If anyone complains to any government department on a violation of the law, the department usually issues a notice to the offender saying that such and such a person has complained against him. Disclosing the name and address of the complainant to the offender frequently results in threats to the complainant. Therefore, many people, even if they notice a violation every day and are affected by it prefer to keep quiet rather than face threats. This is one of the main reasons for the ever increasing number of violations of the law.
Such a situation existed till now in Mysore City Corporation. When people brought to the notice of MCC staff violations (such as building bylaw violations, encroachment of public land, stray dogs and cattle, etc.) which the staff should have noticed by themselves and taken action, their names were released to the offender and the complainants made to suffer. MGP had raised this issue with many MCC Commissioners, but no one took action. But the present Commissioner of MCC has reacted favourably and issued a notice to his subordinates. Copy of the notice is enclosed as an Attachment. It says
"The public give complaints to MCC about violations of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, especially, violations of building bylaws. When such complaints are received, it is necessary in the interest of good administration to maintain secrecy and you are hereby instructed not to disclose the name and address of the complainants. Any violation of this instruction will be considered seriously."
This action of the MCC Commissioner is welcome
Laws protecting the identity of persons who complain against violations of the law exist in all developed countries. Even in our country, such a bill (Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making The Disclosures Bill) was introduced in the parliament on 26-8-10. If the bill is passed and becomes a law, all government staff must keep the identity of persons complaining against law violations a secret, otherwise they will be punished.
Dr.T.N. Manjunath, Mysore Grahakara Parishat