Make modifications to RTI Act: Kageri

[sidmis]

Make modifications to RTI Act: Kageri
As Reported in Times of India, 8 Aug 2008, 0603 hrs IST,TNN

Bangalore: The government should know the intention of those who seek information under RTI, as many have misused the information, said primary and secondary education minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri, stressing the need for modifications to the RTI Act.

Speaking at a programme, 'RTI-Trend Ahead: A Discussion' , organized by the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association and Karnataka State Secondary Teachers' Association on Thursday, the minister pointed out that the RTI Act was just three years old but ever since its implementation, it has been successful. The event saw RTI activists, lawmakers and law-enforcers coming together to discuss several issues on RTI.

High court judge Justice K Bhakthavatsala said the Act, if used in the right way, can reduce corruption, red-tapism and nepotism, and lead to good governance . Sixty-two countries, including India , have the RTI Act.
"Corruption cannot be eliminated as it is deep-rooted , but we should try to reduce it. The common man should exercise his right under the RTI Act,'' he said.

State chief information commissioner K K Misra said after filing a reference to the RTI commission, it takes nearly a year for the case to come up for hearing, affecting efficacy and implementation. The government should expedite the process, he said.

There should not be any difference between the privileged and non-privileged while divulging information. He stressed that corporate society aided by the government , too, comes under RTI. The Act should also cover civic bodies, he said.

Make modifications to RTI Act: Kageri -Bangalore-Cities-The Times of India

[sidmis]

Judge's remark irks activists
as reported in Deccan Herald

Bangalore, DHNS: Justice K Bhaktavatsala came under verbal attack by
the RTI activists on Thursday when he tried to suggest in a public
function that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was used with devious
intentions.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act seems to be leading to a debate
that might undermine the citizens' right to use the statute. Justice K
Bhaktavatsala came under verbal attack by the RTI activists on
Thursday when he tried to suggest in a public function that the Act
was used with devious intentions.

Activists in the audience, B H Veeresha, Siddaramaiah and others, rose
in protest to the Judge's hints and shouted slogans against corruption
in judiciary. In response, Justice Bhaktavatsala said that he could
pass necessary orders in his court but since it was a public function,
he insisted on decorum. Justice Bhaktavatsala was speaking at a
discussion organised by the Karnataka Chartered Accountants
Association on 'RTI: The way ahead.'

He was pointing out to some grey areas in RTI Act as he perceived. He
said that the definition of public authority under the Act needed to
be more clear. Education Minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri too urged
the RTI users to deliberate on having an amendment to know the
objective of the information seeker.

Angered by the comments, the activists shouted slogans and protested
the use of the occasion to undermine the RTI Act. Karnataka Chief
Information Commissioner K K Mishra said that every organisation that
received State funding was a public authority.

"If the organisation has more than half the State investment, then it
is a PSU. Even the so called privileged communication between the top
dignitaries of the country are not exempt from the Act,'' he said.
...
Deccan Herald - Judge's remark irks activists