The Congress-led State Government is about to extend the first appeal period under the Right To Information Act from 45 days to one year in order to prevent exposure of its corruption. Jansangharsh Morcha head Raghunath Singh Negi leveled this allegation while addressing the media on Monday.
According to Negi, “The Congress-led State Government is going to increase the first appeallate period under the RTI Act from 45 days to one year as it fears disclosure of its scams in the future and wants to keep such cases under wraps. This shows that the government fears a situation wherein the public demands explanations. The State Government is going against the spirit of the RTI Act and planning to increase the first appeallate period which will considerably dilute the purpose of this Act and discourage the public and activists seeking information under it.”
Expressing concern, Negi also pointed out that “brokers” had misused the RTI Act by turning it into a means for dubious income. Stringent measures should be taken by the government without delay against such agents, he stressed.