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<link rel="canonical" href="https://im4change.in/<pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined variable: urlPrefix [<b>APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp</b>, line <b>8</b>]<div id="cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"></span><span style="color: #007700"><</span><span style="color: #0000BB">head</span><span style="color: #007700">>
</span></span></code>
<span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"> <link rel="canonical" href="<span style="color: #0000BB"><?php </span><span style="color: #007700">echo </span><span style="color: #0000BB">Configure</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">read</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'SITE_URL'</span><span style="color: #007700">); </span><span style="color: #0000BB">?><?php </span><span style="color: #007700">echo </span><span style="color: #0000BB">$urlPrefix</span><span style="color: #007700">;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">?><?php </span><span style="color: #007700">echo </span><span style="color: #0000BB">$article_current</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">category</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">slug</span><span style="color: #007700">; </span><span style="color: #0000BB">?></span>/<span style="color: #0000BB"><?php </span><span style="color: #007700">echo </span><span style="color: #0000BB">$article_current</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">seo_url</span><span style="color: #007700">; </span><span style="color: #0000BB">?></span>.html"/>
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</span></span></code></pre><pre id="cakeErr67eebfe2ed9bd-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$viewFile = '/home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp'
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<p style="text-align:justify">It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. &nbsp;It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, &ldquo;The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.&rdquo; Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.</p>
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<p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;</p>
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Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1374
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Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 791
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 126
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<strong>A Story of Intimidation, Illegality and (No) Right to Information in Gujarat -Anusha R </strong></h1>
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<p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>With the increasing political climate of stifled dialogue and dissent, a denial of information sought in the legitimate interest of the public, imposing fines, and subsequent ambiguity in the face of procedural safeguards is not just disheartening, but also dangerous.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.</p><p style="text-align:justify">To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, “The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.” Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Despite such strong jurisprudence in place, over the years, the RTI Act has been rendered powerless due to major reasons like narrow interpretation of the law by PIOs and courts, inordinate delays in filling up of vacancies and non-appointment of information commissioners despite intervention, the RTI amendment Act 2019 (hereinafter 2019 amendment), which tampered with the independent spirit of this legislation, huge backlog of cases and increasing violence against RTI activists.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU" title="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU">click here</a> to read more. </p> </font>
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<p style="text-align:justify">It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. &nbsp;It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, &ldquo;The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.&rdquo; Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Despite such strong jurisprudence in place, over the years, the RTI Act has been rendered powerless due to major reasons like narrow interpretation of the law by PIOs and courts, inordinate delays in filling up of vacancies and non-appointment of information commissioners despite intervention, the RTI amendment Act 2019 (hereinafter 2019 amendment), which tampered with the independent spirit of this legislation, huge backlog of cases and increasing violence against RTI activists.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;</p>
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<strong>A Story of Intimidation, Illegality and (No) Right to Information in Gujarat -Anusha R </strong></h1>
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<p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>With the increasing political climate of stifled dialogue and dissent, a denial of information sought in the legitimate interest of the public, imposing fines, and subsequent ambiguity in the face of procedural safeguards is not just disheartening, but also dangerous.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.</p><p style="text-align:justify">To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, “The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.” Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Despite such strong jurisprudence in place, over the years, the RTI Act has been rendered powerless due to major reasons like narrow interpretation of the law by PIOs and courts, inordinate delays in filling up of vacancies and non-appointment of information commissioners despite intervention, the RTI amendment Act 2019 (hereinafter 2019 amendment), which tampered with the independent spirit of this legislation, huge backlog of cases and increasing violence against RTI activists.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU" title="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU">click here</a> to read more. </p> </font>
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<p style="text-align:justify">It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. &nbsp;It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, &ldquo;The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.&rdquo; Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Despite such strong jurisprudence in place, over the years, the RTI Act has been rendered powerless due to major reasons like narrow interpretation of the law by PIOs and courts, inordinate delays in filling up of vacancies and non-appointment of information commissioners despite intervention, the RTI amendment Act 2019 (hereinafter 2019 amendment), which tampered with the independent spirit of this legislation, huge backlog of cases and increasing violence against RTI activists.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;</p>
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<h1 class="news_headlines" style="font-style:normal">
<strong>A Story of Intimidation, Illegality and (No) Right to Information in Gujarat -Anusha R </strong></h1>
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<p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>With the increasing political climate of stifled dialogue and dissent, a denial of information sought in the legitimate interest of the public, imposing fines, and subsequent ambiguity in the face of procedural safeguards is not just disheartening, but also dangerous.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.</p><p style="text-align:justify">To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, “The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.” Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Despite such strong jurisprudence in place, over the years, the RTI Act has been rendered powerless due to major reasons like narrow interpretation of the law by PIOs and courts, inordinate delays in filling up of vacancies and non-appointment of information commissioners despite intervention, the RTI amendment Act 2019 (hereinafter 2019 amendment), which tampered with the independent spirit of this legislation, huge backlog of cases and increasing violence against RTI activists.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU" title="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU">click here</a> to read more. </p> </font>
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<p style="text-align:justify"><em>With the increasing political climate of stifled dialogue and dissent, a denial of information sought in the legitimate interest of the public, imposing fines, and subsequent ambiguity in the face of procedural safeguards is not just disheartening, but also dangerous.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:justify">It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, “The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.” Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Despite such strong jurisprudence in place, over the years, the RTI Act has been rendered powerless due to major reasons like narrow interpretation of the law by PIOs and courts, inordinate delays in filling up of vacancies and non-appointment of information commissioners despite intervention, the RTI amendment Act 2019 (hereinafter 2019 amendment), which tampered with the independent spirit of this legislation, huge backlog of cases and increasing violence against RTI activists.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/story-intimidation-illegality-and-no-right-information-gujarat?fbclid=IwAR3j3P67UwMnQP7qnuWObikgcVnCAq9hRl_tX05usWkkuKN_U7d_h3HWLPU">click here</a> to read more. </p>
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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | A Story of Intimidation, Illegality and (No) Right to Information in Gujarat -Anusha R | Im4change.org
A Story of Intimidation, Illegality and (No) Right to Information in Gujarat -Anusha R
-Newsclick.in
With the increasing political climate of stifled dialogue and dissent, a denial of information sought in the legitimate interest of the public, imposing fines, and subsequent ambiguity in the face of procedural safeguards is not just disheartening, but also dangerous.
It is the year 2022, almost 17 years since the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) has been passed. Albeit, in a functional democracy, the emerging field realities would have resulted in legislative changes that would have strengthened the law. However, our experience tells us otherwise. This article attempts to throw light on the systematic weakening of the RTI Act over a period of time; and share an experiential story of how an RTI appellate authority in Gujarat imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on an applicant for simply exercising their right to information. It is argued that it is also indicative of larger patterns of intimidation and illegalities that exist in the implementation of the RTI Act and that the long journey ahead for the right to information to become an actual fundamental right in India.
To begin with fundamentals, there is established jurisprudence by way of the PUCL case, Raj Narain case, and importantly through S.P Gupta case where Right to Information is recognised as a fundamental right. It was ruled in the S.P Gupta case that, “The concept of an open Government is the direct emanation from the right to know which seems implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore, disclosures of information regarding the functioning of the government must be the rule.” Even before the RTI Act was introduced in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that Article 19(1)(a), in addition to guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression, guarantees the right to receive information on matters concerning public interest.
Despite such strong jurisprudence in place, over the years, the RTI Act has been rendered powerless due to major reasons like narrow interpretation of the law by PIOs and courts, inordinate delays in filling up of vacancies and non-appointment of information commissioners despite intervention, the RTI amendment Act 2019 (hereinafter 2019 amendment), which tampered with the independent spirit of this legislation, huge backlog of cases and increasing violence against RTI activists.
