Former State Information Commissioner Dr. L. Krishnamurthy explains how RTI Act is blatantly being misused

Mysuru: Former Commissioner of Karnataka Information Commission Dr. L. Krishnamurthy has expressed his regret over how the fake Right To Information (RTI) activists have reduced the very purpose of framing RTI Act.

He was addressing the gathering at the 40th death anniversary observance of former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram, organised by Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Research and Extension Centre, University of Mysore (UoM), at its auditorium, in Manasagangothri here on Monday.

Recalling how RTI Act had evolved as a potential weapon against corruption, he said, several scams including that of 2G spectrum were unravelled with the help of RTI Act. Nowadays, the same Act is being weakened and misused, undermining the purpose behind framing the Act in the interest of general public.

The Supreme Court has ruled against gathering any personal information, besides restricting under Rule 14 of RTI Act to seek information in 150 sentences or about any particular subject. However, many create nuisance by writing lengthy letters seeking information of their choice. Of late, the rising number of fake RTI activists has turned into a menace, he noted.

“If the officers lack knowledge, there would certainly be hurdles. The officers should have a clarity, while providing a clear reply in a simplest form, under RTI Act,” said Dr. Krishnamurthy.

UoM VC Prof. N.K. Lokanath said, the programmes organised in commemoration of personalities including Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram should not be reduced to one-day event. What assumes significance is to follow the ideologies and principles envisaged by such great personalities. Whatever we receive on cell phones aren’t true. The information we access on social media about Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram, Kuvempu, Subhash Chandra Bose and many other personalities, are bereft of clarity. While a detailed information about such great personalities can be gathered from the books, he observed.

Director of Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies Prof. Nanjaiah Honganur, retired Director of Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Research and Extension Centre Prof. Mylahalli Revanna, Visiting Professor H.R. Bheemashankar, Coordinator Dr. M. Srinivas Murthy and Political Science Assistant Professor Dr. R. Aishwarya were present.