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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Intel bodies can’t snub graft RTI

Intel bodies can’t snub graft RTI

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published Published on Dec 29, 2011   modified Modified on Dec 29, 2011

-The Pioneer

 

The Central Information Commission has ordered that intelligence agencies like National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) cannot withhold information under the RTI Act on corruption-related matters and related in-house investigation details.

The landmark decision is a serious blow to intelligence and security agencies, which often reject applications under RTI on corruption- related issues.

In this case, CIC has directed NTRO to provide information on the in-house probe details on irregularities and corrupt practices in the agency on complaints filed by whistleblower VK Mittal, a former Joint Secretary of the technical intelligence agency. Mittal was crusading against corrupt practices in the organisation and complained to the CAG to conduct an audit on NTRO’s murky affairs.

“The chief public information officer (CPIO) of NTRO is directed to inform the appellant the outcome of in-home enquiries,” said an order of Information Commissioner Sushma Singh.

The whistleblower has approached NTRO under the RTI Act, demanding information on investigation details of corrupt practices and irregularities in the organisation.

A series of probes was initiated on the working of NTRO upon the direction of Prime Minister for the past two years. But the agency declined to provide details of the findings, learned to have indicted top officials of NTRO on manipulation of secret services fund and nepotism in appointments even in top posts.

The CAG’s performance audit on NTRO, submitted to the President on February, has not yet been tabled in Parliament. According to sources, the CAG report exposed the gross corruption and manipulation of Cabinet Committee on Security’s approval in the purchase of more than `350 crore worth unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The UAVs purchased from Israeli vendors were defunct and are still grounded.

The CAG report also exposed NTRO — which directly works under the National Security Advisor, who, in turn, reports to the Prime Minister — for misusing public fund and gross nepotism in appointments.

A public interest litigation is already pending before the Supreme Court on the alleged corrupt practices in NTRO. The PIL has sought the court’s directive to the Government to place the controversial CAG report. This is the first report of the CAG on an intelligence agency.

According to the Constitution, the CAG report should be placed before the Parliament, as soon as it is submitted to the President.

The Pioneer, 26 December, 2011, http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/todays-newspaper/30587-intel-bodies-cant-snub-graft-rti.html


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