Indian Express: New Delhi:
Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Delhi
Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin on Tuesday extolled the functioning of the
Right to Information Act in curtailing corruption and fighting against the
'mighty'. Justice Sarin stated that RTI and civil society had come to the
rescue of the common man seeking access to justice.
Addressing a
seminar on Tuesday, Justice Sarin said escalating legal costs had denied access
to justice. "The fees of lawyers has zoomed up. This is where active NGOs
and civil society organisations come to the rescue," Justice Sarin said.
He added it had also become difficult for the common man to rally against the
'mighty' and 'corrupt'.
However,
Justice Sarin maintained that RTI had become a boon for those fighting
corruption. "Right to Information has done wonders. We have got several
cases. I have instituted several directions on the basis of information
provided to me with RTI queries and answers. And in that process, we have
uncovered illegal acquisition of public lands and roads, even by media
houses," Justice Sarin said.
According to
Justice Sarin, numerous cases had come before him where credible information
was given but identity was not disclosed. "It is very difficult for a
common man to fight against the mighty and those who are in power," he
said. He also criticised those who "often" question the Lokayukta's
jurisdiction when it goes after the "corrupt".
Recently,
Justice Sarin locked horns with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and passed at
least three orders against the latter in the last few months. In May, he held
Dikshit responsible for 'misusing' public funds in government advertisements in
the run-up to the 2008 elections and recommended to President Pranab Mukherjee
that Dikshit be cautioned and advised to reimburse Rs 11 crore spent on
advertisements.
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