The persistent efforts of Thokada Grama Parirakshana Samithi (TGPS) in Visakhapatnam have finally yielded results, compelling government authorities to release the requested information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This accomplishment follows a year-long struggle by the appellant and the intervention of the Andhra Pradesh State Information Commission (SIC) in Amaravati capital city.
Accusing a total of 43 industrial units as unauthorised establishments within Thokada village, in violation of the rules and Master Plan Zoning Regulations of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), the appellants filed a request with the Public Information Officer (PIO) at the Office of the Assistant Labour, Circle-8 of Visakhapatnam on May 30, 2022.
In their RTI query, they emphasised the adverse environmental effects experienced by villagers due to various forms of pollution, primarily noise nuisance. In light of these issues, the villagers implored the officer to disclose details concerning the workforce employed in each unit, as recorded in the muster roll and wage register, along with information about beneficiaries of labour welfare schemes associated with these industries.
