NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO INFORMATION

C17A Munirka, New Delhi 11007, India

Telfax: +91(0)26168759, Email: ncpri2004@yahoo.co.in

To

Shri, Navin Patnaik

Chief Minister, Orissa                                                                                      23rd December 05

 

Dear Shri Patnaik,

We enclose two representations to you on the Orissa Right to Information Rules 2005.

            The first representation is signed by participants from eleven districts in Orissa who attended a Workshop on Right to Information, held at Gandhi Labour Foundation in Puri, on the 22nd of December 2005. The participants included trade unions, peoples organizations, NGOs, citizens, and academics. Prof. Radhamohan, Commissioner for Information, Orissa was also present. In the workshop, the RTI Act 2005 was discussed in detail and its potential to control corruption and ensure accountable governance was universally acknowledged.

            The Orissa RTI Rules 2005 were also examined in detail and several of the provisions were a cause for great concern. It was felt that unless the Rules were amended immediately, the working of this Act in the State of Orissa would be severely impaired. It seems to be clear that several provisions of the Rles are ultra vires of the Act. In addition, some of the provisions have been formulated in a manner that will discourage the common citizen ( in particular the poor) from using the Act.

            We also enclose a copy of a representation, that was sent to you by Shri Shailesh Gandhi of National Campaign for People’s Right to Information, raising similar concerns of the Orissa RTI Rules 2005.

            We strongly urge that you immediately direct the revision of the Orissa RTI Rules in a progressive and participatory manner so that the use of this Act is facilitated in the State of Orissa. These Rules could then serve as a model for the rest of the country. To facilitate this process we also enclose a set of draft amendments in the rules and forms prepared by the Orissa Right to Food Campaign.

            We are confident that you will take appropriate action to ensure the efficient implementation of this Act in Orissa.

            Thanking you and with regards,

                                                                                                                       Yours sincerely,

                                   

                                                                                                                        s/d Aruna Roy

Working Committee:

Ajit Bhattacharjea, Anjali Bhardwaj, Aruna Roy, Arvind Kejriwal, Bharat Dogra, Harsh Mandar, Maja Daruwala, Nikhil Dey, Prabhash Joshi, Prakash Kardaley, Prashant Bhushan, Shailesh Gandhi, Suman Sahai, Vishaish Uppal, Shekhar Singh ( Convener)