It was overwhelmingly busy today at the RTI help desk...before we could even open the doors, two persons were waiting with questions.There were a total of 73 visitors. Volunteers helped visitors with filing questions ranging from Ration cards , passport, PF, IAY, job applications and job regularisation in state and central depts, status and records from the District Council regarding a Private Coal Mining company. Questions to deficit colleges were also filed. There was much confusion as there were not enough volunteers, but people waited and seemed happy to just be around, mingle, fiddle with the information kiosk and read the RTI literature on the charts.The swamping meant that none of us though about taking any pictures, so day five at the help desk has no photographic evidence! Oops!
Many visitors were from other district towns and villages as far away as from Mawsynram, Lyngam - an area with abysmal infrastructure and almost non existent road connectivity, Nartiang, Khatarshnong and many also came with requests of holding similar programmes in their village and district towns. So we have invitations from Nartiang and Mawnsynram
We learnt from a visitor that North Eastern Hill University, a central University, that the University is charging Rs. 500 as application fees. Planning to complain to Central Information Commission about it.
A road show was organised at Barapathar at 6 pm after closure of the help desk. A film was screened, leaflets distributed and people explained and informed about RTI and invited to the help desk. Many who attended the road show will be visiting the help desk with their questions regarding voters identity cards, ration cards etc. We used the facility of Department of Field Publicity.