Inaugurating a one-day conference on ‘The role of public authorities under the Right to Information Act 2005’ at International Centre Goa this week, Governor PS Shreedharan Pillai said, “Under the supremacy of the Parliament, the Right to Information begins with the first page of our Constitution, ‘We, the people of India that is Bharat...In democracy, people are supreme. They are the watchdogs, guardians and protectors of democracy, because it is they who can question their representatives who sit in the Parliament on their behalf to voice their issues and work for their betterment.”
“Therefore, if they ask for information on the working of the government officials, legislators, administrators, bureaucrats from Panchayat to Parliament, it should be provided within 30-45 days and with ease,” he added.
The Governor further said that the government officials should adopt a people-friendly approach to educate the common man about their rights to seek information through RTI.
“We have to change the mindset of the people. The officers are also a part and parcel of the society and sometimes information seeking by people could be dangerous and lead to public litigations. There is probability of petitions coming up with vindictive motives, but our conscious should rise to the occasion and do justice,” said Pillai.
The Governor, in his speech, pointed out to the dark phase of democracy in India during the Emergency times when rights of the people, politicians and press were suppressed.
“No one could question the government. Asking question was considered a crime, and people were put into jails giving no reason. While many educated people preferred to stay silent, it was the illiterate masses of India that found democracy in danger, and rising to the occasion, came on the streets to restore the democracy. This proves that people are supreme in a democracy and the elected representatives should respect the people’s mandate,” said Pillai.
Mentioning that October 12 is the 17th anniversary of enactment of RTI Act, Vishwas Satarkar, State Chief Information Commissioner, stressed on the importance of transparency, openness and accountability while working in any government position.
