Right to information under threat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought the nation to the threshold of an economic crises, but he can never take any criticism from anyone for his decisions. Even when he was the CM of Gujarat, he always worked on silencing his detractors. He didn’t even as much as criticize the genocide of a community that happened in 2002, but gave a rather silent concurrence to the whole incident. He targeted activist Teesta Setalvad who was working for the victims and dancer Mallika Sarabhai who spoke against the perpetrators. He continues the same approach even after he has become the PM and expects all others to concur with him and not ask questions or criticize.
This is the whole reason as to why he’d want to bring some damaging amendments to Right to Information act that is the finest testimony of transparency and democracy at work. So long as he was the CM, he worked to silence the Lokayukta and finally left it without teeth. Now after being the PM he is postponing the appointment of Lokpal. The last government led by
Manmohan Singh may have committed a few blunders with neo liberal policies under their UPA government. But their biggest achievement was to bring in RTI act of 2005 strengthening the fight of a common man to access democracy in administration and state matters. One could know so many facts about the government for a mere Rs 10, rightfully so. Every department, except for a few, were answerable to the application filed by anybody who sought information on matters relating to larger good, except for really sensitive areas such as security of the nation etc.
Many people unearthed the scams such as 2G and others of last government, using the same RTI route. This led to ministers like Raja and others being shunted out of office, and jailed for their role in corruption. Even at village panchayat level, an application and fee of Rs 10 could lay bare some of the most pertinent facts to administration and decisions that affect large section of people, within a stipulated time for response. In the neo liberal time, RTI was a shield for people to protect themselves against being fooled.
And such a powerful tool would undergo some massive changes now. A bill was supposed to be tabled in the parliament on July 19 but that has been postponed now. The Modi government is bent upon making this bill a defunct one for various reasons. If this is passed in the current session, people will lose the most empowering access they have to administrative matters. The organisations that are working to safeguard this bill and opposition parties have already voiced their opinion against this. But the government is saying this amendment is aimed at bringing better administration in terms of services of Information Commissioner and salaries of people involved. But if this amendment is through, it is sure to give access to government interference in the matter.
Many RTI activists had declared a war against corruption using the same route. Scams worth thousands of crores were being unearthed through this. Many activists had to lose their life for being on the right path. Many still live under threat. This being the case, Modi government trying to snatch the most powerful weapon owned by people, is deplorable.
During his early days as PM, he had declared ‘Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga…’ He is yet to fulfil any of the promises he made at the beginning of his term. Vyapam scam of thousands of crores was unearthed in MP, where BJP is in power. Many RTI activists who tried to bring out more facts have been done to death so far. Yet, PM Narendra Modi safeguarded CM Chauhan.
Now, with just a year to go in the office, he is calling for a namesake meeting to appoint Lokpal, while denying the rightful place for Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Hence the Congress has boycotted the meeting since Kharge has been mentioned as ‘special invitee’ who would not have any power to advise or make any constructive suggestions to the committee. Even the Supreme Court has expressed its dissatisfaction over delay in appointment of Lokpal.
On the other hand, government want to camouflage information relating to corruption and hence it is weakening the RTI act. Capitalist cronies like Nirav Modi, Choksi and others have been looting banks and escaping to other nations. CBI judge Loya who was hearing case on charges of corruption against Amit Shah met a mysterious end. And the news of his death was given a forced burial. At times like these, to weaken the RTI act that empowers the last person in the society, is a very condemnable thing.
One of the intended amendments now says if the RTI applicant dies, the application/query needs to be dismissed. Though this bill was to be tabled, the information was kept out of people’s reach and that of opposition parties too who would insist that the proposed amendments be made public before being passed or implemented. On the surface, though this seems like an arrangement to streamline the salary to RTI Commissioners at state and central levels, people’s movements need to be proactive to oppose this and ensure the act is not weakened.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
