Unfinished Government Projects in Rural Areas: An RTI Success Story of Villager Empowerment

Government schemes are the backbone of national development, especially in rural areas. The government allocates crores of rupees for wells, ponds, roads, and other essential infrastructure. However, often, works initiated under these schemes either progress slowly or are left entirely unfinished, causing immense hardship to villagers. But if aware citizens in a village unite and leverage the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, they can make it possible to complete unfinished government projects in villages using RTI. This story will illustrate how the residents of one such village collectively used RTI to ensure the completion of their village’s long-pending government well and pond projects.

Years of Unfinished Well and Pond Projects: A Common Rural Challenge

In many villages across India, work on digging wells or ponds under government schemes commences, only to halt after some time without any tangible reason. In numerous instances, allocated funds remain unutilized, or the work is plagued by significant corruption. Villagers often complain to local authorities, but their grievances typically go unheard. A similar situation arose in Mohanpur village, where, two years prior, a public well and a small pond project were initiated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). After some excavation, the work abruptly ceased. Villagers repeatedly contacted the Gram Panchayat and the Block Development Officer (BDO), but each time they were met with evasions. This became a formidable challenge for a village already grappling with drought and water scarcity.

RTI: An Empowering Tool for Villagers

Frustrated by the inaction, some youths in the village learned about the RTI Act and decided to understand its power. They resolved that this time, they would not merely complain but demand information. They came together to prepare an RTI application. Their strategy was clear: to seek precise information.

Key Questions Asked in the RTI Application:

The villagers filed RTI applications with the concerned Gram Panchayat office and Block Development Office, seeking information on the following points:

• What was the total amount allocated for the construction of the well and pond in Mohanpur village under the MNREGA scheme?
• When and under what heads were funds released for this project?
• When was the work order for the project issued, and what was the contractor’s name?
• What was the project’s commencement date, and what was its stipulated completion deadline?
• What is the reason for leaving the project unfinished?
• How much amount has been spent on the project so far, and what are the details (bills and vouchers)?
• What are the names and designations of the officials responsible for this project?
• By when will the unfinished work be completed, and what steps are being taken for its completion?

They submitted the prescribed fee of ₹10 with each application, as per rules.

The Impact of RTI and the Resumption of Work

Within 30 days of filing the RTI applications, villagers started receiving responses. Some officials initially prevaricated, but when they realized that the villagers were serious about their Right to Information and ready to pursue further appeals, they felt the pressure. The RTI responses revealed several shocking details. It came to light that a significant portion of the allocated funds had already been shown as spent, yet very little work had been done on the ground. The negligence of the concerned officials and the arbitrary actions of the contractor were exposed.

Based on this information, the villagers sent a collective complaint to the District Magistrate and also raised the issue in the media. The precise information obtained through RTI provided a strong foundation for their complaint. Pressure mounted on the administration, and officials realized the gravity of the matter. Within a few weeks, the district administration ordered an inquiry and reprimanded the concerned officials. A notice was also issued to the contractor.

Success: Unfinished Project Brought to Completion

The power of RTI and the villagers’ perseverance led to the stalled work resuming. Under the administration’s supervision, the work was accelerated anew. The Gram Panchayat was also held accountable. Gradually, the well was deepened, and the pond was properly shaped. Within a few months, both the well and the pond in Mohanpur village were fully completed. Villagers now had access to sufficient water sources for drinking and irrigation. This was not merely a solution to the water problem but a victory for the villagers, demonstrating that with accurate information, they could fight for their rights.

This story is not just about Mohanpur village; it’s an inspiration for countless villages across the country. If you too are troubled by any unfinished government work in your locality or village, the Right to Information Act, 2005, can become your most potent weapon.

Key Tips for Getting Government Work Completed Through RTI:

• Identify the Problem: First, clearly identify the government work that is unfinished or has irregularities.
• Ascertain the Concerned Department: Find out which government department (Gram Panchayat, Block Office, Zila Parishad, etc.) the work falls under.
• Ask Precise Questions: In your RTI application, ask clear, specific, and fact-based questions. The example questions provided above can serve as a guide.
• Demand Documents: If possible, also request certified copies of documents such as work orders, payment receipts, inspection reports, etc.
• Undertake Collective Effort: If feasible, involve other aware citizens of the village. Collective efforts tend to have a greater impact.
• Don’t Hesitate to Appeal: If you do not receive a satisfactory response within 30 days, do not hesitate to appeal to the First Appellate Authority and then to the Information Commission.

Draw Inspiration from Other Success Stories:

If you are seeking solutions for your local infrastructure problems through RTI, you can also draw inspiration from our other success stories. For instance, learn how a citizen used RTI to get a broken road in their colony repaired:

Success Story: When an Aware Citizen Used RTI as a Weapon to Get a Broken Colony Road Repaired

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How can RTI help in government projects?

RTI brings transparency to government projects. It empowers you with the right to know about allocated funds, expenditures, work progress, responsible officials, and reasons for delays. This information holds officials accountable and compels them to complete the work.

Q2: When was the Khet Talab Yojana (Farm Pond Scheme) launched?

Rural water conservation schemes like the Khet Talab Yojana (Farm Pond Scheme) have been launched at different times and under various names across different states. For example, according to SERP results, a similar scheme (Kheti Talab Yojana) was discussed in 2019. Their main objective is to provide water for irrigation to farmers and to increase groundwater levels. If there’s a specific scheme in your area, you can use RTI to inquire about its launch date and other details.

Q3: Where should an RTI application be filed?

An RTI application is filed with the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Public Authority from whom you are seeking information. For village development works, this could be the Gram Panchayat, Block Development Office, or the District Rural Development Agency.

If you also wish to seek information from a government department and need help drafting an RTI application, you can draft your RTI for free by visiting rtisupport.in.

Regards,

Team RTI Support India

A Medium for Citizen Empowerment and Transparency