[2009 Amendments] IC (SG)'s letter to PM on RTI dilution

From: shailesh gandhi [mailto:shaileshgan@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 9:22 AM Subject: RTI dilution I have received no reply to this so far, but wanted to share it with you. I believe we may lose something very precious, if Citizens do not act.    9 June, 2009. To, Dr. Manmohan Singh, The Prime Minister, South Block, New Delhi 110 011. Dear Mr. Prime Minister,                      The Government has declared its intention to amend the RTI Act through the President’s speech to the Parliament. I would like to point out that for a law designed to be used by Citizens and over a million PIOs across the Nation, changes in the law may cause a certain amount of avoidable confusion. This could cause more harm than the expected improvement. However, if the Government feels a strong need to amend some parts of the Act, I am sure it will do this in the spirit of ensuring that no reduction will be made to any of the rights already granted under the Act. It would useful to remember that the present RTI Act was the result of an extensive consultative process in which Citizens and the Government engaged in intensive discussions for a long time. It would therefore be appropriate if the Government transparently accepts certain boundaries in the exercise of improving transparency.             The minimum requirements for this would be:    1. No reduction in the scope of Sections 2 (f), (h), (i) and (j).    2. No increase or additions in the exemptions under Section 8 (1) of the RTI act.                  The law has been spread by Citizens across the Country and they value it very dearly. There are some worries in their minds about losing anything in the exercise of their fundamental right. It would be in the fitness of things, if the Government declared the amendments they are proposing to the Act, and gave the reasons for the amendments publicly.  I request you to clarify these matters soon so that Citizens feel reassured. Yours truly Shailesh Gandhi       Information Commissioner cc:   Shri Prithiviraj Chavan,  Minister of State for Personnel, PG & Pensions  Department of Personnel and Training,  North Block, New Delhi 110 011. All my communications are in Public Domain

 

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