Times of India: Wednesday , August 17 , 2011.
PUNE: Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday said the number of corruption cases that have come to light in the country is all because of the implementation of the Right to Information Act. Terming the implementation of the RTI Act as a 'milestone' of the UPA government, Chavan said there would be new laws to further bring in accountability and transparency in the functioning of the government.
Speaking at a function where he presented the Punyabhushan award to Dr H V Sardesai, Chavan said the present situation in the country appears as if many cases of corruption have taken place. These cases have come to light only because of the implementation of the RTI Act. If there would not have been the RTI Act, these cases may possibly have never come to light, he added.
Observing that earlier, when he was the minister of state in the prime minister's office, he could see the functioning of the UPA government very closely since its formation in 2004, Chavan said the RTI Act was implemented in 2005 to ensure that there was no corruption or leakage in the spending of funds for development schemes. The government, because of the economic progress, has acquired the potential to spend good amount of funds for various schemes like the national rural employment guarantee scheme, waiver of farmers' loans and so on. While these funds are being spent, the government wanted to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reached the people at the grassroots level. It was for this reason that the RTI Act was implemented, he said.
India, Chavan said, has emerged as a strong democratic country with established laws. The country is marching towards becoming an economic superpower. "There are various problems facing the country and they cannot be solved only through the government's policies. The problems would be solved with the help of citizens doing exemplary work for society," Chavan said.
Among others who were present during the function included mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, president of the Punyabhushan Foundation Satish Desai, renowned yoga exponent B K S Iyengar, Dr Balaji Tambe, eminent scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, and founder director of Symbiosis S B Mujumdar. Vanrai president Mohan Dharia presided over the function. Among the freedom fighters who were felicitated includes Shantabai Raisoni, Shankarrao Jagdale, Prabhakar Gawde, Murlidhar Karnik, and Dinkar Mokashi.
Speaking at a function where he presented the Punyabhushan award to Dr H V Sardesai, Chavan said the present situation in the country appears as if many cases of corruption have taken place. These cases have come to light only because of the implementation of the RTI Act. If there would not have been the RTI Act, these cases may possibly have never come to light, he added.
Observing that earlier, when he was the minister of state in the prime minister's office, he could see the functioning of the UPA government very closely since its formation in 2004, Chavan said the RTI Act was implemented in 2005 to ensure that there was no corruption or leakage in the spending of funds for development schemes. The government, because of the economic progress, has acquired the potential to spend good amount of funds for various schemes like the national rural employment guarantee scheme, waiver of farmers' loans and so on. While these funds are being spent, the government wanted to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reached the people at the grassroots level. It was for this reason that the RTI Act was implemented, he said.
India, Chavan said, has emerged as a strong democratic country with established laws. The country is marching towards becoming an economic superpower. "There are various problems facing the country and they cannot be solved only through the government's policies. The problems would be solved with the help of citizens doing exemplary work for society," Chavan said.
Among others who were present during the function included mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, president of the Punyabhushan Foundation Satish Desai, renowned yoga exponent B K S Iyengar, Dr Balaji Tambe, eminent scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, and founder director of Symbiosis S B Mujumdar. Vanrai president Mohan Dharia presided over the function. Among the freedom fighters who were felicitated includes Shantabai Raisoni, Shankarrao Jagdale, Prabhakar Gawde, Murlidhar Karnik, and Dinkar Mokashi.
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