**Concerns Raised Over Possible Manipulation in Slum Rehabilitation Authority’s RTI Data Submission**
*Mumbai:* The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA)’s compiled Right to Information (RTI) data for its 18th annual report has unexpectedly surfaced in the state housing department, following a report by *The Free Press Journal* that highlighted the SRA’s failure to submit this data to its parent body.
Mulund-based transparency activist Mehul Hariya has raised serious concerns regarding possible manipulation in the SRA’s annual report submission, suspecting post-facto creation of records.
On July 11, *The Free Press Journal* reported that the State Information Commission (SIC) misreported the number of RTI applications received by Mumbai SRA, despite a significant delay in publishing the report. The Public Information Officer (PIO) of the SRA’s parent body, the state housing department, claimed that it had not received any data from the slum department.
Interestingly, the official report stated that SRA Mumbai received zero RTI applications during 2023. However, Hariya revealed that he had filed 12 RTI applications seeking various information from the department during that same period.
Hariya’s first appeal with the housing department was lodged on February 25, with a mandatory disposal date of March 25. Yet, the actual hearing took place only on August 25, after a five-month delay. During this hearing, the first appellate authority directed the PIO to provide the requested information.
In compliance, the PIO produced two letters from the SRA dated March 17, 2023, and March 18, 2024. However, these letters contradicted the PIO’s earlier RTI reply dated July 7, in which he had claimed that no information was furnished by the SRA.
Hariya pointed out that neither of the letters bears an acknowledgement stamp from the housing department, casting doubt on their authenticity and raising suspicions of post-facto record creation or manipulation.
Additionally, Hariya had submitted a parallel RTI application to the SRA on June 22, which was replied to only after a long delay on August 7.
“The sequence of events raises serious suspicion of post-facto record creation, as the same PIO who denied the existence of records on July 7 later produced them only after media exposure and appellate intervention,” said Hariya. “This case highlights a systemic lack of accountability within both the housing department and the SRA, with potential manipulation of documents meant for legislative annual reports, thereby undermining transparency and public trust.”
Following *The Free Press Journal*’s report on the SIC’s misreporting in the 18th annual report, the SRA has reportedly instructed all its 13 sub-departments to furnish accurate information regarding RTI applications and appeals.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/sras-rti-data-mysteriously-surfaces-after-first-appeal-although-housing-department-earlier-denied-receiving-any-such-data
