Sir, RTI Hearing (in PMC) was very painful

Today I received a complaint from one Rita gupta. She had a hearing in pune municipal corporation .Instead of hearing her appeal, appellate authority humiliated her. These type incidences are increasing wherever information commissioners are very weak or low caliber  Whenever public information officers or appellate authorities come to know that whatever the case may be for many years second appeal will not come before the information commissioner for hearing or even if it comes, they are sure that commissioner will not take any action on officers.

It is not difficult to understand that from where this type of confidence comes. How can they dare to humiliate any RTI appellant and particularly a woman? The hearing (?) took place yesterday (14th may) the woman met me today (15th may), Even today it was difficult for her to stop tears, she was miserably upset.

It is clear that from the facts that PMC was trying to shield its officers. However, problem is, why PMC officer humiliated her. He could have easily heard her appeal and give the decision whatever he deemed fit. Instead of doing that, he chose to harass her. If this the status of the RTI applicants or appellants in big city like Pune one can imagine what will be the scenario in remote areas?

Reproducing that womans letter , In the bracket are some corrections in spellings made by me.

Dear Sir,

I Rita Gupta R/O Koregaon Park ,

Actually I and my society Managing Committee secretary has various issues, which are pending  before Registrar .Regard to this I need to  show my Society master plan. so I have applied in corporation for the same ,they gave me answer, that they are not finding this file" in writting .

I went for first appeal, then I received a letter, that I have a hearing on 14-5-2013.I reached on time at 11 am . But Mr. Sarode (Appellate Authority ) was not there .After 12.40 .He came inside the cabin .As I went inside I saw his attitute was very rude, careless, harsh.He did not hear me at all. I was keep requesting him to give me a change (chance), but he was keep humiliating me.It was very painfull hearing .I was haressed (harrased) like anything.Finally I asked him "Why did you called me up if you do not want to hear me ." then he gave me very irresponsible answer .Because you appelled it.

Then I came down emotionally and mentally drained. I started crying almost 2 hours. Then I deceided to meet Mr. vivak (Vivek Kharawadkar addl city engineer) and gave him in writting that Mr. Sarode tourtured me .Mr Sarode and Raskar and Dhanjay Jadhav said sorry to me . But I do not feel this is just enough. I suffered a lot all day.This officer gave me lot of pain .I am still going through pain; woman has to be respected by corporation officers.

Please help me in this matter.I want Mr. Sarode should transfer, so it should established as a moral." women also have selfesteem".

Rita Gupta