Raj ministers’ nod sought before giving RTI info

JAIPUR: At a time when even the assets of Union ministers have been put up on public domain at the Prime Minister's website, transparency seems a far cry here at Rajasthan.
An RTI application that had sought details on the assets of various ministers in the state has virtually come to a naught with the information officer of the secretariat seeking permission from the ministers themselves before giving details.
In his reply the information officer has said, "Since the matter involves a third party, therefore letters have been shot to the ministers seeking their permission for making their assets public. Once their permission is got you will be intimated."
The RTI application was filed by one Lakhan Salvi, a resident of the Leprosy ashram in Jodhpur and a BPL, on October 11, 2010. In his application Lakhan had sought details of the assets of those ministers who have submitted it to the chief minister, as per a cabinet decision that makes it compulsory for all ministers to file their declaration of property and liabilities to the CM by August 31 every year.
And in the event any minister has not submitted the same, Lakhan had sough details of the action being taken by the CMO in this regard.
The reply of the information officer was received by Lakhan on January 10, this year.
"This is a very strange reply. All these ministers had made their assets public just two years back when they were contesting for the polls. How much have their assets changed in just two years time that fresh permission has to be sought from them before they can be made public," wonders Lakhan.
Infact a similar RTI application to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking details on assets of Union ministers saw the PMO giving away all details. However, controversy cropt up with people raising questions on many undeclared assets of these ministers in the reply.
It was after this that the PMO soon decided to put up assets of all his ministerial colleagues on his website so that it remains in public glare always. But for the Congress ruled Rajasthan, doings of the UPA ruled centre has failed to come as a lesson.