RTI CASE AGAINST AG SUBODH KANTAK: VERDICT ADJOURNED TO 8TH MARCH

PANJIM: The Goa Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Kenny today adjourned to 8th March at 10.30 am his verdict on the complaint filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against the Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak for not complying with the provisions of the Right to Information Act.

Advocate General Subodh Kantak has argued that the Advocate General was not a “Public Authority” and does not come within the purview of the RTI Act.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has however submitted that the Advocate General was very much a public authority his being a constitutional post and even enjoying cabinet status.

Adv Rodrigues has submitted that the Advocate General as a “public authority” was required under Section 5 of the Act to designate within 100 days Public Information Officers to provide information to persons requesting the same from the Advocate General’s office.

Adv. Rodrigues has also stated that Section 4 the Act required the Advocate General to publish and make public within one hundred and twenty days various information details about the Advocate General’s office.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has also sought that the Advocate General of Goa be penalized in terms of section 20 of the RTI Act for not complyingwith the provisions of the Act for over five years.