Maharashtra government defends RTI amendments
11 Aug, 2012
The State government of Maharashtra has defended the amendments in the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which restricts the contents of RTI application to 150 words and one subject only. In its submissions before the Bombay High Court, the Maharashtra government has contended that the amendments were introduced to streamline the procedure and did not in any way infringe on the fundamental rights of citizens.
In an affidavit filed on behalf of the Maharashtra government, the Joint Secretary, General Administration Department Rashid Gafoor Sayyed countered the argument that the impugned amendment was issued to curtail freedom of express or to cause unwarranted harassment to citizens seeking information
Earlier, a petition was filed by Shivaji Kshirsagar who challenged the amendment in RTI Act through a notification on January 16. It was petitioned that the impugned notification is against the objectives of the RTI Act and violates fundamental rights. It was requested that the amendment should be set aside.
A bench headed by Justice D D Sinha has ordered the petitioner Shivaji Kshirsagar to file a rejoinder by September 7.