Manish Kumar
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 26: The state government’s “anti-people policy with regard to RTI” has exposed activists to everyday threats and even made them vulnerable to murder.
The concerns come in the wake of the recent attacks on RTI activists in the state.
“To get information through RTI on affairs of the Rashtrapati Bhavan or the Central government we do not need to furnish a copy of our ID proof, name of spouse and other personal details. However, unfortunately Orissa is one of the few states where we have to submit our ID proof for getting information through RTI applications,” renowned RTI activist Chitta Behera said.
“This only exposes applicants and makes them vulnerable to harassment and even murder by guilty people. I have also faced many fake charges because I had asked the government some uncomfortable questions through RTI,” said Behera.
“The police-politicians nexus often comes to the fore when activists receive some threat from some guilty people. As we have to submit a copy of our identity proof, we are exposed to harassment from wrongdoers,” Pradip Pradhan, another activist said.
“When we approach the police, they never take our complaints seriously. Even when an RTI activist is killed, they are not bothered about investigating the cases because of pressure from wrongdoers. We want a dedicated cell that can tackle to the needs of RTI applicants under threat,” said Pradhan.
“Copies of ID cards are collected to prove citizenship of the applicants as law says only Indians can apply through RTI. In our commission, we go by the law. The Orissa RTI Act 2005 says a copy of an ID card should be provided for RTI applications. It is up to the government to amend it,” said SP Sarangi, Registrar, State Information Commission.
