Kochi: The State Information Commissioner Vinson M. Paul has strongly criticised the attempt by authorities for not giving information under the Right to Information Act about government orders and cabinet decisions. Delivering the keynote address during a dialogue on ‘A Decade of RTI Act; Achievements and Challenges’ at Chavara Culture Centre on Thursday, Mr. Paul came down heavily on the attempt to keep government orders and cabinet decisions away from the purview of the RTI Act.
“A section of those in power still believe in releasing information only that is of interest to them”, he said. Terming the attempt to suppress information as an infringement on the democratic rights of people, he said transparency in the decision-making process was essential for a corruption-free society.
Addressing the session, V.D. Satheesan and Sebastian Paul came down heavily on the restrictions imposed on the media in reporting from the courts. The appointment of staff in the office of the High Court judges were done through the backdoor, Mr. Satheesan said. Dr Sebastian Paul criticized both the RTI activists and the archaic proceedings still followed in the courts.
