RTI scan on parties: Congress for debate

The Economic Times: New Delhi: Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

Even as the Central Information Commission is finalising its verdict on whether political parties should come under RTI, Congress remains the only national party that has not spelt out its stand on the issue. All other national parties have opposed the suggestion.

CIC had asked all national parties to appear before it in September. While NCP and CPI presented their views early, Congress, BJP, CPM, BSP were asked to appear before the full bench of CIC on November 1. Of these, only Congress failed to present its views to the commission

Speaking to ET, Congress spokesperson Raashid Alvi said, "RTI Act was enacted because of the initiative of the Congress president. It was Congress-led UPA government that passed the legislation. It has helped in making our governance more transparent. But having said that, the question of whether political parties should come under RTI Act is a larger one. It needs wider discussion in the political space."

Congress seems to be in a dilemma as it cannot be seen shying away from a legislation it had taken the lead in enacting. So, even as CIC has reserved its decision on the political hot potato, the party has just demanded a wider debate. A senior minister and Congress office-bearer said, "these are issues related to electoral reforms. It is an evolving debate which needs wider discussion."

CIC took up the issue after RTI activist Subhash Agrawal and Association for Democratic Reforms filed applications with political parties, asking for details on manifestos and election funding. Their applications were returned and the activists took their fight to CIC, arguing that indirectly political parties are significantly funded by the government, including tax exemptions, free airtime during elections and plots for party offices.

According to the RTI Act, a public authority is defined under Section 2 (h) as "any authority or body or institution of self- government established or constituted - (a) by or under the Constitution; (b) by any other law made by Parliament; (c) by any other law made by State Legislature; (d) by notification issued or order made by the appropriate government, and includes any - body owned, controlled or substantially financed; non-government organisation substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate government."