like Data Analytics, Data Scientists, app developers etc. will be in great demand. Public Private Partnership Model (PPP) will be the model to improve urbanization by converting existing development into smart cities. PPP model is a source of employment to so many people.

World is developing at very fast pace. In the era of smart phones, smart cities are not only the solution; we need smart citizens and smart villages. India lies in the villages, India is country of villages, major chunk of Indian Population live in villages. To see India as a super power in the world’s arena, focus is to be given on ruralisation along with urbanization.

Regards

Gaurav Arya

Email id – gaauravarya@gmail.com

Mobile No. – 9560607530

Address – 384, Sector-12, Sonepat (Haryana) 

Lekin Phir Bhi Main Hasta Hun

Nahi Milta Jo Main Chahta Hun

Na Chahte Hue Svanve (Self) Ko Dosh Deta Hun

Girta Padta Or Sambhalta Hun

Lekin Phir Bhi Main Hansta Hun

Kamyaabi Kisi Ko Yun Nahi Milti

Khawahishe (Desires) Sabhi Kisi Ki Puri Ho Nahi Sakti

Man Ka Kaam Hain Trasana Aur Trasata Hain

Lekin Phir Bhi Main Hansta Hun

Dodte Dodte (Running) Kabhi Main Bhatak Jaata Hun

Phir Chirta Hun Aandhkar Ko, Parkash Ko Paata Hun

Jaroori Nahi Har Baar Jeetna, Kabhi Kabhi Piche Rah Jaata Hun

Lekin Phir Bhi Main Hansta Hun

Mehnat Ka Prinaam Mile, Aisa Jaroori Nahi

Lakshay Paana Hi Jeevan Ka Lakshay Hain Sahi

Haarne Ke Baad Bhi Main Peeche Nahi Hat ta Hun

Lekin Phir Bhi Main Hansta Hun

Visham Prishtithiyo (Adverse Conditions) Se Hamesha Lada

Kabhi Na Haar Maani, Hamesha Dat Kar Raha Khada

Jaroori Nahi Insan Hamesha Jhuke, Kabhi Waqt Bhi Jhukta Hain

Haan "GAURAV" Phir Bhi Hansta Hain

Right to Information - General Awareness

An act which came in force in 2005 not remained an act, rather became a revolution. And the act is Right to Information Act, 2005. This act is a sincere step taken by UPA – I in its Aim to bring transparency in Government Functioning, which is making a Mockery of itself with its 2^nd Innings.

 In the recent times RTI has proven its worth. People have sincerely and effectively used their new right given by constitution to get the Information in correct form and right time. In recent past, in every revelation of scam there has been an inevitable role of RTI. Whether it is 2G scam or Adarsh society scam RTI has shown its power. With a nominal fee of Rs. 10 any one can get piece of information from any public information provided it’s not exempted.

Now the question is what RTI is and how we can use it?

Who are concerned officers and which kind of information we can obtain from the public authorities?

There are so many similar types of questions arise in the mind of people.

An attempt is made to aware people about the RTI through article. As per the captioned heading of article, it deals with general awareness.

New right given by Goverment of India in 2005 to its people is “Right To Information”.

“The Right to Information Act, 2005 was passed by the parliament of India in May, 2005 and came in to effect on October 12th 2005”

What is the need of RTI ??

Every citizen has a right to know how the Government is functioning. Right to Information empowers every citizen to seek any information from the Government, inspect any Government documents and seek certified photocopies thereof. Some laws on Right to Information also empower citizens to official inspect any Government work or to take sample of material used in any work.

Before the introduction of RTI there were the bodies which were there to bring the transparency in government departments like PUBLIC GRIEVANCE COMMISSION & OMBUDSMAN. These bodies were not as much as effective as RTI because in there is no Accountability on the part of concerned officials. But now under RTI Act 2005, there is accountability on the part of Govt. officials. It is their legal obligation  to respond to the applications made within a period of 30 days otherwise they are liable to pay a fine of Rs.100 per day subject to a maximum of Rs.25,000/-.  

Let’s Understand RTI

"Right To Information" means the access to any information under this Act which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to—

ü  Inspection of work, documents, records;

ü  Taking notes extracts or certified copies of documents or records;

ü  Taking certified samples of material;

ü  Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device;

Right to Information Act 2005 mandates:-

      Timely response to citizen requests for government information.

      Providing the citizens quick search of information

      Access to RTI related information / disclosures published on the web by various Public Authorities under the government of India as well as the State Governments. 

Motive

 To promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Applicability

 It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

From whom can you seek information

Information can be demanded from Public Authorities. Where Public authorities are authorities or body or institution:

 a) Which is established or constituted

• By or under constitution.
• By law made by Parliament or State legislature.

b) Owned, controlled or substantially financed by funds provided directly or indirectly—

·         By the Central Government or the Union territory administration.

• By the State Government.

HOW TO FILE AN APPLICATION UNDER RTI ACT 2005?

Anyone can file application for seeking information under RTI ACT 2005 by writing the application on a simple paper or in printed form addressing the “Public Information Officer”.

And the applicant has to deposit nominal fees of Rs.10 in cash or through postal order of Rs.10 / 50. One can file application either manually or by post.

While paying fees through postal order, take care of following:

·         Fees are paid to pay and accounts officer of concerned department, not to PIO. So remember always write pay and accounts officer on postal order.

·         Always detach acknowledgement of postal order and retain it with you.

·         Always write postal order no. in letter to avoid confusion.

If the Public Information Officer does not respond to the application filed, then the applicant can go to the First Appellate Public Information Officer, Second Appellate Public Information Officer and then to the Information Commissioner respectively.

An applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him.

Hierarchy of Concerned Officers (Downwards)

                                           

1. Public Information Officer

2. First Appellate Public Information Officer – Within department – In case the applicant is aggrieved with decision of Public Information officer he can appeal to First APIO within 30 days of decision and without any fees.

3. Second Appellate Public Information Officer – With in State / Central Government -  In case sufficient information is not provided at above two levels, applicant can go to Second Appellate Information Officer which is within state

4. Information Commissioner – Ultimately if he doesn’t get information from above hierarchy, he can approach to Information Commissioner.

 TimeLine for RTI

For PIO to reply to application	30 days from date of receipt of application
For PIO to transfer to another PA under Sec 6(3)	5 days from date of receipt of application
For PIO to issue notice to 3rd Party	5 days from date of receipt of application
For 3rd Party to make a representation to PIO	10 days from receipt of notice from PIO
For PIO to reply to application if 3rdParty involved	40 days from date of receipt of application
For applicant to make First Appeal	30 days from date of receipt of PIO’s reply or from date when reply was to be received
For First Appellate Authority to pass an order	30 days from receipt of First Appeal OR Maximum 45 days, if reasons for delay are given in writing
For applicant to make Second Appeal before CIC/SIC	90 days from receipt of First Appeal orders or from the date when orders were to be received
For CIC/SIC to decide Second Appeal	No time limit specified

Format of RTI application To,       The Public Information Officer       Name of Department       Address       Date Subject: - Seeking Information Under Right To Information Act, 2005 regarding …………. Respected Sir I want to get information under the RTI ACT 2005 regarding the…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Please provide me the information on following points : -        Question 1        Question 2                 Thanks, Yours sincerely,                                                                                                   XYZ (Sd/-) Enclosure: Postal Order No……                  Facts about RTI       The RTI Laws were first successfully enacted by the state governments of  TamilNadu (1997), Goa (1997), Rajasthan (2000), Karnataka (2000),  Delhi (2001), Maharashtra (2002),Assam (2002), Madhya Pradesh (2003), and Jammu and Kashmir (2004).       Jammu & Kashmir has its own Right to Information Act of 2009, the successor to the repealed J&K Right to Information Act, 2004 and its 2008 amendments.       In the first year of National RTI, 42,876 (not yet official) applications for information were filed to Central (i.e. Federal) public authorities. Of these 878 were disputed at the final appellate stage - the Central Information Commission at New Delhi       The first stay order against a final appellate decision of the Central Information Commission was granted on 3.May.2006 by the High Court of Delhi in WP(C)6833-35/2006 cited as "NDPL & Ors. versus Central Information Commission & Ors"       RTInation- An online vertical of RTI, has been conferred the Karmaveer Puraskaar, for social justice and civil action, for the year 2010-2011 Word for Wise, Take it as Advise v  Don’t write for irrelevant means - To burden Govt. Depts. It is a Right,Don’t use it wrong. v  Always go for RTI when all other options are exhausted v  Inform your known ones regarding the powers they have via effective use of RTI. v  Try to facilitate the concerned RTI officials by filling up the letters in a legible and clear manner (i.e. self-explanatory letter.) v   By making proper use of RTI, we can even seek information relating to govt. policies & it’s implementation (specially used by NGO’s) Regards  Gaurav Arya Chartered Accountant

My Life Paradox

(Image Copy from Internet)

Paradox - A situation where two statements are equally correct and opposite to each other. In current  
               scenario people who earns well are more unhealthy and sad one while other side situation is
               totally opposite one. So the below poem represents the paradox of common man.   

Why I Lack Behind?

Being Having Two Eyes, Why I am Blind?

I Don't Intend to Write the Poem

But I Want to Find the Lost Gem.

What I am? What I will?

I Want to Shine My Skill.

Am I Afraid of Difference?

or I Lack Something of My Defence.

I Don't Know What Happened With Me.

I Feel Tied in Pairs But I am Free.

Is It Future Reckoning or Anything More?

Being a Swimmer Am I Near to Shore?

My Destiny is So Far, I am In the Way.

Give me Power to fight, its my Pray.

I am A Lion, People Think Me a Fox.

This is My Life Paradox.

Public Grievance - On a Click of Mouse

Days are Gone when anybody had to visit various government departments for lodging their grievance. Now the government has simplified the procedure of lodging grievances and their redresal at appropriate time. In the era of online revolution, complaints are dealt and solve online. On a click of mouse your complaint can be lodged to the prescribed government department.

Online Public grievance portal is a step taken by government to change the old system of governance where the image of government employee is perceived as insensitive, aloof, corrupt and the administrative system as autocratic, opaque and with no work culture to a new system of governance where bureaucrats are facilitator and regulator instead of an administrator, service provider and controller of development activities. The new role of civil service is need of the hour to create best environment and conditions in the country for building a nation of excellence.

Government of India, through its nodal agency Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has launched an online portal for online receiving and redressal of complaints.

DARPG has been making endeavors to

• · Effective and timely redress / settlement of citizens' grievances in a meaningful manner. 
• · Effectively coordinating with different Ministries and Departments of the Government and trying to eliminate the causes of grievances. 

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

Grievance Redress Mechanism is an important indicator to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of working of administration.

No administration can claim to be accountable, responsive and user-friendly unless it has established an efficient and effective grievance redress mechanism

There are primarily two designated nodal agencies in the Central Government handling these grievances. These agencies are:-

(i) Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

(ii) Directorate of Public Grievances, Cabinet Secretariat


Role of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances

• To undertake citizen-centric initiatives in the fields of administration reforms and public grievances in the Government so as to enable the Government machinery to deliver quality public services to the citizen in a hassle-free manner and eliminate the causes of grievance. 

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the grievance redress machinery of the concerned government agency. 

• It is the nodal agency in government for facilitating administrative improvements and reengineering of processes across the government. 

• Areas under the ambit of DAPG are Citizen’s Charter initiative, Public Grievance Policy, Quality Management in Government, e-Governance, Review of Administrative Laws etc. Documentation and Dissemination of Best Practices, Organisation & Methods, Information & Facilitation Counters, Civil Services Reforms etc. 

Directorate of Public Grievances (DPG)

Overview

The Directorate of Public Grievances was set up in the Cabinet Secretariat with effect from 01.04.88. Started from initially to look into individual complaints pertaining to four Central Government Departments which were more prone to public complaints presently this Directorate is handling grievances pertaining to 16 Central Government Organisations.

Powers

• The DPG working as an appellate body investigating grievances selectively and particularly those where the complainant had failed to get redress at the hands of internal machinery and the hierarchical authorities. 

•  It can call for the files and officers for discussion to see that grievance handling has been done in a fair, objective and just manner. 

• Wherever the Directorate is satisfied that the grievance has not been dealt in such a manner, it makes suitable recommendations for consideration and adoption by the concerned Ministry/Department which are required to be implemented within a period of one month. 

FUNCTIONING OF PUBLIC GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM

The Public Grievance Redress Mechanism functions in Government of India on a decentralized basis. State Governments and Central governments have their own public grievances redress mechanism.

Every department of central and State Government has their own public grievance redressal mechanism.

An officer of the level of Joint Secretary designated as Director of Grievances of the Ministry/Department/Organisation.

Directors of Grievances to call for files/reports and take decisions or review decisions already taken, in consultation with Secretary/HOD even in those areas which do not fall within his/her domain/charge.

The functioning of Public Grievance Redress Machineries in various Ministries/Departments/Organisations is regularly reviewed by a Standing Committee of Secretaries under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary with Additional Secretary Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances as member-secretary.

On Line Registration of Grievances

For Grievances pertaining to Central Government

1. Visit the website of http://www.pgportal.gov.in.

2. In the middle of page, see Citizen Corner .Click on “Lodge your Grievance here”.

3. A Grievance registration form will open.

4. Select the government and respective ministry to which you want to lodge grievance.

5. Fill the form with necessary details along.

6. Enter the grievance in respective message box. Remember the grievance shouldn’t exceed 4,000 words.

7. Submit the grievance after all necessary particulars are filled by clicking “SUBMIT” button.

8. An acknowledgement number will be generated. Note it down for the future reference. This number is useful to track the status of grievance.

9. Reminders and clarification can be sought by referring the above acknowledgement number.

For Grievances pertains to State Government

1. Various state governments have their own public grievance portals. The procedure is same as prescribed above. However grievance against state government can be lodge through http://www.pgportal.gov.in by selecting the prescribed state governmentt.

2. Public grievance portals of various state govt are given below.

Rajasthan - http://sugamrpg.raj.nic.in/

Delhi -http://www.delhigovt.nic.in/griev_red.asp

Haryana -http://harsamadhan.gov.in/

Goa - http://www.goa.gov.in/howdoi/onlinegrievance.html

J &K - http://jkgrievance.nic.in/

Kerala - http://www.cmcc.kerala.gov.in/fnd/index/index.php 

Flow Chart of Public Grievances redressal mechanism

Flaws in Public Grievances redressal mechanism

1. There is no provision of fine for delay in redressal in grievance. While there is provision of fine in RTI act, 2005 which makes it effective and time bound.

2. Government is not so serious to promote the use of filing public grievance as there is lack of awareness on the part of government.

3. There is very long time limit of replying grievances i.e. three months which dilute the intention of complianee.

4. There is no accountability on the part of government to reply the grievances. There may be the chance the grievance is rejected or not redressed. Complianee have nothing in hand to take action against it. However he can file reminders to the concerned ministry or department.

Benefits of Public Grievance

1. Helps government in policy making.

2. Aware Government about the flaws and non-functioning of its departments

3. Helpful in detecting policy paralysis.

4. Fix responsibility in each case of delay, default and dereliction of duty, identified by Director of Grievances, and take appropriate action against concerned personnel. In addition, consider feasibility of prescribing specific penalty clauses for such failures.



Source of Information–http://www.pgportal.gov.in

                                  http://harsamadhan.gov.in/ 

Regards 

Gaurav Arya

Chartered Accountant

PLEASE PASS JANLOKPAL

Six Months of Deadly Agitation

After Forty Years, Government still have Hesitation

Long Live Hazare Team and its Crusaders

In Real Terms, They Prove Themselves as India's Real Caretaker

From Sessions to Sessions

Discussing Lokpal Become a Fashion

Unveils Feelings Comes Out at Large

Whole Country Feels Very Charge

Already It Is a Very Long Delay

What is Your Intention? Whether You Do Not Want To Stay

Are You Waiting For Court's Summon

We Are Waiting for Anti-graft Ombudsman

Country is Burning in Corruption Fire

It Seems Passing Lokpal is Not a Political Desire

Loksabha & Rajyasabha have Chaos and Mess

Bill have Obstacles on issues of Lokayukta, Corporate and Press

Its Not a Poem, Its a Whole Country Demand

Pass Jan Lokpal, Otherwise We Will Take You on Remand

Squirrel Contribution - An Introduction

                                                     SQUIRREL CONTRIBUTION

When the lord Rama & his team of Vanars(Monkeys)  and Bhalus (Bears)  were constructing the bridge accross the sea. A Squirrel was also doing something which seems to be very interesting. She wetted herself in water and get rolled in sand. And than went to the bridge and shaken her body on the holes between boulders occurred on the bridge. She kept on repeating that job again and again. She was filing the holes created while placing the two stones. Suddenly Lord Rama saw her and asked "What are you doing little creature".
                                                                                  
She told that she was strengthening the bridge by filing  the gaps between two stones. Rama felt very happy and thanked the tiny creature for his immense contribution.  Three strips on the Squirrel's back are the image of Rama's three fingers which he stroked gently on her back for his little but appreciable contribution.

Undoubtedly Nobody have have time and enough capability to construct the bridge but we can give our "Squirrel Contribution " to the country. If all of us forget our personal motives and start giving our little contribution to bring the change. There are so much problems in the country which needs to be address by someone. If we keep on sitting by placing our hand on hand and thinking that somebody will come and solve our problem. Sorry Sir we are putting ourself in great trouble. Have we ever realised we only take from the society, what we have returned back. Somebody have rightly written that

 " Hum na soche humein kya mila hain, soche kiya kya hain arpan, 

Phool khushiyon ke baatein sabhi ko apna jeewan bhi ban jaye Madhuban"

Be participative in nature and start giving your Squirrel Contribution.

(Note - Image Copied from Internet)