Zen Citizen

Empower citizens to confidently navigate Govt procedures, skip agents, push back against petty corruption.

Volunteer-driven. Piloting in Karnataka.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@readingkafka Karakkaya /haritaki. Chewing on the skin of this “fruit” has soothed many a persistent cough for me.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

Following up on this: An RTI applicant may estimate the cost of photocopies/CDs and pay the amount in advance, if they wish. However, there is no official requirement or direction to do so.

In most cases, the department sends the applicant an online payment link when additional fees are due, so the applicant does not need to visit a government office.

Paying in advance may help avoid a situation where a payment link is not sent and the applicant is required to visit the government office to make the payment or produce a challan.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@Sahasasimha1976 @BDAOfficialGok “I was advised to pay in advance to get the RTI information and have already paid Rs 400/ through postal order but the application is being rejected with reason as personal information.” - this is very odd. Can you share a screenshot/pic if possible please.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@BDAOfficialGok @parveez333 "However, citizens are encouraged to continue attending the scheduled OHM meetings for updates and review of their cases." It may be pertinent to mention/reiterate here that citizen can attend by VC. Otherwise even OHM process sounds laborious.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@parveez333 @BDAOfficialGok @BDAOfficialGok Curious, if there is no fresh appointment number, how would the officer in charge of the file know to be prepared for the citizen's visit.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@Sahasasimha1976 @BDAOfficialGok Might framing the question in a different way help. FWIW, here is an article on the nuances in framing an RTI request.

https://t.co/Pz4Xv1jgug

[Manivannan P 🇮🇳 @Captain_Mani72]

Thank you so much! Yes, BDA is initiating a lot of reforms on its 50th year; towards transparency, accountability and citizen orientation.

Thanks to the volunteers who are working with BDA like: @Sahasasimha1976 , @ZenCitizenIN etc and the officers who work with them @NandiniPM1301 @pujaradcl etc.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@RakeshS33094349 @BDAOfficialGok @Captain_Mani72 Got it. Thank you for explaining!

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@KarkadaPraveen @GBAChiefComm @GBA_office @DKShivakumar Thank you for the update. I was going to check-in with you. I'm sorry to hear. Let me follow-up again. Will keep you posted.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

Two of a small list of people I have great respect for are coming to town! Saloni Malhotra, Founder Desicrew and Prof Ashok Jhunjhwala at the book launch of Prof’s biography.

[•• Saloni Malhotra •• @salonimalhotra]

Stoked to announce the book launch of

Roots & Wings: Building India's Deep Tech Ecosystem — the authorised biography of Padma Shri Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala

at PAN IIT Bangalore Summit 2026. Join us at Taj Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM onwards.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@8varun9 @BDAOfficialGok "All Govt bodies act and work in the same fashion." -- Sure, BDA is making genuine efforts over the last 1 year, and their citizen stakeholders are recognizing as well.

I'm not sure how the post you shared is relevant to an entirely different Govt body.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@8varun9 @BDAOfficialGok "All Govt bodies act and work in the same fashion." -- Sure, BDA is making genuine efforts over the last 1 year, and their citizen stakeholders are recognizing as well.
I'm not sure how the post you shared is relevant to an entirely different Govt body.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

Hi, Our volunteer group wrote this guide on how to get a BESCOM connection transfer. https://t.co/fVmaMhGHI0

We share tips like "Plan to visit the O&M office in the morning. After completing the process at the O&M office, you will need to proceed to the Sub Divisional Office (SDO), where the cash counter closes at 3:30 PM. Visiting the O&M office in the afternoon could result in missing the cash counter’s closing time (JE’s can come back 3:15p from lunch when our volunteer visited the office), necessitating another trip."

"Take a printout of the photo of electricity meter (ensure visibility of the Serial Number and latest reading of units consumed) and meter box cover (ensure visibility of the RR number)"

We provide workarounds to make the process as smooth as possible within the constraints of the system. The eventual goal is to bring structural changes to improve citizen experience.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@RaviJayaraman @Captain_Mani72 @BDAOfficialGok @hrsrajanna @NandiniPM1301 Sahaya app is for BBMP related issues.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@8varun9 @BDAOfficialGok You are complaining about BBMP on BDA handle. They are entirely different bodies.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@Chandra05338729 @BDAOfficialGok I believe those apps are for complaints falling in GBA/BBMP jurisdiction, not for BDA.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@SandeepHegde @namma_bda @aof_bda Hey Sandeep, I haven’t looked into this.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

When citizens see the Government genuinely working to improve processes, people naturally come together to help where they can!

There is a bug on the BDA property tax portal that is awaiting a fix. @ZenCitizenIN shared a way to address the issue and @aof_bda consulted us to create a poster and letter template to help citizens file grievances more easily.

Heartwarming to see.
@BDAOfficialGok @Captain_Mani72 @Bda_kaniminike

[BDA Apartments Owners Forum @aof_bda]

Can't see your Flat on BDA Tax portal? Solve in just 3 simple steps

1.Write a simple letter with your details (Letter https://t.co/HTdg0k36sH)

2.Attach Supporting documents

3.Whatsapp it to BDA Helpline. Flat will be mapped in 2-3 working days

@namma_bda @Captain_Mani72

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@grumpeoldman @aof_bda Haven’t looked into it.

[Zen Citizen @ZenCitizenIN]

@BDAOfficialGok Could you please check this URL. It does not appear to be working. 'Register Now: https://t.co/xkWCT6BRIy'