Like GCA, GFA had claimed RTI immunity

TNN, Oct 9, 2010;PANAJI:

It seems like the Goa Football Association has followed in the footsteps of the Goa Cricket Association in claiming that it doesn't fall under the purview of Right to Information (RTI) Act.

In a letter to the Sports Authority of Goa's public information officer, the GFA stated, "This is to inform you that we don't come under the RTI. We understand that the GCA has filed an appeal with the state information commission and we are awaiting the order before we take any step in this direction". The letter was sent on September 22.

Reacting to this, the SAG had replied that the GFA is "adequately covered within the purview of clause 2 (h) of the RTI Act 2005, to consider it as a public authority".

The GFA refused to furnish information when social activist Aires Rodrigues sought data under the RTI from the association.

In a similar fashion, the GCA had also refused to furnish information claiming that it did not come under the purview of the Act.

But the Goa state chief information commissioner on Thursday ruled that the GCA does come under the ambit of the RTI and has asked it to furnish information sought by Rodrigues within 30 days.