Save the RTI Act

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Shailesh

@Shailesh_Rathi

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Posted: 12 years ago

I know that this is the bollywood forum, but couldn't find access to a board which does general forum announcements. Since this is the most widely read of all forums in here, decided to post in here. Mods, please make this a sticky if you can.

A bill to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act in order to keep political parties out of the ambit of the transparency law will be introduced in Lok Sabha today. This is against our democratic constitution and many citizen groups are opposing the bill. Change.org is also an instrumental website (akin to a candle-light march done online) which has led many such protests (example, the recent case of banning sale of acid which was successfully implemented once they got the requisite signatures). They need more signatures to get our voices heard. Please take the time to stop by and do what you can as citizens of a democratic country,

https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/shri-manmohan-singh-prime-minister-government-of-india-save-rti-act-from-amendments

Thanks for your attention to this.

Edited by Shailesh_Rathi - 12 years ago

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Shailesh

@Shailesh_Rathi

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Posted: 12 years ago

We have reached about 50,000 signatures :D, but still have a long way to go to get public support to file the petition. RTI is the most powerful law we have to fight corruption, but is going to be diluted soon. In the next few days, the Government will amend the RTI Act to ensure that political parties do not come under direct public scrutiny

It was a huge victory for India when RTI activists recently won an appeal to bring political parties under the RTI Act. But, instead of honouring the decision, political parties are now trying to change the law to exclude themselves.

This is a huge setback for our nation. In order to remain free of corruption, all political parties should be transparent and answerable to the public. This won't happen if the RTI Act is modified.

MPs have time and again used bullying tactics against the common public. the most shocking incident pertaining to Sachin Suryavanshi, a police officer who dared to fine an MLA for alleged over-speeding, was beaten up right inside the Vidhan Bhavan by a group of legislators and had to be carried on a stretcher. The case was hushed up, the initially suspended MPs reinstated but the police officer continues to be victimized. MPs with criminal backgrounds are regularly contesting elections and winning without any legal action.

We hardly have any time to act. We need to showcase that the whole country is against this proposed dilution of RTI Act. If thousands sign this petition, the Government will know that there is growing public support and that they cannot ignore this demand of their voters.

If the bill opposing RTI gets passed, then our beloved democratic nation will soon resemble an autocracy. I am not one for posting such messages but the situation is so serious that we need to spread the word around to as many people as we can. All it takes is one key press and two seconds worth of effort to express your opinion. But one that will make a huge significant impact.

Treat this as a gift to give to our nation in the occasion of our Independence day. Thanks for your attention to this.

Edited by Shailesh_Rathi - 12 years ago