Small Change

We have submitted an application under the Right To Information (RTI) act for the following details from the Government of Maharashtra with regard to the Statue that is in question.

1. Cost of construction, including any provision for increases/overruns.
2. Plan/Architects/ structural engineers/contractors appointed/considered, along with their rates and terms
3. Feasibility reports/studies
4. Order of approval – whether reasoned or not.
5. MLA’s who proposed and seconded this
6. Environmental Impact studies if any.
7. Effect on the proposed sea-link if any – and projected increase in cost of construction of sea link due to Location and construction of statue.
8. Computer generated models if any.
9. If this money is from the cultural fund – were any other proposals discussed if yes then details of the alternative proposals.

Also - we have made available the format for the application incase you want to file a request yourself!

Click Here for the application template - fill it up, submit it and get all the information you want about the statue.

This is a scan of the actual proposal that was submitted - please click on it to view the full size version of it and keep a copy with you.

This is a scan of the actual proposal that was submitted - please do take a look at it and keep a copy with you to help you with your petition!

I know its been a long time since I last updated you about the petition and the only reason for it is that there is not much of an update to give!

Our PIL is still stuck in court because our venerable judge hasn’t decided what to do with all the 26/11 related PILs. There is nothing we can do but wait and so we wait. Meanwhile, we have a small moral victory in the guidelines the TV channels have had to self-impose.

Today, the famous theatre director and playwright, Rahul DaCunha, brought up an interesting issue on Facebook. He asks, “Is NO ONE furious that they are building a statue in the middle of the ocean, without asking us and with our money?”

I’m furious about this and I’m hoping our collective blood has not yet stopped simmering. I’m hoping to raise the collective voice of all at SmallChange.in against this!

I’ve been told that the statue will cost hundreds of crores. we could better use the funds to upgrade the Police Force or the Coast Guard. We could, I’m sure, suggest a thousand alternatives!

If we start a petition about this, for a PIL against this, will you join me?

Vishal.