'Amend RTI Act to stop misuse'

Sandeep Ashar, TNN, April 1, 2011,

MUMBAI: The state government has been asked to examine the feasibility of modification in the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Even as chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has termed the sunshine Act as a vital tool to bring in transparency in administration. A section of legislators on Thursday claimed that it was being widely misused on a wide-scale.

Assembly speaker Dilip Walse-Patil said the Act needed amendment. "The act is being misused," he said. Congress MLA Ashok Jadhav vociferously supported the suggestion. "I know people who do nothing but file RTIs. You should see the cars they have," he added. Home minister R R Patil said RTI was a central Act. Walse-Patil however added that the state must examine if it could incorporate amendment at its end. Patil assured that the suggestion would be looked into.

MLAs also rallied for dissolution or suitable modification of the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT). The tribunal was set up in 1991 to provide speedy and inexpensive justice to government employees. MLA's, cutting across party lines, also demanded initiation of the process to do away with another legislation- the Maharashtra Government Servants' Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Act- that was enacted in 2006. RR Patil contended that the existing provisions in the legislation regarding cap of the period of transfer for an employee were being misused. Patil cited the case of ACP Ashok Dhawale, who was caught smuggling heroin in police van in February. Patil said the same officer had been removed after he was caught smuggling liquor in a police vehicle, the MAT however set aside the order. Patil said there were other instances of misuse of the tribunal and the legislation too. He alleged that he has also received complaints that approaching a certain set of lawyers guaranteed an immediate stay from MAT. "We are also looking into these allegations," Patil said.
Senior MLA Ganpatrao Kadam demanded that a bill for the necessary amendments be tabled before the house in the ongoing assembly session. Patil said that a nod from the cabinet will have to be sought first. "An in-principle nod has already been taken, a formal proposal will soon be moved," he said. Walse Patil then instructed the home minister to reveal the government's stand within eight days.