Security of RTI activists, a duty of the state says SIC, Maharashtra
7 Oct, 2013The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Maharashtra, Ratnakar Gaikwad has asked the Chief Secretary of the State, Jayant Kumar Banthia, to take effective measure to ensure the safety and security of the RTI Activists and whistleblowers, “…as the effective implementation of the RTI Act depends – among other things – on giving adequate protection to whistleblowers and RTI activists who expose the vested interests and corruption in public authorities,” observes the CIC.
Expressing concern over the increase in number of assault on the RTI activists, like the incident of assault on Deepti Ghosal amongst the recent cases, the SIC stated that the State Government has not taken any effective step in this regard inspite of a resolution passed by the Central Information Commission on September 13, 2011 and asked the chief secretary to issue necessary directives to the Director General of Police, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the various districts in this regard.
It is high time that the status of safety of whistleblowers is taken up in the right earnest.