Source: Times News Network, Times of India, 6.8.2006
 

Ahmedabad: CPM general secretary Prakash Karat has come out against the Centre's controversial decision to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act to place file notings in the exempt category of the Act.

Speaking with a delegation of Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel (MAGP) on Saturday, following his public meetings in the city, Karat said the government had not consulted UPA partners and other stakeholders before taking the decision to amend the Act.

He also assured MAGP that his party will not let the amendments be tabled in the current session of the parliament without a proper consultative process.

The UPA government has decided to amend the Act by dropping file notings, appointment details among other information from Act. The votaries of the Act eel the amendments go against the very spirit of the Act which demands transparency and accountability of the government and impinges on the citizen's right to know.

Karat said in Kerala and West Bengal where his party was in power, they only withheld file notings where absolutely necessary. Gujarat state CPM secretary Arun Mehta said Karat indeed made his party's displeasure on the issue known.