PANJIM: The Goa State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Kenny today ruled that the Goa Governor was a “Public Authority” and does come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act. Pronouncing his verdict on the complaint filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against Goa Governor Dr. S.S.Sidhu for not complying with the RTI Act, the Goa State Chief Information Commissioner today directed the Public Information Officer at Goa Raj Bhavan to furnish within 30 days to Adv. Aires Rodrigues the information sought by him under the Right to Information Act.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues’s complaint against Governor Sidhu follows the stand taken by the Raj Bhavan that the Governor of Goa is not a publicauthority and does not come within the purview of the RTI Act.
Adv. Rodrigues had sought from Goa Raj Bhavan under the RTI Act details of action taken on the complaints made by him to the Governorof Goa against Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak. Adv.Rodrigues had also sought copies of noting sheets and correspondencepertaining to the processing of his complaints against the AdvocateGeneral.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his petition before the State Information Commission stated that the office of the Governor is a constitutionalpost within the definition of “Public authority” under section 2 (h) (a) of the RTI Act.
Adv. Rodrigues had also submitted that as the Governor is a public authority the Goa Raj Bhavan was bound to furnish the information sought and that the refusal to furnish information was unreasonable,malafide and without reasonable cause.
While Adv. Carlos Ferreira and Adv. Mahesh Sonak appearing for the RajBhavan had argued that the Governor of Goa was not a “PublicAuthority”, Adv. Aires Rodrigues submitted that the violation of the law by the Head of the State was a very bad precedent and was obstructing the enforcement of the RTI Act in the State.
Pointing out that even the President of India as a Public Authoritywas complying with the provisions of the RTI Act, Adv. Rodrigues Submitted that Dr. S.S. Sidhu was the only Governor in the country who was not complying with the RTI act while claiming that he was not a “Public Authority.
Congratulations Aires !! Hard won victory at last. Please make the public known what this Sardaji was hiding once you receive these copies. Goans are thankful to you. Keep up the good work and all the best to you.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere congratulations to you Adv Aires for proving yourself right beyond any doubt. Its a disgrace to the Governors office for not knowing what his liabilities are towards the general public. Unfortunately, Its a disgrace to the Governor who holds such a high position,yet not knowing what his duties are. In this case he should be held entirely responsible for dereliction of his duty and made to give a public apology for his utter failure. I hope our community will see how lopsided the system is and make the necessary amendments to the system at the right time.
ReplyDeleteWell done Dotor de Ribander, now is the time for you to stand for the Assembly Election.
ReplyDeleteMog assundi
Congratulations Adv Aires, you have chopped them to size. Another one bites the dust.
ReplyDelete