This refers to the letter to your by Subhash Chandra Agrawal from Delhi that appeared in your esteemed newspaper on August 1, 2019 under the headline “Compulsory ID Proof for RTI”. We are really perplexed and disappointed with the opinion expressed by Mr. Agrawal in his letter, especially when he is renowned across India for active participation on topics of public interest, especially through the print media, and through his letters to the editors raising important issues. Comparatively, in metros, citizens are more alert about RTI and its provisions, but, then, this is not true across India. RTI was, and still is, for transparency, fairness, and information. It was one of the most momentous pieces of legislation for independent India. Because of this Act, the executive, the bureaucracy, the legislature, etc have become more alert and answerable, in governments, the public sector, governmental agencies, etc. Even then, people find it difficult to get response from those concerned. Many valid applications are denied and rejected. The RTI Act, 2005 should be understood in these context. RTI Act is to help an ordinary Indian citizen, not just the Corporate bodies or agencies : swadeshi or videshi!!
Yes, a small percentage of individuals and entities may have taken unnecessary advantage of the Act, but if information is supposed to be in the public domain, it should : let’s have no doubt about it. Let’s not create hurdles for the citizens, for the discomfort of some individuals, babus and those in the executive. If the Indian Railways have started asking for ID proof from RTI applicants, it is morally wrong, to say the least. There is enough safeguards in the Act to deny information to RTI applicants. Also, the recent move to amend the RTI Act would encourage more rigidity, and lack of transparency in the system. Let us not be tempted to flash back to mid-1970s when emergency loomed large in the name of executive power, and opaqueness. Long years ago, the great man, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi wrote letters to all and sundry, on post-cards, which any mortal could read, and yet, he could lead the nation towards its independence. The onus is on the present and future generations, if we want to be truly independent, economically, socially, and of course, individually.
A Bhuyan,
Nagaon