India
RTI petitions are being rejected at an 83 percent higher rate on national security concerns
During 2020-21, the Central government ministries rejected 83 percent more Right to Information (RTI) petitions on the grounds of “national security,” despite the total rejection rate falling by 2.95 percent, according to a review of RTI applications.
Venkatesh Nayak of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), a human rights campaigning organization, looked into the grounds for RTI applications being denied in over 2,182 departments across several central government ministries. Every ministry is required to report to the Central Information Commission on the progress of RTI petitions filed each year (CIC).
RTI applications received by central government ministries and departments in 2019-20 were 1.29 million, down 2.48 percent from the previous fiscal year. According to CIC, 13.3 million RTI applications were received in the country during this period. The ministries of health and steel saw the greatest growth in RTI requests.
According to the data, 1,024 RTI applications were rejected out of 53,537, compared to 557 the previous year on the grounds of national security.
Even though the overall rejection rate had decreased, Nayak said that the government was progressively rejecting RTI petitions under section 8 (1) of the RTI Act (exemption from providing information that could jeopardize national security). “Even the ministry of consumer affairs denied 401 applications in the pandemic year, citing national security exemption,” he said, describing the trend as “disturbing.”
Another rule linked to seeking information regarding intelligence and security agencies was used by the ministry of labor and employment to deny RTI requests. Even though the ministry has no security or intelligence agencies, this happened. According to Section 24 of the RTI Act, information from security authorities specified in the law’s schedule cannot be requested unless it is related to corruption.
During the pandemic year, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Distribution were among the ministries that used the national security exemption to deny information in hundreds of cases,” Nayak stated.
However, as in prior years, the most common reason for RTI petitions being denied was section 8 (1) J, which forbids the disclosure of personal information. In 2019-20, over 12,000 applications were turned down on this basis. “The majority of these petitions are regarding service information and inquiries into government employees,” said RTI campaigner Subhash Aggarwal.
When an RTI application is denied, the applicant has the right to appeal to the first appellate authority, which is a senior officer in the ministry or department where the application was lodged, according to the RTI Act. If the first appellate court’s decision is not satisfactory, a second appeal can be made with the CIC, the government’s transparency watchdog.
Seven ministries, including finance, defense, personnel, and education, saw a decrease in rejections, according to the data. However, several other ministries, including steel, external affairs, railroads, and health and family welfare, reported a significant increase in RTI application rejections.
The high rejection percentage in several ministries, such as steel and consumer affairs, was mostly owing to extremely few rejections the prior year, according to the research.
Using security laws to withhold information to people by authorities that aren’t directly dealing with national security matters, according to Anjali Bhardwaj of the National Campaign for Right to Information, demonstrates a reluctance to provide information. “This is a ploy to keep people from filing RTI requests on crucial topics,” she explained.
Ahead of Ganeshotsav, police issue safety guidelines to protect public peace and aircraft operations.
The Protocols
As preparations for Ganeshotsav gather pace, Navi Mumbai Police have asked Ganesh mandals to keep celebrations safe and peaceful by avoiding loud DJ systems and laser lights during processions.
Police said excessive DJ music can disturb senior citizens, children and patients. Mandals have been encouraged to use traditional musical instruments instead, particularly during Ganesh idol arrival and immersion processions.
Authorities have also warned that sound systems crossing the permitted noise limits will not be allowed. Those who ignore the rules could face legal action. The police have issued a special warning about laser lights in the Panvel area because of its proximity to Navi Mumbai International Airport. Strong laser beams can temporarily affect a pilot’s vision and create a serious safety risk, especially when aircraft are taking off or landing.
According to officials, the airport operates around the clock, with a large number of flight movements every day. Police said there have already been complaints from pilots about laser lights during aircraft approaches. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rashmi Nandedkar has directed local police stations to inform Ganesh mandals about the restrictions while granting loudspeaker permissions.
Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe said devotees should enjoy the festival with enthusiasm while also respecting public safety and the peace of residents. The police have urged organisers to cooperate with the guidelines so that Ganeshotsav can remain festive, traditional and safe for everyone.
Corporator Kishor Patkar suggests using vacant CIDCO plots in Sector 19-F for a dedicated mental health facility.
The Hospital
Navi Mumbai could soon have a dedicated mental health hospital if a new proposal for two plots in Vashi moves forward.
Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) corporator Kishor Patkar has proposed that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) take over two CIDCO plots in Sector 19-F and use them to develop a modern mental health hospital. The proposal is expected to be discussed at the NMMC general body meeting.
Patkar has asked the civic body to first check the legal and physical status of the plots. He has sought information about their original allotment, ownership records, pending dues and whether the land has been reserved for any specific purpose under the development plan.
He has also asked NMMC to verify construction permissions and whether CIDCO’s required No-Objection Certificate is available. According to Patkar, if the plots are vacant and suitable for development, they should be acquired from CIDCO and put to public use by creating a modern mental health facility.
The proposal comes amid an ongoing debate over major hospital projects in Navi Mumbai, including a separate controversy surrounding a proposed super-speciality hospital and medical college. With mental health gaining greater attention, the proposal has brought a different aspect of public healthcare into the city’s development discussion. The next step will depend on NMMC’s verification of the plots and the decision taken on the proposal.
Protester Pradeep Waghmare pauses hunger strike for 15 days, warning of renewed agitation if action is delayed.
The Pause
A hunger strike over encroachments in Vashi has been temporarily suspended after the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) assured protester Pradeep Waghmare that action would be taken on the issue.
Waghmare had started his three-day hunger strike on August 31, demanding the removal of encroachments from marginal spaces in Vashi. He also sought action against civic officials whom he alleged had failed to properly address the problem.
On September 2, NMMC Assistant Commissioner Ramesh Rathod and other civic officials met Waghmare at the protest site and handed him a written assurance. The civic body said that action against encroachments in Vashi would continue on a regular basis.
Officials also reportedly informed Waghmare that the process of transferring Assistant Commissioner Sukhdev Yedve and encroachment officer Jambhale had been initiated. Following the assurance, Waghmare agreed to suspend his hunger strike for 15 days. However, he made it clear that the protest could resume if the promised transfers do not take place within the given period.
The agitation had received support from several political parties and social organisations, including NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Republican Sena and women’s groups. For now, the protest has been paused, but Waghmare’s warning puts the civic administration under pressure to act on its assurances.
Navi Mumbai Police Ask Ganesh Mandals to Skip DJs and Laser Lights
Vashi May Get Modern Mental Health Hospital Under New Proposal
Vashi Encroachment Protest Suspended After NMMC Assurance
Nidhi Razdan, fake Harvard professorship, and here is the explanation through her blog.
As the arrangement with Prashant Kishor falls through Rahul Gandhi has gone overseas again and is uncontactable
BSNL reveals all new 4G plans starting at ₹16
-
Fact Check6 years agoNidhi Razdan, fake Harvard professorship, and here is the explanation through her blog.
-
India4 years agoAs the arrangement with Prashant Kishor falls through Rahul Gandhi has gone overseas again and is uncontactable
-
Technology5 years agoBSNL reveals all new 4G plans starting at ₹16
-
Latest News5 years agoGovernment has spent ₹9,725 crores on Covid-19 vaccination drive so far
-
Latest News5 years agoTata wins Air India with ₹18,000 crore bid
-
Latest News5 years agoJharkhand government cuts Petrol price by massive ₹25 a litre but with a catch
-
Latest News5 years agoRaj Kundra Gave ₹25 Lakh Bribe to Mumbai Crime Branch to Avoid Arrest
-
Navi Mumbai5 years agoNavi Mumbai civic body raids and tests morning walkers, many found COVID positive