Social activist Aruna Roy has termed the government's decision to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act excluding file notings from its purview as an attempt by corrupt bureaucrats to save their empire.  'The government has not furnished any reason on why they want to amend the RTI Act. It looks like a deliberate attempt to take away the teeth from its provisions,' Roy here said Wednesday.

According to the amendment, file notings, other than for social and developmental projects, cannot be disclosed. File notings are expressions of opinion by officers handling projects. While moving the file of a project or policy decision, bureaucrats put down their remarks on the file, which play a vital role in deciding the future of the project or policy.

Roy also said activists were planning a nationwide campaign against the move. During the ongoing monsoon session of parliament we are going to stage a number of protests, dharnas, cyber campaigns and our signature campaign has already started in several states across the country,' she added. Roy was with other eminent social activists protesting the amendment.

Sandeep Pandey, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, remarked the amendment would curtail the power of the law by at least 25 percent. Sailesh Gandhi, national convenor of the RTI movement in India, said: The amendment is a mockery of democracy and the effort is a classic example of converting right to information to right to corruption.' Veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare reiterated his decision to return his Padma Bhushan award unless the government rolled back its decision. 'We are living in a democracy and people have every right to know what the bureaucrats and politicians are doing with their money. 'If the government does not take back its decision on file notings I will return the award. I am sending a memorandum to the prime minister and if there is no progress, I will return my award on Aug 9 near Rajghat,' Hazare said.

The RTI Act of 2005 is a watershed legislation for Indian democracy. A crucial law for the promotion of transparency and accountability from the government, the law allows citizens to demand information (in the form of records, documents, samples, orders etc) from the government regarding any government department or office. The provision of a penalty clause also reduces the chances of denial of granting information or giving incomplete information on part of government officials.

Copyright Indo-Asian News Service