In what could prove to be a boost for the common man, Right to
Information (RTI) activist Shailesh Gandhi was recently appointed as
one of the four Central Information Commissioners (CIC).
Known to be the face of RTI activism in the city, Gandhi consistently
fought for the act while trying to create awareness about it by
organising lectures and classes. He also unearthed various
bureaucratic lacunas in the system.
While outlining his plan of action, Gandhi told DNA, "I categorically
state that no file will remain with me for more than 90 days. I want
to ensure that there is correct interpretation of the right to
information and the laws related to it so that there are fewer
disputes. Also, I want to bring about more transparency in the
disbursal system."
Gandhi said that he was also approved for the post by president
Pratibha Patil. "I saw this as a good challenge and accepted it.
Normally we just keep criticising the information commissioners for
delays in clearing files and giving judgements. Now that I am in the
hot seat, I will either prove that the work can be done efficiently or
completely fail," he added.
Gandhi has taken the endeavour of serving the office at a salary of Re 1.
by Ashutosh Shukla in DNA, September 06, 2008
It is really great news. The
It is really great news. The RTI Act was formulated to make information more accessible. One of the great defects was to allow ex IAS officers as CIC's. After a lifetime defending the state as they are trained to, and deferring to politicians, they develop a thick cynical skin, and allowing access to information to the public goes against the grain. A leopard does not change its spots. It may be compelling for a retd IAS officer to get a sinecure , but it does no service to the public or the RTI Act. All it does is defeat the purpose of the RTI Act.One of the reasons the RTI movement has not taken off is the brake put on it by ex bureaucrats placed in the CIC. All the 4 CIC's and the Chief should be from outside the system, so that they are not influenced by the old boys syndrome, whereby pressure is brought from serving officials on the CIC to conceal information that is embarrasing to the state. Imagine an IAS officer who retires as the Secretary, Ministry of Personnel taking charge as the CIC. What can you expect him to do, except follow his instincts and conceal everything so that the concerned public authority goes scot free. They will use their experience in govt. to quote rules and interpret the RTI Act to deny informaton. They are Trojan horses who should all be immediately replaced. All retd. IAS officers should be put out to grass, so that they do not further damage the system. No entry for them to the CIC.
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