Is RTI "paralysing" the government offices?
29 Aug, 2012The chief officer of the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), Mr. Hanumant Toraskar, has lodged a police complaint against a RTI activist. In the complaint lodged with the Mapusa police station, it has been claimed that Mr. Deepak Gadekar had been filing RTIs with the council even though he is not a resident of the town and many a times he was found paralyzing this office by way of RTI. It has been contended that the activist creates unnecessary trouble to his office even though all the information has been provided to him. Torashkar is due to retire within the two months.
Gadekar has claimed that the police complaint was with the ulterior motive to deter him from filing RTI application. He said that he visits the MMC for submission of his personal request applications and had not created any trouble. Gadekar has filed a complaint to the Directorate of Vigilance, requesting for an inquiry against Toraskar. He has claimed that the police complaint was with the ulterior motive to create fear in his mind and is unbecoming of a government servant as per Civil Service Conduct Rules.
Mapusa is located approximately 15 km north of Panaji. Filing of such a police complaint raises may questions about the misuse of the RTI Act and the attitude of the government officials.