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Editorial (Maharashtra Herald): Will Babudom rule? |
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Editorial in Maharashtra Hearld, Pune
Wednesday, July 26, 2006 The move to choke the RTI Act will prove to be a big setbackThe Union government’s decision to amend the Right To Information (RTI) Act has been termed “dangerous” by activist Anna Hazare who has further threatened to initiate a countrywide movement to oppose this blow to democracy. He is right in every respect and should be supported by every citizen who wants this and future governments to work in an environment of transparency and accountability. The RTI Act, 2005, has been one of the most progressive laws of its kind in the world and was meant to be the UPA government’s finest legislative initiatives. Backed by civil society groups and pledge in the UPA’s common minimum programme, the RTI Act promised to usher in sweeping reforms in governance by providing citizens the right to question bureaucrats about decisions taken. Now, as if it has been threatened into submission by the champions of babudom, the government has announced that a proposed amendment to the Act will exclude noting made by senior government officials on files of every areas, except social and development sector projects, from the purview of the law.
This amounts to taking one step forward only to move tow behind. And more over, it is a clear indication of the fact that the bureaucrats have much to hide and are worried that all their calculations of corruption and mismanagement will go haywire.
One of the opinion tracks that had emerged from within this controversy is that the babus are afraid that there are certain secrets that must be withheld in the interest of the nation’s security and hence the need to keep the noting confidential. That’s akin to pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. The Indian Constitution provides for many clauses and the Act itself has many provisions that can enable RTI commissioners to hold back information if it is seen as compromising the security of the nation and its people. It even has clauses to protect trade secrets or intellectual property where disclosure may harm the nation’s competitive position. Then where lies the problem? Obviously, the babus have become so used to conducting their nefarious activities without having to be answerable to the citizens of this country that nay attempt to blow their cover must quickly be nipped in the bud. Hazare has, in this respect, dashed off a letter to the prime minister demanding immediate attention. But Hazare must not fight this battle alone as he has his earlier ones. This time around, to keep the flag of democracy flying high, we all must chip in. And the faster, the better. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 July 2006 )
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