The Hindu : New Delhi News : How right is Right to Information Act?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 24, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

How right is Right to Information Act?

RIGHT QUESTION: Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah in New Delhi. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan

"The Information Act is a vital tool in the hands of the general public and the greatest disadvantage that the Government faces now is the clause that does not allow it to ask the seeker of information his requirement for the information. The officer providing the information does not know what he will do with the information at hand and it is this power of the unknown that gives added edge to its users," said Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah during a public discussion on the Information Act here this week.

"However," he added, "since the Act is still new it isn't without several rather amusing applications that come along. I can't forget this particular one where the applicant wanted to know whether the accident I was involved in, in Jammu and Kashmir, was a serious one and whether I was injured badly. They also wanted to know if I have serious headaches due to the accident and if I could only work for two hours a day. Applicants also wanted a copy of my medical records."

"While information about my accident and medical condition was provided, my detailed medical records were withheld. This then is the power of the Act. The general public has the right to know what they think they should be aware of and more," said Mr. Habibullah. -- Bindu Shajan Perappadan

-- Bindu Shajan Perappadan

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