Goa Govt withdraws RTI circular on citizenship

GOANEWS & PTI, PANAJI | 16 October 2013 18:16 IST

The Goa government today decided to withdraw and redraft its 'controversial' circular on the Right to Information (RTI) after it drew flak from activists over the compulsory clause to produce an additional affidavit on citizenship.

"We have decided to withdraw the circular and redraft it. The circular is being misunderstood," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters here. 

The state government had made is mandatory for RTI applicants to swear through an affidavit that he/she is an Indian citizen while moving an application under the Act. 

The circular evoked strong criticism from RTI activists, forcing the government to withdraw it. 

Parrikar, however, justified the circular and said, "It's only when he can't prove his nationality through any of the document he can do it by swearing the affidavit." 

"As per RTI Act, only an Indian can ask for the information. We issued this circular when we found that some foreigners were misusing the Act to file petitions against the government in the courts," he added. 

The Chief Minister said that he has asked the circular to be sent back to him so that it could be redrafted addressing the apprehensions raised by people. 

Earlier in the day, several RTI activists had strongly objected to the circular issued by the government. 

The RTI Forum had in fact described the circular as dissuading common people from filing RTI.

RTI activist Digambar Naik had in fact pointed out that no state government has a right to issue such a circular for a central act, but is empowered to only make rules under different sections. 


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Previous Comments

If the Goa Government & its CM have nothing to hide, then there should be no fear of the RTI being used even by Foreign Citizens.

Strangely Foreign Citizens are invited to Invest in Goa.

Since coming to Power the RTI has been used to expose all the scams and corrupt Practices by the Government and its machinery.

The CM Parrikar himself, has been exposed in some of these scams & his corrupt Practices. Most of the Goan MLA`s too are not exempt from these scams. They are very clever & proficient at hiding them.

- N.Fernandes, UK | 17 th October 2013 22:00

 

RTI IS THE ENEMY OF CORRUPTIONS. RTI HAS MADE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO WORK (TO WORK) AND THAT ALSO IN HONESTY (WITHOUT BRIBES).

- JOSE ROD, GOA | 17 th October 2013 14:05

 

Making it mandatory for RTI applicants to swear through an affidavit that he/she is an Indian citizen while moving an application under the Right to Information Act will make it difficult for the people to submit such applications and this will also involve unnecessary costs.

Just a self declaration that the applicant is a citizen of India should suffice.

Government can issue a circular or add a clause to the effect that if at any time, any individual filing applications under the RTI Act is found not to be a citizen of India, such person will have to pay heavy fine (fix very high amount).

Making it mandatory to submit an affidavit creates impression that government is trying to make it difficult for people to seek information. That is not the true spirit of the RTI Act.

- Francisco, Goa | 17 th October 2013 04:54

 

mmmmmm

- chris, auh | 16 th October 2013 20:43

 

RTI is the best thing to happen to the common man, where common man can make accountability for the Corrupt Government Officials corrupt practices and arrogant behavior. They should be told that this common man pay your Salary. Respect this Common Man. Finish their work within days or weeks and not in months.

- John Ferns, Goa | 16 th October 2013 19:06

 

Another U-Turn & cop-out by Mr Parrikar. Once again trying to save his skin from being shown to be "Biased" and afraid of Social Activists showing him up as a nepotistic person.

Why not seek the "Nationality" of a Petitioner if filing Petitions/cases against the Corrupt "Government of Goa".?....or even Corrupt Chief Minister, as & when required?.

What stops a Foreign national using a proxy Indian Citizen to obtain info under RTI?

- N.Fernandes, UK | 16 th October 2013 19:06

 

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