RTI activists to approach governor

The Hindu: Bangalore: Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

Grievance against Chief Information Commissioner

Right to Information (RTI) activists are planning to approach Governor Vajubhai Wala seeking action against Chief Information Commissioner Suchetana Swaroop over his alleged remarks asking information officers to file criminal complaints against activists seeking personal information.

The move to approach the governor follows the refusal of the State Human Rights Commission to entertain a complaint against the CIC. The complaint alleged that Mr. Swaroop has orally directed public information officers to file police complaints against citizens who seek confidential and personal information under the RTI Act.

RTI activist Wg. Cdr. G.B. Athri (Retd.) alleged that the chief information commissioner is ‘ignorant about the RTI Act’ and is ‘diluting’ the Act by making such comments.

SHRC Chairperson D.H. Waghela, while dismissing a complaint against Mr. Swaroop, had pointed out that if the information sought by the complainant under the RTI Act is not furnished, there is remedy within the Act. The complaint against Mr. Swaroop, addressed to the Governor and a copy sent to the SHRC, is unsigned, said the order, a copy of which has been sent to B.H. Veeresh, trustee of Mahithi Hakku Adhyayana Kendra. “It (complaint) is also not addressed to the SHRC. It is outside the purview of the commission. It is dismissed,” the order said.