The Department of Civics & Politics of the Mumbai University has launched a Post Graduate Certificate Course in RTI which will help citizens formally empower themselves
The need for a formal educational degree in RTI Act was an idea spun off at the 2015 National Right to Information (RTI) Convention in Mumbai. Within a year, it has resulted in starting a study course, titled `Post Graduate Certificate Course in Right to Information’ (PGCCRTI) by the Mumbai University’s Department of Civics & Politics.
With 50 post-graduate students enrolled for the first batch, the Mumbai University on 14 January 2016 inaugurated the six-month PGCCRTI at its Kalina Campus. The course was inaugurated by noted RTI activist Nikil Dey and attended by Maharashtra State Chief Information Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad.
The ambitious project, guided by Mumbai-based stalwart RTI activists Shailesh Gandhi and Bhaskar Prabhu was worked upon by Surendra Jondhale, Head of the Department, Civics & Politics. Mridul Nile, a PhD student, dug into the details of the study for the course. Several NGOs and experts are teaching various facets of RTI Act, but a comprehensive, academic course was not in existence and this one promises to meet the requirement.
There will be three papers. i) Right to Information: Basic Framework, ii) Right to Information Act 2005 and iii) Projects.
To pass the course, the student is required to procure 50% marks in all three subjects. Lectures would be conducted during weekends.
The syllabus states: “The objective of the course is to sensitize citizens, civil society members, professionals, government officials for transparent and accessible governance and enthuse amongst them a spirit of participatory democracy. Further the course endeavors to strengthen civil society participation governance and initiate a responsive citizenry.”
Following are the syllabus details:
Paper I: Right to Information: Basic Framework
- Constitutional Framework
a) Philosophy of Indian Constitution
b) Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy
c) Constitutional Provisions of RTI: Article 19 (1), (2) and Art 21
d) Manifestations of Freedom in 21st Century - International Framework
a) Theories of Right to Information
b) History of RTI in the World
c) International Laws on Transparency
d) Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Development of RTI in India
a) Supreme Court/High Courts judgements
b) Initiatives and Movements: NCPRI, CHRI, Anna Hazare, MKSS and others
c) Information Acts in States
d) RTI and Human Rights - Future Trajectory
a) Whistleblower Act
b) Right to Hearing, Grievance Redressal Bill
c) Right to Public Services, Transfers and Delays Act
d) Public Consultation - Case Studies
a) Inspection and Social Audits
b) Environment
c) Urban Issues
d) Rural Issues
RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, whose book on RTI in Marathi, “Pailu Mahitichya Adhikarache”, has been included in the course syllabus states, “This course pioneers RTI study in a thoroughly academic format and would comprehensively make the students aware of the multi-dimensional facets of RTI.’’
Here are more details about the PG Certificate Court in RTI from Mumbai University…
(Vinita Deshmukh is consulting editor of Moneylife, and also convener of the Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyaan. She is the recipient of prestigious awards like the Statesman Award for Rural Reporting which she won twice in 1998 and 2005 and the Chameli Devi Jain award for outstanding media person for her investigation series on Dow Chemicals. She co-authored the book "To The Last Bullet - The Inspiring Story of A Braveheart - Ashok Kamte" with Vinita Kamte and is the author of "The Mighty Fall".)
Paper II: Right to Information Act 2005
- RTI Act 2005: Preamble and Definitions
a) Preamble
b) Appropriate Government and Competent authority
c) Information, Public Authority, Record and Right to Information
d) Information Commission, Public information officer and Third party - Obligations of Public Authorities
a) Eligibility of applicants
b) Public authority obligations about suo motto disclosures
c) Appointment of PIO and their duties
d) Submissions and Disposal of Applications
