New Delhi:
Expressing concern over "frivolous and vexatious" Right to Information applications, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said there needs to be a "fine balance between the need to know and personal privacy." The PM was speaking at the 7th Annual Convention on Right to Information at the DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi.
Here are the highlights of what he said:
- There is a fine balance required to be maintained between the RTI and the right to privacy, which stems out of the Fundamental Rights.
- Frivolous and vexatious (RTI) queries cannot serve public good.
- There are concerns over invasion of personal privacy.
- This important legislation should not be only about criticizing, ridiculing, and running down public authorities.
- Public Authorities should not view it as an irritant but something that is good for all of us collectively.
- RTI should be more about promoting transparency and accountability, spreading information and awareness and empowering the citizen.
- Only a couple of hundred decisions of the Central Information Commission have been challenged in the courts
- Blanket disclosure may discourage private entities getting into partnerships under PPP (public, private partnerships), blanket exemptions will also however defeat purpose of transparency.