Dear Leslie (I hope there are no RTI activists on this group)
For all its flaws the RTI Act has ushered in "some" transparency into our governance. For example (and since you mentioned it in your post that PM NRF was not disclosed) despite Shailesh Gandhi trying his best to hush up the PM relief fund scandal and obstruct other honest citizen applicants (with lots of help from Mr Habibullah and Mr Tiwari) the PM Fund facts did come out and the other citizens did manage to get in RTI all the information which IC(SG) asked for from PMO and which was allegedly denied to him (as per him). For example on 11-August-2008 at about 3:30 PM I bumped into Shailesh Gandhi waiting outside Mr Habibullah's office along with Arvind Kejriwal. He had come down from Mumbai to meet Mr Habibullah and he told me outside that he was very upset with Mr Habibullah and the information he had asked for from PMO on Relief Fund was "so explosive that it would bring down the govt" and Habibullah was obstructing him all the way. I told Shaileshbhai whatever information you are asking for about FDs of PMNRF with Banks etc has already been supplied to other citizens in RTI, the audited accounts of PMNRF alongwith the auditors comments is being given to anyone who asks, but the language you have used in your pleadings does not become a Convenor of NCPRI, so it is an ego problem between you and PIO of PMO. We also briefy discussed enforceability of the RTI Act and why I felt that penalty was not the answer. I am not aware of what transpired inside Mr Habibullah's chamber but the next thing we know is that Mr Gandhi has become an IC while the Government of the day (which made him an IC) continues to remain in power. BTW: THE PM NRF details ARE very very interesting / juicy ;-) I think we should all stay focussed on the reality that the Information Commissions are killing the RTI Act (and primarily via their pet RTI Activists) Sarbajit --- In [email protected], LESLIE ALMEIDA <lesals2...@...> wrote: > > Dear RTI activists > > sorry as i was in a hurry i made spelling mistakes in my previous e-mails/ > a half page ad in Free press Journal mumbai page 12 dated sunday January 18,2009 put by UPA Govt Smt Sonia Ganghi and Dr Manmohan singh stating Promise fulfilled Citizens get the right to information > Govy acocountability ensured > Transperency in administration > Historic step towards citizens empowerment > Dedicated to building a strong and Properious India BHARAT NIRMAN > SEE ATTACHMENT ( maximum i could scan ) > this is just a political gimmick ( vote bank ) > without prejudice to any political party but this is awful propeganda > as we all know how is RTI act is being killed how SIC and CIC act as dictators > PIo's now dont bother to give information as penalties are never imposed, > the very tooth of the act is become toothless. > my 4 2nd appeals dated 10.10.2008 from STC Ramanand tiwari to PIO to comply with his orders withen 30 days, has not been complied with, SIC silent on the issue.filed written complain to SIC u/s 18 of RTI act, went personally and met Shri Ramanand Twari who only comment was he will look into the matter.(I.C. a dumping ground for retired babus to defend the Government officials, for if the stand for the right ( to see the common mans interest )they stand to loose their Jobs ( Sacked ) > theses IC's are appointed by the Govt for the Govt and not for the common man.why HC and SC judges wealth/assests should not be disclosed???????? > why Prime ministers relief is not being disclosed?????????? > its high time RTI activists send e-mails to Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan singh not to make a mockery of the RTI act for ulterior motives > also if someone have e-mails of oppossition parties kindly send this to them. this is the right time to set things right before the elections. > so i request you all to act send in your opinion on the RTI act to > various authorities as mentioned below and also other opposion political parties if you have their e-mail Id. kindly forward to many other you know > with request to send to the UPA govt and other opposition parties. > appraising them of the scam/flaws of the RTI act. > > > e-mail addressess >
