Former Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha on Friday said that a valid reason should be given for any application filed under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, in case it was rejected, even when the government said the information fell under Section 8 (1) of the Act.
Speaking during the interactive session organised by the India Legal Research Foundation (ILRF) on Saturday on ‘How effective is Right To Information (RTI)?,’ the former CIC said that seeking information from the government was a right of the common man.
Organised at the APN Studio in Noida, the symposium-cum-interactive session was hosted by Rajshri Rai, Managing Director of India Legal and Editor-in-Chief of APN.
She asked Sinha about the importance of RTI in empowerment of the common man.
The CIC (Retired) called it a historic act, stating that since it was passed in 2005, the RTI Act has ensured transparency and accountability in various public authorities.
Calling the Indian legal system as one of the best in the world, Sinha said the RTI Act has come as an important source to gather information regarding various schemes and policies initiated by the government.
He said appeals on information sought by citizens regarding public authorities under the Centre were filed with the CIC, while information regarding public authorities under the states was adjudicated by the SICs.
Stating that he dealt with more than 14,000 cases during his tenure of almost five years, the former CIC said during the Covid-19 pandemic, applications were filed seeking source code of Cowin App and details of manufacturing of Covaxin vaccine.
He said the Commission had to see how much information could be revealed, after taking note of its sensitivity and implications.
Regarding what should be covered by the Act, Sinha said it was for the courts to decide what should come under its ambit. He gave the example of DISCOMS, which were not covered under the Act.
Sinha, an Indian Foreign Service officer, who served as a diplomat in various countries before getting appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner, said there was nothing wrong in India supporting Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
He said that all acts of terrorism should be condemned, especially when they involved brutality with women and children.
India has remained at the forefront to condemn any such act and would continue to do so, he asserted.
As per the former CIC, India has consistently supported a two state solution, with both states living side by side in peace.
Sinha said that a lot of things, such as national and international dynamics have to be considered while taking such a decision.
Young lawyers asked a variety of questions from the former CIC, who answered them all with patience. The event concluded with Rai presenting a memento to the former CIC.