The Delhi Police RTI (Right to Information) Cell is flooded with queries regarding the expenditure incurred during US President Barack Obama’s three-day visit to the national Capital on Republic Day and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s oath-taking ceremony on February 14.
Sources told The Pioneer, that information seekers are not just from Delhi but same requests are pouring in from Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai as well. “Nearly, 50 RTI queries on Obama visit were received from February 1 to 20 while 35 queries were received on Kejriwal’s oath ceremony till February 27,” an RTI official revealed on condition of anonymity.
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle visited the national Capital on the eve of Republic Day on January 26. In a three-day trip, he stayed at ITC Maurya Hotel in South Delhi’s Chanakyapuri under multiple layers of protection by his personal staff, Special Protection Group (SPG) and the Delhi Police.
An RTI query also asked the amount of money spent on installation of the CCTV cameras across the Capital, as well as the amount spend on US Secret Service who came with Obama. A total of 15,000 CCTV cameras were installed on various roads, intersections and venues for the US President’s visit.
Over 2,000 cameras were also installed at the two-kilometre stretch of Rajpath — extending from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Amar Jawan Jyoti — while at least 20 escort vehicles from Delhi Police ran along with Obama’s Beast.
Meanwhile, another RTI plea sought to know the money spent on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s oath ceremony. The swearing-in-ceremony was witnessed by about 60 thousand AAP supporters at Ramlila Maidan under the strict security cover of Delhi Police. The ground was equipped with several gadgets, including the door framed metal detector, handheld devices and CCTV cameras to ensure the security.
The preparation for the mega event was made by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Public Works Department (PWD) of the Delhi Government. The Delhi Police RTI Cell, established in 2005, has received 1,55,600 applications over the past five years. In 2014, the number was 17,509. In the previous year, over 30,000 applications were received by the force. This year, it has already touched a figure of 2,000.
The Right To Information Act was enacted in 2002 for citizens to request information from a public authority for a fee of Rs10. Replies have to be expedited or filed within 30 days.