TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: State government on Wednesday decided to withdraw and redraft the controversial circular on the Right to Information (RTI) after it was criticized by activists.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the circular was ‘misunderstood’ by activists and he had asked that it should be sent back to him so that it could be redrafted after addressing the apprehensions.
Herald was the first to highlight that the need for swearing an affidavit was unnecessary and that it was against the spirit of RTI.
Explaining the content of circular, the CM said that applicant has to prove that he is Indian citizen through documents like election card or local passport or any other document.
“It is only when he can’t prove his nationality through any of the documents he can do so by swearing on affidavit,” he added.
“As per RTI Act only an Indian citizen can ask for information under RTI. We issued this circular when we found that some foreigners were misusing the act to file petitions against the government in the courts,” he added.
“Some foreigners were also found applying for RTI,” he claimed.
