PM “Taking Revenge” For His Embarrassments By Amending RTI: Jairam Ramesh
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh Thursday alleged that the government is amending the RTI Act as the Prime Minister is “taking revenge” for the disclosure in five cases directed under it which includes disclosure of demonetisation and regarding his educational qualifications.
The other three cases are related to actual number of bogus ration cards, disclosure over quantum of black money brought from abroad and submission of list of defaulters, which were revealed after the order of Central Information Commissioner (CIC), Jairam Ramesh said in Rajya Sabha. He was participating in the debate on the RTI amendment bill.
“There are five cases which have propelled the government to bring forward these amendments,” he said adding that the real reason is not to bring CIC parity with the Chief Election Commission but to make it as “toothless”. This is also to make sure these kinds of embarrassment are not to be repeated and to convert CIC “from an independent autonomous body to a toothless PM office directed body.”…
SEE ALSO:
- RTI bill: Opposition charges BJP of weakening democracy (Jul 26, 2019, The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rti-bill-opposition-charges-bjp-of-weakening-democracy/cid/1695241 - RTI Amendment Bill Passed; Dilutes Transparency Law, Says Opposition (Jul 22, 2019, NDTV)
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rti-amendment-bill-passed-by-lok-sabha-amid-opposition-protests-2073479 - RTI Amendment Bill would result in forceful adoption of SICs by Central government (Jul 24, 2019, Counterview)
https://counterview.org/2019/07/24/rti-amendment-bill-would-result-in-forceful-adoption-of-sics-by-central-government/ - ‘RTI Bill Shrouded in Secrecy, How Will it Enhance Transparency?’ Ask Former CICs (Jul 25, 2019, The Wire)
https://thewire.in/rights/rti-amendment-bill-information-commission
