I/II. http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-takes-on-pm-narendra-modi-for-scam-india-to-skill-india-remarks-760873
Sonia Gandhi Takes on Modi Government on 'Deplorable' Lapses in RTI Act All India | Reported by Sunil Prabhu, Edited by Deepshikha Ghosh | Updated: May 06, 2015 12:31 IST Congress President Sonia Gandhi speaks in Lok Sabha MUMBAI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today sharply attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government in Parliament and outside. In a statement in the Lok Sabha, Mrs Gandhi criticized what she called the "deplorable lapse" in not appointing key officials, including the Chief Information Commissioner. She also used the term "deplorable" to describe "lack of interest" in punishing those responsible for delaying public services. "Protecting the wrongdoer cannot be any government's ethos," she said. "The government must match its words of fighting corruption with action." Mrs Gandhi directly targeted PM Modi, saying, "The PM in the election campaign made many fraudulent promises about transparency. And continues to do so. In a blatant U-turn , his government, through the absence of a Chief Information Commissioner, has made sure that the highest offices are not accountable under the RTI Act." The Congress president made the statement after the Speaker denied her adjournment motion - her first since a new Lok Sabha was elected last year - but allowed her to speak. This morning, Mrs Gandhi tore into PM Modi for criticizing previous governments during his visit to Canada last month. "This outrageous remark on foreign soil belittles the dignity of the office he holds and is an embarrassment to the nation," Mrs Gandhi said at a weekly meeting of her party MPs, whom she has invited to dinner at her residence tonight. "Such petty behavior does not define us. We in the Congress party are proud of our record and we will continue to fight with conviction for our ideology, programmes and policies, and for the future of our country as we always have." Addressing the Indian diaspora in Toronto, PM Modi had said, "My mission is to turn scam India to skill India." He has been excoriated by the opposition, including the Congress, for saying: "My job is to ensure that India is cleaned up. It will take time to clean up the mess of the past."Story First Published: May 06, 2015 10:40 IST II. http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/live-sonia-gandhi-slams-modi-govt-says-it-is-systematically-weakening-rti-act_1590726.html LIVE: Sonia Gandhi slams Modi govt, says it is systematically weakening RTI Act Last Updated: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - 12:29 Zee Media Bureau New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi targeted the Narendra Modi government in Parliament on Wednesday over the "failure of institutional mechanism" in the country. Here are the live updates: PM had made many promises to the people on transparency and good governance - Sonia Gandhi This doesn't allow transparency - Sonia Gandhi PMO, Ministry of Defence etc aren't accountable for violations under RTI, they are protected from public scrutiny - Sonia Gandhi Government must match its word of fighting corruption with their actions Through you, I request that these important posts be filled - Sonia Gandhi Oversight process of the government should not be hindered Whistleblowers Protection Act has not been granted Presidential assent, although this government has shown urgency to pass other bills Why are the posts of CVC, Lokpal vacant? Government is setting out to systematically alter proceedings on RTI Act The government is brutally weakening the RTI Act and shielding itself There is no provision in the RTI Act that allows the government to take over CIC Information delayed is information denied More than 39000 applications are pending at Information Commissions Founding premise of RTI was that citizens should not suffer due to delayed information Do our citizens no longer have the right to question the government - Sonia Gandhi PM has ensured highest offices of power - Cabinet offices, SC, CAG, HCs etc - are not accountable under RTI During UPA, the post of CIC was never vacant in the past decade The post of Chief Information Commissioner has been vacant for more than eight months - Sonia Gandhi Congress president Sonia Gandhi is speaking in the Lok Sabha. Sonia Gandhi seeks to move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha; Speaker Sumitra Mahajan says will deal with it in Zero Hour. They deserve credit for threatening the livelihood of millions of handloom weavers and artisans by their proposed repeal of the Handlooms Reservation Act, and thereby also endangering a treasured part of our cultural heritage - Sonia Gandhi Why have the rules for the Whistle Blower Protection Act of 2011 still not been notified? What is this government afraid of? - Sonia Gandhi We hear much talk of transparency, accountability and good governance. Then why is it that positions such as the head of the CVC, the CIC (under RTI) and the Lokpal are still vacant? - Sonia Gandhi They deserve credit for keeping vacant critical appointments in the government structure, especially those that have independent authority to question the working of the government's machinery - Sonia Gandhi Investment in manufacturing and export is falling - Sonia Gandhi Eight core sectors of economy registered negative growth due to steep decline in production of steel, cement, fertilizer and refinery products - Sonia Gandhi There is no substantial economic achievement, job creation has slowed down - Sonia Gandhi As Modi government completes one year, it has very little to showcase - Sonia Gandhi No concrete work has been seen in the Modi government's first year, says Sonia. Those who murdered Gandhi ji are being praised - Sonia Gandhi Sonia accuses Modi government of practising "obstinate arrogance" in Parliament. It is a government by one person and for select few, alleges Congress chief. Alleging the current dispensation is a one-man government, Sonia tells party workers that all powers have been centred around the PMO and that ministers have no authority. Abroad our country is being criticised and this has happened for the first time, says Sonia. Speaking at the Congress Parliamentary Party meet, Sonia Gandhi hits out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for criticising previous governments on foreign soil. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has given a notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the "failure of institutional mechanism" in the country. The meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party has begun in New Delhi. After coming under attack in Parliament from Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi over the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, the NDA government may on Wednesday see Congress president Sonia Gandhi take pot shots at it. As per Congress sources, Sonia, who is also the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, could move a notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the "failure of institutional mechanism" in the country. The issue is expected to be raised in the wake of key posts in key institutions lying vacant since Narendra Modi became prime minister almost a year ago. An indication to this effect was available after a meeting the Congress chief had with the party members from the Lok Sabha. Sonia will also address a general body meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party today. It may be recalled that in the absence of Rahul, when he was on a vacation during the first half of the Budget Session, Sonia had rallied together the Opposition in taking on the government over the Land Bill. (With PTI inputs) -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. 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