RTI Mandate

RTI Mandate
The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs), emphasizing the proper execution of Section 4 of the RTI Act. This section mandates public authorities to maintain and disseminate records for easy public access. The order followed a petition by Kishan Chand Jain, urging effective Section 4 implementation. Courts’ repeated interventions underscore a worrisome pattern of RTI Act enforcement. Escalating lawsuits at CIC and SICs highlight restricted information access under RTI guidelines. Despite a Department of Personnel and Training Office Memorandum for third-party audits, inadequate participation persists. The apex court’s intervention reflects the Act’s essence in ensuring transparency, advocating accessible public information, and bolstering RTI activists’ vital efforts for accountability and openness.
Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar

Election concern!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appear concerned about the upcoming 2024 Election. Despite grappling with inflation, Union Minister Anurag Thakur announced a reduction of Rs 200 per domestic LPG cylinder, with Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries getting Rs 400 off. This move puzzles as the Modi government previously deregulated the item. Just before the election, free gas connections are offered under the Ujjwala Yojana, sparking questions about the timing. The economy, impacted by COVID-19, raised doubts about the government’s economic focus. While India briefly became the 5th largest global economy, pandemic setbacks pushed it back to 6th place. Amidst comparisons to past governments, anticipations arise of potential pre-election price cuts and freebies.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad

Youth protection amid polarization
Instances like a teacher allegedly inciting violence against a fellow student based on religious identity in Uttar Pradesh’s W Muzaffarnagar, and another teacher reportedly assaulting a student for writing “Jai Shri Ram” on a blackboard in Jammu and Kashmir, raise concerns about educators straying from their role as dream enablers for young minds. Such actions not only fail in their duty but also undermine the work of countless unsung educators. Targeting youth based on religion is condemnable and demands no tolerance. To remedy this, strong administrative will is essential to take appropriate action against erring teachers. Society must rebuild trust with affected youth, reassuring them that such incidents contradict the country’s constitutional promises. Political figures must realize that their hateful rhetoric incurs a tangible cost paid by our youngest generation.
Mohammad Taukir, West Champaran