The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Public awareness needed on Right to Information Act

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 26, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Public awareness needed on Right to Information Act

Special Correspondent

Legislation would enable one to get knowledge

CHENNAI: The efficacy of the system of providing information under the Right to Information Act depended much on public awareness on the legislation, number of exemptions in the Act under which information would not be provided, information validity and the effectiveness of the appellate body, speakers at a meeting on ``Scope and implications of the Right to Information Act'' said here on Saturday. While pointing out that there need be no pessimism, they said the piece of legislation was revolutionary. It was in its early days and they expressed the hope that it would work.

The meeting, which was jointly organised by the Association of British Scholars (ABS), Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the British Council (BC), was part of the exercise to create awareness among the public on the Act.

Presenting an overall picture of the legislation, State Chief Information Commissioner S.Ramakrishnan, said the Act was the one, which was pushed through by activists, rather than one which was imposed by the legislature. It was more idealistic than fully practical. Clarifications were needed in the legislation in certain grey areas. Implementation of the Act had already started and it would take a little while to take off. The legislation would enable one to get the knowledge without which one was not able to function. People would know why a policy had been made. Another advantage of the legislation was that it would help cut corruption and misuse at the field level. He said knowledge was power, but more information did not mean more knowledge. The applicant should ask for only the type of information, which was relevant for his use.

Eunice Crook, Director, BC, South India, who spoke on the United Kingdom experience with regard to Right to Information said there was a strong parallel between the U.K. and the Indian legislations.P.M.Belliappa, president, ABS, said the Act was one of the instruments of good governance. N.Vittal, former Central Vigilance Commissioner, said the Act would show how information could lead to empowering people. However, care should be taken to ensure that the law was not misused.and V.Balaraman, president, MCCI, said the legislation was a small beginning in the right direction.

It would go a long way in recognising the serious issues in the political system and governance and initiating necessary action.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail