The Manav Adhikar Suraksha Manch, a philanthropic organisation fighting for protection of human rights, led by its coordinator advocate Abani Kumar Gaya has demanded that all political parties, private and Government-aided institutions be brought under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, 2005 to ensure transparency and accountability which in turn would minimise corruption.
His statement followed a unanimous resolution adopted a meeting of the Manch held in its office at Umanagar in lanjipalli on the outskirts of Brahmapur on Saturday.
Dr AR Verma of the Manch said most of the political parties are getting crores of rupees of subscription from different corporate houses and industrialists in the name of privatisation and spending the money in election, for which they are scared to come under the ambit of the RTI Act.
Teacher union leader Maguni Nahak stressed on the need of expanding the scope of the existing RTI Act in order to protect democracy by bringing in to its fold all private and aided institutions.
Manch president Upendranath Mishra said a large number of private institutions including hospitals, nursing homes, chit funds and nonbanking financial institutions are utilising black money in their businesses and exploiting citizens by fraudulent means in the name of services and the Government is yet bring these institutions under the purview of the RTI Act.
Among others, social activist Rajanikant Mandal, Bijay Bisoi, Prasant Kumar Das and several senior citizens and social workers joined the meeting.