The Prime Minister today called for a critical look at the Right to Information, RTI Act and said that it should not adversely affect the deliberative processes in the Government. Elaborating the need to strike a balance between request for information and limited time and resources available with public authorities, Dr. Manmohan Singh stressed that requests for information having no bearing on public interest, is not really desirable. He was addressing the sixth convention of the Central Information Commission in New Delhi today.
The Prime Minister asserted that the government is committed to make RTI even more effective instrument for ensuring transparency and accountability in administration by its initiative to enact a legislation for protection of Whistle blowers in next few months. He said that it would, among other things, help in prevention of violence against those who seek to expose wrongdoings.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the need for voluntary disclosure of information in public domain proactively for greater transparency by the government as well as corporate sectors. Expressing concern over delay in the disclosure of information not covered by the exemption provisions of the Right to Information Act, Dr. Manmohan Singh exhorted the officials to voluntarily put information in public domain without waiting for applications from information seekers. He said the Right to Information is a huge step forward to curb corruption and improving process of governance.
The Prime Minister said that the RTI enables access to information even from a private body that comes under a regulatory framework. This assumes an added significance in the context of an increasing number of projects being taken up in the Public Private Partnership mode. He expressed hope that the corporate sector would put basic information relating to their operations in public domain voluntarily.
Earlier, speaking at the inauguration, Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra pleaded for constitutional and financial autonomy for the Information Commission at centre and states on the lines of the Election Commission. He also asked for permanent office buildings for the central and state offices of the commission. The Prime Minister assured him that government would respond constructively to the various suggestions that have been voiced.
