PANJIM: A public meeting organized by the Goa Right to Information Forum at Panaji today strongly criticized and condemned Goa Governor Dr. S. S.Sidhu for his refusal to comply with the RTI Act by claiming that he was not a Public Authority.
The meeting in a resolution moved by Forum President Mr. V.A. Kamat unanimously demanded that the Goa Governor Sidhu should immediately furnish all information sought under the Right to Information Act. The meeting also demanded the speedy disposal of RTI related cases by all judicial forums.
Presiding over the function Adv. Satish Sonak stated that the Right to Information was a human right and ridiculed Governor Sidhu for not complying with the RTI act
Adv. Sonak appealed to the people of Goa to file complaints against Governor Sidhu before the newly constituted Goa Human Rights Commission.
Addressing the meeting Adv. Aires Rodrigues while strongly condemning Governor Sidhu for not complying with the RTI Act stated that the people of Goa may have to demand the recall of Governor Sidhu for non-compliance with a very important law passed by parliament.
Adv. Rodrigues stated that it was deplorable that the Governor of Goa as head of the State was himself scuttling the RTI Act which was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the administration.
If Governor Sidhu is not a public authority he should not hoist the national flag on behalf of the people of Goa on 26th January, warned Adv. Rodrigues.
Adv. Rodrigues expressed concern that if the Governor is allowed to circumvent the RTI Act, the enforcement of the Act itself would collapse in the State of Goa.
Adv. Rodrigues also clarified that the Goa Governor’s petition before the Bombay High Court was pertaining to a particular information sought by Leader of the Opposition Mr. Manohar Parrikar in 2007 and that it was no license or grounds for a blanket refusal by the Governor to comply with the RTI Act.
Adv. Yatish Naik called upon the people of Goa to stand up for their Rights and confront the authorities very vocally against any injustice or violation of law.
President of Goa Union of Journalists Mr. Prakash Kamat in his address called upon the Governor of Goa to forthwith comply with the RTI Act as he was a duly notified Public Authority.
The meeting was compered by Adv. Avinash Bhonsle while Mr. Sadashiv Shirsat proposed a vote of thanks.
It's very nice to see all former students leaders back again fighting for justice. It's a pity that none of them made it to the Goa Legislative Assembly. Many of them were fooled by the Congress Pary with empty promises. some surcumbed to bread crumbs thrown at them.
ReplyDeleteAnyway good luck to you'll. Ther is a popular saying in Konkani "MOSALLO KOBAR ZALO PUN VAS VOCHONK NA2"
If Dr. SS siddhu is not a Public Figure given the title GOVERNOR OF Goa....who is he?...and why the title.
ReplyDeletewho does the hell does he thinks he is?