Interaction session with Sunil Mahto, RTI activist – Sunil Mahto is a name which is not unknown to anyone working in the legal field in Jharkhand. He has been a passionate RTI activist whose efforts have led to the unveiling of various corrupt practices of higher authorities in Jharkhand.
In October 2011, Sunil Mahto was invited to NUSRL for an interaction session with the students of the University. In this session, Mr. Mahto dealt with various queries that the students about the method of filing an RTI application, the present scenario of RTI in Jharkhand. He also shared with the students, his past experiences as an RTI activist.
He narrated an incident in which he had discovered huge irregularities in road construction works. He filed an application to inspect the roads under the Ranchi Rural. But the Road Construction Division of Ranchi Rural was reluctant to provide information sought under RTI act. Ultimately, the matter was taken to Jharkhand State Information Commission that ordered the concerned department to allow Mr. Mahto for inspection as requested in his application. Engineers of the department accompanied him on 7th July 2007, during his inspection of the roads. Mr. Mahto prepared a fact sheet during the inspection process that was signed by the engineers during the inspection. It revealed that the work for widening and repairing of five roads were allotted in the year 2003 for Rs. 73 crores. The schedule work was supposed to be completed in December 2005, but even after extending the work twice it was incomplete. Moreover it was revealed that the contractor had been given Rs. 60 crore even before the completion of the work.
In October 2011, Sunil Mahto was invited to NUSRL for an interaction session with the students of the University. In this session, Mr. Mahto dealt with various queries that the students about the method of filing an RTI application, the present scenario of RTI in Jharkhand. He also shared with the students, his past experiences as an RTI activist.
He narrated an incident in which he had discovered huge irregularities in road construction works. He filed an application to inspect the roads under the Ranchi Rural. But the Road Construction Division of Ranchi Rural was reluctant to provide information sought under RTI act. Ultimately, the matter was taken to Jharkhand State Information Commission that ordered the concerned department to allow Mr. Mahto for inspection as requested in his application. Engineers of the department accompanied him on 7th July 2007, during his inspection of the roads. Mr. Mahto prepared a fact sheet during the inspection process that was signed by the engineers during the inspection. It revealed that the work for widening and repairing of five roads were allotted in the year 2003 for Rs. 73 crores. The schedule work was supposed to be completed in December 2005, but even after extending the work twice it was incomplete. Moreover it was revealed that the contractor had been given Rs. 60 crore even before the completion of the work.