India's landmark Right to Information Legislation is called the biggest single step since independence to build transparency in governance. However, its remarkable success is owed only to just 0.3 per cent of Indians who file RTI applications. It's anybody's guess as to what would be the impact if even one or two per cent of Indians began to ask tough questions to hold their rulers accountable. It is noteworthy that...
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Lakhs battle misery as flood toll rises to 17 -Sandeep Mishra
-The Times of India BHUBANESWAR: Water levels in all major rivers in the state fell on Saturday, raising hopes of respite from the trail of misery that began exactly two weeks ago on October 12 when cyclone Phailin hit coastal Odisha. In the latest floods that have hit the state, seven more died on Saturday, taking the toll to 17 over the past three days. Two deaths each were reported from Bhadrak,...
More »No import nod for GM processed food items till March 2014 -Vishwa Mohan
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Union environment ministry has issued an order keeping in abeyance the controversial August, 2007 notification, which allows import of genetically modified (GM) processed food items into India without its prior permission, till March 31, 2014. Though the ministry has continuously been keeping the notification in abeyance since February 2008, this time it has opted for a shorter period - usually it used to be a...
More »EC lays down guidelines to regulate campaigning on social media -Bharti Jain
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Political parties and candidates will now have to account for every penny spent on the use of social media for their poll campaigns. The Election Commission on Friday issued detailed guidelines to regulate internet campaigns on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube etc, asking candidates to declare their social media accounts and all political parties to pre-certify advertisements before they are posted on social media websites. The instructions also require...
More »Ask the right questions -Ruchi Gupta
-The Indian Express Those who want parties under RTI have not specified whether this advances transparency or electoral reform. It is time for a more nuanced debate. The tussle around the proposed RTI amendments to nullify the CIC order bringing the six national parties under the RTI Act is notable for many reasons: first, the amendments were sent to the standing committee for deliberation despite near political unanimity. This is significant, since...
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