No compulsorily affidavit regarding citizenship while filing an application in Goa
19 Oct, 2013
The Goa Government has decided to withdraw and redraft the circular on the Right to Information (RTI) which had been criticised by the RTI activists all over the country. The circular contained a clause that made it mandatory for any RTI applicant who wanted to file an application under the RTI Act to swear through an affidavit that he/she is an Indian citizen.
The Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had justified the circular claiming when an applicant can’t prove his nationality through any document, he can do it by filing an affidavit. He had alleged that some foreigners were misusing the Act to file petitions against the government in the courts that led to the circular. He informed the media that the government has decided to withdraw the circular and redraft it as it was being misunderstood.
Section 3 of the RTI Act says that “Subject to the provisions of this Act, all citizens shall have the right to information”. The circular evoked strong criticism from RTI activists all over the country as there is no provision in the Act to seek any evidence of citizenship from the applicant. It not only meant extra financial costs of swearing an affidavit, but also hindrance in filing the RTI application in a smooth manner.