Open
Invitation for Joining in Mass Demonstration in front of Odisha Vidhansabha
demanding withdrawal of Notification made to keep State Vigilance out of
purview of RTI Act and Dismissal of Odisha Information Commission
Dear friends
RTI Act which has mandate
to enforce transparency and accountability in the administration has empowered the citizens to access the
information held by the Public
Authorities. But the sunshine law is facing
bleak future in Odisha due to
nexus of corrupt bureaucracy
and Odisha Information
Commission. Since last eleven years, Nabin Patnaik Govt. have tried their best to
destroy RTI Act by adopting numerous
illegal and fraudulent means like prescribing illegal
and absurd RTI Rules, making
on-line application system inoperative, illegal provision for
submission of proof of citizenship for RTI Applicants, dysfunctional
of proactive disclosure of information under section 4(1b) by all the
public authorities, illegally collecting
fees for information from BPL people ( it has been withdrawn after High Court order), appointing
useless and inefficient people as Information Commissioners etc. The last retrograde step to destroy RTI in Odisha is to keep State
Vigilance out of purview of RTI Act. It
is a dangerous move to provide protection to corrupt people and keep the people
in dark about activities of State Vigilance.
The performance of Odisha Information
Commission is equally dismal and discouraging.
The information obtained under
RTI Act about one year activity of both
the State Information Commissioners
shows how they are
inefficient, useless and worthless to
function as quasi-judicial body i.e.,
Odisha Information Commission. Taking monthly salary and other
allowances of more than 2 lakhs, they just devote 10 to 15 days in a month for
hearing the case and dispose just 30 to 35 cases. Annual Report has not been
published by the Commission since 2013.
In view of it, thousands of RTI
Activists under banner of Odisha
Soochana Adhikar Abhijan
will hold mass demonstration in
front of Odisha Legislative Assembly on
23.9.16 at 10.30 AM
demanding immediate withdrawal
of the said Notification. Rally will start from Ram Madir Square at 10
AM and reach at 11 am at lower PMG. We invite
all of you to join with us in demonstration in the greater
interest of RTI in the state. .
Regards
Pradip Pradhan
State Convener
M-9937843482
