URGENT PRESS RELEASE
RE: Delegation meets with Ms Priya Dutt, Member of Parliament to seek her
support to "NO TO RTI AMENDMENT" today, August 16.
Citizens have condemned the move by the Government to immunise
political parties outside the purview of the RTI by amending the RTI Act.
Ms Priya Dutt assured the delegation that she would address these
issues with the Government, Party and Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of NAC.
A delegation comprising of : Mr. Narayan Varma, Jt. Managing Trustee, Public
Concern for Governance and Trust [PCGT], Ms Shyama Kulkarni [ Trustee - AGNI],
Mr. Mohammed Afzal, RTI Activist and Member of Police Reforms Watch, Mr. Sunil
Ahya, RTI Activist, Mr. P.K. Mukerjee, Citizen Activist and Dolphy D'souza,
Convenor, Police Reforms Watch met with Ms Priya Dutt.
The delegation apprised her on the following:
1. In the Parliament in 2009, the Concerned Minister on the Floor of the house
had assured that no amendments would be carried out without consulting the
Stake Holders i.e. Citizens and Civil Society. In 2012, the Cabinet also
assured that there would be no further amendments to the RTI.
We emphasised that Promises need to be kept and not brushed under.
2. The delegation impressed upon her that the Order of the CIC to include
political parties in the ambit of the RTI in the long run would benefit the
political parties as it would rid them of all vested interests. It would add to
the transparency and accountability in strengthening democracy. Hence there was
no need to pursue such an amendment. It appears the Political parties are
frightened by this order which is misplaced and they are rushing to amend the
sunshine law.
3. In the current situation no consultation has been carried out with the Stake
holders hence we suggested that this legislation should be referred to the
Standing Committee of Parliament to enable the civil society to also react
and be part of this process as is the normal thing done for better democracy.
4. The whole process of such a legislation / Amendment is violative of the RTI
Act , Sec 4 [i] [b] [vii] which inter alia states:
The particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation with, or
representation by the members of the public in relation to the formulation of
its policy or implementation thereof: {This has not been done thus far}.
In conclusion we emphasised the point that there was no need to amend the RTI
act, as the CIC order on Political parties would encourage deep participation
of the citizens and strengthen democracy.
While the UPA Government has been heralding that RTI has been one of their
biggest achievement in Governance, on the other side the same UPA is trying to
muzzle the Act. This is rather sad and dissapointing and does not augur well
for the UPA.
Ms Priya Dutt assured the delegation that she will take this issue up with the
Government, Party Leadership and Smt Sonia Gandhi the Chairperson of NAC.
warm regards,
Dolphy D'souza
Convenor
POLICE REFORMS WATCH
43, Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai 400 029.
Tel: 09820226227
Email: [email protected]
