PANJIM: The Goa State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Kenny will on 8th March at 10.30 am pronounce his verdict on the complaint filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against the Advocate General of Goa Mr. SubodhKantak 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 complying with the provisions of the Act for over five years
If I was to place a bet at the Local Betting shop, I would put a few rupees on this verdict being adjourned and postponed,
ReplyDeleteThere is a proverb which says"where there is a will there is a way"....however in Goan Courts, one must expect there is only one way...an adjournment / postponment.Buying time and frustrating an opponent is the usual way.
There is only one interpretation of the RTI Act, yet some Advocates , who wish to make a few Rupees more, and swell their Bank balances,will argue there are several interpretations.I wonder if Mr Motilal Kenny has to fly-off to New Delhi like Digamber Kamat to consult the Goa DESK,before he returns a verdict?.
I am very positive the RTI Act is an All India Act.It should apply to all institutions and individuals equally.It is not an Act that is enacted on a State by State basis.
RTI Acts around the world are very similar in their interpretations.The only difference is they are called by different names.In the UK we call this "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT".This act was enacted in 2000.India followed suit with the RTI in 2005. No doubt India has used a lot of the UK or US RTI in defining its own, as India also, still follows a lot of English Law and Judicial procedures.
(By the way Digamber Kamat follows a different RTI and LAW for his Kingdom of Moti Dondor....It is called the "DARBAR" system.IN this case it is a gathering of Gangsters and hoodlums, sitting cross -legged on a carpet and under a Tent /Pandal, Sherbet & Peddas in hand,to bring peace and discuss progress and people issues. Pucca (True) Goans need not apply / attend this method odf deliberation.)
So I would ask all my Goan Brothers and sisters,not to expect a verdict on the 8th March.It is also no use consulting Astrologers on which auspicious date this Verdict will be given.