HYDERABAD: File notings obtained through a Right to Information application have revealed that Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Chief Secretary J. Harinarayana have indeed approved and signed the draft GO 938 of February 20, the controversial media-related order that kicked up a row three months ago.

It marked a drive to launch defamation cases against newspapers and their editors, but was immediately withdrawn by the Government. Contrary to the impression created at that time that the Chief Minister and the top officers were unaware of the contents of the GO, the file notings clearly show that the final GO was issued after the normal circulation of the file for four months from October 19, after it was thoroughly vetted and endorsed by all of them.

The file notings were obtained by the young RTI applicant and software engineer Dubbudu Rakesh Kumar, after doggedly pursuing it with authorities for three long months. One of the note sheets having eight points and observations made while the file was in circulation, bears the signatures beginning with the Principal Secretary (November 15, 2006), Law Secretary (November 18), Chief Secretary (November 21) and the Chief Minister (December 18).

In fact the eighth point in the note clearly says that the Special Commissioner may be accorded permission for filing defamation cases against the publishers and editors and initiate action.

Clear mention

In the draft GO approved by them, there is clear mention of a "media watch" meeting chaired by Chief Minister, reviewing news items published/ telecast in print/ electronic media "with ulterior motive of tarnishing the image of the Government".

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