Topic: "This House believes that the Central Information Commission is squandering public funds & exceeding its power and functions (as defined in Chapter V of the RTI Act, 2005) by organizing annual "Conventions" / "Conferences", whilst neglecting its statutory duties (which are strictly limited to disposing of Complaints, Appeals, the awarding of penalties, and preparing an annual report per the Act)."
"FOR" the motion 1) Sarbajit Roy 2) Dr Vishnu Mutthu "AGAINST" the motion 1 - Nicholas Santiago Arguments FOR: 1) CIC has no powers in law to hold conferences / conventions. For a) CIC is a creature of the RTI Act and must act within the 4 corners of the Act, b) The Act defines the powers (as per occasion to use) of the CIC in sections 18 - 20 of the RTI Act, c) Additional duties to "monitor", "report" implementation of the RTI Act are imposed by section 25 d) Section 25 also permits the CIC to recommend improvements for a Public Authority's RTI practice. 2) On the face if it these conferences are occasions to monitor and report implementation of RTI Act. However, the CIC must confirm if it is using these provisions to hold such Conventions. 3) On such occasions only citizens who use RTI Act should be invited to speak. Unfortunately, past experience suggests that only a few favoured NGOs (mainly affiliated to the NCPRI) are being repeatedly selected/invited. http://cic.gov.in/convention-2008/ListOfSpeakers.pdf 4) There should be no arbitrariness in selecting citizen speakers / invitees and all invitees should be allowed to have their say. Arguments AGAINST: 1) Convening such jamborees is a welcome step for Civil Society. The RTI disclosure [http://cic.gov.in/CIC-Section4/Section-4-1-b-vii.pdf] of the Central Commission clearly envisages "Consultation with the members of the Public" and goes on to say "Interaction with civil society and public already exists - either through the electronic mails or through “feedback”. Commission does receive the view points through both these means. -The Civil Society/NGOs’ views are placed before the Convention every year and its recommendations, if any, to be passed on to the Government for appropriate action. -Individual Comments are welcome. These issues are examined and are taken up at the Annual Convention if deemed fit." Notes: 1) Kindly identify yourself as "FOR" or "AGAINST" the motion while setting out your case. 2) Kindly add to / modify the arguments already listed up till the time you post. 3) Kindly ensure that your contributions to the arguments are supported with some basis (either in "law" or in "fact"). Cite these as footnotes to your post. 4) Kindly do not vandalise / delete existing contributions of other members. 5) Use the previous Active Debates, as a guide to what we can achieve together. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rti_india/message/4360 ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rti_india/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rti_india/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
