Oppose Exclusion of Political Parties from RTI- Please sign the petition
from Somnath Mukherji
Dear friends,
Recently the Chief Information Commission has ruled in favor of including the 6 National Parties into the ambit of the Right To Information Act by recognising them as Public Authorities. The government is trying to bring in an ordinance through the President to nullify this very important CIC ruling. At this crucial juncture we should voice our opinion on this issue to let the positive change come through and not be derailed by this undemocratic ordinance!
Please consider signing the petition and participating in the referendum here! We need to get 500 signatures by Sunday night!!!
Oppose exclusion of Political parties from RTI
Opposing RTI Amendment
To
Shri Pranab Mukherjee
The President of India
As citizens of India we are disturbed by reports that the government has decided to promulgate an ordinance to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act to leave the political parties out of its purview.
We support the decision of the Chief Information Commission of June 3rd of declaring the 6 political parties as public authorities under sections 2 (a) and 2(h) (d) of the RTI Act and hence making them subject to it. The CIC has given sound reason that these parties have received substantial financial support from the Central government.
The growing criminalization of politics, the disproportionate use of money and muscle power in the electoral process makes it all the more important that these bodies be brought under RTI to ensure accountability to citizens whom they represent.
We are opposed to the government's promulgation of the ordinance to counter CIC's decision. The promulgation of any ordinance is carried out only in matters of great urgency as stated under Article 123 of the Indian Constitution : "If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, he may promulgate such Ordinance as the circumstances appear to him to require" (http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1218134/).
If the political parties believe that the CIC's decision is unconstitutional, they should approach the courts instead of trying to subvert it through an ordinance. It would also be prudent to learn whether the parties themselves have had a democratic discussion on the topic within the members. We appeal to you and demand that you dismiss the amendment sought by the ordinance and support the decision put forward by the CIC. We see the move by government to be undemocratic.
FAQ:
What is the RTI Act?
The RTI Act came into existence in 2005 to provide the citizens of India constitutional rights " for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto." (http://rti.gov.in/webactrti.htm)
What has the RTI Act achieved so far?
Since the passing of the highly empowering RTI act, it has become a very valuable tool in empowering the common man and has helped to further inculcate the characteristics of a wider participatory democracy in India.
Is RTI now a constitutional right ?
Yes. The RTI Act is a constitutional right guaranteed to every citizen of India
What difference will it make and advantage a citizen will have if political parties come under the purview of RTI ?
Political parties are public institutions not only because they receive funding from public coffers, but because they are a fundamental part of the very public frame of democracy that we have in India. Their affiliation lends unique identities to citizens who become elected representatives for the people and by the people. The growing criminalization of politics, the rampant use of money and brute muscle power in elections makes it even more pertinent that these bodies be brought under the RTI to ensure accountability to citizens whom they represent.
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Please consider signing the petition and participating in the referendum here!
Thank you very much for your support!
--
Association for India's Development
Link to the petition: http://public.aidghar.org/petitions/
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