He fires with info as ammo

Right comes handy for consumer activist

“Fighting for the cause of people is in my blood,” says consumer activist James John, who feels compelled to take up causes and ensuring that the defaulter is exposed. James, who is also an AGNI coordinator, took the Maharashtra Rights to Information Act 2002 as a weapon to fight for issues that never saw the light of the day.“After retiring from the Army, I have decided to fight for public causes. Gone are the days when people would blindly believe in their representatives. Now every individual can seek information,” James told DNA.He cites an instance: “A former corporator Kamlesh Rai of Marol village in Malad had allegedly misused the Rs 20 lakh allocated to him. He had promised to build a boundary wall across the village market and a hall. However, not a single project was undertaken.” This was brought to the notice of the ward officer. “We have also highlighted that BMC records show the work is completed, but actually nothing has been done,” he said.He added, “We will ensure that not only the work gets completed but also those who were responsible for non-completion are punished.”He said, “With the help of this right we could demand the required documents and nail the fraud.”The same can be done by every individual. What is needed is self-confidence and the urge to fight for public causes?James John