Members in Rajya Sabha on Thursday termed RTIs and PILs as a “big problem” for the country, with Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal alleging that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed “unde
Members in Rajya Sabha on Thursday termed RTIs and PILs as a “big problem” for the country, with Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal alleging that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed “under US pressure.”
As some other members also joined in expressing concern during the Question Hour over the misuse of RTI, Government expressed readiness to look into the issue of “misuse” of RTI. Calling it a law “passed in a hurry”, Praful Patel (NCP) said that there is no locus of people seeking answers under RTI. “Some ‘panwadi’ (betel leaf seller) or ‘chaiwala’ (tea vendor) can also ask who made a missile programme or anything on international relations,” he said.
Seated in the treasury benches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has frequently referred to his modest origins as a tea seller, began laughing at Patel’s reference to tea vendors. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley, who was seated next to Mr Modi, also smiled.
Mr Patel soon sought to make amends by saying he did not make this remark keeping Mr Modi’s origin in mind. “There is no disrespect to the Prime Minister. Rather it is an honour,” he said. Under this law, anybody can pay '10 and seek information about missiles, he said and asked “is the government willing to consider amendments in this Act.” Mr Patel said government officials were afraid of taking decisions because of the fear of the RTI. “They wonder what will come out in the RTI. Objectivity is finished. We all have concerns about this,” Mr Patel said.
Alleging that RTI law was enacted “under US pressure”, SP’s Naresh Agarwal wanted to know whether such laws existed in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.
When he said something which was not audible in the din, former Union minister Jairam Ramesh, who is believed to have played an active role in enactment of the RTI during the UPA government, was enraged.
“This is totally wrong,” he said evoking a strong response from Mr Agrawal, who reminded that Mr Ramesh is no longer a minister and people “uprooted” Congress due to such “misconceptions.” The SP member went on saying “RTI and PIL are a big problem for the country.
So many departments have requested in writing to be kept out of the ambit of RTI.” Rajiv Shukla of the Congress said the RTI was being “misused”.
“People have got visiting cards printed with RTI activist embossed on them as if it was some designation. What steps are being taken to check such misuse.”
