RTI threatened in Maharashtra, say activists  

March 26, 2012

Activists have urged the CM to fill up the posts immediately as RTI applications to various state government departments remain unanswered

Moneylife Digital Team

RTI activists and citizens are perturbed that Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has been dilly-dallying with the appointments to the vacant posts in the state information commission, and have said that he needs to be proactive in the implementation of Right to Information (RTI) Act and address the problems that activists face.

Moneylife has written about the chief minister’s reluctance in filling up key posts in the state information commission, despite a reminder from Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi. Read Threat to RTI in Maharashtra

Bhaskar Prabhu, an RTI activist and convenor of Mahiti Adhikar Manch, said, “We had expected better treatment for the RTI from the present chief minister as he had shown much interest in it when he was in the central government. But we are unable to get a clue what turned him into a silence spectator when he came to Maharashtra.”

Mr Prabhu added that the Mahiti Adhikar Manch and Maharashtra RTI Council had also taken up the issue with Mr Chavan.

Vijay Kumbhar, a journalist-turned RTI activist commented on the matter, “I have written to the chief minister many times, and have sent him many messages. He hasn’t taken any decision on the matter.” Mr Kumbhar has asked Mr Gandhi as to what steps should be taken to ensure proper implementation of RTI in the state.

“Even Anna Hazare has written three letters in last one month to the chief minister on this issue; but CM has not replied to him,” said Vivek Velankar, an eminent RTI activist.

Public Concern for Government Trust (PCGT) has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding the matter. Dara Gandhi, managing trustee of PCGT said, “The PIL was filed last week and the hearing may come any day. We have complained that key posts in the state information commission are lying vacant, and that is harming the Act itself. The appointments should be made immediately.”

Sanjay Shirodkar, who had earlier successfully argued before the Central Information Commission that private infrastructure entities like Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) must come under the purview of RTI, said that even after his success, he has received no response from the government. He has filed many applications with various authorities like public works department, water resources department, urban development department and MMRDA. “Many of the departments I have written to are under the chief minister. Yes, I can say RTI in Maharashtra is in bad shape,” he commented.