Free Press Journal: Bhopal: Wednesday,
February 15, 2017.
The RTI
activists are crying hoarse over a question in the Madhya Pradesh Public
Service Commission (MPPSC) prelims question paper asking candidates their views
on “wrong intentions” of RTI activists.
The question
in the exam held on Sunday reads: “If you are a government officer and some
information under the RTI Act is being sought from you. And, you know the
applicant well and are assured that the information can be misused. What would
you do?” Four choices have been provided which include (A) You will find a
solution for not providing information, (B) You would provide the information,
(C) Would provide wrong information so that possibility of its misuse can be
reduced, and (D) Would delay in providing the information as long as possible.
This question
has angered the RTI activists who say it shows ignorance of paper setters. “The
MPPSC has shown disrespect towards the rights of the people. There is no mention of ‘use’ or ‘misuse’ of
information under the RTI Act,” said activist Ajay Dubey. He said that the
officers can ask only the name and address of the information-seeker and has no
business to enquire about his or her “intentions”. He said that sections 8 and 9 of the Act do
provide for some restrictions if the information is being sought with malicious
intent. He said that the question paper setter and moderator should be
identifies and penalised.
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