As India finished celebrating
sixty six years of Independence, political parties in the country are making
amendments to the Right to Information Act (RTI) in order to keep themselves out
of its purview. The Central Government has acted in a hasty manner by introducing the Right to
Information (Amendment) Bill, 2013 in the Lok Sabha and it is likely that the
amendments would be passed next week.
This would in effect: Exclude
all political parties from the purview of the RTI Act…
As Citizens of this country,
we all have an equal stake in saving the RTI Act as it ensures that
organisations working in the public interest are answerable to the people.
I encourage you to sign this petition and demand the Speaker to
facilitate widespread public consultation on the RTI (Amendment) Bill, because,
without the freedom of information, our Independence would mean nothing…
PS: As told to me, by our
alumnus, Vidya Venkat. This post is on her behalf, and on behalf of every
responsible Indian. To petition the Speaker, click HERE
