On 24 October 2024, Moneylife Foundation hosted a full-day seminar at the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) in Mumbai on how citizens can effectively use the Right to Information (RTI) Act and social media to address issues impacting public services, infrastructure and quality of life in Mumbai. The seminar brought together prominent RTI activists and civic leaders to discuss the issues.
The event attracted a large turnout, demonstrating the growing interest in civic engagement and transparency. Among the attendees were many concerned citizens, members of civic advocacy groups and students from Public Concerns for Governance Trust (PCGT).
The seminar began with talks by key speakers and RTI activists Anil Galgali, Bhaskar Prabhu and Zoru Bhathena, all of whom are renowned for their work in exposing inefficiencies in public projects and advocating for transparency. Their presentations offered practical insights into how citizens can file RTI applications to hold public authorities accountable and use social media platforms to mobilise community support around critical civic issues, such as poor road conditions, public safety hazards and environmental concerns.
Mr Galgali, known for his work on exposing public project inefficiencies and corruption in the government, remarked, "RTI is not just a tool for individuals—it is a movement. Each RTI application can reveal layers of truth and transparency that benefit entire communities."
He also pointed out that tools other than RTI, such as the Citizen's Charter, Right to Services Act, Lok Shahi Din, and social media, are equally powerful and important for citizens seeking transparency and accountability from the government.
Environmental activist Zoru Bhathena, who has successfully used RTI to protect Mumbai's urban green spaces, shared his experiences on how "RTI can bring clarity to environmental and civic issues, empowering citizens to protect their surroundings and push for better quality of life." Mr Bhathena's campaigns, including his advocacy against the Aarey Metro shed and the proposed closure and rebuilding of the Malabar Hill underground water tank, resonated deeply with the audience.
Mr Prabhu, a tireless advocate for transparency, emphasised how social audits give the power to seek accountability from government institutions to ordinary citizens. "Don't think too big and reach directly for the moon. You need to start small and look at your immediate surroundings. Look at your local roads, your gardens and parks…collectively do a social audit and see where your taxes are being spent."
Following the insightful presentations, the seminar transitioned into a lively panel discussion focused on the challenges and successes of using RTI and social media as tools for urban change. It was moderated by former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi. The panelists included Mohammed Afzal, a consumer, human rights and RTI activist, advocate Trivankumar Karnani, a criminal litigation lawyer and founder of the Mumbai North Central District Forum (MNCDF) and advocate Sulaiman Bhimani, founder of The Law Suits and an RTI activist.
The discussion focused on real-world success stories, the challenges of using RTI and social media and whether these tools provide long-term solutions to urban problems. Attendees found the discussion engaging and many took away actionable ideas to apply in their own communities.
Concerns regarding the ineffectual manner of RTI responses received by applicants and the life risks that RTI activists frequently face due to their activism were the main areas of the discussion. The panellists agreed that while the source of fear could be genuine, it need not necessarily be a deterrent if you are working together as a group.
The session ended with an open Q&A, where participants sought advice from the panellists on their personal RTI queries. The seminar reinforced that with the right tools and community support, citizens can indeed hold their governments accountable and create a better quality of life for all. The advice given on using multiple transparency tools beyond RTI, such as the Citizen's Charter and Right to Services Act, gave attendees new avenues to hold public authorities accountable.
