‘WE WON’T ALLOW ARBITRARY AMENDMENT IN RTI ACT’ The three-day seventh State convention on RTI held under the aegis of Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan (OSAA) concluded here with many important resolutions to strengthen the RTI movement and activate the PIOs. On the concluding day, OSAA State convener and noted RTI activist Pradip Pradhan in a Press briefing said on Friday evening that after the recent decision of the Central Information Commission (CIC) to bring political parties within the ambit of the Right to Information Act, the Central Government is conspiring to amend the Act in Parliament arbitrarily without taking the citizens into confidence though the CIC has taken a welcome step. If the political parties see any wrong with the CIC, then they may fight against it in court. So to check the intent of the Central Government, the RTI activists will not sit silently. Rather, the issue will be raised from panchayat to Delhi to aware the people. If required a dharna will be held in Delhi during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament in August, said Pradhan. Coming down heavily on the style of functioning of the members of State Information Commission, Pradhan said a commission member is enjoying a sum of Rs 2 lakh per month as his honourarium and other perks but how much is he contributing to protect the sanctity of the RTI is a question. Hardly is the commission hearing ten cases per day, while in other States, a commission is holding hearing on 30 cases in a day from 10 am to 5 pm. So the efficiency of the commission should be evaluated by an independent body, he demanded. He further said U/s 7 (5) of RTI Act, a BPL card holder is eligible to get information free of cost and the High Court has also similar judgment on this too, but the State Information Commission is not following it. Many offices are not making suo motto disclosure U/s 4(1) (b) of the Act in Odisha and the commission is silent over it. Let the commission give judgment in Odia as the commissions of other States are doing. In our State, the application form is very complicated to fill up, while with ill intention, the proof of citizenship is sought from the applicants, said Pradhan. He also criticized the Government for its procedure of appointing the commission member. Citing the example of other States, Pradhan said the Government should seek application from the public three months earlier for selection of commission members through public notice. He also urged for early nod to Whistle Blower Protection Bill and Citizens Right Bill in Parliament.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 03:08:13 +0000
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