Amendment to RTI rules flayed

PATNA: Magsaysay award winner and noted social activist Sandeep Pandey has threatened to launch an intensive agitation if the Nitish Kumar government failed to withdraw the the amendment to RTI rules which tends to curb the number of questions asked by a person. Addressing a rally organized by SoochnaKa Adhikar Jan Abiyan, Pandey dubbed the government move as "anti-people" andstressed that rights given after a long struggle was being curbed by the Bihargovernment.The Raj Bhavan March started from Fraser Road and went toR-Block where it was converted into a public meeting. The rally raisedanti-government slogans. Later a memoradum was submitted to Raj Bhavan demandingthe withdrawal of the amendment approved by the Bihar Cabinet on November 17.Pandey also expressed dissatisfaction over the progress of RTI inBihar. He said the appointment of Information Commissioner had been delayed andthe posts were deliberately kept vact. He also said that section 4 of the RTIAct was not being implemented.Various other speakers criticized thestate government for amending the RTI rules and dubbed it as a move to protectthe corrupt. They alleged that the amendment of the rules was illegal. The rallywas addressed by student leaders, lawyers and members of various socialorganizations.The petition submitted to the governor also mentionedthat people asking for information under the RTI were harassed and false caseswere lodged against them. It also complained that information seekers did notget the required information for more than a year.