Mumbai: After the Maharashtra government passed a resolution mandating entry to Mantralaya only through a mobile application, activist Kamlakar Shenoy has objected to the decision. He has urged the government to scrap the decision citing violations of citizens’ fundamental rights and being discriminatory towards senior citizens and digitally illiterate people.
After launching the biometrics-enabled entry system, the state government has introduced a ‘Digi Pravesh’ mobile application, that will be mandatory for the officials, employees and common citizens visiting Mantralaya. However, the new digital initiative has been accused of being discriminatory towards senior citizens and people who are not tech-savvy.
Shenoy has written to the chief secretary of Maharashtra government urging the government to reconsider the decision and implement an inclusive policy allowing citizens to enter Mantralaya through both online and offline means.
He alleged that mandating permission of a civil servant to enter Mantralaya is a direct attack on citizens’ fundamental rights while it will also enable corrupt and non-performing bureaucrats to evade accountability by denying access at their discretion.
The activist said many senior citizens rely on physical visits to government offices to address their grievances and seek resolutions while a significant section of the population, from economically weaker backgrounds, lacks digital literacy and internet access. He raised concerns regarding mandating an online application as it bars these groups of people from approaching the government.
The online-only system has also been accused of violating Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees equality before the law, as it discriminates against individuals based on digital literacy and internet access. Shenoy alleged that it also infringes upon Article 19(1)(a) and (g) for restricting freedom of expression as well as Article 21 ensuring the right to life and personal liberty, as citizens must have free and fair access to government offices without undue restrictions.
Shenoy also raised concerns regarding possibility of issues arising for people while accessing Mantralaya during internet downtime and technical glitches. He said that online applications should be an option and not a compulsion and alternative solutions such as designated counters for senior citizens, physically disabled individuals, and those facing digital challenges should be implemented.
The activist has alleged that the implementation of the app-based entry lacks public consultation and transparency in decision-making. He also alleged that the system blatantly violates fire safety norms as the restrictions will result in heavy casualties due to obstruction of emergency evacuation routes.
“The reason that citizens are compelled to travel from remote areas of Maharashtra and even from within Mumbai to Mantralaya is the complete failure of elected representatives and senior bureaucrats to effectively address public grievances at the local level. The government is sending an absolute wrong message that it is protecting the corrupt and non-performing public servants from being exposed and it is openly supporting such corrupt practices,” said Shenoy.
