CHAMBA ADMINISTRATION (RESPECTIVE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER) IS REQUESTED TO VERIFY THE DEMAND CHARTER OF AGITATING RTI ACTIVISTS AND KEEP THE GOVERNMENT INFORMED, IN THE INTEREST OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND TRANSPARENCY IN ADMINISTRATION.

Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India provides that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression ;to assemble peaceably and without arms;to form associations or unions;to move freely through out the territory of India;to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India; and to practice any profession or to carry on any profession, trade or business. Clause (2) to(6) of Article 19, however, provide for the operation of existing laws and empowers the state government to make any law imposing reasonable restrictions in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India or public order or morality etc, on the exercise of these rights. The term "Law"as per article 13(3) of the Constitution includes any ordinance, order, bye-law, rule, regulation, notification, custom or usage having the force of law. So keeping in view the above position of the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression RTI welfare group Working for the good governance and accountability at Chamba zone has taken permission from the administrative authority to assemble peacefully and agitate against the delay in deciding of cases required to be referred by the Heads of the offices to Heads of the department, as related to Vigilance organisation and eradication of corruption and required departmental inquiries, for the purpose of keeping the government informed about the latest position of all the vigilance cases/Complaining and for which the Heads of the department are responsible to submit statistical returns and reports to the Director of vigilance on the proformae as given in the Vigilance Manual of the Government of Himachal Pradesh however cases must be reported under progress reports required quarterly and six monthly for which the department concerned must do the needful under law of limitations and the pending demands of the agitating RTI activists and volunteers should be considered in the interest of justice and good governance and accountability, which should not be delayed for  accepting the time schedule required for departmental inquiries as well as  purpose of keeping the Government informed about the latest position of the vigilance cases/complaints pending before the Heads of the offices and the Heads of the Departments responsible to submit quarterly statistical return of all complaints and pending vigilance cases, well in time, instead of delay in dealing with the law code manual even after six months and years.