The State Government on Saturday excluded the Vigilance from the purview of Right to Information (RTI) Act much to the chagrin of common people in general and RTI activists in particular.
The Information and Public Relations Department issued a notification in this regard. “The provisions of the RTI Act shall not apply to corruptions and Vigilance department. The State Government took this decision as per the Sub Section 4 of Section 24 of the RTI Act,” read the notification.
However, the decision has witnessed opposition from different quarters of people.
“The decision is reflection of the dirty mind of the State Government. While number of corruption cases are piling, the Government has take this decision to save its skin,” alleged leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Naraingha Mishra.
Former Information Commissioner Jagadananda said it is not wise to exclude all aspects of the Vigilance form the Act. “Some sensitive issues can be excluded but other information can be furnished to people,” said Jagadananda.
Opposing the decision, RTI Activist Pradeep Pradhan said, “The decision is anti-people. We will seek court’s help against it