Cooperative societies under ambit of RTI for first time in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL: In a landmark order, all cooperative societies in Madhya Pradesh involved in grain procurement and the operation of ration shops have been brought under the Right to Information Act with immediate effect. This move aims to tighten scrutiny on potential scams within cooperative societies. State Information Commissioner Rahul Singh has also mandated the suo moto disclosure of salaries of salesmen working at ration shops on district portals across the state.

The order emphasizes transparency and accountability in the operations of cooperative societies engaged in grain procurement and the Public Distribution System (PDS), thereby aiming to reduce corruption. Singh, in his order, explains that farmers often complain about irregularities in these systems, but the lack of transparency in cooperative societies' operations hinders problem resolution. This order will now make the inner workings of these government societies open to the public.

Shivanand Dwivedi, an RTI activist from Rewa, praised the decision, stating that it represents significant justice for farmers and common citizens by subjecting cooperative societies to RTI scrutiny. He believes this decision will not only benefit Madhya Pradesh but also set a precedent for bringing cooperative societies across India under the RTI.

Rahul Dhoot, the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh State Head, remarked that the decision to bring societies under the ambit of RTI is excellent as it ensures transparency in their functioning, prevents arbitrary actions, and ultimately benefits farmers.

The decision arose from multiple complaints, including salesmen at PDS shops seeking information about their salaries through RTI and complaints about cooperative societies involved in ration shops and grain procurement withholding information, claiming the RTI Act does not apply to them.

A public authority is defined under the RTI Act as any institution under the government's control or substantially financed by the government. During the hearing, when Information Commissioner Rahul Singh asked the Cooperative department to provide details of salaries of the PDS salesmen, the department replied negatively, asserting that societies don't fall under the ambit of RTI. Singh then conducted an inquiry under the civil procedure code and found several government orders and notifications proving that these cooperative societies are indeed under government control. Singh's inquiry further revealed that all these societies exceed the threshold of Rs 50,000 under MP Appeal & Rules of the RTI Act, as they receive significant government funding. Singh, in his order, declares these societies well within the ambit of the RTI Act as they are significantly financed by the government, hence qualifying as public authorities under the RTI Act.

State Information Commissioner Rahul Singh referenced a decision by the Aurangabad High Court to bring all cooperative societies under RTI, holding the Registrar of Cooperative Societies accountable for providing information.

In his order, Rahul Singh appointed Deputy Commissioners of the Cooperative department in all districts as Public Information Officers and also designated the Joint Commissioner of the department as First Appellate Officers. Singh instructed the Principal Secretary of the Cooperatives Department to ensure that the mechanism for providing information under RTI is effective within one month of the order. Following this order, RTI applicants seeking details related to cooperative societies can file an RTI with the District Deputy Commissioner of Cooperative.

The Commission's investigation uncovered shocking discrepancies in the payment of salaries to salesmen, with some not receiving their salary for years, highlighting the need for corrective action.

Recognizing the severity of the salary discrepancies and their implications on the rights and living conditions of salesmen at ration shops, Information Commissioner Rahul Singh directed that the case be forwarded to the Principal Secretary of Food for appropriate action. Pointing out that Section 4 of the RTI Act mandates the suo moto disclosure of salary, Singh also directed to ensure transparency in salary distribution by uploading salary details to websites or portals across the state within three months.