A meeting of RTI activists held in the city on Sunday had agreed on an action plan on this score. Accordingly, the Save RTI Campaign would begin with a state-wide rally to sensitise people. Activists have alleged politicians were treating the RTI as a government department dividing information commissioners’ positions among themselves.
K.N.K. Namboodiri, President, Kerala RTI Federation said: “Kerala is the only State where an active member of a political party became an information commissioner. Strange fact is, even the media didn’t bother.” RTI activists also called for better transparency in the appointment of information commissioners. Presently, information commissioners are selected by a panel comprising chief minister, home minister, and Opposition leader.
P. Sherfudeen, convener Dharma Rajya Vedi, another RTI forum alleged the government was trying to suppress RTI. “They see it as a nuisance. Instead of appointing eminent public persons, political parties make adjustments in selection and fixing. Nominative selection process including the public should be introduced,” Mr Sherfudeen said.
The activists are worried RTI is fast losing its punch. The execution of an Act that stipulates action within 30 days has become so lax people get information only after a year or two,” said secretary of Human Rights Defence Forum D.B. Binu.