New Delhi, Apr 28: Members in Rajya Sabha today 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 Modi, also smiled.
Patel soon sought to make amends by saying he did not make this remark keeping 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 Rs 10 and seek information about missiles, he said and asked "is the government willing to consider amendments in this Act."
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," 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 Agrawal, who reminded that 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 (Cong) 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."
Responding to concerns about the misuse, Minister for State Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said "cognizance of the issue has been taken. Some measures have already been put in place. Perhaps there is scope to bring in some more provisions."
He said that as far as the concern that the law may deter officers from taking initiatives, the "government is equally conerned."
The minister was replying to a question regarding a study by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, which said ministries and departments were reluctant and unwilling to share even basic data under the RTI Act.
Singh also claimed that the response to queries under the Act has gone up substantially under the NDA rule and for the first time, all vacant posts of RTI officers have been filled up.
"As per the annual report of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), 75.27 percent of the Public Authorities have filed their annual returns to the CIC for 2014-15, which is higher than the figure of 72.54 percent for 2013-14, indicating an improved compliance over the previous year," the minister said.
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